Today marks the formal conclusion of a vaunted ship’s faithful career. In Traditional Naval Ceremony the crew of USS Enterprise CVN-65 and distinguished guests inactivated the “Big E”. In what began with Carrier Strike Group Commander Rear Admiral Ted Carter’s Flag being lowered from the yardarm and concluded with the crew disembarking the long serving Enterprise was allowed to rest.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary S. Welch/Released)
51 years is becoming less and less a significantly long time in the annals of history, however, for an aircraft carrier to serve 51 years not just partaking in ‘History’s Timeline’ but in many cases, making it, is nothing short of miraculous. Enterprise was not simply a Ship of the Fleet, she was the icon represented all that America stands for, Liberty, Freedom, Teamwork, Ingenuity, Technology, Tactics, and Accomplishment, all tolled made up the ship we knew as Enterprise.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary S. Welch/Released)
Many of us in the Navy community watched today as we bid farewell to this historical vessel concerned that this may be the end of an era. The Navy is a service, more than any other, founded on tradition. From flying the Navy Jack to rendering honors as ships pass, our foundation, our keystone is Honor, Courage and Tradition. A ship named Enterprise, with rare exception, has always been in our fleet, and since 1938 that name has applied to the Navy’s most impressive Ship of the Line the Aircraft Carrier. In 1938 the USS Enterprise CV-6 was commissioned and served our country like no other, earning 20 Battle Stars in her WWII service. Establishing the name “Enterprise” forever in our lexicon.
In 1961, the United States commissioned a new Enterprise (CVN-65). She was like no other. She was to represent the latest and greatest technical achievements of the United States of America. Initially, the largest ship in the world (and up to her inactivation today still the longest in the US Fleet) and as we all are aware, the first Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier. (It is interesting that because of this propulsion system, Enterprise was not to be “Decommissioned” this day, as she cannot while still “percolating”, rather she was “Inactivated” functionally removing her from the Line.)
For 100s of thousands of sailors who served on her, and 10s of thousands of aviators who flew from her deck, bidding farewell to this great ship was a emotional milestone, regenerating countless memories of adventure, challenge, and honor. Memories of missions, and liberties… of drudgery and pride, and especially of family and shipmates! She will be missed.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)
Many of us in the Navy Community were concerned that with today’s inactivation, there would no longer be an Enterprise. To our great satisfaction our concerns were alleviated today… for along with tributary commentary of CVN-65’s impressive service history, we were informed by none other than the Secretary of the Navy that the name Enterprise would be carried forward! Confirming that the new Ford Class Nuclear Carrier, CVN-80 will indeed be commissioned “USS Enterprise”.
So this day, we bid farewell to a great ship served by great crews “USS Enterprise” (CVN-65) and hail the future of the US Navy, “USS Enterprise” (CVN-80). Boson… Ring the Bell!
This post comes courtesy of the 2011 Honorary Tailhookers of the Year, Kathy and Hans Schmoldt (written by Kathy). Every few years we Colorado Tailhookers gather on the Western Slope of Colorado for the Grand Junction Airshow. But honestly, I think the majority of us are there for “The Cattle Baron’s BBQ” (or ‘barren’ as Kathy puts it, cuz there ain’t no cattle on this ranch!) and Tailhook Party! This past gathering was one of the best, with attendance more focused on Tailhookers and the flight crews who performed at the show that weekend. There will be more stories to tell, besides this one, and I promise to get around to it soon… but for now Kathy owns this writing…
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Because there was so much going on during the weekend of The Grand Junction Air Show, and because there is so much information associated with this particular post, I wanted to spend ample time 'covering this story.'
It spans two generations of heroes. You will want to at least scroll to the last part of this post to make the connection between two of these heroes.
It all began at the banquet on Thursday night when the Hansman [Hans Schmoldt], also known as "Big Gun" by some, met and invited a young man from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166) to our Cattle "Barren" parties on Friday and Saturday nights.
Well, to our pleasure, THEY!!! showed up. Pretty much the whole Det!
These are just a few of the Sea Elks . . . more to come !
For those of you who want to know more about this group, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166), CLICK HERE.
Now, for just a moment, let's visit one of the many static displays at the air show.
One of probably the most dominating displays was the VMM-166’s V-22 Osprey Tilt Rotor Aircraft.
As you can see by the crowd, it was also one of the most popular displays.
Hans and I were lucky enough to be given a personal tour of this magnificent bird . . .
. . . by Captain Eileen "Edna" Donovan. (Remember her name !)
Once we left the Osprey, I snapped these two shots . . .
. . . which do not do the Osprey justice.
Unless you've stood beside this magnificent machine, there is no way to appreciate the enormity of it.
Now, back to the party . . .
The Sea Elks were everywhere and kind enough to pose no less than 50 times with other guests.
Now, back to Captain Donovan . . .
. . . she is a sharp-shooter . . .
. . . a two-stepper . . .
. . . and, she's pretty handy with a bull whip. Unfortunately, I didn't capture that one with my camera, but just believe me, she knew how to use it.
Anytime we host a party, it's always difficult to visit with everyone and hear their stories.
As in this case, Hans and I learned about this story several weeks after the party !
From left: Major Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan USMCR (Vet), 2nd Lt. Eileen C. Donovan, USMCR and Col. William A. "Grease Gun" Beebe, USMC (Ret).
From left: Lt. Donovan's platoon sergeant, GySgt. Holly Ellington, USMC, Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan, 2ndLt. Donovan and her mother, Beba Donovan.
Her mother is acknowledgingthe bars as those formerly owned by Col. Richard L. "Rich" Bianchino, USMC (Ret).
Now, you may be wondering, what's the story ?
Or for those more astute readers, you have already made the connection.
It begins with this photo:
1st Lt. Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan
Jan. 24, 1969 Shoot Down of YK-22
From left: copilot Lt. Pat Donovan, right gunner Cpl. M. S. Opalka, crew chief Cpl. Michael E. Velleux, left gunner Sgt. Dolph Quijano and pilot Lt. Donald Robins.
Photo was taken at a fire base several clicks north of Thong Duc on the western end of Charlie Ridge known as LZ Pike. The hydraulic line being held is the one that was shot out resulting in the loss of both the auxiliary and #2 hydraulic boost systems. The crimp in the line was only the size of a clipped finger nail, but at that amount of pressure the entire aircraft and crew was covered with hydraulic fluid.
The following are three links to Major Donovan's career:
Yes, that young lady who graced us with her presence is carrying-on her father's tradition of serving our great country.
Who knew ?
We were certainly surrounded by many heroes at our parties and are always honored to have them at our house.
This is just ONE of those stories.
I leave you with the words of Colonel Charles J. "Chic" Schoener USMC (Retired)
"Pat Donovan without doubt received more decorations ( in regard to precedence level), as a Purple Fox, than any other Marine who served with HMM-364. Not only that, Pat is probably one of (if not) the most decorated (precedence level) combat Marine pilot to come from the Vietnam era. While few Marines (air/ground) were recognized for their acts of individual heroism with the award of the CMH, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star or the DFC, Pat's multiple awards for his numerous act of heroism, taken in totality, is absolutely historic and should be recognized as such."
Pat Donovan's Humble Answer to Colonel Schoener's Remarks
I accept and hold in trust the praise of my Squadron mates and those Marines whom we helped while under night attack in the mountains north of the Nam O Bridge in Quang Nam (Feb 22), under attack in an open rice paddy northwest of Liberty Bridge in Quang Nam (April 21), engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force near the village of My Hiep (3) (May 9), under mortar attack on the island near Hoi An (Mar 17), and the lone Lt. with red hair who led the attack off our ramp into a fire fight, the same one we came back for, re-entered the zone and grabbed out of the fire fight near An Hoa (April 28).
By my count on every mission we were a team of pilot, copilot, crew chief, two gunners at each .50 cal, and the Navy Medic, or in the case of Doc Linkous, a Navy Doctor on board, not to overlook the maintenance crew that constantly went without rest to keep the aircraft "up". We were and are a Marine Air-Ground team linked by oath and blood to those on the ground we serve. We all achieved the missions and we all respect the memory of our Squadron mates and Marines on board who paid for the lives of their fellow Marines with their own.
And we all did this under the guidance and inspiration of a gentleman named Gene, whom we roast in song and toast in admiration.
All the best to all Purple Foxes and those we serve.
Semper Fi,
Pat
The Ospreys entertained us with a couple of fly bys the day they flew out of Grand Junction.
The first one went right over the top of our house.
In both videos, objects are much closer than they appear.
The second Osprey headed directly over the house and goes out of sight above The Colorado National Monument.
This past weekend we Colorado Tailhookers flocked to the Western Slope of our great state to watch and partake in the Grand Junction Airshow and then later marshal at NAS GJT (Hans and Kathy Schmoldt’s Ranch) for proper socializing and liquid refreshment.
It’s going to take me a few articles to address all of the stories from the weekend. But some highlights will include:
Sharing history Original Blue Angel member Al Taddeo
His reunion with WWII Night Fighter off the Enterprise, Bob Benson
Marine POW, Bill Angus
Royal Canadian Navy Aviator Bryan Hayter and memories of his TBM
The Mad Hatter of Grand Junction! Hans Big Guns Schmoldt!
Live music by “JD Hoag” of “The Ventures” and Marty Robbens fame!
And don’t leave your camera gear out when the “Winds of September” come early, or why seeing the cans of a Super Hornet up close is a bad thing!
But to kick things off here’s a taste of some of the Grand Junction Airshow!
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
I saw this photo over at Pinch Paisley’s Facebook page and thought many of our readers would appreciate a quick trip down memory lane. Pinch graciously allowed me to snipe it. Photographer’s own caption to this great “nostalgic image” is:
“There was a reason they called the F-14 a ‘flying tennis court’”.
What’s your caption? (submit in comments below).
Also if you would like to have one of your images posted here on TDB, please send it to me,, or send me a link to it (if you already have it posted on the internet in a gallery somewhere) I’ll be glad to convey the 1,000 word stories of our history. Just contact me at carmichaelj@comcast.net .
There is pretty much an instruction book/blog post for everything these days. And I ran across an interesting article today on Gawker titled: Nabbing
a Fleet Week Sailor: A How-To Guide
No kidding, it outlines a number of best (?) recommendations on how to conquer one of our boys in white with passages like,
There's just something about one of these military men that's so
appealing. They're usually young, in shape, clean, neat, and, most
importantly, shipping out in a few days. This is not the man you're
going to marry, just a fun little fling. He's a knight that comes in his
own shining armor. In fact, that all-white get-up is so shining, it's
often blinding, making one sailor hard to tell from the next. And that's
fine. You don't need to be picky. Just about any sailor will do.
Uh... "Will do" what?
Be a Lady: We hate to break it to the gay guys, but
most of the sailors are going to be of the heterosexual persuasion. It's
still kind of against the rules for gay men to serve openly and it's
just the law of averages that the majority will be hunting for lady tail
(and for those that are heteroflexible, they've been beating off with
bunk mates for months, so it's time to flex their hetero muscles). Yes,
the ladies definitely make out in this equation. For the single sailor
who has been out at sea without a real live woman to look at for months,
it's going to be like a starving man at an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Basically all you have to do is show up with the right parts and you
should be good.
And that is the tip of the Iceberg, the rest is entertaining reading if nothing else... Personally I think she is working too hard at this... usually DRINK + GIRL works just fine no?
Nearly 41 years after Neil Armstrong first set foot on the Moon, he has finally received a pair of Naval Astronaut Wings.
In a ceremony on-board the USS Eisenhower (accompanied by fellow Astronauts Jim Lovell and Gene Cernan) Armstrong was presented with a pair of rare Naval Astronaut wings by Captain Dee Mewbourne (CO CVN-69) and Capt Roy Kelley (CAG-7).
Armstrong commented,
"I take these wings with great pleasure
and great pride," said Armstrong. "I have made certain achievements in
my life and been recognized many times, but, there is no achievement I
value more highly then when I received the wings of gold [for naval
aviation]; to be given a second pair of gold wings is just as special."
..."I have learned so much throughout my
career and I owe a tremendous amount to the Navy,"
Neil and his fellow Astronauts were on-board "IKE" as part of the "Legends of Aerospace" Tour sponsored by Morale Entertainment. But the idea of presenting Armstrong with the wings was not a spur of the moment idea.
Prior to the IKE visit, in a
conversation with Capt. (Ret.) Edward F. Bronson, Armstrong, who served
as a naval aviator from 1949 to 1952, mentioned he never received a pair
Naval Astronaut Wings. The wings were not authorized prior to 1961 when
they were first presented to Cmdr. Alan Shepard Jr.
Word quickly reached Vice Adm. Thomas
Kilcline, Commander, Naval Air Forces, and through a series of e-mails
between Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic and Commander, U.S. Naval
Forces Central Command, it was determined that it would be a fitting
tribute to present Armstrong with a pair of Naval Astronaut Wings at sea
aboard an aircraft carrier.
Indeed it is... and long overdue.
(HT- Ken Schoeni)
Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gina K. Wollman
It is nice to see the Navy’s latest CVN, USS George HW Bush (CVN-77) finally out certifying her flight deck this week.
I received a note from CAG-8, Capt. Pat Stubby Cleary, this morning where he expressed that he and his squadrons have been looking forward to getting out and certifying the deck, advancing the Bush even further in her readiness.
Also in the news this week, was the announcement that,
Rear Adm. Nora Tyson has been assigned as the next commander of the Norfolk, Va.,-based Carrier Strike Group 2, which includes the carrier George H.W. Bush, according to an announcement from the Pentagon.
Making her the first female to command a Carrier Strike Group.
Tyson will move from her current assignment as commander of the Western Pacific Logistics Group when her orders are issued in the early summer, Cole said.
Once again… the more things change, the more things… well no, that’s definitely a change.
Images courtesy U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jason Winn
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!
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
Hard to believe it was already a week ago that many of us Tailhookers were under the searing sunshine in Churchill County watching the fine folks at NAS Fallon demonstrate their capabilities. But for this week’s Photos from the Fleet, I present you with a few select images from the show. (Clicking the image will deliver you to a larger image and the gallery of more relating to the airshow). Enjoy… –JC
Above is a time lapse panoramic of the Blue Angels Solos Departure. The original image is approximately 32” tall by 187” wide! Anyone have a wall you want covered?!
There you have it… All of these images are under my copyright, If for any reason you would like larger versions or permission to use any of these images, simply e-mail me, and I’ll see what I can do. ;-)
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.
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