Tailhook Daily Briefing

For you NASA Historians, We Have a Request

TDB Reader, Diana Solomon has an interesting question she posted in the comments of one of our B-52 articles. 

She asks:

Can anyone tell me what the symbols on the B 52's that carried and dropped the X15 are. There is B52 sitting in Hickham AFB right now with 3 symbols of the x15 one nose down one nose up and one nose straight. We were wondering if this stands for the 3 flights and the condition at the end of the 3 flights.

Maybe someone out there has a Father or a Grandfather who flew or was crew. Thanks

- Diana Solomon

Well?… Anyone?  SteelJaw?  Hoot?   Pony up in the comments.

-JC

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.

Photos From the Fleet… NAS Fallon Airshow

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.

Ginger Ramage… “It was ALL a highlight”

It is with collective heavy heart we have to share the sad news of the passing of Ginger Ramage.

RADM James “Jig Dog” Ramage is a well known and highly respected member of the Tailhook Association, equally revered in our history is his lovely bride, Ginger. 

Ginger epitomized the “Navy Wife”, loyal, dedicated, strong, humorous, passionate, independent, and generous. For 45 years James and Ginger stood together taking care of our navy, our navy’s sailors and our navy’s history.  And for many more years shared their love for us here at Tailhook and at the Association of Naval Aviation which he co-founded.

Upon hearing the news there was a collective gasp from all in attendance at the Awards Luncheon named in Jig Dog’s honor, we were all saddened and immediately reminded of the strength our spouses provide to all of us in this great community.  Our hearts, and prayers go out to all who knew Ginger she will be missed dearly, and remembered fondly by all of us in Tailhook.

Our prayers especially go out to “Jig Dog,’ please know you are certainly not alone in your grieving, we will miss Ginger’s smiling eyes and laughing spirit.  We thank you for allowing us all to get to know Ginger these many years.

Upon hearing this sad news, I was reminded of last year’s Hook, when Kathy Schmoldt sent me an email detailing her interaction with Jig Dog and Ginger republished below.

"Jig Dog" for whom the awards luncheon is named for, and his beautiful wife Ginger were sitting next to the registration desk after they walked every aisle of the booths. I asked if I could take their picture and they both just beamed.  And they stated that they were more than happy to share information for the Daily Briefing.

I asked him, "What was the highlight of your career?"

And with no adjectives verbs or anything, he rattled this off:

"Commanding Officer of Bombing 10 USS Enterprise, Battle of Philippines Sea June 19 & 20, 1944!"

Kathy continues...

I then asked Ginger, what was the highlight of her "career?"

She smiled slyly and said, "It was ALL a highlight!"

They were married in Rome in 1964 where he said that culture's 'rules' were:
#1  Husband was head of household
#2  Everything owned was the husband's
#3  Everywhere he went, she went

I thanked him for his service to our country and with a humble smile, he nodded at me.  Then I thanked her for her service, too. She said, "Oh, I was just in it for the paycheck !"

Not to let that go... "Jig Dog" was quick to point out, "And she got 100% of it!"

They both exuded sunshine with their giggles and smiles and adoration for each other.

I explained once more that this could possibly be posted on the Internet, to which she said, "Oh, we have nothing to hide in our lives."  He quickly interjected, "Maybe not in YOUR life..."

We are all better people for having known Ginger.  She will be missed.

God Bless you Ginger, thank you.

Tailhook 2009 is Past…

By now, after the festivities in Reno at The Tailhook Symposium and Reunion 2009, most all of us have returned to our regularly scheduled programming.  This was my first Tailhook, and like all of the attendees, I have a few observations.

1. Next year, I am opening an “Advil and Gatorade” booth… I’ll make a million dollars by Saturday Morning!
2. If these men and women are the ones responsible for our nation’s security… JOs, LCDRs, CDRs, CAPTs, and Admirals alike… WE ARE IN GREAT CARE!!!! and if you’re the enemy… Hide in the brewery!
3. These aviators do everything with pride and professionalism, be it retrieving the best geedunk from the tradeshow floor to out-drinking their XO in the admin rooms… there is no quit in ‘em!  I know because a certain squadron LCDR and LT were just returning to my hotel at 10:30am from last night’s festivities, their next planned launch? Noon!  Attaboys!
4. The civilian world has nothing like this… it wouldn’t know how, and there is no culture in the civilian world that matches the world of Naval Aviation.  Thank God!
5. It is indeed a reunion, I saw men there I had not seen since my youth, and to the man, each was surprised that... one, I was over 5’ tall and two, I’m not in uniform.  (Still surprises me too for that matter).
6. More than a reunion, it is a great place to make new friends!
7. The Admiral’s Briefing is THE place to be!  (that is… second after the Admin rooms at 3:00am).
8. Folding your wings to avoid hitting “Boss’s” tail as he ground loops his Blue Angel F-4 left and slot is ground looping right… still makes for a really cool story some 35 years later!
9. The stories get better with age… beer!… And a witness!
10. Adversary Pilots have the coolest gig!
11. God the Nuggets are YOUNG!!!!  Graduated “Canoe U” 2008… born 1987!!!
12. For some, this trade show offers an opportunity to network for your double dips… ahhh the incestual nature of defense contractors… its like going to a family reunion to pick up on chicks!
13. “Punchy” Lyons (not Gilchrist) has a second career in the making, selling 3G iPhones at the Apple store!

After this weekend I am convinced I am a life member of the greatest organization on the planet!  What makes it great are not the chachkies available on the tradeshow floor (although I have to say… very high quality there!) or the fact that ZoomBags are highly encouraged for the mixer! No, what makes this organization great are the members, active duty, retired, and civilian alike, all bring something to the table.  They respect each other and recognize excellence and class when it is before them.  The respect in the room for those who have gone before is genuine and contagious!  From Admiral Kilcline’s obvious respect and admiration of those fine men and women who comprise his fighting force to the reciprocated respect for their Air Boss from those in the cockpit taking the fight from the decks, the air is thick with the fog of camaraderie! (Or that could just be the fog from the zoombags…)

And one other observation, for a cadre that is not easily impressed… all stopped and recognized a gentleman who won the award for most “Straight Deck Carrier landings”!   417 Straight Deck Carrier Landings!!! WOW! (100+ at night!… 100+ in Jets!) and “ZERO BOLTERS!” This man earned everyone’s unabashed respect as we all gave our standing ovation at that news!  None clapping louder than those aviators in our midst having over 1,400 traps!

I am honored to be associated with such fine men and women and I am proud to be called “Tailhooker!”

-John Carmichael

NAS Fallon Airshow at Tailhook

Just returned from the NAS Fallon Airshow and watching the Blue Angeles put on a superb Demo.  Not much time to post here, but the 2009 Tailhook Reunion and Symposium is going very well!

Here’s a few quick snaps from the Airshow for your entertainment…

 

Headed off to the Bug Roach Mixer…  More later…

-JC

Tailhook 2009 Schedule of Events

This week begins the 2009 “Hook” Convention.  I’ll be there… Will you?

Here is the schedule of events for your perusal:

HOOK 09 CONVENTION SCHEDULE

CARRIER AVIATION – ON THE EDGE OF THE ENVELOPE

Thursday, 10 September 2009

• 0900-2100 Registration/Exhibits - Pavilion A-E/Store Open – Pavilion A Foyer
• 1300-1600 THA BOD Meeting, Southern Pacific E & F
• 1800-2100 Welcome to Reunion Groups Reception (no host) – Pavilions A through E
  

Friday, 11 September 2009

• 0730-1200 Golf Tournament – Wildcreek G.C., Sparks, NV - Overflow to the Top Gun reunion golf tournament. Buses depart from the Nugget main entrance at 0600 and 0645. Breakfast available at the golf courses. Shotgun start at 0730 (lunch included).
• 0800-1200 Round Robin Tennis Tournament – Reno Tennis Center. Bus departs from the Nugget main entrance at 0715
• 0830-1530 Blue Angels Show NAS Fallon – Buses depart from Nugget Hotel East Exit, Bus Transportation Area
• 0830-1330 Lake Tahoe Tour (lunch included) – Bus departs from Nugget Hotel East Exit, Bus Transportation Area
• 0930-1400 Tahoe Ridge Winery Tour (lunch included)
• 0900-2100 Registration/Store Open/Exhibits Open

SYMPOSIUM - Rose A Ballroom

• 0930-1015 Naval Aviation Safety Update – CAPT “Clyde” Langford.
• 1030-1200 Future Capabilities for Carrier Aviation - JSF Program Update and Capabilities Brief.
• 1400-1500 BUPERS UPDATE – CAPT Mike “Magwai” White, PERS43.
• 1515-1630 Warfighter Panel – Moderator - CAPT Kevin “Komrade” Kovacich; Panelists – (TBD).
• 1630-1700 Membership Meeting – Rose A Ballroom
• 1800-2100 Bug Roach Mixer, Pavilions A through E and Rose B Ballroom. Casual Attire, Flight suits encouraged.
  

Saturday, 12 September 2009

• 0530-1200 Balloon Race Shuttle
• 0830-1500 Registration/Store/Exhibits Open – Pavilion A Foyer
• 0930-1100 Special Event – “Cabaret Behind the Scenes” Celebrity Showroom
  

SYMPOSIUM- Rose A Ballroom

• 0900-1015 N880 Plans for the Future
• 1030-1145 Tailhook Aviation on the Edge of the Envelope - Moderator: CAPT Lonny “Eagle” McClung
  • Blues: CAPT Gil Rud, Kevin O’Mara, Current CO
  • Topgun: Monroe Smith, CAPT Rolland “Dawg” Thompson, CAPT (sel) Dan “Undra” Cheever.

 

• 1200-1330 RADM “Jig Dog” Ramage Recognition Luncheon, Rose B Ballroom
• 1400-1545 Aviation Flag Panel hosted by – VADM Tom “Killer” Kilcline, CNAF
• 1500 Exhibits Close – Dismantle and Pack Up
• 1800-1930 Tailhook Pre-Banquet Reception (no host) – Rose A and B Foyer
• 1930-2200 Tailhook Banquet, Semi-Formal (Jacket and tie for men, Cocktail dress for women), Rose A and B Ballroom, Guest Speaker, Admiral Pat “Sponge” Walsh, USN
  

Sunday 13 September 2009

Breakfast available at the General Store, the Farm House or the Rotisserie on the Nugget’s main floor.

Reunion Support: We are looking for volunteers willing to work on the Hook '09 Reunion Committee

• PowerPoint Ranger
• Camera Operator
• General Volunteers

Volunteers recieve a free room, tickets to all events and 2009 reunion shirts

Contact Marc Ostertag (800) 322-4665

2nd annual “Bullet Bob Canepa” Memorial Tennis Round Robin

• Friday, September 11th 2009 - 0830-1200
• Reno Tennis Center
• Space available for 32 players
• $15/player
• Prizes for everyone
• Sign up today!
• Sponsored by  Northrup Grumman & Raytheon

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.