Tailhook Daily Briefing

Naming the Enterprise!

As regular contributor SteelJaw Scribe mentioned in his recent post “CVN Naming - Enough With the Politics Already” there is a plan afoot to name our future CVN after yet another politician, in this case USS Barry Goldwater!

Look, no matter how much you may like or not like a politician’s views regarding their treatment of the US Navy, naming the primary ship of the line after them has become tiresome!  It is time we who know the Navy and its traditions put our collective foot down!

Let’s return to naming our carriers in a more traditional fashion.  As for the Next yet to be named CVN (CVN-79) there is now a just and proper petition available online to christen this mighty vessel with the most traditional name in our Naval History, USS Enterprise!

 

Go Here! And allow your voice to be heard!  [ LINK ]

 

1. The first Enterprise, a British supply sloop, was captured 18 May 1775 at St. Johns, Quebec, Canada, by Col B. Arnold, named Enterprise, and armed for use on Lake Champlain.
2. The second Enterprise, a schooner, was a successful letter-of-marque before she was purchased on 20 December 1776 for the Continental Navy. Commanded by Captain Joseph Campbell, Enterprise operated principally in Chesapeake Bay. She convoyed transports, carried out reconnaissance, and guarded the shores against foraging raids by the British.
3. The third Enterprise, a schooner, was built by Henry Spencer at Baltimore, Md., in 1799, and placed under the command of Lieutenant John Shaw. On 17 December 1799, Enterprise departed the Delaware Capes for the Caribbean to protect United States merchantmen from the depredations of French privateers during the Quasi-War with France. Within the following year, Enterprise captured 8 privateers and liberated 11 American vessels from captivity, achievements which assured her inclusion in the 14 ships retained in the Navy after the Quasi-War.
4. The fourth Enterprise, a schooner, was launched by the New York Navy Yard on 26 October 1831, and commissioned 15 December 1831, Lieutenant S. W. Downing in command.
5. The fifth Enterprise, a bark-rigged screw sloop-of-war, was launched 13 June 1874 at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, by John W. Griffith, a private contractor; and commissioned 16 March 1877, Commander G. C. Remey in command. Enterprise's first duty after fitting out at Norfolk, Va., took her to the mouth of the Mississippi River for surveying operations. Returning to Norfolk in April 1878, she remained there only briefly, sailing 27 May for surveying duty up the Amazon and Madeira Rivers. This completed, she repaired at New York, then (December 1878) joined U.S. naval forces in European waters, calling at numerous ports in northern Europe and in the Mediterranean. She returned to the Washington Navy Yard on 9 May 1880 and was placed out of commission. Recommissioned on 12 January 1882, she cruised the east coast until 1 January 1883 when she sailed on a 3-year hydrographic survey that took her completely around the world. Her findings on this cruise added materially to the knowledge of the oceans, their currents, and their bottoms. Enterprise was decommissioned at New York on 21 March 1886. Placed back in commission on 4 October 1887, Enterprise sailed from Boston in January 1888 for 2 years in the waters of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the east coast of Africa, where she showed the flag and looked out for United States interests. She returned to New York in March 1890 and was decommissioned on 20 May.
6. Arguably the Airship Enterprise L-5
7. The seventh Enterprise (CV-6) was launched 3 October 1936 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, Va.; sponsored by Mrs. Claude A. Swanson, wife of the Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned 12 May 1938, Captain N. H. White in command.  The hiostory of this ship is WAY to long to post here, recommend going here to read more.
8. The eighth Enterprise (CVA(N)-65), the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, was launched 24 September 1960 by Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, Va., sponsored by Mrs. W. B. Franke, wife of the Secretary of the Navy; and commissioned 26 November 1961, Captain V. P. de Poix, in command.

The Next?

You Decide!  Again the petition to congress is here.  [ LINK ]

Lockheed Rolls Out the Navy F-35C!

"It's an honor and a privilege and it is a great day", says Chief of Naval Operations, ADM Gary Roughhead. The US Navy plans to operate 260 F-35C carrier variants among the 2,443 aircraft in the current US program. [Flight Global].

Looks like “Lightning” on the sea is on its way. 

From the Ft. Worth Business Press:

The aircraft, which is expected to cost in the mid-$60 million range, was greeted by various representatives and workers from the company as well as from the military. Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company President Ralph Health said it was the first time a jet with stealth and supersonic capabilities had been made for the sea and to call today a milestone would be an understatement.

“In fact, it would be like calling the Wright brothers just a couple of bike mechanics,” he said.

HT: JR Davis

What Are You Doing Tomorrow in San Diego?

Well if you are a Tailhooker, we expect to see you at the Tilted Kilt!

 

From “Spike” Prendergast:

Just a reminder that Tomorrow, Wednesday evening (29 July) is our July get-together at “The Tilted Kilt”.  As you can see from the attached photos, the wait staff has been very diligent in getting “briefed up” on carrier aviation and the A-6 Intruder during their recent visit to USS MIDWAY in preps for the event.  Looking forward to seeing you all there in support of the Intruder Association’s Scholarship fund. 

Hey!  If an F-4 Guy is supporting the cause of the A-6 Bubbas, ya know it’s gotta be a worthy cause!  Get out and join your fellow Tailhookers at the Tilted kilt!  Details below…

Wednesday, 29 July, at “The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery” (link), also known as “the best looking sports pub you’ve ever seen”.  The San Diego Intruder Association (link) is hosting this special San Diego Tailhook Ready Room event as a fund raiser for the Intruder Association Scholarship Fund administered by the Tailhook Organization.  You will enjoy the finest pub grub food, Tilted Kilt's Ale, wine, Tailhook videos, participation in the event raffles that include Padre and Tailhook memorabilia (Padre memorabilia donated by the Padres and Tilted Kilt management), USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum tickets, camaraderie with your fellow Tailhookers and Tilted Kilt clientele, and pictures with the Tilted Kilt hostesses. As usual, the mission of 'Attack' and the singular role of the aircraft carrier to put attack aviation within strike distance of the enemy will be greatly debated between the fighter and attack squadron mates. 

Rules of Engagement:  "Charlie time" will be 1700 (5:00 PM).  The evening's charge is $30 per person which includes all food, Tilted Kilt ale, and wine and a scholarship fund contribution.  No bar fines will be charged for pictures with the Tilted Kilt hostesses. 

Dress casual and don't hesitate to breakout and wear your beloved flight suit or Tailhook attire.  As always, please feel free to bring spouses, significant others, friends, whatever.  The more the merrier!

If you have Tailhook aviation videos (DVD format) you'd like to share with your squadron mates, let Clyde Cain (clyde.cain@ngc.com) know and bring them to the event.

Directions:  “The Tilted Kilt” is located at 310 10th Ave at the intersection of 10^th Avenue and “K” Street immediately north of Petco Park (map) .  There is ample covered public parking in the area, and the Padres are on the road that week, so the Padre PETCO Park Lot and curbside parking should be no problem either.

It will be a great event for a good cause...see you at the Kilt!

CVN Naming - Enough With the Politics Already

It's time to return some sanity to the way ships are named. Why? Because the silliness is upon us once again:

111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. CON. RES. 83 Expressing the sense of Congress that a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the Navy, either the aircraft carrier designated as CVN-79 or the aircraft carrier designated as CVN-80, should be named the U.S.S. Barry M. Goldwater.

Bill information and status here

It began with CVN-70 ( Nimitz - ok, Ike, yes; but Vinson???) and reached the height of historical blindness with the Truman (honestly, naming a carrier for a president who tried his hardest to kill naval aviation and oversaw the death of the United States (CVA-58) in favor of the B-36). Why not Enterprise (CVN-65 isn't long for this world)? Coral Sea? Yorktown? Hornet? Midway?  (Note - this is not/not a slam on the great crews of those ships - its the process of naming that we have a bone to pick with...)

Enough with the politicians - these ships are going to last to the middle of the century and outlive many of us reading these words. Why not go back to naming the carriers after famous battles and reclaim some of our heritage and linkage with notable CVs from the past? And, BTW, what better way to celebrate naval aviation's upcoming centenary?

Leave it to a Chief to put it succintly:

"One man’s hero is another man’s goat. Carriers should be named for things we all have in common, not the party in power’s favorite politician. I vote we go back to the traditional carrier names as a reminder of the great ships and men who held the line when the chips were down and the odds were against us. Those names are a tribute to America’s greatness. Politicians? Not so much."

And yes, I'm familiar with Rickover's quote - how about standing firm this time anyway?

(h/t: SB)

UPDATE: A petition to SECNAV and Congress is in the works - stay tuned...

(cross posted at steeljawscribe.com)

Solving the Fighter Gap will Create a… uh… Fighter Gap!

No seriously…  This is not a joke.  There is a storm on the horizon…

(Image: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Elliott Fabrizio)

The continued failure of Congress and the Pentagon to properly procure US Navy Strike Fighters is coming to a head!  Of course this is merely preaching to the choir for many of you.

Because of the high operational tempo in Iraq and Afghanistan, the F/A-18 C/Ds “are overutilized” and wearing out, which is causing “constant turbulence among the air wings” as air crews and service crews are transferred from squadron to squadron “to get the deploying ships up to where they should be,” Each of the 10 carrier air wings is expected to have four squadrons for a total of 40, but there are only 37 active squadrons, including 36 Navy and one Marine Corps. – Vice Adm (Ret.) Robert Dunn, Pres. ANA

Over at Aviation Leak Week, they are reporting how the plan to SLEP more legacy Hornets will in effect create an increased shortfall in deployable strike fighters.

Extending the service life of F/A-18C/D Hornets to close a U.S. Navy fighter gap could still lead to a tactical air shortage because of the amount of time the Hornets will be out of service pending their upgrade, naval aviation analysts said July 21.

Ronald O’Rourke, a naval affairs expert with the Congressional Research Service (CRS), said the service life extension program for Hornets, aimed at allowing them to fly an additional 1,400 hours, is one way to solve the expected shortfall in carrier-based fighters. Officials have testified before Congress that the Navy and Marine Corps could be short between 125 and 243 aircraft by the mid- to late-2010s (Aerospace DAILY, May 21).

…The Hornet upgrade could take an estimated 1,100-2,200 man-hours per aircraft, removing them from the active force and creating a different kind of gap, according to the president of the Association of Naval Aviation, Vice Adm. Robert Dunn (ret.). Speeding up F-35 production is unlikely to happen soon, Dunn added.

Super Hornets to the rescue???… Not so fast…

Congressional committees have yet to agree on how to acquire more Super Hornets. The Senate Armed Services Committee wants to buy nine more aircraft but won’t approve a multiyear procurement plan. The House Armed Services Committee took the opposite approach, while the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee favors doing both.

Simply put, the needle is stuck in the groove of a never ending record (there’s a hair on your Compact disc to you Generation Y-ers).  Fighter aircraft shortfalls and ever increasing maintenance requirements are not new to NAVAIR.  Ever since the end of WWII equipment supply levels of our tactical aviation has been behind the curve (maybe with the exception of the Regan years when a 600 ship navy was a goal).  Making sure the Civilian Leadership in Washington is aware of the consequences of these shortfalls has not been the strength of the US Navy.  Increased op tempos are always to be expected and planned for, yet we all know the US Congress does not possess a wealth of foresight. 

So the question is, who do we write to, talk to, yell at? 

To start here is a list of the Armed Services Committee members:

• House Armed Services Committee Members [List]
• Senate Armed Services Committee Members [List]

As Tailhookers, interested in the Security of our Nation, but more importantly the SAFETY or our Aviators, we can do some good if we let our voice be heard.  Don’t be shy.

(Stacked F/A-18s image:U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John P. Curtis)

Photos from the Fleet from “Dawgfan”

Since our inaugural Photos From the Fleet last week, we’ve received a couple of submissions for posting (…Don’t worry Spike, I’ll be adding yours in a later post ;-) )

Today’s fleet photos come from “Dawgfan” with the following background.

Here are a couple [of images for your Photos From the Feet] I took on cruise last year with CAG 2. 

The [F/A-18E] was taken while shadowing the AGO (Arresting Gear Officer) for my LSO PQS.  Neat perspective that I hadn't seen before.  The intensity of the AGO holding the deadman's switch, with his eyes firmly on the foul-line. 

The second is a fave of mine because it was the instant after the holdback gave way. 

Shot with a Canon EOS 40D and a 28-135.

-- Dawgfan

 

Great images Dawgfan!  Thank you for your contributions.  Please feel free to add more to the collection as you see fit, I’m sure our readers will all like to see what’s happening out in the fleet.

The invite to contribute is, as always, extended to all readers of the Tailhook Daily Briefing.  Anyone… amateur, professional, hobbyist, Active Duty, Retired, Civilian… you name it all can contribute!  It can be of current operations in the fleet, or of our valued history.  All I ask is that it is yours to distribute (or that you have been granted permission to send it to me for purposes of publication) here on The Daily Briefing.  Simply send me an email with your attached .jpg (or pretty much any other photo file format, I do have Photoshop CS3 to convert to a web image if need be.)  Please provide the story behind the image (if there is one) and details about the individuals in the images.  And be sure to include your name to receive proper credit for the image.  Providing photo data, ie. what type of camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture etc is not necessary but welcomed as many of us are fellow photographers and would love to know how specific compelling images are captured.

Please send your pictures and stories directly to me by clicking this e-mail link [ JC’s E-Mail ] and be sure to attach the image and include an appropriate subject in the e-mail so you don’t get spam filtered out.

Thanks again today to Dawgfan for sharing your experiences and memories with CAG-2.

- John Carmichael, Editor, The Tailhook Daily Briefing

Attention all San Diego Tailhookers

Greeting all you San Diego Tailhookers and/or Friends of Naval Aviation:

Hope everyone is having a wonderful San Diego summer season.  As promised, our next two events are going to be something really special in support of some wonderful causes:

This is your monthly reminder/Warning Order for what is going to be a very special event on Wednesday, 29 July, at “The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery” (link), also known as “the best looking sports pub you’ve ever seen”.  The San Diego Intruder Association (link) is hosting this special San Diego Tailhook Ready Room event as a fund raiser for the Intruder Association Scholarship Fund administered by the Tailhook Organization.  You will enjoy the finest pub grub food, Tilted Kilt's Ale, wine, Tailhook videos, participation in the event raffles that include Padre and Tailhook memorabilia (Padre memorabilia donated by the Padres and Tilted Kilt management), USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum tickets, camaraderie with your fellow Tailhookers and Tilted Kilt clientele, and pictures with the Tilted Kilt hostesses. As usual, the mission of 'Attack' and the singular role of the aircraft carrier to put attack aviation within strike distance of the enemy will be greatly debated between the fighter and attack squadron mates. 

Rules of Engagement:  "Charlie time" will be 1700 (5:00 PM).  The evening's charge is $30 per person which includes all food, Tilted Kilt ale, and wine and a scholarship fund contribution.  No bar fines will be charged for pictures with the Tilted Kilt hostesses.  J

Dress casual and don't hesitate to breakout and wear your beloved flight suit or Tailhook attire.  As always, please feel free to bring spouses, significant others, friends, whatever.  The more the merrier!

If you have Tailhook aviation videos (DVD format) you'd like to share with your squadron mates, let Clyde Cain (clyde.cain@ngc.com) know and bring them to the event.

Directions:  “The Tilted Kilt” is located at 310 10th Ave at the intersection of 10^th Avenue and “K” Street immediately north of Petco Park (map) .  There is ample covered public parking in the area, and the Padres are on the road that week, so the Padre PETCO Park Lot and curbside parking should be no problem either.

It will be a great event for a good cause...see you at the Kilt!

But Wait!  There’s More!

Advance Planning Notice for August Tailhook Ready Room Event: For August, we’re again doing something very special in support of our larger organization.  The Ready Room event will be part of THE FIRST ANNUAL Tailhook Educational Foundation “NIGHT AT THE PADRES FUND RAISER”. Join the Foundation for an exciting Major League Baseball game when the San Diego Padres take on the visiting Saint Louis Cardinals as the Padres honor The Tailhook Educational Foundation during the Pre-Game Ceremony. This will be a PERFECT EVENT for you to bring children, business associates, friends and neighbors, your local youth sports team, Scouts, etc.  You can bring your personal group to a great evening at a great price and help the Tailhook Educational Foundation at the same time!

Thursday, August 20th, 7:05pm -- San Diego Padres vs St. Louis Cardinals

Fundraiser Sponsored by The Tailhook Educational Foundation Board of Directors and Volunteers

Tickets:  Field Reserved Section 122 ~ Tailhook Price $22 -- Save $12 off the normal price!

Your ticket purchases will also assist the Foundation to support our ongoing scholarship program.  More than 700 educational scholarships for a total value of more than $1,000,000 have been awarded to children and grandchildren of present and former United States Navy carrier aviation personnel since the foundations creation in 1992.  (87 Scholarships were awarded in 2009, ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 for a total value of $193,000)

For more information, contact Marc “Tag” Ostertag, Tailhook Educational Foundation at 858-689-9223

Tickets are available online at:

www.padres.com/grouppromo

Enter Promotion Code: TAILHOOK

Finally, here’s the link to the latest online Tailhook Newsletter for those of you who may not be on electronic distro:  July Newsletter

Look forward to seeing you all soon at some GREAT events!

 

All the best to all, Spike

"Spike" Prendergast

San Diego Tailhook Ready Room

Tel:  858-795-1254

Cell:  619-559-0955

timothy.prendergast@lmco.com

Photo Ops

Photography has been an integral part of capturing our Naval Aviation History, and as many readers of The Hook are aware Tailhook leads the way in distributing and sharing many of these great images!

As such I want to begin a new category of posts here on The Daily Briefing, called Photos from the Fleet.

I’ll open it up to anyone, amateur, professional, hobbyist, Active Duty, Retired, Civilian… you name it!  It can be of current operations in the fleet, or of our valued history.  All I ask is that it is yours to distribute (or that you have been granted permission to send it to me for purposes of publication) here on The Daily Briefing.  And probably into an online gallery keeping track of them all for your leisurely browsing.

Note, I do not promise to publish all that are sent to me… and judgment of what gets published or not is up to me!  and only me!  Well… OK, Tailhook Executives and Officials can have a say here… it is their URL after all!

Simply send me an email with your attached .jpg (or pretty much any other photo file format I do have Photoshop CS3 to convert to a web image if need be.)  Please provide the story behind the image (if there is one) and details about the individuals in the images.  And be sure to include your name to receive proper credit for the image.  Providing photo data, ie. what type of camera, lens, shutter speed, aperture etc is not necessary but welcomed as many of us are fellow photographers and would love to know how specific compelling images are captured.

To lead the way, today’s collection of images are from Cmdr. Bill “Pinch” Paisley, a former Tomcat RIO and now quite busy reservist, Husband of one and Father of 2 “Pinchettes”  (daughters! wish the man luck!).  Pinch has been actively pursuing his hobby of photography this year, so far as challenging himself to publish a daily photo over at his own Blog “Instapinch” and was kind enough to share some of his finer images with The Tailhook Daily Briefing.

More of Pinch’s images and stories can be found over at his blog, and he has recently  been tapped to deliver up many of his images to Navy News!  Which is an honor in and of itself.  Thanks Pinch for helping kick things off here…

The above was captured by Cdr. Paisley while recently putting in active stint on board USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) as she performed work ups off the Florida coast.  This image of a VFA-37 Ragin’ Bull F/A-18C Hornet off the bow cat is only a taste of Pinch’s quality images he captured while at sea, he has many more on his site that are sure to please.

He also wanted to be sure include the Turbo Prop community of Tailhookers in his collection and provides us with these great images of VAW-126’s flock of advanced E-2C’s. (Including the opening image of this post).

He also managed to capture that which makes us all great, our Sailors!  serving tirelessly on decks across the world!

Thanks again for your contributions Pinch, and for your continued service! Bravo Zulu!

So if you to would like a little “exposure” (sorry couldn’t resist) please send your pictures and stories directly to me by clicking this e-mail link [ JC’s E-Mail ] and be sure to attach the image and include an appropriate subject in the e-mail so you don’t get spam filtered out.

- John Carmichael, Editor, The Tailhook Daily Briefing

Strike From the Sea

A new book, with pictures and everything to assist our Marine Corps Tailhookers, has been authored by Tommy H. Thomason.  Strike From the Sea follows on the heals of Tom’s other book US Naval Air Superiority and promises to be full of great images and quality historical information about Naval Aviation.

For those of you unfamiliar with Tom’s history…

“Tommy H. Thomason has worked as a flight test engineer, manager, and executive in the aerospace industry for nearly 40 years, including two years as a flight test engineer on the F-4 Phantom. He has flown more than 3,000 hours in 60 different airplanes, helicopters, and sailplanes. His previous works include U.S. Naval Air Superiority and monographs on the Grumman F-111B and the Bell HSL antisubmarine warfare helicopter.”

To take a gander of what you can expect from the pages of Strike From The Sea, click the this link [ Chapter 5 Preview ].  And if you would like to get yourself a copy all you have to do is place your order here [Link].

Ever Wonder How an F/A-18F is Built?

Well wonder no longer fellow Tailhooker, below is a time lapse of a Super Hornet (Australian Mod) being created.

 

Editor’s Note:  Apologies for the sparse nature of postings as of late… Day Job and the “All Volunteer” nature of being TDB’s Editor, Publisher, Photographer, Writer, don’t always play nice with each other.  (Thanks to SJS, and Spike for the occasional article to assist in populating these pages.)  More contributions are always welcomed!  If you have an article, story, or photo you would like to have grace these pages please feel free to send direct to me at this e-mail link.

Meanwhile I will try to improve on the frequency of posts.