Field Trip: Central Oregon WWII Aircraft Training History

Central Oregon WWII Aircraft Training History

Leader: Dick Tobiason

Friday, May 31st, 2024

Recap

Clear Blue sky, nice temperatures, no smoke, eighteen enthused ASCO Members and a great leader proved a great combination. The trip started at the Peter Skeen Rest Area with Dick Tobiason, Vietnam veteran and Chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, speaking to the WWII aircraft training history in Central Oregon. Dick started with by speaking to the military service of Rex T. Barber, military ace from WWII, who was credited with shooting down Japanese Admiral Yamamoto's plane among countless other combat missions over China and the Pacific. Rex returned to Culver after leaving military service and the highway 97 bridge over the Crooked River was renamed in his honor in 2003. 

Dick continued with history of the aircraft training history.; most specifically to the P-38s based  in Redmond and B-17s based in Madras. Central Oregon was chosen for training due to its distance from the coast, thus more difficult to attack, and better weather. We then traveled to the second stop, a range built to train gunners on B-17s. The gunners would bring their 50-caliber machine guns from Madras to the site and then practice shooting at a target mounted above a moving sled. Though the site is well preserved, there remains uncertainty whether it was actually used.

Thanks to Dick Tobiason for posters and Bob TImmer for coordinating

Trip Posting

We will explore the WWII aircraft training history in Central Oregon with our trip leader: Dick Tobiason. We will start at the Peter Skeen Ogden Rest Area, north of Terrebone, at 9:00AM for an overview. We will then drive about 5 miles to a WWII training site. As protection of this historic site, we are not posting specific information on its location. 

The following schedule is for those departing from Bend and wishing to share a ride. Those not from Bend might wish to meet at Stop 1.

• Depart Bend (8:15AM) from parking lot at Cascade Village Mall between Ashleys furniture (old Penney's) and Petsmart (63455 N Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97703). Driving distance is 30 miles.
• Stop 1 (9:00AM) – Peter Skeen Ogden rest area – Overview of WWII Aviation Training Activities (restroom facilities)
• Stop 2 (10:30 AM) - WWII training site – ½-mile walk
• Tailgate lunch at Stop 2 (bring lunch, water, sun screen)
• Stop 3  (1:00PM) – WWII training site – 1.5 mile walk
• Return to Bend (~2:00PM)
• Arrive in Bend (~2:45PM)

Participants in this trip pledge to protect the confidentiality of this site. 

We will be walking over uneven ground. Sun, Snakes, and other hazards are present. Boots are recommended. 

Coordinator: Bob TImmer

About Dick Tobiason*

During his 20 years with the Army, Dick Tobiason completed 2 tours in Vietnam, has been awarded numerous commendations, including a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. One of his proudest assignments was helping repatriate 27 American POW’s in South Vietnam during “Operation Homecoming” in 1973. He has lived in Bend 30 years after retiring from 33 years employment with the U.S. Army, NASA and the airline industry. Dick was the first and only Army Aviator to be nominated as an Astronaut in the Apollo-Moon program.

Dick has served as Chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation since its founding in 2010. Over the past 16 years, he has initiated over 30 projects, including the Oregon Medal of Honor Highway and Honor Flights of Eastern and Portland Oregon. Dick and his wife of 60 years raised two sons and are grandparents of 7. Dick is proud of his late parents who immigrated from Sweden and Finland who lived the American dream and raised 5 sons who served in the Armed Forces.

* Bio for Dick from a recent presentation at the A.R. Bowman Museum

Questions, contact Bob TImmer, Trip Coordinator, at bobtimmer@yahoo.com or 903.477.2168