Elected Staff

Commanding Officer

Col. Paul Emmons

Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas and began the adventure in 1953. A proud Tiger graduate of Mary Carroll HS in 1971. Married my childhood sweetheart in 1973 and together, raised two fine sons. Together still, she keeps me on my toes as only a fellow CAF Colonel can!

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. Pearson Knolle

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 worked in the communications field with Integrity Communications. After a stint there, I am now in the new adventures in the Dispatching Department of the Corpus Christi Police.

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 graduate of King H.S. and attends Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a full ROTC Scholarship. Matthew attends King H.S. 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.

Finance Officer

Col. Lorenzo Baldwin

Maintenance/Safety/Training Officer

Col. Chris Wills

I was born on August 17, 1956 about 30 miles north of London, England where my Dad was stationed there in the Army at the time. When I was an infant we transferred back to the States for about 6 months and then Dad got orders to Chinon, France. It was there that I learned and spoke fluent French from my French babysitter, much to the chagrin of my Mother. When I was about 6 years old we returned back to the States were Dad was released from active duty and we moved to Paso Robles, CA. When I started school I unfortunately lost my ability of speaking French due to my Teacher insisting I spoke English. It was there in the mid 60’s when I fell in love with a TV show called Twelve O’clock High. Ever since then I have been fascinated with WWII aircraft, especially the B-17. The later part of my childhood was spent in Oregon where I graduated from High School in Silverton. After graduation I joined the U.S. Navy in 1974 and became a Structural Mechanic working on A-7 Corsair and A-6 Intruder Aircraft. During my service I served on the USS Oriskany, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt and finally the USS Enterprise. I got out of the Navy in 1978 and joined the U.S. Coast Guard in January of 1979, again as an Aviation Structural Mechanic. My attraction with the Coast Guard was that I could not only work on the aircraft but also fly as an aircrewman, flying on Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. Since then I have worked and flown on the HH-52A, HH-3F, HH-65A and HU-25 Falcon Jet. The majority of my career however was with the Falcon Jet. My duty stations include CGAS Arcata, CA, APO Little Rock AR. (Where the Falcon Jet was built), CGAS Astoria, OR, CGAS Corpus Christi, TX, CGAS North Bend, OR. CGAS Savannah, GA and finally back to CGAS Corpus Christi, where I retired with over 30 years in 2005. Since then I was hired as a Structural Mechanic and now work on the AH-64A Apache Attack helicopters at CCAD, and love every minute of it.

I consider myself a WWII history buff, specifically with the 8th Air Force and the Battle of the Atlantic. When I learned about the 3rd Coast Squadron in 2008, I joined immediately, with my love of WWII aircraft I couldn’t resist. We have a fine bunch of dedicated members and I consider it an honor to belong to such an outstanding organization. I especially want to thank my wife Vicki for her love and support for my passion with the Commemorative Air Force and 3rd Coast Squadron.

Page updated 04-17-2010

Hangar: 1309 S. Airport Rd Alice, Texas 78332 - PO Box 8192, Corpus Christi, Texas 78468-8192

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