First Air Force One Inaugural Gala - Columbine II

First Air Force One Inaugural Gala - Columbine II
Presidential Aircraft for Dwight D. Eisenhower
On Saturday, November 4, several members of our D-Day Squadron team and DC-3 Society attended the first gala supporting the restoration of "First Air Force One," Columbine II. Built in 1948, this historic aircraft was the presidential airplane from January 1953 to November 1954 and the principal backup until 1959. Gala guest speakers were Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter of the late Dwight Eisenhower, and 100 years young WWII Veteran, David Mitchell, USN, Ret.
How did the Columbine II become the 'FIRST' Air Force One? In May 1954, Air Force flight 8610 checked in with Air Traffic Control as they flew over Richmond, Virginia. Eastern Airlines flight 8610 also checked in, causing confusion for both ATC members and flight crews. Officials learned that Air Force 8610 - Columbine II - was carrying President Eisenhower. At a meeting with several government agencies, Colonel Bill Draper, the pilot in command and Air Force Aide to the President, suggested a new call sign for the President’s plane: Air Force One. The call sign met with the approval of the others present, and Lockheed Constellation serial number 8610 thus became the very first Air Force One.
“This was the plane that carried my granddad to Korea when he fulfilled a campaign promise that he would go as president-elect to see what could be done about the war American troops were fighting there,” explains Mary Jean Eisenhower, granddaughter to the 34th president. “My favorite picture of him is the one of him eating with the troops in Korea while he was president-elect. His ‘fleet’ of airplanes were all named Columbine because that is the state flower of Colorado. My grandmother, Mamie, was from Denver.”
“As soon as I saw the interior of the airplane again, the hair on the back of my neck stood up. It’s not yet fully restored, but it looked so familiar. On my first visit, I fell head over heels in love with the airplane.”
The gala began with a special VIP champagne flight aboard DC-3 Society member C-47 "Miss Virginia" of Dynamic Aviation with Mary Jean and David Mitchell aboard. Both Mary Jean and David's speeches were heartfelt and emotional, a true symbolism to the impact this aircraft has left on the American people, and globally.
Check out the video recap involving the flight experience, speaking engagements and more!
Filmed and produced by FunD Av Consulting
THANK YOU PARTNERS & SPONSORS
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Silver Sponsors:
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Office of Chaz Haywood
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Daniel Kiser
Samantha Anderson
Bill Borchers
Jim Menard
Justin Luben
Jace & Shae Pence

[@BaumannJA]

My Grandparents were stationed at Lowry AFB in Denver, and saw "Columbine" and President Eisenhower come and go when he visited the "Western Whitehouse." The significance of that airplane is Far more than people seem to realize. It deserves nothing but the very best, and I hope she not only returns to the Sky, but is able to represent and tell the stories for Years to Come. An Iconic Aircraft, An Incredible Man, Both in long service to our beloved United States.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

I saw "Columbine" sitting lonely on the ramp in Santa Fe, New Mexico many years ago. So nice to see this magnificent aircraft in the air once again.