Tailhook Daily Briefing

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

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.

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

Remembered

On this Veterans’ Day, we offer up our deepest heartfelt thank you for your dedication and service.  It is because of you… We Are!

GBU all…

Photos From the Tailhook 2010 Front Lines

Your Humble Scribe cannot be at this year’s Tailhook Symposium and reunion in Reno, but not to fear!  I have recruited a couple of stalwarts in the Tailhook Community to help me out, Hans and Kathy Schmoldt!

I just received a couple of “Images from the Front Lines” that I am glad to pass on to our faithful readers. (Fair warning many of these images and comments are being transmitted direct from Han’s iPhone thus the details surrounding them are limited at best.)

Below is the award presented to NFO of the Year LCDR David Rueter (and I assume Hizzoner himself).  Lemme guess, call sign “Roto”?

 

Hans then pinged me with another quick brief regarding the awarding of the most “Straight Deck” landings (440) to Diz Laird pictured here with Hans. Diz Laird has the singular distinction of having shot down not only Japanese but German aircraft in WW II.

Additionally Hans forwarded a few of our resident Colorado Ready Room Members Bad Bart, and Spook!

Also included on the recon dump are images  of Bartlesville's Silver Star recipient Bru and his two employees.

Thank you Hans and Kathy!!!

Keep those images and stories coming in!  And if you too wish to contribute please forward your tales and images directly to me at carmichaelj@comcast.net

USS Midway A-6 Dedicated to a Special Intruder Crew!

This past Friday, many supporters of the Intruder community gathered on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum under a blue San Diego sky to dedicate the A-6 on board in the name of a very special flight crew.

37 years ago on a Mid-January evening, VA-115 “Arabs” aircrew Lt. Mike “Mondo” McCormick and Ltjg. Alan “Arlo” Clark, were catapulted from the very same USS Midway, flying    “Arab 511” and were soon “Feet Dry” over the coast of Vietnam.  They were on a SAM and Radar Suppression mission in support of B-52’s on a Linebacker II operation, they were never to return. 

Lt. Mike “Mondo” McCormick              Ltjg. R. Alan “Arlo” Clark

That night Mike and Alan would become the last Intruder Crew to make the ultimate sacrifice in that long war.

On Friday, Mike and Alan’s fellow “Arabs” from VA-115, family members, others from the Intruder Community, active duty Navy, and Naval Aviation supporters all gathered in front of “Arab 511” to dedicate this Aircraft in the name of Mike McCormick and Alan Clark, to represent all Intruder crews who served and all who will be “forever young.”

President of the Intruder Association, Capt. Larry Yarham USN(Ret) presided over the dedication, with comments by USS Midway Museum President RADM John “Mac” McLaughlin USN(Ret), the former CO of VA-115 Capt. Paul Barrish USN(Ret), Mike’s Sister Jaime, and Alan’s son, Lt. Col (select) Tad Clark USAF.

It was Tad’s remarks that really hit home…

One final trap. . .

Just over 6 years ago, many of us gathered in the Arlington National Cemetery on a cold, snowy, January day in Washington  DC, to honor two men who gave their lives in the service to their country. On that day, we faced their casket and saw the thousands of tombstones precisely lined up in countless rows behind it. To our back, however, was a remarkable thing. It was an open plot of land unmarked by the granite reminders of those fallen. Today, I’m sad to report, that section of land looks quite different. I share that with you as it serves as a reminder that our nation is still active in our national security and interests abroad to include the liberation of those subjected to oppressive rule. That commitment requires us to send those who are willing and able to serve, even if it means placing them in harm’s way.

That is the spirit of patriotism, heroism, and selflessness we remember today as we honor LT Mike “Mondo” McCormick and LTJG Alan “Arlo” Clark. On 10 January 1973, “Mondo” and “Arlo” were catapulted from the bow of this very carrier, the USS Midway. While reporting “Feet Dry”, their mission would all too soon be short one “Feet Wet”. And so, the many long years of wondering and mourning began. Their names were placed on the Vietnam War Memorial, the wall, as our nation recognized they were “Gone But Not Forgotten”.

When “Mondo” and my father were laid to rest in Arlington 31 years later to the day, then began for many the closure and healing process concerning their sacrifice. That was certainly a significant day for all of us. But today is significant too as this  A-6, in a sense, represents “Mondo’s” and “Arlo’s” determination and resolve to wrestle their battle torn Intruder back aboard the deck of the USS Midway for one final trap.

As their names on the wall and on their tombstone in Arlington provide time for reflection, respect, and remembrance. . .their names on this combat proven A-6 Intruder celebrate the lives of two great warriors, their heroism, will retell their story for countless years to the millions of visitors aboard the Midway, and will remind us of where they loved to be, in the cockpit soaring in the skies above.

More photos can be found here…[link]

God Bless You, Mike and Alan… and all who gave all.

Blue Angels 2010 and 2011 Air Show Schedule

It’s that time of year again, as the snow falls and the mercury plummets, our daydreams yearn for summer skies filled with lazy clouds and the roar of 12 GE-F404-400’s in full grunt!

Yep… December is when the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, The Blue Angels release their coming year show schedule.  But this year there is a twist!  They're releasing the schedule for 2010… AND… 2011!

2010 Schedule
March
13 NAF El Centro, CA
20-21 MacDill AFB, FL
27-28 NAS Kingsville, TX
April
10-11 NAS Key West, FL
17 Charleston AFB, SC
24-25 Vidalia, GA
May
1-2 St. Joseph, MO
8-9 Tuscaloosa, AL
15-16 Andrews AFB, MD
22-23 MCAS Cherry Point, NC
26 USNA, Annapolis, MD
28 USNA, Annapolis, MD (fly-over)
29-30 Jones Beach, NY
June
5-6 Eau Claire, WI
12-13 Milwaukee, WI
19-20 Cape Girardeau, MO
26-27 St. Cloud, MN
July
3-4 Traverse City, MI
10 Pensacola Beach, FL
17-18 Dayton, OH
24-25 Idaho Falls, ID
31 Anchorage, AK
August
1 Anchorage, AK
7-8 Seattle, WA
14-15 Chicago, IL
28-29 Portsmouth, NH
September
4-6 Cleveland, OH
11-12 Scott AFB, IL
18-19 NAS Oceana, VA
25-26 MCAS Kaneohe Bay, HI
October
1-3 MCAS Miramar, CA
9-10 San Francisco, CA
16-17 Dobbins AFB, GA
23-24 NAS Jacksonville, FL
30-31 Ft. Worth Alliance, TX
November
6-7 Homestead AFB, FL
13 NAS Pensacola, FL

2011 Schedule
March
12 NAF El Centro, CA
19-20 Keesler AFB, MS
28-29 NAS Meridian, MS
April
2-3 Sun-N-Fun, Lakeland, FL
9-10 NAS Corpus Christi, TX
16-17 Fort Worth JRB, TX
30 MCAS Beaufort, SC
May
1 MCAS Beaufort, SC
3-4 NAS Pensacola, FL
7-8 NAS New Orleans, LA
8 Flight Academy Fly-over, Pensacola, FL
14-15 La Crosse, WI
21-22 Andrews AFB, MD (reunion show)
25 & 27 USNA show and graduation fly-over
28-29 Millville, NJ
June
4-5 Rockford, IL
11-12 Evansville, IN
18-19 Davenport, IA
25-26 North Kingston, RI
July
2-3 Muskegon, MI
9 Pensacola Beach, FL
16-17 Rochester, NY
23-24 Ypsilanti, MI
30-31 Kalispell, MT
August
6-7 Seattle, WA
13-14 Fargo, ND
27-28 Brunswick, ME
September
3-5 NAS Patuxent River, MD
10-11 Lincoln, NE
17-18 Millington, TN
24-25 NAS Oceana, VA
October
1-2 MCAS Miramar, CA
8-9 San Francisco, CA
15-16 NAS Lemoore, CA
22-23 El Paso, TX
29-30 San Antonio, TX
November
5-6 NAS Jacksonville, FL
12 NAS Pensacola, FL

On this Veterans Day…

We all would like to thank our noblest of men and women, our veterans!  These are those among us who have all answered the “Call of Duty.” 

The sacrifices you make so that we may be free, to live a life of our own choosing, our own making, go unrecognized all too often by many caught up in the daily trivialities of life.  Yet, specifically on this day, we call attention where attention is needed.  On those of you who have not shirked the responsibilities of Duty over Self.  And on this day… We Thank You!

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. – Lt.-Col. John McCrae

And… if you have not taken the time to listen to one of the greatest speeches in the annals of American Rhetoric, I highly recommend listening once again to the immortal words of General Douglas McArthur as he addressed the Corps of Cadets at West Point in his acceptance of the Thayer Award and his farewell to the Long Gray Line.  It does not matter what uniform we wear or have worn, his words ring true for all that serve this great country.

Listen here: [link]

…Duty, Honor, Country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying points: to build courage when courage seems to fail; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith; to create hope when hope becomes forlorn.

Unhappily, I possess neither that eloquence of diction, that poetry of imagination, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell you all that they mean.

The unbelievers will say they are but words, but a slogan, but a flamboyant phrase. Every pedant, every demagogue, every cynic, every hypocrite, every troublemaker, and I am sorry to say, some others of an entirely different character, will try to downgrade them even to the extent of mockery and ridicule.

But these are some of the things they do. They build your basic character. They mold you for your future roles as the custodians of the nation's defense. They make you strong enough to know when you are weak, and brave enough to face yourself when you are afraid. They teach you to be proud and unbending in honest failure, but humble and gentle in success; not to substitute words for actions, not to seek the path of comfort, but to face the stress and spur of difficulty and challenge; to learn to stand up in the storm but to have compassion on those who fall; to master yourself before you seek to master others; to have a heart that is clean, a goal that is high; to learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; to reach into the future yet never neglect the past; to be serious yet never to take yourself too seriously; to be modest so that you will remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength. They give you a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions, a freshness of the deep springs of life, a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of an appetite for adventure over love of ease. They create in your heart the sense of wonder, the unfailing hope of what next, and the joy and inspiration of life. They teach you in this way to be an officer and a gentleman.

And what sort of soldiers are those you are to lead? Are they reliable? Are they brave? Are they capable of victory? Their story is known to all of you. It is the story of the American man-at-arms. My estimate of him was formed on the battlefield many, many years ago, and has never changed. I regarded him then as I regard him now -- as one of the world's noblest figures, not only as one of the finest military characters, but also as one of the most stainless. His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen. In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give.

He needs no eulogy from me or from any other man. He has written his own history and written it in red on his enemy's breast. But when I think of his patience under adversity, of his courage under fire, and of his modesty in victory, I am filled with an emotion of admiration I cannot put into words. He belongs to history as furnishing one of the greatest examples of successful patriotism. He belongs to posterity as the instructor of future generations in the principles of liberty and freedom. He belongs to the present, to us, by his virtues and by his achievements. In 20 campaigns, on a hundred battlefields, around a thousand campfires, I have witnessed that enduring fortitude, that patriotic self-abnegation, and that invincible determination which have carved his statue in the hearts of his people. From one end of the world to the other he has drained deep the chalice of courage.

As I listened to those songs [of the glee club], in memory's eye I could see those staggering columns of the First World War, bending under soggy packs, on many a weary march from dripping dusk to drizzling dawn, slogging ankle-deep through the mire of shell-shocked roads, to form grimly for the attack, blue-lipped, covered with sludge and mud, chilled by the wind and rain, driving home to their objective, and for many, to the judgment seat of  God.

I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always, for them: Duty, Honor, Country; always their blood and sweat and tears, as we sought the way and the light and the truth.

More…

To all veterans, the Tailhook Daily Briefing thanks you for your service and sacrifice, we here do not need a day set aside every year to remind us, but we are glad their is a day, to remind the rest!

At Tun Tavern

Stars were born…

Semper Fi!!!  Devil Dogs!