Early in the 1970's there was a revolution in Mali,Africa that resulted in that government throwing out the Russians. World Airways was invited by the US Government to set up a modern airline for Air Mali as a result. It was decided to provide Air Mali with a Boeing 727 aircraft to include training for the cockpit and cabin crews. The training was conducted at WOA Hanger 5 facilities at the Oakland International Airport, Oakland,California. The newly painted aircraft was flown to Bamako, Mali and placed in service initially with all World Airways cockpit and cabin crews. The pictures below are from that period in time. Flights flew on schedule for the first time in years with WOA Flight Crews at the helm and our Flight Attendants who spoke French to care for the passengers on flights to Paris France and other African cities. The crews worked hard but also played hard as the pictures show. The pool was at the residence of the owner of a candy factory. Crews stayed at the Le Motel, Lido Hotel and later at rented housing facilities. Ambassador Blake with his wife are shown in pictures No. 10 & 11. Rob Klein (Sales),Captain Neil Ensign (Project Manager) with wife and daughter, and Dick Kalman (Training) met the Ambassador during contract negotiations with the Mali government. Chinese from mainland China were often passengers on the flights and were very pleased with the quality of the service. The Air Mali Flight Attendants, Flight Engineers and First Officers phased in to taking over the cabin/cockpit as soon as their training was completed. YAT (Yugoslavia Airlines) took over the contract in later years. I am sure the pictures will bring back some fond memories for those who worked the contract. Picture #20 is an oldie from a trip to Frankfurt Germany where some previous WOA friends lived. You may recognize them in their younger years. Rode the cockpit jump seat on my return home from Mali via London with F/E Roy Douglas at the Boeing 707 F/E panel in pic 25. Enjoy-Dick Kalman