August 28, 2006

The Quonset Air Museum (www.TheQAM.org)
North Kingstown, RI

The Quonset Air Museum announces “The Aviator Series".

The monthly speakers program, open to the public, will offer a rare look inside military combat from the eyes of a pilot. The series will also focus on Rhode Island’s important contributions to protecting our nation in times of both war and peace.

North Kingstown, RI- The Quonset Air Museum's "Aviator Series" is set to take off in September. The unique lecture series will appeal to anyone who has an interest in military history and how our nation is, and has been defended in the air.

Aviators from World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm and today's War on Terror will be invited to speak over the next several months at the Museum.

On Wednesday, September 13th at 7pm, Captain Charles A. Hautau, USN, will launch the new QAM “Aviator Series” with a talk about his experiences as a combat pilot during Operation Desert Storm.

Also on September 13th, Hautau will have a special reunion with one of the planes he used to fly for the Navy. Captain Hautau’s A-6 is currently on display at the Quonset Air Museum.

Captain Hautau, a 1979 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, saw extensive air combat during Operation Desert Storm as a member of the VA-35 “Black Panthers.” At the time, Hautau was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS SARATOGA. He also served aboard the USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER where he completed two Mediterranean deployments.

Captain Hautau has also served as Executive Officer of USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, participating in Operations Allied Force /Noble Anvil (Kosovo) and Southern Watch (Southwest Asia). >From March 2001 until June 2002 he commanded USS LA SALLE, the flagship of the Sixth Fleet, home ported in Gaeta, Italy.

Captain Hautau serves as commander of the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport where he has served since 2004.

Captain Hautau’s awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Two Meritorious Service Medals, 2 Strike/Flight Air Medals, Joint Commendation Medal, five Navy Commendation Medals (3 with Combat "V"), the Navy Achievement Medal plus numerous unit, service and campaign awards.

The mission of the Rhode Island Quonset Air Museum (QAM) is to preserve, interpret and present Rhode Island's aviation history through collections, research, education and exhibits. Founded in 1992 with the assistance of Governor Bruce Sundlun, the air museum educates the public in the state's rich aviation legacy and displays collections that document the contributions of Rhode Island to the growth and development of aviation and space exploration.

QAM is housed on 3 acres in an original Naval Air Station Quonset Point hangar built in 1945 as the point building for the Overhaul and Repair facility.

The museum has a large and valuable collection of aircraft, aircraft parts and other historical artifacts. The 28 aircraft currently on display or under restoration include civilian, military and prototype aircraft dating from 1944 (Hellcat under restoration) to 1983 (F-14 Tomcat).

For more information on Captain Charles Hautau’s appearance at the Quonset Air Museum on September 13th, or on the Museum’s new “Aviator Series” and its future speakers, please contact the QAM at 401-294-9540 or email its executive Director, John Shepard at jshepard@theQAM.org. You may also reach the Quonset Air Museum on the web at www.theQAM.org

Media Contact:

Tim Gray

www.timgraymedia.com

401-862-3422 or timgray@timgraymedia.com