(1)
Capt. John Hartke (front seat) and former Army Air Force Capt. Mike Hunt in the Harvard T-6.
(2)
Cadets talk with Capt. John Hartke and retired Army Air Force Capt. Mike Hunt in the Birchwood Composite Squadron hangar.
(3)
Cadet Staff Sgt. Joshua Vanderlooven fits comfortably in the Harvard T-6’s cockpit.
(4)
Cadet Airman Justin Doty talks with former Army Air Force Capt. Col Mike Hunt.
(5)
Cadet Airman 1st Class Andrew Keller cleans the vintage aircraft’s wing for display at the Alaska Aviation Trade Show.
(6)
Cadet Staff Sgt. Suntaya Robison works to clean the Harvard T-6’s fuselage.
(7)
Cadet Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Sherwin applies polish to the plane.
(8)
Cadet Airman Basic Isaac Kimball details the Harvard T-6
(9)
Cadets get the aircraft ready to be put on display in Anchorage.
(10)
The Birchwood squadron’s deputy commander for cadets, 1st Lt. Pam Speer, with former Army Air Force Capt. Mike Hunt.
1st Lt. Pamela Speer
Public Affairs Officer
Alaska Wing
ALASKA — En route April 29 to the Alaska Aviation Trade Show in Anchorage, Capt. John Hartke stopped by Birchwood Airport in a vintage Harvard T-6 with a surprise for the Birchwood Composite Squadron’s regular cadet meeting – the Harvard’s previous pilot, former U.S. Army Air Force Capt. Mike Hunt, who flew during World War II.
The cadets had a chance to question Hunt — who flew for the Air Transport Command — about the war, flying and historical aircraft.
The cadets also got the Harvard ready to show by cleaning bugs, exhaust stains and oil off the aircraft, which Hunt donated to the Commemorative Air Force’s Alaska Wing in October 2006 after flying it for 16 years.
"Hartke e-mailed me the day before when he had the idea to drop in on the way to the air show,” said 1st Lt. Pamela Speer, the squadron’s deputy commander for cadets as well as the Alaska Wing's public affairs officer. “I loved the idea that our cadets could experience history in this hands-on way.
“Birchwood’s cadet program is run pretty tight,fitting in the required cirriculum and all the activities we do. A unique experience like this keeps things fun, new and flexible," Speer said.
