Held at the 8th Air Force Museum just outside of Savannah, this year's speakers included Col. (Ret.) Phil Coleman; Col. (Ret.) Phillips Hamilton; and CW4 (Ret.) C.D. Collins. Also speaking to an audience of about 50 members and guests were Col. Steven Westgate, commander of the 165th Airlift Wing, Col. Gene Ashley, commander of the Air Guard's Combat Readiness Training Center; and Capt. David Simmons.

Coleman told the group that his itch to get into the scrap sparked him to take his transfer from the 158th Fighter Squadron, Georgia Guard, then flying air defense patrols over Northern Japan, into his own hands. On leave he flew an F-84 from Misawa to K2 Airbase at Taegu, Korea. Barging into the commander's office there, the announced that he wanted to transfer to his outfit and get into the war. "Why would I send for you?" The Air Force commander said.

With a sly grin, Coleman responded: "because I'm best damned fighter pilot in the Air Force." The silver-haired retired fighter pilot said the commander brushed off the remark and asked him again. "Well, I shot down six Japanese zeros in China. . ." at that the Air Force Colonel sounded a little more interested and said he'd get the paperwork started. Not quite satisfied, Coleman said, "why don't we fill out the paperwork and I'll walk it through."

Coleman finished the war with four MIGs to his credit to qualify as an "ace" in two wars.

Col. (Ret.) Hamilton, who later commanded the unit as the 165th Tactical Airlift Group, followed and discussed his duties flying air defense over Japan. He later discussed his years at the 165th Airlift Group.

CW4 (Ret.) C. D. Collins was the final speaker and he amused the audience with his stories of stepping into an Air Force jet fighter for the first time and flying.