Tailhook Daily Briefing

We take comfort in knowing that Jeremy was living his life’s dream flying with VFA-15, the Valions

These were the words offered by Lt. Jeremy S. Wise's family after learning of the tragic death of Jeremy in a training accident on the Fallon Ranges.  He was identified Sunday by the Navy as the F/A-18 pilot killed in a midair collision with a VFC-13 F-5F this past weekend.

We at The Tailhook Association offer a heart felt prayer of condolence and support to all of Jeremy's family, his fiends, and his Valion Squadron mates... We know and share your pain of losing a son, friend and comrade.

Please know that no words can begin to assuage the grief of losing one so young and full of life, but we in the Tailhook Community are here for you.

From Navy Times (and the AP): 

FALLON, Nev. — A Navy pilot killed when two fighter jets collided over Nevada has been identified.

Lt. Jeremy S. Wise of Virginia Beach, Va., died following the collision during a routine training mission Friday between his F/A-18C Hornet and an F-5 Tiger aircraft, the Navy said.

The 28-year-old Wise, a four-year veteran of the Navy, was based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach.

Two pilots in the other jet parachuted to safety and were rescued about 50 miles east of Fallon Naval Air Station, where both jets had taken off.

Those pilots, whose names were not released, were released Friday after treatment for minor injuries at a Fallon hospital.

The cause of the crash was under investigation by a Navy team.

 

“We take comfort in knowing that Jeremy was living his life’s dream flying with VFA-15, the Valions,” Jeremy's family wrote. “Everyone Jeremy came into contact with loved and respected him as an outstanding naval aviator and loyal friend.”

Fair winds and following seas Jeremy... you will be missed.

David Tussey Pays Tribute to and Bids Fond Farewell to CDR Decoy Marksbury

NAVAL AVIATION LOSES A GIANT OF A PILOT

The news arrived via an email from my former Commanding Officer, J.R Hutcinson. CDR Decoy Marksbury, a veteran of numerous carrier deployments, 9000 hrs flight time, 900 carrier landings, and countless moment of hilarity, maturity, bravery, and limitless friendships --- had passed away. Dead of a heart attach at age 63 years young, following a weekend of skiing with his family in Reno, NV.

Decoy leaves behind a wonderful family - his wonderful (and immensely patient ) wife Lora, daughter Julie, a son CAPT Joh Marksbury USMC, currently based in Washington, DC. But more that that, he leaves behind a reputation of being one the best pilots, best officers, and best people that this Aviator had ever come to know.... Decoy was a giant in Naval Aviation...

More over at David Tussey's Blog "The Three Wire"...

We offer our prayers and warm thoughts to "Decoy's" family, friends and wingmen. 

Not Quite G-LOC

In an official Navy statement, it appears that Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis, the Blue Angel killed in last April's tragic accident, suffered the onset of high G induced tunnel-vision and probable disorientation.

From AP

"In his final turn to attempt to rendezvous with the other Blues, he put a very fast, high-G turn on the aircraft. A real aggressive turn," Capt. Jack Hanzlik, a Navy spokesman and former aviator, told the AP on Monday.

There is more from the AP article that is quite critical (most likely unnecessarily so, about the Blue Angles no G-Suit Waiver, that yhs will not dig into at this time but if you would like to comment on the rest of the AP article cited in this piece, feel free to do so in our comments.)

More Here from the Savannah Morning News... [link]

An investigator reviewing flight data found Davis never lost total control of the flight stick in the turn at six times the force of gravity. A temporary decrease in blood flow to his brain caused by the G-forces likely caused Davis to experience tunnel vision and become disoriented, the report found.

..."In his final turn to attempt to rendezvous with the other Blues, he put a very fast, high-G turn on the aircraft. A real aggressive turn," said Capt. Jack Hanzlik, a Navy spokesman and former aviator. "Kevin had performed these maneuvers in training and in the fleet. He had done them in similar situations, and he had a history of performing them well without any problems."

Guadagnini said Davis did not black out and was in control of the FA-18 Hornet until it crashed near the intersection of Shanklin and Pine Grove roads in northern Beaufort County.

E-1B Vietnam Crew MIA since 1967... Now Home!

From the Conservative Voice:

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of five U.S. servicemen, missing in action from the Vietnam War, have been accounted-for and will be returned to their families for burial with full military honors.

They are all U.S. Navy.

• Lt. j.g. Norman L. Roggow, of Aurelia, Iowa;
• Lt. j.g. Donald F. Wolfe, of Hardin, Mont.;
• Lt. j.g. Andrew G. Zissu, of Bronx, N.Y.;
• Chief Petty Officer Roland R. Pineau, of Berkley, Mich.;
• Petty Officer 3rd Class Raul A. Guerra, of Los Angeles, Calif.;

Pineau was buried on Oct. 8 in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C. The dates and locations of the funerals for the other servicemen are being set by their families.

On Oct. 8, 1967, Zissu and Roggow were the pilots of an E-1B Tracer en route from Chu Lai Air Base, Vietnam, back to the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany. Also on board were Wolfe, Pineau and Guerra. Radar contact with the aircraft was lost approximately 10 miles northwest of Da Nang, Vietnam. Adverse weather hampered immediate search efforts, but three days later, a search helicopter spotted the wreckage of the aircraft on the face of a steep mountain in Da Nang Province. The location, terrain and hostile forces in the area precluded a ground recovery.

[More here]

And Much MUCH more over at SteelJaw Scribe's Place... As always!  [ed.]

Admiral William Crowe Passes

WASHINGTON (AP) — William Crowe, an Annapolis-trained submarine officer who rose to chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and served as ambassador to Britain, has died at age 82.

The retired admiral died early Thursday at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the Navy announced. No cause of death was released immediately.

"We lost a true hero last night ... a distinguished naval officer, diplomat, leader, mentor (who) served both Presidents Reagan and Bush," Navy Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a Pentagon news conference.

However Admiral Crowe's Naval History was not without controversy.  In a submarine era dominated by the iron fist of Adm. Hyman Rickover, early in the 60's, Crowe bucked the system choosing to pursue a more academic path and turning down an opportunity to transition from Diesels to Nukes.  Instead he chose to study for a doctorate in politics and international affairs at Princeton.

"As I studied political science at Princeton, I began to learn that things aren't black and white, they're usually gray,"

These views were not readily received in the upper echelons of the Navy in his era. A unnamed superior officer in the Puzzle Palace Pentagon once chastened Crowe... 

`We didn't send you to graduate school to come back here with a lot of ideas on how to run the Navy. What we sent you to graduate school for is to come back here and help us perfect and articulate what we want better. But we're not interested in your original thinking.'

Crowe entertained leaving the Navy right then... however he continued eventually becoming CincPac.  It was during his stint at CincPac that he had an opportunity to brief then President Ronald Reagan. 

"Reagan had stopped in Hawaii en route to China for a briefing from Crowe on the military situation in the Far East. As Crowe spoke for 90 minutes without notes, charts or maps, Reagan was reported to have whispered to his defense secretary, Caspar Weinberger: "If we're ever going to need a new chairman of the Joint Chiefs, here's our man."

Despite being the nominee of one of the most well regarded Republicans, Crowe's loyalty was not specific to the GOP, in 1992 Crowe endorsed Bill Clinton for President, expressing a distaste for the attacks on Clinton for not having served in Vietnam. 

It was in the Clinton Administration that Admiral Crowe was appointed Ambassador to the Court of St. James's, where he served until 1997.

One of Admiral Crowe's most publicly memorable moments was an appearance on the much loved TV show Cheers.  Ken Levine, one of the writers, recalls an episode about "Who Stole Rebecca's Earrings":

Admiral William J. Crowe Jr., the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff ...turned out to be a great guy. And yes, he was always trailed by an aide with a box handcuffed to his wrist – putting the Admiral in direct satellite communication with the President, day or night. Every twenty minutes this aide had to unlock the box and place a test call. I badgered him into letting me watch this once. He opened the box. I was expecting this real high tech Star Wars equipment. It looked like used Radio Shack shit, with a black phone worthy of Maxwell Smart.

Admiral Crowe did every joke we wrote for him…except one, presented here for the first time.

He’s sitting at the bar with Norm and Cliff. Norm says, “So you got the black box, huh?” Admiral: “That’s right.” Cliff: “And you can make one call and nuclear missiles are in the air on their way to Russia?” Admiral: “Yes, sir.” Norm then slaps a bill on the counter and says, “Fifty bucks says you can’t.”

Fair Winds and Following Seas Admiral...

From the Colorado Strike Force Comes a Reminder and a Request to Remember to Fly the Flag this 9/11.

 In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

  

On Tuesday, September 11th, 2007, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

Action Plan: So, here's what we need you to do...

Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. 

Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year-round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation.

God Bless You and God Bless America

Not a bad idea... [ed.]

In Memoriam: Bob "Bullet" Canepa

A letter from the Canepa Family:

Dear Friends and Family of "Bullet" Bob Canepa,

Please join us for a celebration of Bob Canepa's life.

Our beloved father passed away on July 25, 2007. A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 3 at Our Mother of Confidence Catholic Church, 3131 Governor Drive, San Diego, California 92122. A viewing is scheduled for the hour preceding the ceremony. Immediately following the Mass, please join us for a reception in the church hall.

A burial service will be held on Saturday, August 4th at 10:00 a.m. at El Camino Memorial Park, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego , CA 92121.

Our family would appreciate those who can take a moment to write down their fondest memories of Bob. There will be a box at the reception for you to leave your written memories, or alternately please email to: bulletbobcanepa@gmail.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob's honor to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or Our Mother of Confidence Building Fund.

Thank you,
The Canepa Family

Funeral Service for Wally Schirra

There will be a funeral service for Wally at Rosecrans Cemetary:

1500, 21 May 2007.

• All guests should be in place by 1440.
• There will be a reception afterward at the San Diego Aerospace Museum.

CAPT Wally Schirra, USN-Ret.: 12 Mar 1923 - 3 May 2007

"Are you a turtle?"

I had always wanted to go to the Navy. As a young kid, I was intrigued by a Naval Officer with the beautiful brown shoes and sharp gold wings.- Wally Schirra

 

Born into an aviator family (his father had gone to Canada during WW1 to earn his wings and his mom was a wing walker), Wally Schirra entered the Navy via Annapolis (class of 45) and after commissioning, served the final days of the war on the cruiser USS Alaska (CB-1). Entering flight training after the war, Schirra ended up in fighters and when the Korean War began in 1950, was dispatched to fly F-84's as an exchange pilot with the Air Force's 154th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 136th Bombing Wing. Flying over 90 combat missions during the period 1951-52 he earned the DFC, and Air Medal (w/oak leaf cluster) and was credited with downing one MiG-15 while damaging two others. 

Naval Aviator (oh yeah... and one of the Original Mercury 7 Astronauts) Wally Schirra Dies

As reported at Space.com today:

 One of the first seven 'original' American astronauts and the only one to fly Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, Walter M. "Wally" Schirra passed away on Wednesday, after having been hospitalized for cancer...

"It's a terrible loss of a dear friend, cherished comrade and a brother," said Schirra's fellow Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter. "Despite our good natured competition for flights into space, Wally strove to bring a smile to everyone he met and its with a smile that I will forever fondly remember him."

"It was impossible to know Wally, even to meet him, without realizing at once that he was a man who relished the lighter side of life, the puns and jokes and pranks that can enliven a gathering," said NASA Administrator Mike Griffin in an e-mail to his agency's employees. "But this was a distraction from the true nature of the man. His record as a pioneering space pilot shows the real stuff of which he was made."

More here:

The Tailhook Community mourns the loss of a great man and friend...  Via Con Dios Wally!