Naval Aviation News articles from May 2005

Naval Aviation News archives from May 2005

Media mayhem.
May 1, 2005... In the middle of a period of high operational tempo, a cruiser's light airborne multipurpose detachment was tasked to fly a Navy cameraman and a civilian reporter so they could capture a maritime interdiction operation against a civilian ship...

Viking violence.
May 1, 2005... As part of an S-3 Viking squadron NATOPS unit evaluation, two weapons school instructors were scheduled for a flight with two squadron naval flight officers. The brief was thorough but didn't include any mention of the fact that, in addition to...

H-53 maintenance simplified.(AIRSCOOP)(Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic System (IMDS))(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Integrated Mechanical Diagnostic System (IMDS) for the CH-53E Sea Stallion completed operational evaluation and was declared operationally effective and suitable. Integrated with the onboard systems and mission computer, the IMDS provides...

Advanced Arresting Gear underway.(AIRSCOOP)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... General Atomics has received a $95.8 million contract for system development and demonstration of a shipboard-representative Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG). The system will be installed at Naval Air Systems Command facilities in Lakehurst, N.J.,...

Vietnam pilot returns home.(airscoop)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The remains of a Naval Aviator missing in action from the Vietnam War have been returned home for burial. On 6 April 1972, Cdr. Thomas E. Dunlop was flying an A-7E Corsair II from Coral Sea (CVB 43) on a bombing mission in North Vietnam when he...

For the record.(airscoop)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Naval Research Laboratory's Flight Support detachment at NAS Patuxent River, Md., was redesignated Scientific Development Squadron (VXS) 1 on 13 December 2004. The Marine Corps KC-130J passed its second operational evaluation in...

Mishaps.(AIRSCOOP)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... On 22 March a T-45C Goshawk of Training Squadron 7 crashed at NAS Meridian, Miss., with one fatality. An F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 122 suffered Class A damage during landing at NAS Fallon, Nev. When the port mainmount...

Reducing mishaps--the safety challenge.(AIRSCOOP)(services of Naval Safety Center )(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Until about 10 years ago, aviation mishap rates had declined dramatically as improvements in training, aircraft, and procedures were introduced. While we continue our efforts to reduce mishaps, we know we can do better. Almost 90 percent of...

VMFA (AW)-242: Bats in combat.
May 1, 2005... Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 242 was first established as a Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron in July 1943 and flew the TBF/TBM Avenger in WW II. They traced a path across the Pacific with bases in the New Hebrides,...

TacAir integration: where the rubber meets the road.
May 1, 2005... A historic document signed on 14 August 2002 by the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Chief of Naval Operations began the process of tactical air (TacAir) integration. Days later, the Deputy Chief of Naval...

VS-21 Redtails deactivated.(Sea Control Squadron (VS) 21)
May 1, 2005... Sea Control Squadron (VS) 21 was deactivated at NAF Atsugi, Japan, on 31 January 2005. Ceremonies held on 4 November 2004 marked the passing of the squadron after almost 60 years of active service. Cdr. David A. Mayo was the last CO of the...

P-3S support tsunami relief.
May 1, 2005... The countries affected by the disastrous 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami are seemingly a world away from the cold Maine winter. However, within hours of the 26 December tragedy, a squadron based at NAS Brunswick, Maine, and forward...

Cope Tiger 2005.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Personnel from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, deployed aboard Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), participated in Cope Tiger 2005, an international exercise held in Korat, Thailand, from 24 January to 4 February. Each fixed-wing squadron in the air wing was...

Historic Naval Aircraft.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
May 1, 2005... Polmar, Norman. Historic Naval Aircraft. Potomac Books, Inc., 22841 Quicksilver Drive, Dulles, VA 20166. 2004. 165 pp. Ill. $34.95. (Note: Brassey's, Inc. changed its name to Potomac Books in 2004.) This latest effort from Norman Polmar is...

A History of No. 10 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service in World War I.(Book Review)
May 1, 2005... Westrop, Mike. A History of No. 10 Squadron Royal Naval Air Service in World War I. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Road, Atglen, PA 19310-9717. 2004. 194 pp. Ill. $59.95. Sporting a very nice dust-jacket illustration of No....

Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I.(Brief Article)(Book Review)
May 1, 2005... Franks, Norman. Sopwith Triplane Aces of World War I. Osprey Publishing, Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0PH, UK 96 pp. Ill. $19.95. For many people, the Fokker DR.1 triplane is an icon of WW I aviation. Certainly, this...

Awards.(PEOPLE PLANES PLACES)
May 1, 2005... The Naval Air Systems Command received the Chief of Naval Operations Readiness Through Safety Award and the Admiral James S. Russell Naval Aviation Flight Safety Award for 2004. The awards are presented annually to the organization that...

Records.(PEOPLE PLANES PLACES)
May 1, 2005... HSL-43 surpassed 10,000 Class A mishap-free flight hours. HSL-44 surpassed 137,082 Class A mishap-free flight hours. Edited by JO3 Brandy Lewis

Rescues.(PEOPLE PLANES PLACES)
May 1, 2005... An MH-60S helicopter from HC-8 Det 4, deployed aboard Seattle (AOE 3), assisted in the rescue of 12 Iraqi mariners from their sinking boat, Edha II, in the southern Arabian Gulf on 9 August 2004. After receiving a distress call, Seattle set...

Scan pattern.(Training for Air Marshals)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... In fall 2004, a C-9 Skytrain from VR-52, NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pa., was the platform for a simulation to train members of the Federal Air Marshal service. As the aircraft and its crew conducted normal flight operations at 30,000 feet, the air...

Truman supports Iraqi elections.(PEOPLE PLANES PLACES)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and embarked Carrier Air Wing 3 helped provide on-call air support for coalition and Iraqi forces during the historic Iraqi elections on 30 January. That support came mostly through air presence provided by pilots of...

Jolly Rogers farewell the Tomcat.(PEOPLE PLANES PLACES)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Right, the paint job of this Fighter Squadron 103 Tomcat commemorates the squadron's final cruise with the F-14, aboard John F. Kennedy (CV 67). On 26 January the last two Jolly Rogers Tomcats touched down at Davis Monthan AFB, Ariz., joining...

Burial at sea.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... CHANGE OF COMMAND CVW-11: Capt. Thomas A. Cropper relieved Capt. James K. Greene, 19 Oct 04. EAWS: Cdr. Patrick J. Bowman relieved Cdr. John D. Bamonte, 4 Mar. HS-5: Cdr. Brett W. Calkins relieved Cdr. Robert E. Conway, 21 Jan. ...

Reunions.(FLIGHTBAG)(Brief Article)(Directory)
May 1, 2005... Boxer (CV/CVA/CVS 21/LPH/LHD 4), 25-27 August, Somerset, N.J. POC: Ken Wyant, 610-253-5347, kgwmrr@aol.com. Huntington (CL 107), 29 September-2 October, Washington, DC area. POC Gene Volcik, 512-926-7008, evolcik@aol.com. Rudyerd Bay...

ANA photo contest.(FLIGHTBAG)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... 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...