The A-10 Thurnderbolt II, or“Warthog”, is one of the most beloved fight jets by ground troops because of its close air support capabilities that can save those in harm’s way from a bad situation. The aircraft has an impressive array of firepower to include a 30mm rotary autocannon along with rockets, missiles, and bombs. The platform has served in the Global War on Terror since early 2002 and have participated in major operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya among other missions.
Freedom Alliance reached out to the 303 Fighter Squadron out of Kansas City, Missouri, to invite their veteran pilots to participate in the Freedom Alliance Offshore Experience. The idea came from one of the pilots who previously was enlisted in the Air Force as a combat controller – one of the men who communicate with the air assets in a given battlespace. He was a newly minted A-10 pilot who told us of the dedication and service of these pilots who time and again fly into danger to turn the tide of battle. All the applicants had combat deployments and experience, with about 100 years of service between the five of them. And so, in December, five pilots visited Costa Rica to take part in the Freedom Alliance Offshore Experience.
Unfortunately, their initial civilian flight got diverted, causing them to miss the first day, but nonetheless, their week was impactful. They stayed in two condos at Los Sueños Resort along the Central Pacific coast, donated by grateful Americans. After getting situated, we loaded up on golf carts donated by Gato Gordo Golf Cart Rentals to visit the home of Jim Kitchell. Kitchell and his family received the pilots graciously and hosted them to a meal at their villa overlooking the resort. Jim is the owner of Costa Cat Cruises, a tourism agency that takes visitors to Isla Tortuga…but more of that later.
In the morning, they dined at Dolce Vita – one of the resort’s many restaurants that has supported this program with a deep discount. Sporting their apparel from our supporters at Tunaskin and Anetik, as well as their new polarized sunglasses courtesy of Hook Optics - they were ready for a day at sea. Their fast broken, the group walked onto the marina to be greeted by Bill Nesbitt and Captain Ian of “NSatiaBill” (pronounced “in satiable”), a 64’ Viking sportfishing yacht. Rumors had made the rounds that there was a strong bite about 60 miles south – much further than the typical ride.
The weather was a bit rough for this time of year, and deckhands Diego and Fuji worked hard. We caught two sails and it was getting late in the day. Captain Ian suggested we start back and he would keep an eye out for birds or dolphins in case the tuna were biting…and guess what? He found them.
As Mr. Nesbitt was showing one of the pilots how to jig for tuna so he could take over, saying, “you just do it like this and if they are there, they will bite.” To everyone’s surprise, just as he completed the sentence, his tutorial was rewarded with a strike. In Costa Rica, it is common to catch 30-50 lb yellowfin tuna, but by the time the first pilot had passed the rod, we all knew we had a monster. The sun was getting low in the sky and after an hour and ten minute fight with all five pilots taking a turn, the crew harpooned the tuna and brought it onboard…it was a 125-lb yellowfin!
We headed home in the dark, arriving to the marina much later than anticipated but hearts full with a great fishing story.
The next day, we met with Tom Corr and Lanse Padgett at Dolce Vita restaurant for breakfast. Mr. Corr donated his 62’ Bayliss yacht “Summer Girl” for a day of fishing but could not join us as he was on his way back to the States. After breakfast, the group walked down the marina to board the beautiful custom sportfisher and were greeted by Captain Kevin Stafford and deckhands David and Isack.
John Bayliss himself, the builder of Summer Girl, was in Costa Rica fishing on his personal vessel “Tarheel” and told Captain Kevin he was headed back to the spot that wasn’t so fruitful the day prior. The weather had changed back into perfect Costa Rican weather – sunny skies and calm seas. Kevin and John were right, and within 30 minutes of arriving, we hooked up on a triple! The day was pretty consistent, and we landed a total of twelve sailfish! Captain Kevin was pleased, too, as he was fishing without the use of his omni-directional sonar.
That night we took our tuna from the previous day to the Hook Up Restaurant at the marina and tasted the victory from the day before.
The next day – their final full day in Costa Rica – was memorable. The white-faced capuchin monkeys were jumping from branch to branch in the parking lot just before the marina village and so we got to experience a close encounter of the wildlife. Scarlet macaws were digging into almonds and we found the resident sloth despite it’s attempt to hide. And this all before breakfast!
Then the group checked in at Costa Cat Cruises for a tour donated by Jim Kitchell, the one who had treated them to a meal in his home on their first evening in Costa Rica. The tour was on their 55-ft catamaran to Isla Tortuga, a paradise-like island about 45 minutes by sea from the marina. The men soaked in the Pacific waters, lounged in the shade of palm trees, chatted and snorkeled. “This is a great activity for the final day,” remarked one pilot.
That evening, we walked from one of our condos next door to the home of Jim & Luzma Stewart. Jim has been a long-time supporter of Freedom Alliance since our first visit to Costa Rica in 2013. In fact, Jim hosted an annual pheasant hunt in Idaho until they sold the ranch. One of the participants of that pheasant hunt was our new pilot who had introduced us to the other A-10 pilots in the group. They hadn’t seen each other in years, and we kept it a surprise. The reunion was special, with a big embrace at the door. Jim cooked an elk recipe that this pilot had given him years ago. The conversations lasted well into the night.
Upon returning home, one of the pilots wrote on greatnonprofits.org: “Freedom Alliance hits it out of the park every time! My special thanks to Jim, Bill, Tom, Ian, Kevin and all the deck hands that assisted us in an amazing week. Special recognition also goes to Pepper. He made sure each aspect of this trip from start to finish was top notch. Each donor and everyone we met were wonderful folks and there to assist in every way. Combat Vets will feel relaxed and comfortable while there and are able to unwind and enjoy the lives and freedoms they fought so proudly for! A+ job and I look forward to hopefully seeing you all again sometime soon.”
Another wrote: “I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to you and the donors at freedom alliance. It was phenomenal to see how much others care for and appreciate what veterans have given for their country and freedoms. As a veteran and active military member who has been involved in conflict my whole career it was beneficial to participate in this program as part of the healing process. Though the process of healing could take a lifetime, the time spent at freedom alliance was a major kickstart to assimilating back to civilian life. Knowing there are those out there that care for what we have done is heartwarming. Thanks again!”
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