Video taken by my friend retired USAF Col. Mark Pestana who routinely flew the RC-135 Rivet Joint missions around the Soviet Union. The video shows what it was like when intercepted by a number of different types of threatening Soviet Fighters. The pogram is dedicated to over 130 Air Crewmen who perished in 40 reconnaissance aircraft shot down during the Cold War. On Sataturday, October 26th, you are cordially invited to attend our next meeting at Charlie Brown’s, at 12:30 PM, for lunch followed by a talk by Keith Ferris. For information and reservations ($20/person), contact Howard Leach at 973-540-1283 or hhleach@aol.com. Everyone is welcome.

Pictured: Speaker Keith Ferris receives an autographed copy of Wings from Bill Fosina, Chapter 195 President.

Picatinny Arsenal began as the War Department’s powder depot in 1880 and evolved into one of the Army’s most important armaments research and development centers. The post has many historic buildings – some dating to its earliest years, some built following an explosion that devastated much of the base in 1926, and some from the World War II and Cold War eras. On Saturday, September 26th, Patrick J. Owens, Historian, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, gave a presentation of the history of the Picatinny Arsenal from its founding to the present day. Click on the links below to go to the Picatinny Arsenal’s official website and Mr. Owens’ presentation on the Chapter 195 You Tube website.

1. The election of officers for the roster year starting October 1, 2015, was held. The results are:

President: William Fosina
Vice President: Cole Klietsch
Secretary: Toby Terranova
Treasurer: Howard Leach

The following were appointed positions:

Vice President of CyberPatriot: Howard H. Leach, Jr.
Vice President of Government Relations: Cole Kleitsch
Vice President of Membership: Tobia (Toby) Terranova
Chapter Chaplain: Tobia (Toby) Terranova

2. Members received their plaques and medals that were awarded them at the NJ State AFA Convention on August 1, 2015:

The recipients of the above certificates will receive their actual awards at the next Chapter 195 meeting on September 26, 2015.

Keith Ferris, aviation artist, Chapter 195 member, and 2012 enshrinee in the National Aviation Hall of Fame (2) will tell the story of his friend Gail Peck (3) who conceived, briefed, got approved, built and then led Secret, the U.S. MiG Squadron, from a base hidden in the desert at Tonopah, Nevada in the late 1970s and 80s.

Bill Thalman, Morris Knolls High School, has been selected as Chapter 195 Teacher of the Year for grades 9-12. Dori Smyth from Mendham Township Elementary School is the Chapter 195 Teacher of the Year for grades K-8. Congratulations to both winners. The Chapter will be presenting the awards at a luncheon meeting on May 30, 2015, at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham, NJ, at 12:30 PM.

Art Snyder, Chapter 195 member, recapped getting a direct commission, being called to active duty, the Korean war starting, volunteering for flight training to get into combat, then going to Korea to fly B-26’s and, what he did on his 38 missions He elaborated on being transferred to a new CIA Wing to fly B-29’s on covert missions.

Pictured: Speaker Art Snyder posing with Thomas R. ‘Bob’ Vaucher, Lt Col WWII B-17,24,29 pilot who led the 525 B-29 Show of Force during the formal Japanese Surrender.

Art Snyder, Chapter 195 member, spoke about getting a direct commission, being called to active duty, the Korean war starting, volunteering for flight training to get into combat, then going to Korea to fly B-26’s and what he did on his 38 missions.

Pictured: Chapter 195 President Bill Fosina (left to right) presents speaker Art Snyder with a gift for his presentation with Art’s son George, and grandson Travis present.