Tailhook Daily Briefing

Union Fires Stagehand for Wearing USS GHWB (CVN-77) Hat and Sweatshirt

A union stagehand was apparently "let go" after he refused to remove the USS GHWB hat and sweatshirt he was wearing in honor of his son's service on the carrier.

The stagehand was woking on a stage set up for President Obama.

 

Ready on Arrival

As a reminder, the 2010 Hook Conference is just around the corner. [Details]

Many o squadron, ship, command are holding joint reunions at this year’s shindig, here’s a small list (contact information can be found in this month’s newsletter from the main site):

• CSFWP - LT Cori Kindig -
• VFA-154 - LTjg Clayton Heyward -
• VX-9/31 - LT Andrew Toll -
• TACSUPWING (VFC-13) - CDR Anthony Gilbert -
• CNATRA - LT Mike Galdieri -
• VFA-146 -
• NSAWC - CDR James Kuehl -
• AOCS - Brian Bell -
• Skyhawk Association - Marc Williams or Ralph Chairman -
• Intruder Association - RADM Rupe Owens -
• Skywarrior Association - Ralph Estes -
• Viking Association - CAPT Evan Piritz -
• VAQ/VAK-208/-308 - John Gruber -
• Navy Preflight Class 20-50 - Agnes Clare -
• VF/VFA-41 - LT Jimmy "WIFI" Haizlip -
• VF-51 - Don Bouchoux -
• VA-145 - Norm Lessard -
• VT-23 - Bill McVey -
• RAFS - Real Aviators Fly Stoofs (S-2F's) -

 

I thought as a prep for many of this year’s reunions I’d provide a stroll down memory lane… courtesy of Tailhooker and Navy Leaguer, Bill Schultz.

READY ON ARRIVAL!

Good stuff if you can get it!

Lost the Starboard!

Low, Slow, High Alpha and lose the starboard… Yep, return it to the taxpayers!

Canadian… but a tailhook’n brother none the less!

UPDATED:  And a different view…

 

As Lex noted… notice the turkey feathers…

Photo Credit:
Ian Martens/Lethbridge Herald/The Canadian Press

Why the F-35 is taking so long to develop

The answer is the “Turbo-Entabulator”

HT: Tailhooker Ken Schoeni

Supersonic Betta AKA “The Fish”

Fresh from the pages of the Winter 2009 “Hook” magazine… Ok maybe not that fresh… comes the story of “The Fish” form the Puking Dogs of VF-143. An element of the great multi-piece articles written by Fred Tennenbaum on the history of VF-143.

The below video was produced by Dave “Dude” Aamodt in 2002 documenting “The Fish” on it’s many flights… so many flights “The Fish” qualified for an Air Medal.  (We’ve ported the video over to the editor’s youtube account to ease distribution here.  It can also be viewed over here [link] but that site uses 2002 technology and is a PITA.)

“Fish made several successful flights, with picture-perfect landings, when the Admiral found out about the "fishcapades", at which time, just like Maverick in his Tomcat, The Fish was grounded. Never to be one to obey little things like the skipper's orders, however, our Brave Betta continued flying. And just flying F-14 Tomcats wasn't enough for him: he went on to fly every aircraft aboard the Kennedy, from A-18's to choppers, accumulating airtime in more aircraft types than any other aviator aboard the carrier.”

The Fish's flights were well documented, with just a little of the video footage being represented in the video.  After a huge number of missions over Afghanistan and many other wartime theaters, this video was presented and shown to the Admiral, who was so impressed with the video, that he pardoned Fish for his disobedience.

After The Fish's tour of duty was over, Fish was honorably discharged, and is today in retirement in California. And no doubt he is telling all the female Bettas of his exploits, impressing the hell out them.”

Orion Pad Abort Test Video

No Tailhook, but very cool anyway.

Orion Pad Abort 1 Video Highlights from Space City Films on Vimeo.

Pretty much an industrial strength ejection seat.

Blues and Bearcats!

Hat-tip to Occasional Reader Bill Schultz for the link…

Enjoy…

 

Happy Easter Tailhookers.

Hovering to a Landing... At last

F-35B passed a major milestone today when flown to a 150ft hover, then slowly descended to a landing! 

Can't wait to see the beefier version with a proper Tailhook perform it's version of a short landing.

Docu-Drama “A Day in the Life of CVN CO, Mike Manazir”

Created a year ago or so… by LTJG Rivera and IS2 Wulwick, the following chronicles a day in the life of then CO of the Nimitz, Capt. Mike “Nasty” Manazir.

As accurate as any Michael Moore film for sure!!!

Enjoy!

 

 

The Producers would also like to thank their primary sponsor.

Good Way to Remove Yourself from the Gene Pool!

Base safety Ops be damned! 

 

And yes, I know this is not an F-18 (Looks a little like a Mirage F1 to me) but I have no control over what the posting agent names his video.   Tell you what, how about we turn this into a “You Caption It” post.

So… Caption away... in the comments.