|
News Release
Contact:
Doug Clay, (925) 997-2774
E-Mail: dougclay@gmail.com Website:
www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org
Former SR-71 Pilot Takes the Controls of the Pacific Coast Air Museum
(Santa Rosa, CA,
March 24, 2006) -- The PACIFIC COAST AIR MUSEUM (PCAM) is proud to
announce Colonel Dave Pinsky, USAF (Retired), has assumed the position
of Executive Director of the Pacific Coast Air Museum. Col. Pinsky
brings many years of management and leadership experience to the
position from nearly 26 years in the United States Air Force (USAF) and
18 years as Deputy Director of Utilities for the City of Santa Rosa.
Col. Pinsky was
first introduced to PCAM in October 2004 at the dedication of PCAM’s
newly restored F-106 Delta Dart. Coincidentally, he has actually flown
that exact airplane. In July 2005 Col. Pinsky was the guest speaker at
the monthly PCAM members meeting. Col. Pinsky’s experience and
leadership were readily apparent to PCAM’s Board of Directors who
convinced him to take on the role of Executive Director for the Museum
in October 2005.
Col. Pinsky has
several goals to continue the great works of the museum. First, he
plans to continue aviation education programs for local school
children. Second, he will continue progress on incremental improvements
to the museum’s existing facility. Third, he intends to firm up plans
and a fundraising campaign for the museum’s permanent home. Fourth, is
to continue aircraft restoration and display including flyable
aircraft. Fifth, is to increase community awareness of the museum and
its contribution to the Sonoma County community. Sixth, to create and
maintain an atmosphere where museum volunteers have an enjoyable
experience each and every time they volunteer at the Air Museum.
Col. Pinsky
received his commission in the USAF in 1961 and began his career as a
flight instructor in the Air Training Command. He volunteered for
Vietnam in 1965, flew 614 combat missions as a Forward Air Controller
and was awarded two Silver Stars, the Distinguished Flying Cross, 26 Air
Medals and two Purple Hearts. He was in the F-106 program for seven
years as a pilot, instructor pilot, flight examiner and squadron
commander. He served three years on the NATO staff in Europe, three
years at Air Force Headquarters and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in
Washington. He was Deputy Commander for Operations of the FB-111 wings
at Plattsburg AFB, New York and Pease AFB, New Hampshire.
Col. Pinsky was
Vice Wing Commander, then Wing Commander, of the Air Force’s only SR-71
and U-2 equipped wing, the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing,
Beale AFB, CA from June 1983 until July 1987.
A command pilot,
Col. Pinsky has flown over 6,500 hours in the SR-71, U-2, F-106, F-102,
FB-111, T-38, T-33, T-37, T-29, KC-135 and O-1 aircraft, including over
1,000 hours of combat time.
Col. Pinsky moved
to Santa Rosa in 1987 and was the Deputy Director of Utilities for the
City of Santa Rosa from 1987-2005. He is a Leadership Santa Rosa
graduate and is very active in community and civic affairs, having
served on the Board and as President of Santa Rosa’s Rose Parade for
five years, as well as numerous other non-profit agency boards.
For more
information contact the Pacific Coast Air Museum at (707) 575-7900.
Website:
www.pacificcoastairmuseum.org.
# # #
|