Front of Coin

This year, 2007, is the Air Force 60th Anniversary and also the 100th Anniversary of Flight in Georgia.

Col. Gary Breedlove, Bainbridge High School Air Force JROTC Director, decided that both events should be commemorated in flight and in coin.
Coin at left

First, Col. Breedlove spoke with the Tallahassee EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) Chapter 445 about bringing the Young Eagles program to the area to mark the Air Force Anniversary. Even though the Young Eagles program is usually only done in an area once a year they agreed to come and BYE 111 (Bainbridge Young Eagles) was set in place.

When they brought the Young Eagles program in February, 7 planes came and over 60 local youth took the orientation flight and became Young Eagles. This time they are bringing 10 planes.

EAA Chapter 445 has always been very supportive for the BHS Air Force Junior ROTC and their response for this event has been overwhelming according to Col. Breedlove. The goal is for 100 youth to fly and receive their certificates. But this time, in addition to the certificate, there is also something extra for the new Young Eagles.

Through the efforts of Col. Breedlove, with permission of both state and federal government agencies, a commemorative coin has been made to mark both the 100th Year of Flight in Georgia and the U.S. Air Force's 60th Anniversary.

Back of Coin

There is a limited number of these commemorative coins and are only available through Col. Breedlove.  The coins are available for $5.00. You can contact him at gbreedlove@dcboe.com or 229-248-2268.

Please remember that anyone age 8-18 interested in becoming a Young Eagle must be pre-registered as there are only 100 spots available. For registration you can us the contact information above.

The first flight in Georgia was in a cow pasture near Athens. The mastermind behind it was 19 year old Ben Epps, who not only flew but had also built the aircraft. Epps attended Georgia Tech before dropping out at the age of 15 and became a self-taught aviator, aircraft designer and builder.

In 1917 he opened the Ben Epps airport in Athens. Through the years Epps shared his passion for flight with his nine children. Ben Jr. soloed at the age of 13 and he and seven other of the nine children either are or were aviators. Epps Sr. died in 1937, on an airfield, after the plane he was flying stalled and crashed.

Officially, the U.S. Air Force is celebrating the 60th Anniversary September 18 through October 18th. The U.S. Army Signal Corps formed an Aeronautical Division on August 1, 1907. Initially the Aeronautical Division was flying mostly balloons and dirigibles. The first airplane was from the Wright Brothers in 1909.