Our Staff
Commanding Officer
Col. Paul Emmons
Born and raised in Corpus Christi some 54 years ago. A graduate of Mary Carroll HS in 1971 and then went to work to eat. Married my childhood sweetheart in 1973 and raised two fine sons. Happily married most of the time for 34 years and still going strong.
My father was an Army Air Corps Aerial Photographer in the 8th Air Force and was privy to much secret work and flying tests with assorted aircraft, including the B-36. Some of his photos are now in my possession and are greatly treasured. His work and dedication to his country ignited my resolve to create a lasting tribute to him and to others who served this great nation. Failing my physical because of bad knees, I was very disappointed that I could not follow in my familys footsteps to take to the air. My dad's brother, also a veteran, began in the Army Horse Cavalry in the early 30's, then made the jump to the Air Corps in 1939. After many years serving Uncle Sam, he received a Medical Discharge, achieving the highest rank afforded as an Enlisted man.
The Commemorative Air Force gives me the opportunity that Uncle Sam didnt. When I first joined the CAF in 1997, little did I realize this small fledgling band of brothers would become a powerful force within the CAF organization. The camaraderie and people that make up 3rd Coast Squadron is wonderful and it affords me an outlet to fly in the warbirds, meet the men and women who have sacrificed so much and allow me to share and tell their story.
As a founding member, I have had the honor of serving in many different capacities, either in Staff positions or in various committees, but one thing is always a constant, the people I have served with have a genuine love for this squadron and its missions and go way beyond the normal call of duty to get things done. My hat will always be tipped to them. They are truly the world's finest volunteers!
We must never forget:All gave some, some gave All!
Executive Officer
Col. Mike Tromm
Col. Michael L. Tromm served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 to 1976 and was assigned to the 509 Bomb Wing Organized Maintenance Squadron and performed aircraft maintenance on F-111 Tactical Fighter, FB-111A Long Range Supersonic Bomber equipped with nuclear weapons, F-4D, E and F Phantom Tactical Fighter and U-2 Reconnaissance High Altitude Aircraft. Upon discharge from the USAF I spent 20 years working for automotive dealerships and completing curriculum for a degree in Automotive Service Management. Currently I am working on US and Foreign rotary wing aircraft engines as an examiner and perform preshop analysis of the data history and component condition to determine repair processing at CCAD.
In 1999 Col. Michael Tromm became a member of the CAF and a founding member of the Maxine Flournoy Third Coast Squadron and has served as Safety Officer, Maintenance Officer and Executive Officer. Col Tromm has performed flight line maintenance and servicing of aircraft at air shows since 2000. Col Tromm formed the Maxine Flournoy Third Coast Squadron Flight Line Service Detachment and led a team to the design and modification of a specialty utility trailer to dispense multiple types of aircraft engine oils to the aircraft performing at airshows. The Detachment is the first of its kind to be approved by the General Staff of the CAF.
Adjutant
Col. Stewart Burleigh
Military brat and things started in Massachusetts in 1956 at Otis Air Force Base. From there my father had the opportunity to have been stationed at key air bases during the development of the “Space Age”. Patrick AFB, Florida, Edward AFB, CA and then on to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Wright-Patterson, Ohio, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan and finally Luke AFB, AZ. I thoroughly enjoyed the great opportunities granted to me in my youth and the sense of history gained from my Dad’s assignments.
1975 High School graduate Kubasaki High School, Okinawa, Japan. I was bitten by the radio & television broadcasting bug with volunteer work with AFRTS while in Japan. Then it was on to college in California and Texas. Worked with several key radio and television stations in San Antonio from KTSA, KTFM and interned with the news department at KENS TV. I continue to offer volunteer voice talent to our local PBS station here in Corpus Christi.
Several years later the technology bug in me allowed a career move and now employed with Integrity Communications here in Corpus Christi working with educational, commercial and county governments.
I have always shared a fondness for aviation, especially the historic aircraft from World War II. Since joining the Commemorative Air Force I have had the privilege to take flights in several vintage aircraft from a TBM Avenger, B-25 Mitchell to the Texan T-6!!! By participating in the collective dreams and camaraderie of the Maxine Flournoy 3rd Coast Squadron we are giving South Texas hands on experience in living history with our commitment to Keep ‘em Flying!
My wife Catherine and I have two boy’s; Christopher and Matthew who both help out at all Maxine Flournoy 3rd Coast Squadron functions. Christopher is a recent graduate of King H.S. and will attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a full ROTC Scholarship. Matthew attends King H.S. as a sophomore and is active in the NJROTC as well.
Operations Officer
Col. Don Emmons
Don was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and lived in several places before his dad retired from the Air Force and moved to Corpus Christi. He graduated from Ray High School and Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he was commissioned through AFROTC. After completing navigator and bombardier training he was assigned to Dyess AFB, Texas, where he flew B-52 E/D aircraft. On temporary assignments to Guam, Okinawa, and Thailand he flew 225 combat missions, to include 40 over North Vietnam and 5 over downtown Hanoi. He amassed over 3500 hours in B-52's. He was then fortunate enough to be selected as a Reconnaissance Systems Officer (RSO) in the SR-71 Blackbird at Beale AFB, California. While there he chalked up over 700 hours in the Blackbird and over 100 hours in the T-38. Next, he was selected to be the SR-71 Squadron Operations Officer and was the acting Commander on a periodic basis at the SR-71 unit at RAF Mildenhall. From there he spent 4 years at the Pentagon as the SR-71 program element monitor (PEM) and the assistant division chief for all Air Force reconnaissance operations. He then served as the Commander of the logistics squadron at Norton AFB, California, which was uniquely responsible for all world wide logistics support (cradle to grave) for the SR-71. This included depot overhauls and flight test. When Congress terminated the program he had the unfortunate duty to dispense of its assets. He went on to be the Commander of the logistics squadron at Robins AFB, Georgia, which had the same responsibilities for the U-2 aircraft. Upon retirement his military decorations included two Legions of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Meritorious Service Medals and seventeen Air Medals. He earned a MBA from Hardin-Simmons University and a MS from USC. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces and Air War College. Afterwards he worked for aerospace until he was hired as a consultant to resurrect the SR-71 program at Edwards AFB, California. Years later he was again given the responsibility to close it down. After seeing a "Tora, Tora, Tora" air show he became hooked on the Commemorative Air Force. It has refilled his void for the unique camaraderie always found in flying units. As the Operations Officer for Third Coast Squadron, he will strive to help the Unit become one of the best in the CAF organization.
Maintenance Officer
Col. Vanessa Tromm
Col. Vanessa Tromm Col. Vanessa Johnson-Tromm currently is a Senior Data Analysis on the UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters for the inspection procedures and field repairs addressing corrosion treatment. She has been an Aircraft Mechanic on U.S. Navy trainers the T44, the military version of the Beechcraft Kingair 90. She also serves as the Maxine Flournoy Third Coast Squadron Maintenance Officer, overseeing the maintenance/restoration of the squadron’s PT 17 Stearman and Interstate L-6 Grasshopper.
Vanessa started by flying with her father in their Cessna 172B when she was just 14 years old, soloing just after her sixteenth birthday. She was a founding member of the Washington Island Flying Club and the EAA chapter 982 of Washington Island, Wisconsin. There, she made a firm lifelong dedication to Aviation in all its aspects.
After attending LeTourneau University, traveling Europe for 4 years, graduating from Hallmark Institute of Aeronautics in San Antonio, Texas, and earning her FAA Airframe and Powerplant licenses, she ended up in Corpus Christi. There, she took the job with a military contractor working on military aircraft and found the Third Coast Squadron. Through some more twists and turns, married her partner in crime, Col. Michael Tromm …….. and the rest is history.
Finance Officer
Col. Donald Campbell
Growing up and throughout high school, God and Country was everywhere. Keeping up with the latest info on the war was a daily occurrence and experiencing rationing first hand was a memory that I will never forget. After graduation from Pacific Grove HS in Pacific Grove, California in 1948, I found myself working for Uncle Sam in his NAVY for the next 27 years.
My duty as an Aircraft engine mechanic (Recip) allowed me the opportunity to work on many different aircraft and later to log many flight hours in some of my most favorite airplanes. My favorites being C121/EC121 and A-26's. Uncle Sam shipped me all over the world, with duty stations at NAS Memphis (twice), Jacksonville Florida, Key West, NAS Whiting Field, NAS Atsugi Japan, NAS Moffett Field, NAS Pt. Mugu, NAS Barbers Point, NAS Agana-Guam and NAS Corpus Christi. After retiring from the Navy, I entered civilian life and worked at CCAD for another 12 years, COMPLETELY retiring in 1995.
I married the love of my life, Helen Tayler, in 1955 in Brewton, Alabama, have four children and currently reside in Corpus Christi.
With my love for airplanes, I joined the CAF and Third Coast Squadron in 2002 and was elected as its financial officer in 2004. I am currently serving my second term as financial officer. This is a wonderful organization and it keeps me on my toes! "Keep 'em Flying"
Safety/Training Officer
Col. Troy Fitting
Born and raised around the Confederate Air Force in Harlingen, Texas, one of the original birth places of the CAF. I can remember every October from 1974 to 1991 when the Airsho was a four day event, I could hardly wait to get out of school to go to the airport or just sit on the roof of my house and watch the planes fly over. That time in my life was a great thrill, as I met many extraordinary men and women who actually flew those wonderful aircraft. For example: Pappy Boyington, Archie Donahue, Tex Hill, Paul Tibbets, and even Lefty Gardner who flew one of my favorite aircraft; the P-38 Lightning. I joined the CAF and the Maxine Flournoy/Third Coast Squadron in October 2007 after attending my first Airsho since 1991 when the CAF was still located in Harlingen. To be honest, I was upset that the CAF left to go to Midland in 1991, but once I attended the Airsho in 2006 my heartfelt love and respect for the organization came back and I am truly honored in finally becoming a member. I still live in Harlingen, Texas and graduated from Harlingen High School in 1991, attended the University of Texas A&M Kingsville from 1991 to 1995. After college I went to work for my family owned business Suncoast A/C & Refrigeration Inc. where I still work today. My grandfather served in the Army during World War II in the 334th Medical Batallion in France. Later, he became a Chief of Staff of several military hospitals located at Air Force Bases across the world. Examples where: Japan, Hawaii, and even Harlingen in 1958. He also served in both the Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, then retired from the Air Force in 1968 and moved from Pawnee,Oklahoma to Harlingen, Texas in 1969. My grandfather and father took me to many Airshows in Harlingen and taught me alot about aviation and military life and what the men and women of the United States Armed Forces sacrifice every day. I am so pleased to say that I am a member of such a fine organization and plan to stay involved for years to come to help "Keep 'em Flying". Everyone I have met in the organization have been so inspiring and I appreciate all their help. With my new staff position as Safety and Training Officer for the 3rd Coast Squadron, I am ready to tackle the job with all the effort I can give. Our organization will continue to grow and promote the living history the CAF brings to life, through hands on exhibits and annual Airshows. "Lest We Forget" the years 1939-1945 and the men and women who sacrificed so much.
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Page updated 05-20-2008
