Naval Aviation News articles from March 2004

Naval Aviation News archives from March 2004

Gramps from yesteryear: some Gramps philosophy.(Grampaw Pettibone)
March 1, 2004... We are gathered here for the pure purpose of flying--and enjoying it! I would like to take this opportunity to point out just how much akin this flying game is to entering into a marriage agreement. First of all, you gotta get down on your...

Osprey highlights.(Airscoop)(V-22 Osprey undergoing military tests)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In November 2003, the V-22 Osprey program began testing the aircraft's deicing and anti-icing systems in Canada. Osprey No. 24 will conduct test flights from Shearwater, Nova Scotia, through April. Also in November, the V-22 Integrated Test...

EA-18G development.(Airscoop)(Boeing Co. contract)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Boeing Co. received a contract for system design and development (S & D) of the EA-18G, an airborne electronic attack aircraft based on the F/A-18F. The five-year S & D program runs from FY 04 until FY 09, and includes laboratory, ground...

WW II aircrew identified.(Airscoop)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The remains of seven Naval Aviators missing in action from WW II were found in Russia, identified and returned to their families for burial in November 2003. The PV-1 Ventura crew--comprised of Lt. Walter S. Whitman, Jr.; Ltjg. John W. Hanlon,...

For the record.(Airscoop)(Naval Air Systems Command contract to Lockheed Martin Systems Integration)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Navy's newest Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Halsey (DDG 97), was christened on 17 January. The destroyer is the second ship to be named for Fleet Adm. William F. Halsey, Jr. Halsey distinguished himself in various commands...

Mishaps.(Airscoop)(helicopters)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... On 23 January, a Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron AH-1W Super Cobra was destroyed, but there were no fatalities, following a crash at MCAS Yuma, Ariz. A UH-1N "Huey" of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 166 was destroyed, with four...

America's Flagship: a history of USS Constellation (CVA/CV 64).
March 1, 2004... The keel of the second Kitty Hawk-class attack aircraft carrier (CVA), hull number 64, was laid on 14 September 1957 at New York Naval Shipyard, Brooklyn, N.Y. She had been named Constellation on 7 November 1956. Christened by Mrs. Christian A....

VQ-2 shines in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
March 1, 2004... Naval Aviation's surveillance and reconnaissance program has historically maintained a low profile. The sensitive nature of the mission has created a degree of mystery about the community. Most people had never heard of an EP-3E until April...

Hank Caruso's Aerocatures[TM] Sketchbook: nobody flies without these guys!
March 1, 2004... When it comes to military aviation, most of the glamour seems to go to airplanes with pointy noses, sensuous sensor bulges or high decibel-to-size ratios. This may be due to the jets' camera action image upon which the media often dwells. But...

TOPGUN farewells the Tomcat.(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... For 30 years, the F-14 Tomcat has played a role in advanced fighter pilot training with TOPGUN, the Navy's premier tactical fighter training program. From its establishment as the Navy Fighter Weapons School at NAS Miramar, Calif., to its...

Sea control squadrons deactivated.
March 1, 2004... VS-29 Dragonfires Sea Control Squadron (VS) 29 is scheduled for deactivation on 30 April 2004, at NAS North Island, Calif., as one of the first VS squadrons to be disbanded in the drawdown of the S-3 Viking community. VS-29 will end 43...

From Tomcats to Super Hornets: VF-2 becomes VFA-2 Bounty Hunters.
March 1, 2004... We are going to continue to train and deploy as the world's greatest and most capable strike fighter squadron. We will get home safely. We will fly, fight and win. We will train for war, take care of our people and take care of our 12 F/A-18F...

New Air and Space Museum at Dulles: Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center opens.(National Air and Space )
March 1, 2004... Vice Admiral Don Engen must have been smiling somewhere high above the snowy skies over the Washington, D.C., area on 5 December 2003. The opening of the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy (pronounced OOD-var HAH-zee) Center, the National Air and Space...

Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device.(Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Cdr. Paul S. Dillman of CARGRU-5 received the Air Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device for heroic achievement in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Edited by JOSN Brandy Lewis

2003 Reserve P-3 Liberty Bell.(Awards)(p-3 wins competition)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... VP-66 won the 2003 Reserve P-3 Liberty Bell competition held at NAS North Island, Calif. The annual tactical event tests the aircrew and ordnance load teams' proficiency in a variety of warfighting areas.

Pacific Fleet's annual Ship's Store Retail and Service Excellence Award.(Awards)(John C. Stennis, Theodore Roosevelt, Kearsarge)("Best of Class")(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... John C. Stennis (CVN 74) received the Pacific Fleet's annual Ship's Store Retail and Service Excellence Award while Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and Kearsarge (LHD 3) were named the Atlantic Fleet's "Best of Class" winners. The award recognizes...

2003 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award.(Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 2003 Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award recognizes outstanding achievements in military equipment and weapon systems maintenance by organizations of the military services. Naval Aviation commands were among the winners in every...

Atlantic Fleet Retention Excellence Award.(Awards)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
March 1, 2004... The Atlantic Fleet Retention Excellence Award acknowledges superior levels of retention. Aviation community winners were: Ships and Shore Commands AIMD Key West, Fla. AIMD Oceana, Va. ASD Brunswick, Maine ASD Key West,...

Dilbert dunker retired.(Awards)(Dilbert Dunker)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., retired its 9E8E single-place underwater egress trainer on 14 November 2003. Capt. Stephen Black, above, is one of more than 8,300 aircrew personnel who trained in the "Dilbert Dunker" since it was put into use in...

Records.(Awards)(aircrafts speed)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... George Washington (CVN 73) surpassed 100,000 traps on 19 November 2003. LCdr. Joel Janopoulus of CVW-1 made his 500th career trap, aboard Enterprise (CVN 65), on 5 November 2003 in an F/A-18 Hornet. VFA-195 surpassed 21 years and...

Rescue.(Awards)(civilian Jose Hernandez )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In November 2003, 40-year-old Panamanian civilian Jose Hernandez experienced decompression sickness, commonly known as the "bends." while diving 350 miles off the coast of Costa Rica. An SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from the HSL-43 detachment...

Anniversary.(Awards)(Naval Air Systems Command )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... In November 2003, the Naval Air Systems Command celebrated the 25th anniversary of the F/A-18 Hornet's first flight.

Blue Angels 2004 airshow schedule.(Awards)(calendar)(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... May 1-2 Fort Lauderdale, FL 8-9 NAS Atlanta, GA 15-16 Andrews AFB, MD 22-23 NAS Kingsville, TX 26 U.S. Naval Academy, MD 29-30 Calverton, NY June 5-6 Myrtle Beach, SC 12-13 Bermuda 19-20 Oklahoma City, OK...

Blue Angels are accepting officer applications.(Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Blue Angels are accepting officer applications until 30 April for two demonstration pilots (both Navy and Marine), an events coordinator, a Marine C-130 pilot (for "Fat Albert," above at MCAS Miramar, Calif.), a flight surgeon, a supply...

Tom McFalls' squadron of "helicopters".(Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Tom McFalls' squadron of "helicopters" can be seen from the air in late fall through spring. The NADEP Cherry Point, N.C., aeronautical engineer increased the display from one to four birds in 2003 to honor service members stationed on foreign...

Change of command.(U.S. Navy appointments)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... CCG-7: RAdm. Patrick M. Walsh relieved RAdm. Matt Moffit, 15 Nov 03. CPRW-5: Capt. Daniel G. Lynch relieved Capt. James C. Grunewald, 12 Dec 03. CVW-5: Capt. Joseph Aucoin relieved Capt. Patrick Driscoll, 5 Dec 03. HT-18: Lt....

The Naval Aviation Schools Command.(Awards)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Naval Aviation Schools Command has streamlined the naval airerew (NAC) training program that prepares 1,575 graduates for flight duty each year. Those who decide that NAC training is not for them are permitted to drop on request while at...

Scan pattern.(Awards)(Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) is one of 13 "learning centers" under Naval Personnel Development Command, Norfolk, Va., which is responsible for developing and maintaining the sailor continuum. One of CNATT's newest...

From test bench to classroom.(Seaman to Admiral 21 (STA-21) commissioning program)(Kristopher M. Micon)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Aviation Electronics Technician Second Class Kristopher M. Micon, a production supervisor in the avionics division of the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department at NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pa., didn't want to give up his dream of earning a...

Midway: a museum afloat.(San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The 58-year-old aircraft carrier Midway (CV 41), which last saw service in April 1992, has a new nission. Midway, which participated in combat operations from the Korean War to Desert Storm, arrived at Navy Pier 10 in San Diego, Calif., in...

Lost Black Sheep: the search for WWII Ace Chris Magee.(Professional Reading)(Book Review)
March 1, 2004... Reed, Robert T. Lost Black Sheep: The Search for WWII Ace Chris Magee. Hellgate Press/PSI Research, Central Point, OR 97502. 2001. 246 pp. Ill. $24.95. Chris Magee flew Corsairs with Pappy Boyington's "Black Sheep" of VMF-214 and, with...

All the Factors of Victory: Adm. Joseph Mason Reeves and the Origins of Carrier Airpower.(Professional Reading)
March 1, 2004... Wildenberg, Thomas. All the Factors of Victory: Adm. Joseph Mason Reeves and the Origins of Carrier Airpower. Brassey's, Inc., 22841 Quicksilver Dr., Dulles, VA 20166. 2003. 326 pp. Ill. $27.50. Bull Reeves is one of those seminal, but...

WW II Memorial dedication.(Flightbag)(National World War II Memorial)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... The four-day "Tribute to a Generation," from 27 to 30 May, will feature the formal dedication of the National World War II Memorial on 29 May. Events include a National WW II reunion, exhibitions, military performances and an interfaith...

Ejection histories sought.(Flightbag)
March 1, 2004... As part of a wider history research project begun in the early 1980s on the development and use of assisted aircrew escape systems, a private researcher is compiling a comprehensive listing of all known aircraft ejections, successful and...

USS Hornet Museum unveils TBM.(Flightbag)(United States Ship)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... During a 29 November 2003 public ceremony, the USS Hornet Museum unveiled a restored TBM Avenger. The largest WW II type of aircraft to fly off the Essex-class carrier Hornet (CV 12), the TBM was restored to static display status wearing the...

Reunions.(Flightbag)(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... PBM Mariner/P5M Marlin, 6-9 MAY, Arlington, VA. POC: E. Doug Anderson, 1101 S. Arlington Ridge Rd., Arlington, VA 22202; 703-892-5893; dandfreddy@aol.com. Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB/CVA/CV 42), 12-16 MAY, Albuquerque, NM. POC: Robert...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
March 1, 2004... Nov-Dec 03 Page 7: the E-2C Hawkeye that suffered a mishap on 14 August 2003 was assigned to Defense Contract Management Agency, Southeast Aircraft Operations, St. Augustine, Fla. Page 40: 2002 Battle E winners HS-5 (LANT) and HS-15...

ANA photo contest.(Association of Naval Aviation)
March 1, 2004... The Association of Naval Aviation's (ANA) photo contest is open to everyone except the staffs of ANA, Wings of Gold magazine and Naval Aviation News. The subject matter MUST pertain to Naval Aviation. Submissions can be in black and white or...