Tailhook Daily Briefing

Flightdeck Friday: The McDonnell FD/FH-1 Phantom

 

Prologue

It began in December, 1943 with the delivery of the 8^th and 9^th YP-59 Airacomets (s/n 42-108778 and 42-100779) to the Navy for investigation of bringing jets to aircraft carriers. By all accounts, one wouldn’t have been surprised if the Navy had passed on the concept based on initial impressions from these prototypes (also designated YF2L-1). Seriously underpowered, poor cockpit visibility and a nasty tendency to “float” after the “cut” was given for landing (there were no speed brakes as the aircraft’s laggard performance didn’t merit as such), the YP-59 was less than impressive, and was outclassed by shore- and sea-based prop fighters. Fortunately, for folks like Lex, there were some in the Navy who saw through the pile of – residue, and beheld the pony buried therein. The McDonnell FD Phantom, the Navy’s first jet, designed from the start for carrier ops, was the result.

USS Kitty Hawk Denied Access to Hong Kong for Thanksgiving! -- Update 11/22/07

Breaking news:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - China has unexpectedly denied the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier and its accompanying ships entry to Hong Kong port for a long-planned Thanksgiving holiday visit, the U.S. State Department said on Wednesday.

"At present, it appears the USS Kitty Hawk strike group will not be making a port call in Hong Kong as previously planned as a result of a last minute denial by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs," State Department spokeswoman Nicole Thompson said.

China gave no reason was for the denial, Thompson said.

The United States is pressing Chinese authorities for an explanation and to reconsider its decision, she added.

The Financial Times newspaper said the Kitty Hawk group and its crew of 8,000 U.S. airmen and sailors had been expected in Hong Kong on Wednesday, but now would spend the holiday on the South China Sea.

A U.S. Navy spokesman was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Joanne Allen; editing by Mohammad Zargham)

We'll be keeping an eye...

UPDATE (11/22/07): 

It appears that the Chinese Government realized that this may not have been a very astute move politically with the US and as such has reversed their decision, and the USS Kitty Hawk and her taskforce are indeed going to be spending Thanksgiving at anchor in Hong Kong.

From Digital Chosunibo:

China made an abrupt about-face, Thursday. Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said Beijing would allow the ships into Hong Kong after all.

"We have already decided to allow the USS Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier group to stay in Hong Kong for rest and reorganization during Thanksgiving. It is based completely on humanitarianism. China has already informed the U.S. of this decision," he said.

Liu gave no explanation for the delay, saying only that the process for approving port calls was based on the principles of "sovereignty" and the "concrete situation."

U.S. officials had expressed disappointment at the initial refusal, saying that many American families had flown to Hong Kong to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with relatives serving in the Navy.

Analysts said the initial refusal seemed to indicate China was upset with the U.S. for some reason, but struggled for an explanation.

Recognized for CUTTING DOWN the US FLAG?!!!

Damn Right!

Here's the gouge for those of you who missed the story.  

Evidently an establishment in the Reno NV area was flying a Mexican flag OVER the US flag!  Supposedly the shop owner was flying the flags in this manner as a form of solidarity in the wake of raids on 11 area McDonald's restaurant leading to the arrest of more than 50 undocumented workers.

The flag flying garnered the attention of the local media and a news crew was promptly dispatched to "get to the bottom" of things (and probably provide an excellent soapbox for the shop owner's protest).  Well what the News Crew captured that day was certainly unexpected... but in YHS view heart warming!  Here's the video: [link]

That's Army Veteran Jim Brossard taking ACTION!  That flag and what it represents deserves respect!  And men like Brossard recognize this, they've fought for our honor and still do!  There is NOTHING wrong with being an AMERICAN!  We do not have to apologize and constant Kowtow to every slap in the face we receive.  Yes the store owner has every right to mount a protest, but flying the American Flag in the United States in this fashion is Illegal!... for a reason! 

"If I hadn't done that, then I'm afraid it wouldn't have gotten done," he said. "I was ready and fully willing to accept any consequences, legally or any other, that might have come in my direction."

And it looks like the members of the USS Intrepid Association feel the same way... Because in a small ceremony Jim Brossard was presented with another US Flag, one that has flown proudly over the USS Intrepid.

GERALDA MILLER
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 11/21/2007

Veterans who served on the U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier presented Jim Brossard with a certificate and flag for cutting down a U.S. flag that was flying beneath a Mexican flag at a Reno bar.

"To fly the American flag underneath the Mexican flag, it just defies everything," said Wayne Erven, West Coast representative of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. "Our flag goes on top. That's the honor we give our flag."

Erven of Pleasanton, Calif., gave Brossard the appreciation Tuesday at the James D. Hoff Peace Officer Memorial in Idlewild Park.  (Photo Caption:  Wayne Erven, center, prepares to give a flag that flew over the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York earlier this year to Jim Brossard, left. Looking on at right is Daryl Saldausky of Reno. Erven and Saldausky are members of the U.S.S. Intrepid Association Inc. Photo Credit: David B. Parker/RGJ)

"To go and pull that down, you've got more guts than brains maybe," Erven told Brossard.

But all are not thrilled with Jim's actions...

Bob Fulkerson, state director for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, said Brossard does not deserve to be rewarded for stealing property.

"I think what they're doing is rewarding criminal behavior, and they're rewarding violent behavior," Fulkerson said. "To me, that goes against our Constitution. That goes against the values of our country."

Uh... Yeah.... Well I guess we should consider the source...

Bravo Zulu Mr. Brossard!

EMALS Takes a Step Forward

EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System) took a giant step forward in becoming a reality on future Carriers on Tuesday at a Ribbon Cutting at NAS Lakehurst.

From the Asbury Park Press:

Launch System Test Center Unveiled

PROJECT TO ANCHOR LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR STATION

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 11/21/07

BY KIRK MOORE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU

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LAKEHURST — For half a century, the Navy has tested its aircraft launch catapults here, powered by a hulking steam plant. Now, across the test runway, the future is taking shape, with what looks like a small office building and a sheltered concrete trough.

Rep. Christopher H. Smith, R-N.J., cut the ribbon Tuesday at a revolutionary Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) test center, a project he said will anchor Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station here for the foreseeable future.

(STAFF PHOTO: KIRK MOORE)

Sailors walk inside a long construction shelter over a trough that will hold a new Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) unveiled Tuesday at Lakehurst Naval Air Engineering Station.

So what exactly is EMALS?  Well, according to this article on Global Security.org:

The present EMALS design centers around a linear synchronous motor, supplied power from pulsed disk alternators through a cycloconverter. Average power, obtained from an independent source on the host platform, is stored kinetically in the rotors of the disk alternators. It is then released in a 2-3 second pulse during a launch. This high frequency power is fed to the cycloconverter which acts as a rising voltage, rising frequency source to the launch motor. The linear synchronous motor takes the power from the cycloconverter and accelerates the aircraft down the launch stroke, all the while providing "real time" closed loop control.

Or more simply put... A lot like this: [Video Link]

Please Take a Cab!

In the coming months we will all be celebrating a number of festive events with our Family, our Friends, and our Brother's in Arms.  When all is said and done, we need to be responsible, this means for you, your family and the innocents that may be affected by your choices.  If you're Driving... Don't Drink!  And if your Drinking... Don't Drive!  Have a DD, Get a Room! Call a Buddy!  Get a Cab!Getting pulled over by the cops is the least of your worries...

As illustrated by this unfortunate story in Navy Times:

Super Hornet CO fired after DUI arrest

By Gidget Fuentes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 20, 2007 18:26:37 EST

SAN DIEGO — The commander of the Navy’s F/A-18E/F Super Hornet training squadron was fired Wednesday, four days after he was jailed on suspicion of driving under the influence at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

Navy officials said Cmdr. Thomas O’Dowd, 44, was relieved of command for “a loss of confidence in his ability to lead his squadron,” according to a statement issued by Naval Air Forces in Coronado. Officials provided no other details on the reason.

The decision to fire O’Dowd, who had taken command of Strike Fighter Squadron 122 in July, was made by Capt. Hal Murdock, who commands Strike Fighter Wing-Pacific.

At about 3 a.m. on Nov. 10, according to the Kings County Sheriff’s Department, a Navy uniformed security officer stopped O’Dowd, who was driving a gray Lexus RX300 SUV near a bachelor’s quarters [Ed. BOQ?]... [more here]

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cdr. O'Dowd during this difficult time for him, his family, and his Squadron.

US Navy Warships Pay a Visit to Hai Phong

From: People's Daily

Two U.S. navy ships arrived in Vietnam's northern Hai Phong city Wednesday, marking the fifth port visit by U.S. warships to Vietnam since the two countries normalized relations in 1995.

The trip of the USS Guardian and the USS Patriot to Vietnam from Nov. 14 to 18 "reflects the growing cooperation between our two countries, including in the area of military-to-military relations," the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam said in a press release on Wednesday.

USS Guardian pictured above in Yokosuka.

Happy Birthday Marines!

And Thank You!...

- Ed. TDB, and all Tailhookers!

Flightdeck Friday: Valour-IT Video Edition

Classic fighters set to music for your viewing pleasure.  Next week we're back in the groove with something old and definitely blue.  In the meantime, if you liked the video (or just appreciate the wrestling match your humble scribe had with encoders/decoders, DVDx, etc.), please consider making a donation to Valour-IT — the button’s over there to port ("left" for our AF guests).  Go ahead, even $5 bucks will make a difference in a wounded hero’s life.

 

Former TOPGUN... And the First T-38 Finally Retires

From the Northrop Grumman Press release:

The first production-configuration T-38 pilot training aircraft built for the U.S. Air Force by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) landed today at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and rolled to a stop for the very last time...

...After 46 years of serving the pilot training needs of the Air Force, the U.S. Navy and NASA, the Hawthorne, Calif.-built N963 aircraft and the oldest T-38 trainer still flying, was home.

Here is a brief synopsis of this aircraft's storied history:

The NASA N963 T-38 trainer began life as an Air Force T-38 trainer with tail number 59-1603. It was among the first T-38s to roll off Northrop Grumman's aircraft assembly line in Hawthorne. The aircraft was officially delivered to the Air Force on January 31, 1961 then transferred to Edwards Air Force Base, where it participated in the final year of the T-38 flight test program.

Over the next 45 years, its journey as a trainer aircraft included stops at many military installations around the country, including:

1962 -- Delivered to Randolph AFB, Texas, to serve as Air Force Training Command's primary supersonic trainer.

1964 -- Sent to Dobbins AFB, Georgia, to serve as a chase plane for newly designed aircraft.

1966 -- Transferred along with three other T-38s to Los Angeles International Airport to help train astronauts for Manned Orbiting Laboratory missions.

1969 -- Returned to Edwards AFB, Calif., to serve as a chase plane and to help maintain pilot proficiency.

1972 -- Transferred to China Lake Naval Weapons Center with the intention of making it into a drone, or unmanned target aircraft, capable of being operated by radio control.

1974 -- Entered service at Navy's Top Gun air combat training program at Miramar Naval Air Station, San Diego. In this role, T-38 and pilot mimicked Soviet fighter aircraft to help train Navy aviators in air-to-air combat techniques.

1976 -- Returned to China Lake Naval Weapons Center where its rear cockpit received drone equipment. Over the next ten years, served as an air-to-air radar target, a chase plane, and pilot proficiency plane, participating in both manned and unmanned missions.

1987 -- Transferred to Fallon Naval Air Station, Nev., to serve as a pilot proficiency aircraft.

1989 -- 1991 Transferred to NASA, then underwent complete renovation, including replacement of key structural components; installation of new wings, new landing gear, improved ejection seats and radar altimeter; significant rewiring of the cockpit and nose sections; and replacement of its canopy and windshield plastic.

1991 -- Returned to service as a trainer aircraft for NASA astronauts

2007 -- Retired from active duty and returned to Northrop Grumman for long term static display.

F/A-18's to Pinch Hit for Grounded F-15's!

Due to the grounding of all 676 of the US Air Force F-15's after the crash of an older F-15C in Missouri, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and her Embarked Airwing (CVW-1) have been tasked with the previously assigned duties of "in theater" F-15's.

From CNN:

A mandatory grounding of Air Force F-15s has been expanded to cover those flying combat missions over Afghanistan...

The F-15Es in Afghanistan can fly only in emergency situations to protect U.S. and coalition troops in a battle, according to Maj. John Elolf, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force Central Command.

Maj. Cristin Marposon, an Air Force spokeswoman, told The Associated Press the country's fleet of 676 F-15s, including mission critical jets, was grounded on November 3 for "airworthiness concerns" after the crash of an older model F-15C on Friday.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation, but Air Force officials said it was a structural failure and the plane broke apart in flight...

Looks like the Boys and Girls of CVW-1 are going to be busy!  Especially the Sidewinders (VFA-86), the Thunderbolts (VMFA-251), the Knighthawks (VFA-136), and the Checkmates (VFA-211)!

...Pentagon officials said the U.S. Navy has had to move the only aircraft carrier in the region from the Persian Gulf to the North Arabian Sea to fill mission gaps for the F-15s.

Several dozen F/A-18 fighters from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise will fly missions with other Air Force aircraft to fill mission gaps.

Hops... Hops... Hops...