Royal Maces officers get a glimpse of history.

On the evening of 14 August 2003, the Royal Maces of VFA-27 gathered in Tokyo, Japan, to celebrate a dining out, above, that held special meaning for the squadron. For the evening's guest speaker, squadron CO Cdr. Gary Shoman took advantage of being in a foreign country and invited LCdr. Ryoji Ohara, inset, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (Ret.), to attend. Throughout his WW II combat career Ohara flew several versions of the Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero. He was involved in over 100 attacks and 60 dogfights, for which he received an award for bravery. By the end of WW II only five fellow pilots of the original 60 in Ohara's fighter squadron, the 6th Kokutai, survived. Today, Ohara is the only surviving member.

Many Royal Mace aviators flew sorties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and were eager to ask Ohara about his most memorable mission. He recalled an incredible dogfight that took place on 13 May 1943 over Guadalcanal Island against a U.S. F4U Corsair. At one point in the fight his Zero sustained battle damage and caught on fire. Knowing that he would be killed if he did not react swiftly, Ohara put his aircraft into a steep dive to extinguish the flames and ultimately reengaged his opponent.

LCdr. John Enfield asked Ohara if the Zero pilots trained to specific merge game plans based on the performance of the aircraft they were engaging, or if they simply fought a specific fight based on the best characteristics of the Zero. Ohara's response was that they tailored the fight based on the opposing aircraft. He added that Japanese pilots learned their trade from ready room discussions about tactics used during engagements. It's not surprising that similar discussions in today's ready rooms are one way that junior Hornet pilots learn keys to success against dissimilar aircraft.

Perhaps the most emotional words spoken by Ohara came when asked how he dealt with being separated from his family during the war. The Japanese officer said that he was unable to return to his homeland or see his family for nearly two years. He added a sentiment felt strongly by all in attendance, stating that those with whom you serve become your family.

The Royal Maces truly benefited from the words spoken that evening by LCdr. Ohara. His actions, along with his amazing life story, testify to the fact that the traits and tales of a fighter pilot transcend time and national borders.

By Ltjg. Brad Converse, CVW-5 Public Affairs