A symposium would really be nothing more than a bunch of folks gathering at a church picnic with grandma’s Iced Tea and fly challenged potato salad on display… without the Sponsor and the Vendors to capture your attention.
The vendors are here for a couple of reasons, oh sure this is a target rich environment for their wares (post hangover meds would be a strong contender for prime vendor…) but this also provides established vendors an opportunity to identify the upcoming needs of the navy, and adjust their offerings accordingly.
Our Kathy Schmoldt has been at it again, firing photos of all the sights (and yes even some of the sounds) of Tailhook. Below is her collection this year’s Vendors and Sponsors.
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!
The summer is flying by and we are only six weeks away from Reno! I know many of you are making your final preparations for Reno and I wanted to pass along some info for you to keep in mind while you prepare. Here goes:
1. The Nugget is essentially sold out. There are a few rooms left in the Courtyard and the occasional room becomes available when folks are adjusting travel schedules, so it is always worthwhile to call the Nugget and check for yourself. The primary back-up hotel is the Grand Sierra Resort (GSR). The GSR has a Tailhook rate and is really starting to fill up. I checked today and there are still plenty of rooms available. There is a shuttle between the GSR and the Nugget but, if forced into a cab, the fare isn't that bad (I am speaking from personal experience over the last few years). The GSR has recently completed a massive renovation and is a great hotel. Nugget: http://www.janugget.com/ GSR: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/AIL13 (800) 648-5080
2. I have received several questions from folks regarding airlifts, particularly during the Tailhook Mentorship Day in Pensacola. Airlifts have not been officially ruled out, but I feel it would be prudent in these challenging financial times to make you travel reservations today on your own. I recommend selecting the option to cancel your reservations if an airlift becomes available, but I believe delaying purchasing an airline ticket any more doesn't make any financial sense. Naval Aviation Leadership is aware of what has been done in the past and are looking at all of the options/possibilities, but I believe everyone's expectations need to be realistic. This is going to be a tremendous Tailhook this year and you don't want to miss it.
3. Please take the time to take the THA survey. Here’s the LINK. I know JR sent out the link to every member, but I would like to drumbeat his efforts here and ask you pass this along to your local members. We can't fix it or improve it if we don't know about it. This is your association, so please take the few minutes to take the survey. We have all been receiving feedback since FAM-1, so constructive and brutally honest feedback is expected.
4. Please update your contact info. I receive several kicked back emails every month due to having out of date email addresses with contact information. If you have a new ISP, moved recently, or changed employers, you might fall into this category. Just like when you checked into a new command, please take the few minutes to update your recall. If in doubt, we will also provide the opportunity to update your info at the Membership Booth at Hook this year. We can even remind you when your membership expiration is. If in doubt, check with the SDO at the Membership Booth!
5. The 5-Year membership price has been reduced and we expect to have a Sequestration Impact Lifetime Membership price for those in attendance at Hook this year. Please come on by the Membership Booth.
6. We are planning on accepting questions for Saturday's Flag Panel from Thursday afternoon until 1200 Saturday. We do not want to take away from the live Q&A Saturday, but we understand some folks cannot be there Saturday and have a question to ask as well as provide another avenue to present a question to the Flag Panel. There will be a collection box at the membership Booth, as well as question forms. We will accept already prepared questions as well.
7. Please pass along any thoughts/ideas for the Tailhook Strike Force. LCDR Mike "Jockey" Lisa has volunteered to take on the task of revamping the TSF and we look forward to any inputs or volunteers.
Again, this is going to be a great Tailhook this year. From the Bug Roach Mixer being extended through 2400 Friday night to RADM "Bad Fred" Lewis moderating a Vietnam-era Fighter/Attack panel and Alvin Townley moderating "Hanoi Hilton" panel. I am standing by for any questions/comments you have.
Fly safe. V/R, Tmurf CDR Tim Murphy
Editors Note: I did not include the Emails and Phone Numbers of the various Group Coordinators due to Spamming issues. If you would like to get in touch with any of the following, leave a comment and I will email you the information. - JC
EA-6B Prowler Association - CAPT Jim Stoneman - Membership Coordinator
Once again postings on these here parts have been rather anemic… I’d like to blame the sequester, but hell, who am I kidding? I’m a Life Member Tailhooker, civilian, working for a successful private company! The gummint takes away funds for sure from my operating budget but usually in the form of 1040 filings.
Therein lies the rub, getting promoted at the day job has really eaten into my other non- remunerative exploits. I’m going to see if I can change that a bit. (Not the day job part… the postings part!)
Step one has already been completed, like a property owner walking up to a barn on his long forgotten spread, there was some weed killing to be completed. Not visible to you, the four remaining readers of this blog, behind the scenes the Daily Briefing had been carpet bombed by comment spammers! I have subsequently deleted and banned the offending culprits. I cannot, for the life of me figure out why a spammer would even begin to think any Tailhooker needed a lifetime prescription to Viagra! Really? Know your audience!
Step three will be updating the banner at the top of this page, to reflect the current year.
I say step three, because step two will be publishing a post by TMurf about the upcoming Reunion in Reno! That’s next!
So, we’ll see if we can keep a good head of steam this time and keep her into the wind. I’ll launch articles as best as I can, but I could always use your thoughts and writings as well, don’t be shy!
V/R
JC Editor, Writer, Photographer at large, Tailhook Daily Briefing
This post comes courtesy of the 2011 Honorary Tailhookers of the Year, Kathy and Hans Schmoldt (written by Kathy). Every few years we Colorado Tailhookers gather on the Western Slope of Colorado for the Grand Junction Airshow. But honestly, I think the majority of us are there for “The Cattle Baron’s BBQ” (or ‘barren’ as Kathy puts it, cuz there ain’t no cattle on this ranch!) and Tailhook Party! This past gathering was one of the best, with attendance more focused on Tailhookers and the flight crews who performed at the show that weekend. There will be more stories to tell, besides this one, and I promise to get around to it soon… but for now Kathy owns this writing…
_____________________________
Because there was so much going on during the weekend of The Grand Junction Air Show, and because there is so much information associated with this particular post, I wanted to spend ample time 'covering this story.'
It spans two generations of heroes. You will want to at least scroll to the last part of this post to make the connection between two of these heroes.
It all began at the banquet on Thursday night when the Hansman [Hans Schmoldt], also known as "Big Gun" by some, met and invited a young man from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166) to our Cattle "Barren" parties on Friday and Saturday nights.
Well, to our pleasure, THEY!!! showed up. Pretty much the whole Det!
These are just a few of the Sea Elks . . . more to come !
For those of you who want to know more about this group, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 166 (VMM-166), CLICK HERE.
Now, for just a moment, let's visit one of the many static displays at the air show.
One of probably the most dominating displays was the VMM-166’s V-22 Osprey Tilt Rotor Aircraft.
As you can see by the crowd, it was also one of the most popular displays.
Hans and I were lucky enough to be given a personal tour of this magnificent bird . . .
. . . by Captain Eileen "Edna" Donovan. (Remember her name !)
Once we left the Osprey, I snapped these two shots . . .
. . . which do not do the Osprey justice.
Unless you've stood beside this magnificent machine, there is no way to appreciate the enormity of it.
Now, back to the party . . .
The Sea Elks were everywhere and kind enough to pose no less than 50 times with other guests.
Now, back to Captain Donovan . . .
. . . she is a sharp-shooter . . .
. . . a two-stepper . . .
. . . and, she's pretty handy with a bull whip. Unfortunately, I didn't capture that one with my camera, but just believe me, she knew how to use it.
Anytime we host a party, it's always difficult to visit with everyone and hear their stories.
As in this case, Hans and I learned about this story several weeks after the party !
From left: Major Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan USMCR (Vet), 2nd Lt. Eileen C. Donovan, USMCR and Col. William A. "Grease Gun" Beebe, USMC (Ret).
From left: Lt. Donovan's platoon sergeant, GySgt. Holly Ellington, USMC, Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan, 2ndLt. Donovan and her mother, Beba Donovan.
Her mother is acknowledgingthe bars as those formerly owned by Col. Richard L. "Rich" Bianchino, USMC (Ret).
Now, you may be wondering, what's the story ?
Or for those more astute readers, you have already made the connection.
It begins with this photo:
1st Lt. Joseph P. "Pat" Donovan
Jan. 24, 1969 Shoot Down of YK-22
From left: copilot Lt. Pat Donovan, right gunner Cpl. M. S. Opalka, crew chief Cpl. Michael E. Velleux, left gunner Sgt. Dolph Quijano and pilot Lt. Donald Robins.
Photo was taken at a fire base several clicks north of Thong Duc on the western end of Charlie Ridge known as LZ Pike. The hydraulic line being held is the one that was shot out resulting in the loss of both the auxiliary and #2 hydraulic boost systems. The crimp in the line was only the size of a clipped finger nail, but at that amount of pressure the entire aircraft and crew was covered with hydraulic fluid.
The following are three links to Major Donovan's career:
Yes, that young lady who graced us with her presence is carrying-on her father's tradition of serving our great country.
Who knew ?
We were certainly surrounded by many heroes at our parties and are always honored to have them at our house.
This is just ONE of those stories.
I leave you with the words of Colonel Charles J. "Chic" Schoener USMC (Retired)
"Pat Donovan without doubt received more decorations ( in regard to precedence level), as a Purple Fox, than any other Marine who served with HMM-364. Not only that, Pat is probably one of (if not) the most decorated (precedence level) combat Marine pilot to come from the Vietnam era. While few Marines (air/ground) were recognized for their acts of individual heroism with the award of the CMH, the Navy Cross, the Silver Star or the DFC, Pat's multiple awards for his numerous act of heroism, taken in totality, is absolutely historic and should be recognized as such."
Pat Donovan's Humble Answer to Colonel Schoener's Remarks
I accept and hold in trust the praise of my Squadron mates and those Marines whom we helped while under night attack in the mountains north of the Nam O Bridge in Quang Nam (Feb 22), under attack in an open rice paddy northwest of Liberty Bridge in Quang Nam (April 21), engaged in combat with a large North Vietnamese Army force near the village of My Hiep (3) (May 9), under mortar attack on the island near Hoi An (Mar 17), and the lone Lt. with red hair who led the attack off our ramp into a fire fight, the same one we came back for, re-entered the zone and grabbed out of the fire fight near An Hoa (April 28).
By my count on every mission we were a team of pilot, copilot, crew chief, two gunners at each .50 cal, and the Navy Medic, or in the case of Doc Linkous, a Navy Doctor on board, not to overlook the maintenance crew that constantly went without rest to keep the aircraft "up". We were and are a Marine Air-Ground team linked by oath and blood to those on the ground we serve. We all achieved the missions and we all respect the memory of our Squadron mates and Marines on board who paid for the lives of their fellow Marines with their own.
And we all did this under the guidance and inspiration of a gentleman named Gene, whom we roast in song and toast in admiration.
All the best to all Purple Foxes and those we serve.
Semper Fi,
Pat
The Ospreys entertained us with a couple of fly bys the day they flew out of Grand Junction.
The first one went right over the top of our house.
In both videos, objects are much closer than they appear.
The second Osprey headed directly over the house and goes out of sight above The Colorado National Monument.
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!
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!)
Another of our WW II combat leaders, Rear Admiral James D. “Jig Dog“ Ramage, USN (Ret), made his last cut on 21 July 2012 at the age of 96 in Coronado, California. He is survived by his two daughters, Jaleen Edwards and Jamie Franzman, along with his stepdaughter Karen Cordes, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A celebration of “Jig Dog” is planned at Tailhook HQ in San Diego on Friday October 12th (1700-1900) if you are in the area, please plan to stop by and share with us you best “Jig Dog” story.
For now I provide you with an interview conducted in 2010 with Admiral Ramage…
And now a few Updates:
Tailhook 2012 Reunion - 6-9 September
· Commemoration of the U.S. Marine Corps Aviation Late reservations can be made at the Silver Legacy downtown. We will provide transportation to and from downtown.
The exhibit floor will be full of vendors selling everything from T shirts to F-35B’s and C’s. Our Tailhook Association store will be selling a full line of shirts, jackets and T-shirts along with the two commemorative shirts pictured below. Don’t miss this opportunity to visit with squadron mates, friends, active duty leaders and warriors.
The Tailhook Association online store will close 29 August and the store will reopen at the reunion in Reno on 6 September. Following the reunion the online store will reopen on 24 September. Advanced reunion registrations will also close on 29 August. Late registration will open 6 Sept in the Pavilion of John Ascuaga's Nugget in Reno NV.
Scholarship Season:
Applications for the 2013-2014 school years will be available on 15 December 2012. Next year we plan to award grants in amounts from $1,500 to $22,000. Our goal is to provide undergraduate educational scholarship grants the best and brightest students.
We will select two Tailhook/Wagner College Presidential 4 year scholarship grants of $22,000 per year for 4 years. Applicants for this grant must also be accepted to Wagner College.
Scholarship Eligibility:
To be eligible for consideration for a Tailhook Educational Foundation scholarship, an individual must be a high school graduate and the natural, step, or adopted son, daughter or grandchild of a current or former (U.S. Navy / U.S. Marine Corps / U.S. Coast Guard) Naval Aviator, Naval Flight Officer, or Naval Aircrewman. Also eligible are individuals or children of individuals who are serving or have served on board a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier in ship’s company or the air wing. Eligible applicants must be accepted for undergraduate enrollment at an accredited college or university.
July 2012 at the age of 96 in Coronado, California. He is survived by his two daughters, Jaleen Edwards and Jamie Franzman, along with his stepdaughter Karen Cordes, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
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