Iron Mike’s Proclamation

To All Who Shall See These Presents, Greeting:
Let it be known that fourteen days hence there will convene a tournament of stalwart men and fair maidens beside the river Savannah, in the city so named by General Oglethorpe, in the year of our Lord, 1733.
There shall be boisterous celebration and merrymaking occasioned by tomfoolery and jest. Yea, by proclamation, there shall be no mortal combat, nor shall there be jousting.
Be it known that Orders of Chivalry will be succeeded by solemn remembrance of Gallant Knights fallen with homage paid to their memory.
And if anyone or any persons come here-against, we will and command that all true Firebirds hold them as deadly foes.
Thus, declared and sealed,

Knight Bachelor Iron Mike
Firebird Earl Constable

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Daniel Robert “Dan” Winnie flew West January 8, 2026.

Dan and I flew together in the 7th Special Operations Squadron where he was a legendary Loadmaster. He was a combat veteran of multiple campaigns and always up for a challenging adventure. Indicative of his wild sense of adventure, Dan broke his back 1) riding a bicycle, 2) at night, 3) on the infield of the Moron Air Base airfield, and 4) while wearing night vision goggles! While the Spaniards and the Squadron Commander were less impressed, it cemented Dan in 7th SOS lore. That is just one story in the Volume of Dan Winnie.

Obituary for Dan Winnie

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Ralph Ernest Hatch  December 16, 1933 – May 31, 2026

Ralph Ernest Hatch passed away peacefully on May 31, 2026, at the age of 92. He was a legend in his own time—a larger-than-life character whose adventures, stories, and unmistakable spirit left an impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. When talking about an Alaskan experience, somehow, sooner or later, the story always seemed to get back around to Ralph. His adventures became part of the lore, and his name became synonymous with the wild, unpredictable, and unforgettable.

After retirement, Ralph became a financial advisor, and true to form, he always seemed to have a hot tip if you wanted one. Whether you took his advice or not, you could always count on Ralph to have an opinion, a story, and probably a little mischief to go along with it. Ralph lived his life on his own terms and by his own rules. He was the wild navigator—independent, adventurous, fearless, and never one to follow the ordinary path simply because it was there. His stories will be told for years to come, and his memory will live on in the countless adventures, laughs, and tall tales that somehow always seem to circle back to Ralph.

You will always be remembered as the wild Skibird navigator who lived life his own way.

Rest in peace, Ralph. You were truly one of a kind.

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Robert “Bob” Shellenberger Jr. flew West June 12, 2026. Colonel Shellenberger was a 1958 USMA graduate and served as Firebird commander from July of 1976 to August of 1978. A consummate gentleman, inspired leader, true patriot and a caring friend. He will be missed but oh what a wonderful life lived!

We will always smile and think of him when reciting the pledge of allegiance and his insistence on not pausing between nation and under God. He, of course, was right! His Sam Magee recitation likewise was special at our reunions.

Read Firebird Memories of Bob here.

Bob also enjoyed acting and one of his colleagues posted this about Bob.

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Robert “Bob” Snyder flew West July 31, 2026. Those attending last year’s reunion might remember Bob’s account of a chance meeting in a California car lot with a vacationing North Carolinian Firebird, Jim Plyer. Turned out they were both coming to the Chattanooga reunion! Kismet?

Bob was a joy to be around. Initially wary, Bob was the first to agree to be video-interviewed at our upcoming reunion for what we hope will be part of an exhibit of Skibird history in the National Museum of the USAF. No worries, Bob, we will see you at the Grand Reunion and get that interview!

Back in the Day Photos 1

Back in the Day Photos 2

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Richard “Dick” Dodge flew West May 12, 2026. In addition to Dick’s faithful service to his country, he served as President of our Firebird Association. He helped coordinate our 2025 reunion in Chattanooga but was unable to attend. Always eager to serve, Dick was also planning to help us with a reconnaissance mission to Savannah this Spring, however, his health prevented that.

Some of Dick’s squadron mates may well remember him “flying” an IBM typewriter! We are all grateful for his friendship and service.

Bulletin from Richard Charles “Dick” Dodge Memorial. 

Excellent Task Force Slide Article!

In 1998, the American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) published a detailed history in their Journal about Task Force Slide — the developmental/operational testing of C-130 ski-equipped aircraft. It’s written by Kent A. Mitchell and titled TASK FORCE SLIDE USAF C-130 SKI TESTS. It details not only the initial testing, but follow-on events conducted in Greenland and Antarctica. The Air Force tested the C-130BL with Navy Squadron VX-6 as Joint Task Force Slide III during Project Deep Freeze. Great photographs and descriptions of the lessons learned by aviators who laid the first C-130 Skibird tracks. Our thanks to AAHS for allowing us to share this with you!

You can download a copy of this AAHS Journal article here.

You can find other outstanding AAHS articles on their website aahs-online.org.

Author John H. Cloe Obituary

John flew West December 26, 2016. His article “Skibirds on the Ice Cap” published in a 1977 edition of the American Aviation Historical Society Journal is a testament to his love for aviation, the military, and history. The men and women of the 17th TAS and predecessor units owe John a great debt for preserving our history in such a splendid work. John did not serve in the 17th TAS however, he did fly to Greenland with the 17th in 1973 and credits that experience for inspiring him to write the Skibird piece. His article is posted here in his memory and with gratitude.

Obituary for John Haile Cloe.

You can download a copy of this AAHS Journal article here.

Great Skibird Article from 1977!

In 1977, the American Aviation Historical Society (AAHS) published an excellent history in their Journal about the DEW Line mission and the C-130D. It’s written by John H. Cloe and titled Skibirds on the Ice Cap. Mr. Cloe was a historian for the 1931st Communications Group as well as for the 21st Composite Wing at Elmendorf. He documented the role of the 17th TAS and other units in the construction and sustainment of the DEW Line – specifically DYE II & DYE III. There are some great photographs as well as extensive references. Our thanks to AAHS for allowing to share this with you!

You can download a copy of this AAHS Journal article here.

You can find other outstanding AAHS articles on their website aahs-online.org.

Firebirds.org goes LIVE!

News, Reunion info (present and past), our Roster, and Taps roll, all now reside here. You will find the updated pages are more mobile friendly than the older Historic site pages. Rest assured, the Historic site remains entirely intact and can be reached here and from our new home page.

Due to the tremendous amount of data it holds, modernizing the entire website was beyond our budget, but Firebird history is now preserved there. Note that there is a brief chronological overlap (2024 and 2025) between the Historical and the Current site.

Fellow Firebird Flies West

Iron Mike Makes No-notice Bed Check

Gene Ramsey gets a no-notice bed check by Tiny Tin Mike during his hospital stay in Columbus, GA. Gene and Kathy’s quick visit to see their grandson graduate Army Infantry Training at Fort Benning turned into an unwelcome extended stay.

August 30 UPDATE! Gene is Alpha-1. We’ll see them both in September.

April 23 UPDATE! Gene passed his latest test and is back to an unrestricted diet.

January 14 UPDATE! We’re all grateful they are both back home now. The love and support of the  Firebird faithful was appreciated.