Naval Aviation News articles from July 2002

Naval Aviation News archives from July 2002

Looking back.(Naval Aviation News)(Brief Article)(Editorial)(Illustration)
July 1, 2002... The Naval Aviation News Year in Review article is published annually to document key events from the previous calendar year. This issue's chronology includes an unprecedented event that affected the entire nation: the 11 September terrorist...

Grampaw Pettibone.(aircraft malfunction cases, U.S.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Runway Run-out An EP-3E Aries II returned from an extended reconnaissance mission at night and began its approach to an airfield at a naval support activity in the Mediterranean. The aircraft commander elected to permit a new and...

Greyhounds begin SLEP. (Airscoop).(U.S. Navy to test structural life enhancement program on aircraft)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The first C-2A Greyhound to begin a structural life enhancement program (SLEP) arrived at Naval Air Depot North Island, Calif. Structural enhancements to the center wing section and rewiring are expected to extend the life of the 36 fleet...

Test squadrons redesignated. (Airscoop).(Navy military administration, United States)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... On 1 May, test squadrons without alphanumeric designations were officially redesignated as air test and evaluation squadrons in keeping with fleet standards. Previous and revised designations are as follows: Naval Force Warfare Aircraft Test...

Black Stallions activated. (Airscoop).(Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 772, a reserve CH-53E Super Stallion squadron based at NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pa., was activated on 14 February for one year. Attached to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263, MCAS New River, N.C., the...

Brite Star looks forward. (Airscoop).(AN/AAQ-22D infrared system)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The AN/AAQ-22D Brite Star forward-looking infrared system successfully completed laser designation testing at Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz., in March. Designed to replace the AN/AAQ-22C system on board the Marine Corps' UH-1N "Huey," Brite Star...

H-60 highlights. (Airscoop).(MH-60S Knighthawk military helicopters)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... On 31 March in Guam, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 5 received the first three MH-60S Knighthawks to be delivered to an operational squadron. Here, during a 4 April ceremony at Owego, N.Y., an MH-60S Knighthawk, upper left, flies an...

For the record. (Airscoop).(various; Raytheon Aircraft Co. contract to United States Navy)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... Raytheon Aircraft, Wichita, Kans., received a $30-million contract for seven T-6A Texan II training aircraft. The Navy has ordered more than 40 Texan IIs, with the first scheduled for delivery by year's end. Northrop Grumman received a...

Mishaps. (Airscoop).(United States Navy)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
July 1, 2002... A Naval Weapons Test Squadron China Lake, Calif., HH-1N "Huey" crashed in California on 28 March, killing two crew members and injuring four others. An MH-53E Sea Dragon of Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 suffered Class A...

National Defense Service Medal authorized. (Airscoop).(for U.S. armed forces on duty 9/11/01)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... In recognition of the contributions made by service members in response to the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and ongoing operations against the terrorist threat, Executive Order 10448 authorized members of the U.S. armed...

Chargers target killer tomatoes. (Airscoop).
July 1, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Left, before the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 14 Chargers launch from Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on a 7 May gunnery training exercise, AW1 Lance A. Easterling inspects a .50 caliber machine gun aboard one of...

Super Hornet highlights. (Airscoop).
July 1, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: The Navy's newest aircraft, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, is now entering the fleet in force. In December 2001, Fighter Squadrons 14 and 41 were redesignated strike fighter squadrons (VFA) to reflect their...

PCU Ronald Reagan (CVN 76): Navy's newest carrier--just add water.(Precommissioning Unit, U.S.)
July 1, 2002... The standard issue ball cap with "Navy" across the brow attracts attention in Newport News, Va., location of the Precommissioning Unit (PCU) of the Navy's newest carrier, Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). In approximately 25 blocks of the city, more than...

OK two wire! Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) ramps up new technology.(design of U.S. Navy's new nuclear-powered aircraft carrier)
July 1, 2002... In 1995 Newport News Shipbuilding engineers began designing the ninth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Modern technology and experience gained from building the previous Nimitz-class carriers enabled the...

NAVRIIP: Navy tackles interdeployment readiness.(Naval Aviation Readiness Integrated Improvement Program, U.S.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The ongoing success of Naval Aviation personnel as part of Operation Enduring Freedom demonstrates the high level of readiness of deployed forces. But between deployments, readiness naturally ebbs, increasing the effort needed to ramp up again....

Patrol squadrons in the Korean War.
July 1, 2002... Because most of the combat action of the KOREAN WAR took place over the Korean peninsula, the bulk of the Navy's aerial contribution to the war took the form of carrier-based tactical aircraft. For Navy patrol squadrons (VP), the war was fought...

The war on aging aircraft: one battle down, many to go.
July 1, 2002... The war began more than three years ago, but victory is still far from secure. Efforts by the Naval Air Systems Command's (NAVAIR) Aging Aircraft Integrated Product Team (AAIPT) to keep Naval Aviation a step ahead of the debilitating effects of...

Hank Caruso's Aerocatures[TM] sketchbook: Navy's aging aircraft.(Joint Council on Aging Aircraft formed, U.S.)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... A Stitch in Time. Because the problems associated with aging aircraft plague all military and civilian aviation communities, the Joint Council on Aging Aircraft has been created to more effectively deal with areas of mutual concern. The council...

Save the Vengeance. (Flightbag).(World War II British aircraft carrier)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... In December 2001 an organization was formed to secure the future of the last surviving WW II British aircraft carrier. "Save the Vengeance" is attempting to acquire the historic ship from the Brazilian navy, her last operator and current owner....

The year in review 2001.(United States military action in responce to World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... On 11 September 2001, zealots owing allegiance to al Qaeda, an Islamic terrorist organization with cells in over 60 countries, attacked America. Founded and led by Osama bin Laden, al Qaeda had proclaimed jihad (holy war) against the United...

Fleet Retention Excellence Award. (Awards).(Dwight D. Eisenhowe)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... For the third year in a row Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) won the Fleet Retention Excellence Award. The award gives the crew the privilege of painting each of the ship's 60,000-pound anchors a bright gold to mark the achievement.

CNET Golden Anchor award. (Awards).(United States Commander Naval Education and Training)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The 2001 CNET Golden Anchor award winners in the aviation community were NAS Corpus Christi, Texas; NAS Pensacola, Fla.; NAS Meridian, Miss; Naval Aviation Schools Command, Pensacola, Fla.; and Naval Air Maintenance Training Units North Island,...

Capt. Michael J. Estocin award. (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... VFA-97 earned the Capt. Michael J. Estocin award for meritorious achievement by a strike fighter squadron. Squadron pilot LCdr. James J. Reich was selected as the winner of the COMNAVAIRPAC 2001 Michael G. Hoff Attack Aviator award, presented...

Reunions. (Flightbag).
July 1, 2002... EAA AirVenture, 23-29 JUL. Oshkosh, WI. POC: Dick Knapinski, 920-426-6523; dknapinski @eaa.org; www.airventure.org. Ranger (CVA/CV 61), 24-28 JUL, Chicago, IL POC: George Meoli, gmeoli@erols.com. RVAH-12, 26-28 JUL, Pensacola, FL. POC:...

SAR Excellence Awards. (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The CNO Search and Rescue Model Manager establishes the policies for Navy search and rescue teams, and presents annual SAR Excellence Awards. Recipients judged to exemplify the commitment to others embodied in the SAR motto, "So Others May...

Captain Edward F. Ney award. (Awards).(year 2002 winners)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The winners of the 2002 Captain Edward F. Ney award for food service excellence in the aviation community were Bataan (LHD 5); Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6); Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71); Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); NAS Brunswick, Maine; NAS Oceana,...

Secretary of Defense Environmental Award. (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The annual Secretary of Defense Environmental Award recognizes installations, teams and individuals for outstanding work in Department of Defense environmental programs. Aviation community honorable mentions went to NAS Pensacola, Fla.; NAS...

Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award. (Awards).
July 1, 2002... The 2001 aviation winners of the Secretary of the Navy Environmental Award for outstanding environmental programs were: NAS Pensacola, Fla.; MCAS Beaufort, S.C.; MCAS Yuma, Ariz.; NAS Keflavik, Iceland; MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; NAF...

The Navy League of the United States presented its 2002 awards in recognition of outstanding leadership and achievement. (Awards).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Navy League of the United States presented its 2002 awards in recognition of outstanding leadership and achievement. Aviation winners were: Admiral Claude V. Ricketts award for inspirational leadership (E-7 and above), HMCS(SW/AW/FMF) Roger...

Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt award. (Awards).
July 1, 2002... The 2001 aviation winners of the Secretary of the Navy Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt award for excellence in bachelor housing were: NAF Key West, Ha.; NAS Whidbey Island, Wash.; NAS Lemoore, Calif.; NAF Atsugi, Japan; NAS Whiting Field, Fla.; and NAS...

CHINFO Merit Awards. (Awards).
July 1, 2002... CHINFO Merit Awards recognize exemplary achievements in internal media products by Navy commands and individuals. The categories and winners in the aviation community for 2001 were: publication for a specific audience, (magazine), 1st Naval...

The MiG killers. (People Planes Places).
July 1, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Above, L-R, Lt. Hughes, Lts. (jg) Cruz and McCabe and LCdr. Pettigrew of VF-114. on 6 May 1972, flying F-4J Phantom IIs, top, these aircrews vectored against four MiG-21s near Than Hoa, Vietnam, taking out...

America's big Stick breaks the record. (People Planes Places).
July 1, 2002... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Caption: Below, Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) steams home after 159 days at sea, a post-WW II record. The ship was on station in the Arabian Sea conducting air strikes in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring...

Sailors search for Sailors in Southeast Asia. (People Planes Places).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... On January morning in 1968, a Navy commander, three lieutenants (junior grade), four petty officers second class and a petty officer third class climbed aboard their OP-2E Neptune and prepared for takeoff. They would not live to see sunset that...

Operation New Frontier. (People Planes Places).(Coast Guard reports illegal drug seizures)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... The Coast Guard reported banner success rates in its drug-interdiction operation "New Frontier." The new program uses C-130 Hercules and cutter-deployable tactical MH-68A Mako helicopters in the pursuit of drug strugglers in the Caribbean Sea...

Scan pattern. (People Planes Places).(Naval Aviation Museum)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... In a 23 January ceremony the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Fla., accepted for display the City of Marietta, a C-9 Skytrain II (BuNo 163511), honoring its three decades of service to the fleet. The aircraft was flown by VR-46,...

Anniversary and records. (People Planes Places).(includes, James H. Flatley IV marks 3000 F-14 hours)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... VR-56 celebrated its 25th anniversary in January. HSL-41 surpassed 110,000 mishap-free flight hours HMM-264 surpassed 90,000 mishap-free flight hours. VR-53 surpassed 33,000 mishap-free flight hours. Commander CVW-1 Capt....

Rescues. (People Planes Places).(Boston Coast Guard)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... On 26 January the Boston Coast Guard command center dispatched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and HU-25 Falcon jet in response to a distress call from five fishermen in a life boat after their vessel Tara M.J. sank in the North Atlantic. The...

Change of command. (People Planes Places).
July 1, 2002... Enterprise (CVN 65): Capt. Eric C. Heidlinger relieved Capt. James A. Winnefeld, Jr., 15 Feb. FIFTHFLT: VAdm. Timothy J. Keating relieved VAdm. Charles W. Moore, Jr., 10 Feb. HCS-5: Cdr. Michael S. Remington relieved Cdr. Donald S....

Battle stations training gets reality check. (People Planes Places).(Brief Article)
July 1, 2002... With the help of technology, simulation and some of the entertainment industry's top creative minds, the Recruit Training Command is poised to make a quantum leap in the evolution of "Battle Stations" training. First assembled in an empty...

Professional reading.(Born to Fly: The Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane and The Heroic Story of Downed U.S. Navy Pilot Lt. Shane Osborn by Shane Osborn and Malcolm McConnell)
July 1, 2002... Osborn, Shane, with Malcolm McConnell. Born to Fly: The Untold Story of the Downed American Reconnaissance Plane. Broadway Books, 1540 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. 2001. 262 pp. III. $22.95. Simultaneously published: Osborn, Shane, with...