One of the Tiger Flight aircraft during a practice session. The current Tiger Flight aircraft are Alon A-2 Aircoupes, a low-wing, twin tailed, monoplane.
photo by Tiger Flight Foundation
The Tiger Flight Foundation Flight Team will provide a Missing Man Flight formation for the Rome, Ga. Welcome Home Iraqi Veterans-Parade. The Tiger Flight Foundation Flight Team is an all volunteer precision formation flight team based out of the Richard B. Russell Airport in Rome, Ga.
Many of the pilots, and other members of the group, are veterans or have ties to the military. The Tiger Flight Team for the day of the event will consist of Bill Jansson as flight lead, Phil Cataldo will be the Break Pilot, Scott Willis will be number three and David Wright will be the ground coordinator.
"All of the pilots and crew members of Tiger Flight are honored to be part of this welcome home event," said David Wright, Tiger Flight Foundation Board of Directors, chairman. "The Missing Man formation allows us to do this in several ways. Its meaning has grown over the years. First and foremost, it honors all service men and women, of all eras, who did not return home to their families. Secondly it also says thank to returning veterans. It also represents to those who served and their families that their community and nation salutes their sacrifice.”
The parade is Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. The Tiger Flight Missing Man flyover will signal the start of the parade. This initial flyover will be followed by a second one provide by a Naval Air unit.
Tiger Flight Foundation is a 501C3 non-profit foundation leading youth to the dream of flight and providing an opportunity for adults to serve through aviation activities. The Tiger Flight Foundation’s mission is to inspire youth and adults to become “Pilots in Command” of their own lives. Major foundation components include Tiger Flight Formation Flight Team, Tiger Flight Museum, and a Children's Education and Motivational Program.
The Tiger Flight Foundation and flight team are proudly associated with the original Flying Tigers and honored to be the only civilian flight team associated with this famed World War II squadron. In 2003 Tiger Flight was given permission to use the squadron patch of the Flying Tigers by the family of General Claire Chennault, the Commanding officer of the Flying Tigers, and General Robert Scott, Flying Tiger Pilot.
More information on Tiger Flight can be found at
www.TigerFlightFoundation.org and more information on the parade can be found on the calendar and events page on
www.romegeorgia.org.