An estimated 4,500 to 5,000 area residents turned out for the 2011 Ramona Airport Open House on Sept 24. They came to see vintage and experimental aircraft including WWII-era planes, big rig trucks, and a variety of cars including several classic MGs and a Shelby Cobra autographed by the man himself. In addition to hundreds of visitors touring the air traffic control tower, many also got a close-up look inside the Sheriff’s Copter 10, used for rescue and firefighting missions, and Mercy Air – the emergency medical evacuation helicopter.
 Many, however, came for the dedication ceremony of Big Jimmy – a fully restored 1939 fire truck that originally was built for the La Mesa Fire Department, and discovered years later watering grapes in northern California. It was painstakingly restored at a cost of $30K, which came entirely from donations.
District 2 Supervisor Dianne Jacob praised the work of the crews who lovingly restored the old pumper, which will now be used for parades and special events. She also cited the accomplishments by the County since the devastating fires of 2003 in additional fire protection and readiness.
Newly appointed Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott and San Diego County Fire Authority Chief Howard Windsor also cited the efforts of the restoration project and spoke of the changes in fire fighting techniques and equipment since the firefighting days of Big Jimmy in the back country.
Four of the men who served on the old truck starting back in the early 40s and continuing into the 50s, except for a slight disuption during WWII, were also on hand for the dedication and received certificates of appreciation. Don Russell, Bob Green, Larry Ramsbacker, and Phil Crosby are all in their late 80s and early 90s now, yet spoke in great detail about what it was like “back in the day.”
Visitors at the free event also got a chance to tour the U.S. Forestry and Cal Fire facilities at the airport which has served as an air attack base since 1957.
Ramona Airport is one of eight County airports, and along with Fallbrook Airpark, hosts a free open house annually.
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