It is always difficult to watch great navy warriors sail into the final sunset of their careers. And this past week we in the Naval Air family had to bid farewell to two faithful tools of the trade.
Hard to believe that only one thing in the image on the right still exists in the Navy’s inventory. This past weekend witnessed the Decommissioning of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) the last of the oil burners. As well over in Jacksonville the last of the S-3’s were retired.
We certainly look back on these warriors with a fond affection of memories near and distant, and know that all of us have our time. Doesn’t make it any easier to bid farewell to those memories.
I used to live on Point Loma, in San Diego and had a fantastic view of North Island where both the Kitty Hawk and the S-3 claimed their roost for many years. It is odd to think that no longer will any new sailor understand the Moniker “War Hoover" or “Battle Kat.” I remember fondly actually, the whoooummmp then whistle of the Hoovers as they shot touch and goes at NASNI, and the grace illustrated in the break with those long slender wings exaggerating a well executed 90 degree roll-pull!
And who can forget that one of the most famous specific aircraft of the US Navy in the past 8 years was VS-35’s Double Nuts. For a brief time she was “Navy-One” flying then President George W. Bush on board the USS Abraham Lincoln for his tribute to the Sailors serving the cause of Iraqi Freedom!
And as well the pure force of USS Kitty Hawk putting out to sea past Ballast Point and into the Pacific Swells for her many deployments both to insure our peace and prosecute our wars. This was a time before San Diego had any of the Nimitz Class residents… Kitty was the big girl on the block, with her sister Connie. She was awe inspiring… always.
But alas these two are now only memories, for me and many who flew in and served aboard. Their time may be neigh, but they will be remembered with respect!
As is evidence in the two following links:
"Loose" of Navy 1 fame is a good friend. Many of V-35 are. A great bunch of guys.
After Mini-Boss and Air Boss of USS-RR he and the fam are offta Italy.
Nice OK 4 wire, huh? ;-)
Posted by: SJBill | February 04, 2009 at 19:01