Cal Aero

Because I had attended the Veteran’s Hospital (in Salt Lake) one day with my father, I was able to witness as he associated with his fellow veterans, His short conversations with them revealed that he had been in several European operations. He'd never spoken of these; and I realized I was receiving understanding I'd never had before. He stated that he along with the other veteran had been in “The Bulge” (meaning The Battle of the Bulge) and several other operations. I recognized at the time, that I knew little of my father's actual participation in World War II and relished knowing that my father had contributed greatly to the war’s final outcome. 

Later on, I had the opportunity to have my father come and visit me in my home in Ontario, California. I was grateful to have him come and took great lengths to assure his comfort (Inasmuch as he was somewhat aged). Because I knew my father had been trained at Cal Aero on what was now known as the Chino airport, I wanted to take advantage of what he remembered.

During World War II, the Cal Aero Flying Academy was a civilian training program operating from its location at today's Chino Airport and trained thousands of pilots as they prepared for military service. A relatively small training program until after the attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the United States in World War II;, the private training academy was contracted by the U.S Army Air Forces in an effort to leverage existing resources to quickly train future soldiers through preliminary and basic flight training before being sent out for advanced training in other locations. The aftermath of Pearl Harbor saw a massive war mobilization in the United States to support the war effort and in this effort emerged the need for locations that could aid in mass production and housing of aircraft, house military operations, and aid in the training of newly enlisted troops.

Cal-Aero Flying Academy emerged in a time where flight training was highly needed and common. One of the largest flight schools in its time; it was contracted by the U.S Army Air Forces from 1942 to 1944. More than 12,000 fighter and bomber pilots trained at this location during the war effort which saw Army Air Cadets go through primary (10 weeks) and basic (10 weeks) flight training, totaling about 20 weeks.

Cadets learned to fly Stearman biplanes and BT-13 Kaydet trainers; mastering take-offs, landings, spins, stalls, rolls, and simulated forced landings. Ground school covered navigation, meteorology, and military aviation fundamentals.

The Cal-Aero Flying Academy was different from other military bases and academies, the academy did not include barracks but instead motel-style rooms. The reason behind the motel-style rooms was because the origin of Cal-Aero Flying started as a private facility and the academy could accommodate up to 500 men. At the conclusion of the of training program the Army Air Cadets would be move on to more advanced training at another base. Academies such as the Cal-Aero Flying Academy supported the war effort by providing areas of training and housing for newly enlisted recruits that were looking to support the war effort by fighting.

I also wanted to give Dad a chance to experience a measure of camaraderie with his fellow veterans who gathered at a restaurant there. I knew that somehow; he might have the opportunity to share a few stories with his fellow gentlemen veterans who seemed to gather at this restaurant.  It was called "Flo’s Café" and I’d had occasion to eat there previously. 

We spent an evening having dinner there together. (I knew he'd like their famous biscuits and gravy!) While sitting there enjoying our dinner, several tables were occupied by what seemed to be veterans. My father was rather outgoing and I knew he might strike up a conversation with them about their shared war experiences. He did! I don't remember the details of what these men conversed about. I do remember that they conversed for over an hour about various topics that I seemed to know very little about. Nevertheless, these former strangers shared significant things that they'd undergone together at a much earlier time in their lives. I was struck at the somewhat hushed tone that they took as they shared there were experiences with each other. Finally, we excused ourselves and left for home. As we were leaving, we happened to drive past some long, low connected buildings. My father pointed out that he had been billeted in one of those buildings during the war as a cadet - being taught the art of flying. It had been many decades since he’d been housed at that location. I was grateful that I had been afforded the opportunity to provide such a blessing to my father; and be rewarded, by witnessing his sacred camaraderie with his fellow soldiers! 

July 29, 1943

Dear Mother;

I just arrived at my new field, and, Boy!, what a place.  It is a regular country club.  We were all busted up, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference.

I left Santa Ana at 6:00 o’clock this morning, and arrived here at 4:30 this afternoon.  As the crow flies; it is about 30 miles away.  We had to go by train and we had to go into L.A. to boot.  I had a good sleep on the hot train.  My new base is Cal-Aero, and is about 25 miles due east of L.A.; so I was pretty lucky to be put where I am.

Airplanes are as thick as flies and cadets are scarce.  It is a civilian school that the Army has a contract with to teach cadets to fly.

We had our first meal here, and then we were issued our flying clothes, and our bedding.  I have made my bed, and let my un-packing go, to write to you.

I know I will get along here.  I saw several class-rooms and have been down to the hangers.  Everything points to the things I am familiar with.  I am anxious to get started.  I have always looked forward to this, and now, here it is.  I can hardly believe it!

I have to go to bed now so I will finish this in the morn; besides I don’t know my address yet.

Goodnight, 9:40 o’clock.

PS, The schedule is different here, we go to bed earlier and get up earlier.

Well, here it is, the starting of my third day.  I would have written yesterday only I was very busy getting settled.

Yesterday, I got my first 40 min of flight instruction. It was quite a thrill.  Today I got an additional 50 min.  I’m getting along swell.  They don’t hesitate in the things they teach you.

I found that Pomona is just ten miles away.  If I get the chance, I am going over and see Lenora Allred while I’m here.  Will you write and prepare her for to receive me one of these week-ends.

I have to head for the flight-line, so I will write soon.

Love, Donald.