September Retirees Coffee holds special event

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - -- The first Tuesday morning of each month is a special time for retirees of the South Dakota Air National Guard. Old stories are told and old friends are remembered when they gather in the Dining Facility at Joe Foss Field.

September's coffee was especially memorable due to an event promoted by the 114th Family Volunteer Group, the Sioux Falls Airshow, Inc. committee and the AFA.

Members where invited to attend the coffee and a special limited edition print called "The Rides of the Lobos" was available for purchase. Not only could you purchase the limited print that day, but past pilots of the South Dakota Air National Guard were on hand to personally sign your print.

The print shows graphic replications of the aircraft flown by the unit since it's inception and was designed by John Mollison who is a member of the Sioux Falls Airshow, Inc. committee.

Lt. Col. (Ret) Arden "Flip" Fjellanger was one of the units old pilots present to sign the prints. Fjellanger flew jets for the South Dakota Air National Guard from 1954 to 1984 and sat in more of these jets than any other pilot on hand that day.

"The F-51's were on the ramp when I left for training but were gone when I came home." said Fjellanger. "I flew the F-94C, the F-89, F-102, F-100 and ended my career in the A-7."

Those present to purchase the prints were grateful for the writers cramps that Fjellanger and the other pilots who showed up may have gotten from signing so many signatures.
Other pilots present that day to sign and pictured left to right below were; John Kittelson, Verlyn Howe, Carl Palmberg, Arden Fjellanger, Tom Lien, Bob Jamison, Dan Robar, John Carlson and Steve Doohen. Justin Berger and Claude Hone, both F-51 pilots, were unable to attend but signed several prints ahead of time.

The prints can still be purchased, without the signatures, by contacting Nicole Wajer, Airman and Family Coordinator for the 114th Fighter Wing.