Tailhook Daily Briefing

Farewell to the last original Blue Angel, Al Taddeo

It is with heavy heart we Tailhookers bid farewell to the sole remaining Original Blue Angel, Cdr. Al Taddeo.  Al passed away this weekend after 94 years.

This past September, Colorado Mile High Tailhookers were afforded the opportunity to celebrate life with Al in person.  He had been invited to join us as our special guest of honor at our Semi-almost-annual Cattle Barron’s BBQ and Tailhook Gathering.  A wonderful Soirée put on by Honorary Tailhookers of the Year, 2011 Hans and Kathy Schmoldt. He graciously accepted the invitation.

Al was thrilled to be there, not only was he surrounded by like souls, but also by the then current team, and team selects of the 2012 Blue Angels.  Stories of daring do soon followed, with hand flying accents littering the low flying airspace.

In addition to his family of Blue Angels, Al was especially thrilled to learn that one of his fellow shipmates from his time onboard USS Enterprise CV-6 was in attendance as well, VF(N)- 101 Lt. Bob Brunson.  Al and Bob swapped stories and tales from WWII that held our attention well into the evening.

Al was a gentleman that night, as he has been all his life.  We are proud to have him associated with Naval Aviation, The Blue Angels, and the Tailhook Association. 

 

Al, Updated winds are calm, ceiling and visibility unlimited, you own the airfield and the airspace.     Cdr. Al Taddeo, departing!

Boson… Ring the bell.

"That's One Small Step for A Man..." Neil Alden Armstrong (1930-2012)

 
Sad word today that Neil Armstrong - Naval Aviator, test pilot and first man on the Moon, has passed. Neil Armstrong typified the "quiet professional" whose coolness in extremis events were exemplified in flying the X-15 and especially so on orbit as commander of Gemini VIII when things suddenly went very, very wrong (@ the 8:12 point). That same coolness during an emergency and quiet, detailed approach to problem solving were key factors in his selection as mission commander for Apollo 11. He was, in a manner of speaking, the antithesis of the silver screen's version of the test pilot, and reveled in his engineering nerdiness - "I am, and ever will be, a white socks, pocket protector, nerdy engineer." That same quiet professionalism characterized his post-astronaut life back on Earth when instead of seeking the spotlight, he took to a lectern instead.

Neil Armstrong—Neil Alden Armstrong (1930- 2012 ) was born on 5 August 1930 on his grandparents' farm near Wapakoneta, Ohio, to Stephen and Viola Armstrong. Because Armstrong's father was an auditor for the state of Ohio, Armstrong grew up in several communities, including Warren, Jefferson, Ravenna, St. Marys, and Upper Sandusky, before the family settled in Wapakoneta.

Armstrong developed an interest in flying at age two, when his father took him to the National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio. His interest intensified when he went for his first airplane ride in a Ford Tri-Motor, a "Tin Goose," in Warren, Ohio, at age six. From that time on, he claimed an intense fascination with aviation. At age 15, Armstrong began taking flying lessons at an airport north of Wapakoneta, working at various jobs in town and at the airport to earn the money for lessons in an Aeronca Champion airplane. By age 16, he had his student pilot's license—before he even passed his automobile driver's test and received that license and before he graduated from Blume High School in Wapakoneta in 1947. Immediately after high school, Armstrong received a scholarship from the U.S. Navy. He enrolled at Purdue University and began his studies of aeronautical engineering. In 1949, the Navy called him to active duty, where he became an aviator, and in 1950, he was sent to Korea. There he flew 78 combat missions from the aircraft carrier USS Essex.

After mustering out of the Navy in 1952, Armstrong joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). His first assignment was at the NACA’s Lewis Research Center, near Cleveland, Ohio. For the next 17 years, he was an engineer, test pilot, astronaut, and administrator for NACA and its successor agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In the mid-1950s, Armstrong transferred to NASA's Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where he became a research pilot on many pioneering high-speed aircraft, including the well-known, 4,000 mile-per-hour X-15. He flew over 200 different models of aircraft, including jets, rockets, helicopters, and gliders. While there, he also pursued graduate studies and received a master of science degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Southern California.

Armstrong transferred to astronaut status in 1962, one of nine NASA astronauts in the second class to be chosen. He moved to El Lago, Texas, near Houston's Manned Spacecraft Center, to begin his astronaut training. There he underwent four years of intensive training for the Apollo program to land an American on the Moon before the end of the decade. On 16 March 1966, Armstrong flew his first space mission as command pilot of Gemini VIII with David Scott. During that mission, Armstrong piloted the Gemini VIII spacecraft to a successful docking with an Agena target spacecraft already in orbit. Although the docking went smoothly and the two craft orbited together, they began to pitch and roll wildly. Armstrong was able to undock the Gemini and used the retro rockets to regain control of his craft, but the astronauts had to make an emergency landing in the Pacific Ocean.

As spacecraft commander for Apollo 11, the first piloted lunar landing mission, Armstrong gained the distinction of being the first person to step onto the surface of the Moon. On 16 July 1969, Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin began their trip to the Moon. Collins was the Command Module pilot and navigator for the mission. Aldrin, a systems expert, was the Lunar Module pilot and became the second person to walk on the Moon. As commander of Apollo 11, Armstrong piloted the Lunar Module to a safe landing on the Moon's surface. On 20 July 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, Neil Armstrong stepped down onto the Moon and made his famous statement, "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." Armstrong and Aldrin spent about 2.5 hours walking on the Moon, collecting samples, doing experiments, and taking photgraphs. On 24 July 1969, the three men splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. They were picked up by the aircraft carrier USS Hornet.

The three Apollo 11 astronauts were honored with a ticker tape parade in New York City soon after returning to Earth. Armstrong received the Medal of Freedom, the highest award offered to a U.S. civilian. Armstrong's other awards coming in the wake of the Apollo 11 mission included the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 17 medals from other countries, and the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Armstrong subsequently held the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC, in the early 1970s. In that position, he was responsible for the coordination and management of overall NASA research and technology work related to aeronautics. After resigning from NASA in 1971, he became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Cincinnati and served from 1971 to 1979. During the years 1982 to 1992, Armstrong served as chairman of Computing Technologies for Aviation, Inc., in Charlottesville, Virginia. He then became chairman of the board of AIL Systems, Inc., an electronics systems company in Deer Park, New York. At the time of his passing, Armstrong was living on his farm in Lebanon, Ohio. (NASA)

Fair winds and following seas ... and may you rest in peace.

Tony Scott, Director of TOP GUN Commits Suicide

News is out that yesterday, TOP GUN director Tony Scott has committed suicide by jumping off of the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro. 

Tony was instrumental in many Tailhooker’s lives in that, there are a number of men and women who wear the wings of gold today that back in 1986 had no clue what an F-14A was, what an angle deck was… and was surely under the mis-guided idea that TOPGUN was two words!

In tribute, I could link to any number of TOP GUN clips, but instead I found the following two part Making of TOP GUN to be far more informative.  Besides, we’ve all seen That Movie…

These are not short, but very interesting and star the likes of Admiral Mike “Wizard” McCabe (the XO of TOPGUN when the movie was filmed), Pete “Viper” Pettigrew (the Technical Advisor), and Lloyd “Bozo” Abel (the F-14 Aerial Coordinator of the film).

Enjoy…

Part II

 

God Speed Tony…

Farewell Lex

Attention on Deck! 

Capt. Carroll “Lex” Lafon Departing!…   “Bosun, strike the bell…”

Image courtesy Cdr. Bill ‘Pinch’ Paisley USN(ret).

Lex’s own words ring nostalgic in my head.

Today, our good friend’s body was laid to rest at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.  Closing a chapter on the story of Lex, autobiographical in nature.  We are blessed by his words shared with all of us daily on his Blog Neptunus Lex, we have promises of these being retained, for that we are thankful.  But I say a chapter closes today, for this is not necessarily the end of the tale.  I have been a first hand witness that Lex’s impact will continue in the words and memories of literally hundreds of us.

In these past weeks since Lex’s untimely demise, hundreds of tributes have been posted on Facebook, personal blogs and institutional websites all praising the man, and vowing a continued dedication to better writing, thinking, sharing and living.  His shocking death served as a wakeup of sorts to the rest of us, to live our lives!  We all hope to do as well as he, a challenge not easy to attain but well worth the efforts.  His inspiration is infectious and his legacy will continue, if not in “His” words then in the words of those he inspired to be better.  I count myself among that lot and only hope to excel!

Thank you Lex, you will be missed… but, certainly never forgotten.

Image courtesy Beth Schietzelt

Neptunus Lex

Today the Naval Aviation Community mourns the loss of an inspirational man.  Capt. Carroll LaFon USN(Ret.) better know to most of us by his Navy call sign and blogging nom de plume, “Neptunus Lex”.

Yesterday, many of us learned of a crash at Fallon of an Israeli made Kfir-21 flown by the private company and defense contractor ATAC out of Norfolk VA.  Immediately our thoughts turned to Lex, knowing he was one of their Kfir pilots.  Many of us stayed up through the night connected via a private chat opened up on facebook as a sort of vigil as we awaited news confirming our worst fears.  Through a number of back channel coms we did indeed learn the unfortunate and heartbreaking news.  Lex had been the pilot and was killed in the crash.

Details of the crash are still forthcoming as the NTSB and FAA will be conducting the investigation into the physics.  Today we’re dedicated more to the metaphysics.  Our profound sadness is palpable, enveloping us like a quayside fog.

Lex touched a great majority of us in the Naval Aviation Community as well as the civilian world.  Through his daily writings on his Blog Neptunus Lex opened our eyes and hearts to a greater understanding of Naval Aviation and the world at large.  His poetic prose reminded us that words on digital paper do not have to simply sit, they can come alive and through stylistic construct can weave a story rich in nuance and vision.  Lex was a renaissance man.

Thanks to the Social Media Paradigm shift literally thousands have come to know and love Lex through his prose.  I was fortunate to meet Lex at the 2009 Tailhook Reunion in Reno, he was in his element, drinking a beer with his zoombagged buddies.  But as I walked by, he looked over and called me by name, we had not met yet, but he recognized me from my blogs and this one.  He called me over to congratulate me on my award and to offer a thanks for some words of support I sent him in a private email when he was going through some tough times.  He made me feel good.

And to thousands of us that is exactly what reading his works did for us every day.  It made us feel good.  Good about our beliefs as often, his words would serve to buttress our own thoughts, and he also made us feel good about our Naval Aviation Heritage.  Lex was a continuing example of compassion, logic, intellect and chivalry.

If you haven’t taken the time to enjoy Lex’s literary prose, I highly recommend heading on over to Lex’s place, you can start anywhere… you will be captured and wanting more.  Neptunus Lex.

Lex died doing what he loved to do, fly.  There is no solace in his passing, the world is a lesser place for this fact.  But, while he was here, this world was indeed better.

Our hearts, our thoughts, and our prayers go out to Lex’s family, he leaves behind a loving wife, an Naval Aviator Son, and two daughters.  No words can assuage the grief they are surely feeling this day, but rest assured thier grief is shared among thousands who loved him.

God Bless…

~JC

Other tributes can be found here:

• Instapinch: Lex
• SteelJaw Scribe: Ave Atque Vale
• Steve Ambrose: Don’t Blink
• Chap at USNI Blog:  Pardon Him
• Susan Katz Keating: Neptunus Lex: 1960-2012
• Castle argghhh!!!:  A Fraternity of Aviators
• CDR Salamander: Thank You and Farewell
• The Sandgram: Cleared West
• John Donovan: We were Bloggers Once
• USNI Blog: A Remarkable Man
• Homefront Six: Fair Winds
• AW1 Tim’s Blog One of our own
• Tommy H. Thomason: Well, That Sucks
• Padre Dave Harvey: Requiescat in Pace
• Carmichael’s Position: Talk Among Yourselves

Remembering Midway - 68 Years Later

In every battle there is a moment when the combatants, and the world, seem to catch their breath. It is a fleeting moment, lost in the blink of an eye. But in that same blink, everything changes. Such moments are borne of desperation, of courage, of plain dumb luck. But they are pivotal – for what was before is forever changed afterwards. – SJS (June 2007)

Three years ago I wrote that at the end of a series of posts (which are collected here) that began on the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, and culminated on the anniversary of Midway with some modern day observations and what we might take away. For even today, with all our technological sophistication there are still things we can learn at all levels, be it at the Fleet or in the cockpit or on the bridge. One of those lessons is the role of the individual and seizing the initiative when everything else seems to be going to hell in a handbasket around you. That was something impressed upon me as a young LTJG E-2C Mission Commander and I found resonance and inspiration from the JO's and petty officer's actions that pivotal day.

And sometimes it means pressing ahead into a situation from which you know there is no way out -- but to do otherwise would result in a greater loss.

There aren't too many of them left -- the original Midway vets that is. Same for the Doolittle Raiders. Ditto Medal of Honor awardees from that era. These modern day Samuel's raised their Ebenezer in our darkest hours - and what was before was forever changed. The job wasn't finished yet though, and the way ahead was still perilous -- Guadalcanal, Savo Island, Bloody Tarawa (can it ever be though of as just Tarawa?), Iwo Jima, Anzio, Normandy, Bastogne and the Meuse -- Okinawa; all lay in the future. But it was a future made possible by the fighting spirit of the Navy, Marines and Army Air Corps in a far flung theater whose battlefield was but a featureless, sun-dappled sea of blue. Still, more would come and follow in their footsteps. And you and I today carry their proud heritage forward.

The far horizon is difficult to discern these days and it may well indeed hide gathering storm clouds - from whence direction I can not say for certain. But it would do us well to heed their lessons and remember their deeds when the warning flags are broken and we are called to battlestations once again. -- SJS, June 2010

Memorial Day 2010

"...gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime....let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan." --General John Logan, General Order No. 11, 5 May 1868

 

Today is the day we set aside to remember all of those who gave all, in the name of Duty, Honor, Love and Country. 

15:00 Local is officially designated as the time of honor for our fallen heroes.  Please take a moment, and recognize the sacrifice paid by our Brothers and Sisters. 

The Tailhook Community will especially remember the heroic actions of Lt. Miroslav Steven Zilberman who personified in his selfless actions of 30 March 2010, what a “Calling Greater than One’s Self” truly is.

The Ukrainian-born junior officer had distinguished himself  during three years with Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121. He knew the plane - and its training manual - inside and out.

So after one engine lost oil pressure and then failed completely; after one propeller couldn't be adjusted to balance the plane; after it was clear that there was no way to safely land, Zilberman ordered his crew to bail out.

He manually kept the Hawkeye stable as it plummeted toward the water, which allowed the three other men to escape.

Time ran out before he could follow.

Zilberman, 31, was declared dead three days later.

There are many more worthy of our respect this day.

Thank you all, and God Bless.

USS Midway A-6 Dedicated to a Special Intruder Crew!

This past Friday, many supporters of the Intruder community gathered on the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum under a blue San Diego sky to dedicate the A-6 on board in the name of a very special flight crew.

37 years ago on a Mid-January evening, VA-115 “Arabs” aircrew Lt. Mike “Mondo” McCormick and Ltjg. Alan “Arlo” Clark, were catapulted from the very same USS Midway, flying    “Arab 511” and were soon “Feet Dry” over the coast of Vietnam.  They were on a SAM and Radar Suppression mission in support of B-52’s on a Linebacker II operation, they were never to return. 

Lt. Mike “Mondo” McCormick              Ltjg. R. Alan “Arlo” Clark

That night Mike and Alan would become the last Intruder Crew to make the ultimate sacrifice in that long war.

On Friday, Mike and Alan’s fellow “Arabs” from VA-115, family members, others from the Intruder Community, active duty Navy, and Naval Aviation supporters all gathered in front of “Arab 511” to dedicate this Aircraft in the name of Mike McCormick and Alan Clark, to represent all Intruder crews who served and all who will be “forever young.”

President of the Intruder Association, Capt. Larry Yarham USN(Ret) presided over the dedication, with comments by USS Midway Museum President RADM John “Mac” McLaughlin USN(Ret), the former CO of VA-115 Capt. Paul Barrish USN(Ret), Mike’s Sister Jaime, and Alan’s son, Lt. Col (select) Tad Clark USAF.

It was Tad’s remarks that really hit home…

One final trap. . .

Just over 6 years ago, many of us gathered in the Arlington National Cemetery on a cold, snowy, January day in Washington  DC, to honor two men who gave their lives in the service to their country. On that day, we faced their casket and saw the thousands of tombstones precisely lined up in countless rows behind it. To our back, however, was a remarkable thing. It was an open plot of land unmarked by the granite reminders of those fallen. Today, I’m sad to report, that section of land looks quite different. I share that with you as it serves as a reminder that our nation is still active in our national security and interests abroad to include the liberation of those subjected to oppressive rule. That commitment requires us to send those who are willing and able to serve, even if it means placing them in harm’s way.

That is the spirit of patriotism, heroism, and selflessness we remember today as we honor LT Mike “Mondo” McCormick and LTJG Alan “Arlo” Clark. On 10 January 1973, “Mondo” and “Arlo” were catapulted from the bow of this very carrier, the USS Midway. While reporting “Feet Dry”, their mission would all too soon be short one “Feet Wet”. And so, the many long years of wondering and mourning began. Their names were placed on the Vietnam War Memorial, the wall, as our nation recognized they were “Gone But Not Forgotten”.

When “Mondo” and my father were laid to rest in Arlington 31 years later to the day, then began for many the closure and healing process concerning their sacrifice. That was certainly a significant day for all of us. But today is significant too as this  A-6, in a sense, represents “Mondo’s” and “Arlo’s” determination and resolve to wrestle their battle torn Intruder back aboard the deck of the USS Midway for one final trap.

As their names on the wall and on their tombstone in Arlington provide time for reflection, respect, and remembrance. . .their names on this combat proven A-6 Intruder celebrate the lives of two great warriors, their heroism, will retell their story for countless years to the millions of visitors aboard the Midway, and will remind us of where they loved to be, in the cockpit soaring in the skies above.

More photos can be found here…[link]

God Bless You, Mike and Alan… and all who gave all.

Fallen Aviator Awarded the DFC

VAW-121 Bluetails Aviator, Lt. Miroslav Steven Zilberman was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for airmanship that saved the lives of 3 of his crew.

The incident started as the Hawkeye was making preparations to land on the carrier. The starboard engine lost oil pressure leading it to eventually shut down, but also causing the aircraft to become uncontrollable. Zilberman recognized that the crew needed to bail out and ordered the three crew members to jump as he kept the aircraft at an acceptable attitude, which unfortunately left him little chance to bail out.

The entire Tailhook Community’s heartfelt condolences go out to  Lt Zilberman’s wife, family, squadron mates, and friends.

God Bless You Lt. Zilberman.  You will be missed, and we are forever in your debt.  We shall not forget.

CAPT John E. "Jack" Taylor, USN-Ret.

With the neck down in platforms, officer accession and student naval aviator (SNA) training pipelines, there is a certain homogenization characterizing Naval Aviation today. Not that that is all bad mind you, especially when one considers the reduction in mishap rates and capabilities today's anchor-winged warriors bring to the fight. Still, for those of us who had the opportunity to train, fly and fight with those who entered in the 40's - 60's we had the fortune of knowing some real characters and, occasionally, some real pioneers and pillars of the community. For that was a period of interesting, challenging and oft times, awkward growth as Naval Aviation moved past the breakout period of WWII and through the early days of the jet age to arrive at the version more recognizable today, repleat with super carriers and supersonic fighters. Getting to that point, however, required a distinct breed of aviator, formed in a time before NATOPS, honed on the small decks of 27C's and the early "supercarriers" of the Forrestal class CVA, with new missions and (then) leading edge technology to master and fight with.

One of the signature aircraft of that period was the A3D/A-3 Skywarrior, aka "Whale." Originally designed to be the Navy's contribution to long-range nuclear strikes, the Whale eventually morphed through a number of other platform variations and missions -- tanking, photo-recce, ELINT, electronic warfare, DV hauling, and the like. It was at once a typical life that the Whale led, compared to some of its contemporaries (viz., AD/A-1 Skyraider and F3D Skynight) - yet it outlived all those and many of the more modern and specialized aircraft that followed.

Like their aircraft, the men who worked on and flew the Whale were (are) of a particular bent and were central in establishing the tenor and tone of that era. Today, courtesy Andy Niemyer (A-3 Skywarrior Association) we learn of the passing of a true pioneer and pillar of the VQ community from that era - and Naval Aviation Pilot, CAPT John E. Taylor, USN-Ret: