Tailhook Daily Briefing

Gathering of Eagles on the Western Slope

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!

Much more to come… much…

Colorado Tailhookers Gathering in Grand Junction CO

Mile High Tailhookers are gathering this weekend (September 21-23) to enjoy the Grand Junction Airshow, featuring appearances by The Blue Angels and from VFA-106 “The Gladiators”, LT Chris “Grippy” Snyder, LT Tony “Neon” Rizio, LT Daniel “Trig” Osbourn and LT Jacob “Rooney” Lerner will be showing off the Rhino!

After the show on Saturday, a bunch of us (about 150 Tailhookers and other supporters of Naval Aviation in the Grand Junction Community) will be gathering at Hans and Kathy Schmoldt’s ranch to enjoy live music, eat tasty fix’ns, swap a few lies, and oh yeah… there might be some drinking!  But on top of all of this, when we gather at NAS GJT (the Ranch) contributions are made willingly to the Capt. Roger “Spook” McFillen Tailhook Scholarship Fund!

This is a great time we all look forward to about every 3 years or so.

This year’s Cattle Baron’s BBQ (as it is referred to) promises to be extra special with the attendance of original Blue Angel member, Al Taddeo (pictured far left in this photo… w/ Butch Voris (cockpit) “Wick” Wickendol, and Billy May L-R).

We all looking forward to the fun and the camaraderie!  (YHS will of course have Nikon in hand and will follow up with images and stories from the Western Slope!)

-JC

Oxygen Issue in F-22 Raptor… Too Much of a Good Thing?

NASA seems to think so… [Aviation Week]

…NASA Engineering Safety Center conducted its own assessment, and principle engineer Clinton Cragg presented the findings during a House Armed Services Committee hearing Sept. 13. The assessment found that a high concentration of oxygen at low altitudes can lead to “absorption atelectasis,” in which too much oxygen can wash away necessary nitrogen within the lungs and cause lung tissue to collapse. The effects of high oxygen levels are compounded by the aircraft’s “inevitable acceleration,” Cragg said.