Naval Aviation News articles from January 2004

Naval Aviation News archives from January 2004

Shucks and flashlights.(Grampaw Pettibone)
January 1, 2004... An instructor pilot was scheduled for three flights in one day in a T-34C. Upon completion of the first flight, the aircraft landed at home field as planned and was refueled. During the preflight inspection of the Turbo-Mentor for the next...

Prowler revamp.(military aircraft)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Naval Air Systems Command removed some EA-6B Prowlers from service to address structural fatigue damage. The number of fleet Prowlers will be reduced from 95 to 71 until spring to allow repairs and maintenance on high-fatigue aircraft, many...

H-1 development continues.(Airscoop)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... On 9 October 2003, a UH-1 "Huey" made the first flight of a fully configured and functional H-1 upgrade aircraft at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The flight followed completion of a major modification period that incorporated a movable elevator and...

KC-130J begins opeval.(Airscoop)(Operations/Operational Evaluation )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1 and Marines from MCAS Cherry Point, N.C., began an operational test and evaluation period for the KC-130J Hercules in October 2003. The testing--which includes aerial refueling and rapid ground refueling of...

VMX-22 activated.(Airscoop)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... On 28 August 2003, Marine Tiltrotor Test and Evaluation Squadron 22 was activated during a ceremony at MCAS New River, N.C. VMX-22 is tasked with the operational testing and evaluation of the MV-22 Osprey and future tiltrotor-related systems....

USCG helo named.(United States Coast Guard )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Coast Guard's newest helicopter, the MH-68A, above, has been officially named the Sting Ray. The all-weather, short-range, armed interdiction helicopter employs state-of-the-art navigation, communication and avionics equipment for maritime...

Marine helos get more firepower.(helicopters)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... CH-53 Super Stallions of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 have been equipped with a ramp-mounted weapon system (RMWS) to provide a 180-degree, rear-suppressive fire capability. The ramp system comprises a Fabrique Nationale M3M .50-caliber...

VF-154 transitions to VFA.(Fighter Attack Squadron (US Navy aviation unit designation used from 1980 to 1983))(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Fighter Squadron 154 relocated from NAF Atsugi, Japan, to NAS Lemoore, Calif., in September 2003. Following transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and redesignation as Strike Fighter Squadron 154, the Black Knights will become part of Carrier...

Breathing device mimics hypoxia.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory completed testing of its reduced oxygen breathing device (ROBD). The device comprises a standard aviation mask and a software program that adds nitrogen to room air. This allows aviators to learn...

Multimission Maritime Aircraft update.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Multimission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) concept is one step closer to completion with the release of a request for proposal on 28 October 2003. The Naval Air Systems Command document provides administrative guidelines for the competitors in...

New simulator.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Environmental Tactronics Corporation has developed new military aircraft technology to improve the way fighter pilots fly, train and combat enemy targets. The Authentic Tactical Flight Simulator accurately recreates the sustained high-G forces...

Bucket brigade.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Below, UH-3H Sea Kings of HC-85 prepare for certification in aerial firefighting to help combat wildfires in southern California. Right, a squadron UH-3H loads its "Bambi" bucket at Lake Miramar, Calif., during certification flights. The bucket...

For the record.(United States Navy)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The Navy has named its newest amphibious assault ship Makin Island, honoring the Marine Corps raid on Japanese-held Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands in August 1942. On 29 August 2003, Acting Secretary of the Navy Hansford T. Johnson...

Mishaps.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... On 22 October 2003, a UH-1N "Huey" of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 was destroyed, but the crew members survived the crash at Twentynine Palms, Calif. Two F/A-18A Hornets of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 115 crashed into the...

View from the scooter's back seat.
January 1, 2004... With the deactivation of Composite Squadron 8 in September 2003, the last TA-4 Skyhawks were retired from Navy service. In the following account, a former aerial photographer remembers the aircraft as a superior photographic platform. My...

VC-8 Redtails deactivated.(Fleet Composite Squadron)(Cover Story)
January 1, 2004... Fleet Composite Squadron (VC) 8, the Navy's last operator of the A-4 Skyhawk jet, was deactivated in ceremonies held 23 August 2003 (officially 30 September) at NAS Oceana, Va., after 45 years of service. Cdr. Thomas McDonough was the last CO...

Relics of Naval Aviation's past.
January 1, 2004... The legacy of some Navy aircraft and the crews who flew them remains long forgotten in the mountains of Oahu, Hawaii. As in other remote locations, aircraft that crashed during missions lie untouched and draw the interest of amateur aviation...

VFCs 12 and 13: adversaries in reserve.(Fighter Squadron Composite (US Navy) )
January 1, 2004... Air combat proficiency is an acquired skill, and one that is highly perishable. The ability to succeed in the demanding world of modern aerial combat is proportionate to the effort expended in preparing for it. It's a use-it-or-lose-it...

Awards.(People Planes Places)
January 1, 2004... HT-8 won the TRAWING-5 Partners in Training Excellence Award for the second year in a row. The award recognizes the unit's commitment to education in the local community and work with a local middle school. NAVAIR Detachment 0196...

First Navy CWO5 promoted.
January 1, 2004... On 1 October 2003, Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Chief Warrant Officer Leon A. Cole became the first officer in the U.S. Navy to be promoted to the rank of CWO5. Cole was sworn in by his son, Ensign Christopher Cole, right. Cole was the first of...

Royal Maces officers get a glimpse of history.(Fighter Attack Squadron (US Navy aviation unit designation used from 1980 to 1983))
January 1, 2004... On the evening of 14 August 2003, the Royal Maces of VFA-27 gathered in Tokyo, Japan, to celebrate a dining out, above, that held special meaning for the squadron. For the evening's guest speaker, squadron CO Cdr. Gary Shoman took advantage of...

NANews journalist retires.(Naval Aviation News, Ed Wright )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... JO1(SW) Ed Wright left the NANews staff in November to enter civilian life after 20 years of Navy service. Beginning his career as a radioman, Ed later switched to the journalist rating. He served in diverse locations such as Haiti; Diego...

Ewing, Steve. Reaper Leader: The Life of Jimmy Flatley.(Book Review)
January 1, 2004... Ewing, Steve. Reaper Leader: The Life of Jimmy Flatley. Naval Institute Press, 291 Wood Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402-5034. 2002. 384 pp. Ill. $36.95. Jimmy Flatley had far-reaching influence over Naval Aviation before America's entry into WW...

Sauter, Jack. USS Lake Champlain, CV/CVA/CVS-39.(Book Review)
January 1, 2004... Sauter, Jack. USS Lake Champlain, CV/CVA/CVS-39. Turner Publications, PO Box 3101, Paducah, KY 42002-3101. 120 pp. III. $53.50. Although written for and by "Champ" crewmen, this nostalgic review of one of the stalwarts of the 1950s carrier...