Reliving history in midair

Commemorative Air Force uses vintage aircraft to build new memories

By AIDA KARIM
news@readthereporter.com

It’s difficult to imagine today what military combat was like for pilots 80 years ago. Thanks to the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), people now have the chance to experience history and fly in aircraft as old as World War II. On Saturday, June 13, that chance came to the Indianapolis Executive Airport, 11329 State Road 32, Zionsville.

The Reporter spoke with veterans Tim Sparks, Jonathan Bess, and Kyle Hanna about their military service and what resonated with them while flying historical aircraft.

According to Sparks, he got his start in the Navy in 1976, later flying carrier planes in Desert Storm. He used a special type of aircraft, coined a prowler, meant to jam radars, TV sets, and communications.

He said, “Aviation opened up pathways for me for my entire life.”

Following his service Sparks said he pursued a career with FedEx. He later retired and began working for the CAF, now flying the historically significant aircraft that veterans and other civilians have the chance to savor.

Jonathan Bess was a veteran who had the chance to fly in one of the aircraft.

Bess said he graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in 2003, then went into the Air Force, retiring in April of 2024, and now flies commercial airplanes. Similar to Sparks, Bess also was a pilot in the military.

He said he chose to join the Air Force because he wanted to give back to his country.

“I had a pretty good upbringing in Minnesota, and I wanted to help the little guys, something I always fought for,” Bess said. “Being deployed to Afghanistan and the Middle East was hugely impactful.”

The Reporter’s Flying Ace Aida Karim sits on the runway before taking flight. (Reporter photo by Bill Miller)

After flying in the plane, Bess said, “To fly with another veteran was really, really cool, being able to connect on common interests, so it was a blast.”

Another veteran, Kyle Hanna, said he served in the Army as a military policeman, stationed both overseas and stateside.

Speaking of his military experience in general, Hanna said the emotional ties and camaraderie he carried with his fellow soldiers is unlike any other connection he’s ever had.

“It was intense, going through the things you did with those people you were in a unit with.” Hanna said, “Getting back to civilian life, it just isn’t the same.”

Having the opportunity to fly the vintage aircraft, Hanna said he was reminded of his grandfather who served the military during World War II.

“To go up in these aircraft and hear the sounds, smell the engines and fuel, it makes you step back and look at the young boys that flew these aircraft back in the 1940s and know what they had to endure,” Hanna told The Reporter.

Coming from a family with a long military history, Hanna said the experience was particularly special for him.

He said, “It’s unmatched. The emotional grasp of it is hard to decipher or or tell someone how it feels.”

You can learn about CAF and sign up for their newsletter to keep track of when they will be back in Hamilton County online at CommemorativeAirForce.org.

On Saturday, June 13, The Reporter was there when CAF took members of the public into the skies over Hamilton County to get a small taste of what our WWII pilots went through during training. The public event took place at the Indianapolis Executive Airport, 11329 State Road 32, Zionsville. (Reporter photos by Bill Miller)

Barnstorming 101, Reporter style

On Friday, June 12, CAF was kind enough to let The Reporter’s own intrepid intern Aida Karim and star shooter Bill Miller get a preview of what the public would have the opportunity to experience during Barnstorming Days on Saturday. Our media preview took place at the Sheridan Airport, 27045 Jerkwater Road. (Reporter photos by Bill Miller)