Background of the Dining Out

The Dining In has its roots in English history when a formal Dining Ceremony became customary in the monastaries. The custom was borrowed by the early universities and later spread to military units when the officers' mess was established.

  The close association of United States military personnel with the British during World War II led to the adoption of the Dining In as a prac­tice which has continued to grow in popularity. The formality of the British Dining In has been blended with the spirit of the late General H. H. "Hap" Arnold's famous "Wing Dings" to produce the Dining In as practiced in the United States military. It is now recognized as an occasion where tradition, ceremony, and fellowship combine to serve an important part in the activities of a United States Air Force unit.

  Dining Out is an adaption of the Dining In which allows for wives and other non—military guests to be present during the ceremonies.

 

Welcome

 

We are gathered together tonight in memory of the last great Air Force four—engine propeller—driven aircraft, to recall and recount our experiences with her, and to bid her farewell as she seeks her final resting place on that runway in the skies.

  The Good Book tells us that the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. The Good Book does not, however, explain what has been keeping Him otherwise so occupied for so many years.

 

Tonight is a celebration—a wake in its finest tradition.

 

And, as for Connie, may she forever rest in peace.

AGENDA

1900 Lounge open for refreshments.

 

1945 Mr. Vice rings chimes and all assemble in the dining area. The smoking lamp is out. All members remain standing.

 

1955 Head table enters dining area.

 

1957 Gavel signifies that the mess is open. 1958 Invocation by Chaplin Rader.

 

2000 PRES: "Ladies and Gentlemen, I propose a toast to the Commander in Chief, the President of the United States ."

 

Response by the Mess: "To the President."

 

MR. VICE: "Sir, I propose a toast to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II."

 

Response by the Mess: "To the Queen."

 

MR. VICE: "Sir, I propose a toast to the Chief of Staff, United States Air Force."

 

Response by the Mess: "To the Chief of Staff.'

 

MR. VICE: "Sir, I propose a toast to the Chief, Air Force Reserve."

 

Response by the Mess: "To the Chief of Air Force Reserve."

 

MR. VICE: "Sir, I propose a toast to our sister squadron, Squadron 8, Royal Air Force."

CONNIE HISTORY

Opinions vary as to the aesthetic contribution Lockheed made to aviation history with the Constellation, especially with the massive, bulging EC—121. As for the practical value there can be no dispute. The Constellation is the Queen, the ultimate in reciprocating aircraft technology.

  The "Excaliber" was conceived by Howard Hughes and Lockheed in 1939 as the "continent—spanning aircraft of the future" for Hughes' Trans—continental & Western Airlines (TWA). With the outset of World War II, however, the Army Air Force took over the project. The first flight of the prototype, now designated L^—049 by Lockheed and C—69 by the Army, was on January I_t 1943.

  In ₁₉₄₄ tests progressed and records were set ( Los Angeles to Washington , DC , in 6 hours, 58 minutes). Orville Wright, at age 72, even flew in the Connie for nearly an hour during tests at Wright Field. It was his first flight in 25 years.

  At the war's end only 22 of the 260 C-69s ordered were delivered, but the production was now well under way. Where military contracts were cancelled the hungry airlines stepped in with orders that virtually guaranteed the Connie becoming the airline great-and it was only the beginning. L—649 and L—749 designs were built as the answer to transoceanic travel.

The Navy purchased two L-749A Connies and designated them PO-1W, equipped them with radar, and assigned them to fleet radar coverage. This was the first military prototype of an airborne surveillance radar aircraft, a concept under study since 1945.

  The early 1950s brought the L—1049 "Super Constellation." With 18 feet, four inches more fuselage and 400 more horsepower per engine, it became the Navy's WV-2. The aircraft was also bought by the Air Force for its new Airborne Early Warning and Control wings, and was designated the RC-121 "Warning Star." Other Connies served as presidential support aircraft, military transport vehicles, and "Hurricane Hunters."

  Technical changes in the RC-121 radar equip­ment continued, and in October 1955 it was redesignated as EC-121. The late 1960s and the Vietnam struggle brought the development of the Airborne Surveillance and Control System (ASACS) and Introduced the EC-121T.

  In July 1971 the Air Force Reserve received its first EC-121 aircraft, and since March 1971 the Reserve aircraft have been flying active air defense missions for NATO.

  Today, more than 35 years after her first flight, the Connie is still the Queen.

Over Lossie, and in Mildenhall, and even the Azores ,

After many hours of flying she's the cause of many sores,

Her props are droning on!

 

Chorus:

 

And now her flying days are over, she'll at last be put to rest,

And the trips to Davis-Monthan prove to be the final test,

When she makes it she will prove to one and all that she's the best,

Her props will drone no more!

 

Final Chorus: Glory, Glory, Meto Power, Glory, Glory, Meto Power, Glory, Glory, Meto Power,

Her props will drone no more!

by Lieutenant Colonel Gerry Hoff