Tailhook Daily Briefing

For all the A-6 Bubbas out there

A little stroll down memory lane for all those guys who miss the “Flying Drumstick!”

 

And if that’s not enough!  How about a few desert low levels for the fun of it!

Enjoy!

No Tailhook, But a Great Milestone… Finally!

F-35B lands on USS Wasp!

Next stop?  F-35C with a Hook!

Admiral Denny Wisely to headline CO Aviation Hall of Fame event Oct 16, 2011

Message from the Colorado Strike Force:

Please spread the word through your extensive Tailhook network and do join us for this important Colorado Aviation Historical Society gala event being held Sunday, October 16, 2011, from 11AM to 3PM at the Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in the historic Lowry community at

7711 East Academy Blvd, Denver CO 80230.

Be inspired by our featured luncheon speaker, Rear Admiral Dennis Wisely, USN (Ret.), the former leader of the Blue Angels, who flew 350 missions in Vietnam, and later commanded the aircraft carrier John F.

Kennedy. Admiral Wisely holds the Silver Star, two DFCs, 29 Air Medals, and the Purple Heart.

Tour the museum. Enjoy the exhibits. F-14 Tomcat & F-4 are just a few examples of aircraft on display. The luncheon/banquet is open to the public. Pre-register and buy your luncheon/event tickets on-line at:

www.cahofusa.org <http://www.cahofusa.org/> . No tickets are available at the door. Limited tickets available so buy your tickets soon.

The 2011 Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will include seven outstanding Colorado aviation leaders: Michael W.Bertz, Pk.Bonde, Penny Rafferty Hamilton, Norman F. Meyer, Bill Mitchell, D.O. Neary, and John C. Penney.

Hook 2011! The Centennial Celebration Continues

A mere 10 days from now many of us will be gathering in the warm desert sun of Reno NV for the 2011 Tailhook Reunion and Symposium! 

Here is an online reminder of the festivities we are all looking forward to:

2011 Tailhook Convention Schedule

Thursday, 8 September 2011
0830–2100 Tailhook Sales Booth Open
0900–2100 Registration — The Nugget Hotel, Pavilion A Foyer
0900–2100 Exhibits Open, Pavilions A–E
1800–2100 Welcome — Reunion Groups Reception (No Host), Pavilions A–E

Friday, 9 September 2011
0730–1200 ✈ Golf Tournament — Wildcreek G.C., Sparks, Nev., and Hidden Valley C.C. Reno
0800–1330 ✈ Tour of NAS Fallon and Lunch (Limited to the first 90 guests)
0800–1200 ✈ “Bullet” Bob Canepa Memorial Tennis Tournament
0830–2100 Tailhook Sales Booth Open
0830–1330 ✈ Lake Tahoe cruise on board the 85-ft. yacht Paradise with “Mark Twain” as narrator. Includes lunch. (Limited to the first 90 guests)
0900–2100 Registration — The Nugget Hotel, Pavilion A Foyer
0900–1700 Symposium Programs, Rose A Ballroom
0930–1400 ✈ Tahoe Ridge Winery Tour Includes lunch. (Limited to the first 90 guests)
1100–2100 Exhibits Open, Pavilions A–E
1630–1700 Annual Membership Meeting, Rose A Ballroom
1800–2400 ✈ “Bug” Roach Flight-Deck Mixer, Pavilions A–E and Rose A & B Ballrooms

Saturday, 10 September 2011
0530–0900 ✈ Balloon Race Shuttle (Limited to the first 40 guests)
0700–0800 ✈ Tailhook Association 5K Fun Run
0830–1500 Tailhook Sales Booth Open
0830–1500 Registration — The Nugget Hotel, Pavilion A Foyer
0900–1545 Symposium Programs, Rose A Ballroom
0900–1500 Exhibits Open, Pavilions A–E
0930–1100 ✈ Special Event — NMA/USAA/MOAA Spouse Financial Briefing,
Celebrity Showroom
1200–1345 ✈ RADM “Jig Dog” and Ginger Ramage Recognition Luncheon, Rose B Ballroom (Seating begins at 1130)
1500 Exhibits Closed
1800–1930 Pre-Banquet Reception (No Host), Rose A and B Foyer and Pavilion A Foyer
1930–2200 ✈ Tailhook Banquet, Semi-Formal, Rose A and B Ballroom (Seating begins at 1900)

Sunday, 11 September 2011
Breakfast is available at the General Store, the Farm House or the Rotisserie on the Nugget’s main floor.

✈ Ticket/Payment Required event. Casual attire for all events except banquet.
Flight suits encouraged for flight-deck mixer.

➢ Tailhook is proud to welcome the following reunion groups: Reserves Over Fightertown (VF-301, VF-302, VC/VFC-13), Viking Association/VS-37, VA-304, Prowler Desert Storm Squadrons, Air Task Groups, VF-92, VF-202, VF-24/VF-211, VA/VFA-127, Skyhawk Association and Intruder Association who are holding events in conjunction with the Tailhook Convention. The Thursday
evening welcoming reception, open to everyone, will salute these reunion groups. Visit the Tailhook Web site for more information.

➢The Friday evening “Bug” Roach Flight-Deck Mixer will salute 100 Years of Naval Aviation. Flight suits are encouraged. This event
includes three hosted drinks, beer, wine, soft drinks or cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres.

I’ll see you there!

-JC

SECNAV Names Next CVN: USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CVN 79)

BOSTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carrier will be named the USS John F. Kennedy. The selection John F. Kennedy, designated CVN 79, honors the 35th President of the United States and pays tribute to his service in the Navy, in the government, and to the nation. "President John F. Kennedy exemplified the meaning of service, not just to country, but service to all humanity," said Mabus. "I am honored to have the opportunity to name the next aircraft carrier after this great Sailor and inspirational leader, and to keep the rich tradition and history of USS John F. Kennedy sailing in the U.S. Fleet."

Well, guess that explains why no response from SECNAV to our petition submitted to name the next CVN "Enterprise." Going to start a new one and add the signatures from the previous one. This fight's not over. - SJS

Blue Angles CO, Cmdr. Dave Koss Relieved

The Commanding Officer of the Blue Angles has requested to be relieved of his command citing his failure to meet "Airborne Standards" necessary to safely lead the team.  See the Commander Naval Air Forces Official Release below:

COMMANDER

NAVAL AIR FORCES 

PRESS RELEASE 

Naval Air Forces 

Naval Air Station North Island 

San Diego, CA 92135 

(619) 767-1625 

Fax: (619) 545-1140 

May 27, 2011 PRESS RELEASE #: 2011017

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Blue Angels C.O. Relieved 

 

Chief of Naval Air Training, Rear Adm. Bill Sizemore, relieved Cmdr. Dave Koss, Commanding Officer of the Naval Flight Demonstration Squadron Friday, May 27, at his request following a lower-than-normal maneuver during the team’s last performance at the Lynchburg Regional Air Show May 22. 

“With deep personal regret I shared with my command today that I will be voluntarily leaving the greatest flight demonstration team. I performed a maneuver that had an unacceptably low minimum altitude,” said Koss. “This maneuver, combined with other instances of not meeting the airborne standard that makes the Blue Angels the exceptional organization that it is, led to my decision to step down. I have the utmost respect for the Sailors and Marines of the Blue Angels organization and all that they embody. The reason this team is so successful, brings thrills to millions of fans across America, and represents the U.S. Navy so superbly is because of the absolute commitment to safety and perfection by every member of the team. I am honored to have been a part of this organization and I look forward to watching its success in the future.” 

Koss will be replaced by Capt. Greg McWherter, who was the previous Blue Angels’ Commanding Officer, for the duration of the season. 

This move requires the cancellation of the Blue Angels’ scheduled performances at the Rockford Airfest June 4-5 and the Evansville Freedom Festival Air Show June 11-12. The Blue Angels will remain in Pensacola for additional training and air show demonstration practice. Any potential changes to the team's future schedule will be announced at a later date. 

The Blue Angels regret any inconvenience and look forward to continuing to represent the Navy and Marine Corps service members serving around the world. 

-CNAF-

Knock it Off!

Yesterday the Blue Angles announced that they are cancelling their Naval Academy Airshow scheduled for May 24th and 25th. 

In a press release issued by Lt. Katie Kelly, the Blue Angles PAO, it was announced,

“This cancellation is due to a safety stand down period imposed by the team’s commanding officer after a lower-than-normal maneuver that took place during the team’s last performance at Lynchburg Regional Air Show, May 22 in Lynchburg, Va. Following this low maneuver all aircraft landed safely without damage or injury to personnel.”

The maneuver in question appears to have been in the Diamond’s execution of the “Diamond Barrel Roll Break”.  As can be seen in the video below (around the 24 minute mark) the maneuver appears to end up lower that is stipulated for safe execution at which point the Blues are seen executing a “Safe” departure from the maneuver with Blue Angles 2 and 3 (Lieutenant Commander Jim Tomaszeski and Major Brent Stevens respectively) initiating climbing separation turns once things got ‘sporty’.  The “Boss’ Cdr. Dave Koss and Slot pilot Lt Rob Kurrle, exited the maneuver in a continuing flat pass to show left.

It is uncertain as to when the “Knock it Off” call came, but it is reported that in short order the Squadron formed into their famous Delta and immediately concluded the Sunday Show.

Click this link to see how the maneuver is usually executed [Link]

Fortunately no crews or spectators were harmed in this event.

As of this writing it is not yet determined if the Blues will be performing the customary fly-over the actual Naval Academy Graduation.

Osama is Dead

Thank You…

The Centennial of Naval Aviation Kicks Off in Earnest this Weekend in San Diego

If you find yourself in the San Diego area (Specifically NAS North Island) this weekend you will have much to see, hear and experience.  Thousands of visitors will gather at the Birthplace of Naval Aviation to begin in earnest what promises to be a year long celebration of that which makes the Wings of Gold special.

Direct from the Centennial of Naval Aviation Staff:

The Centennial of Naval Aviation commemorations begin this week at NAS North Island. Events include Naval Aviation Film Screening: Hollywood & North Island; 5K Beach Run; Centennial of Naval Aviation Golf Tournament; Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-Off VIP Reception; 100th Anniversary Parade of Flight and North Island Open House; Centennial of Naval Aviation Kick-Off Gala; and, many community celebrations. For more information, please visit: http://mwrtoday.com/cona/calendar/.

 

And this month’s Centennial News Letter can be found here: [Link]

Also… this little gem from local San Diego Television Station KUSI, including a brief interview with Capt. Richard “Lieutenant” Dann (funny in a Forest Gump kinda way) about the history of this weekend’s activities.

Video Link

Enjoy the festivities, and send me pictures! 

-JC

More Naval Aviation Heritage Aircraft (But Still No Hawkeye)

Latest additions - EA-6B in colors from the Battle of the Coral Sea: 

A P-3 in the colors of VP-44 PBY from Midway: 

And a Growler in tri-color from Air Group 85 embarked in USS Shangri-La late in the war: 

 
So basically, we now have one of everything in the inventory, fixed and rotary wing, carrier- and shore-based (including an S-3B) in heritage colors - some with more than one example. All that is, it seems, except an E-2C. So with that in mind, I humbly submit a proposal for an E-2C in the colors of VW-1, circa 1952-55: 

How about it NAVAIR?

(h/t to Naval Air Forces Facebook for the photos)

Crossposted at Steeljawscribe