January Comments Post

Status of the World

Currently, there are four major transformations that are shaping political, economic and world events. These transformations have profound implications for American business owners, our culture and our way of life.

Read on .....

From Dave C. to J.F. to post.

History from Captain Ron. G.

I reported to AirPac and was assigned to VS-23 in September 1953. The squadron had just returned from WestPac aboard the USS Badoeng Strait (CVE-116) and I was the first of many replacement Ensigns to report aboard. The aircraft in use were
TBM-3S2 and TBM-3W2. The first S2F arrived in April 1954 and we started FCLP on 10 May 1954. I had 13.5 hours in type. Day carrier qualified 16 Jun and night qualified a month later. LT Bill Young was our LSO and Ltjg Kenneth Miller, Ens Danny O'rourke, and Ltjg Jim Winnefeld were LSO trainees.

In early Aug 1954 the squadron sailed on the USS Princeton (CVS-37) to Seattle to participate in the annual SeaFair Festival. Departed for WestPac on 1 Nov 1954 and returned to North Island in May 1955. I left VS-23 in Oct 1955 for VU-7 at NAAS Brown Field and got some time in the JD-1 and F9F-5.

Surprise orders came from BuPers to NAS Seattle as a TAR. Arrived there in April 1956 and was assigned as VS Asst Flight Training Officer. AF Guardian aircraft were in use. I brought the first S2F to NAS Seattle Week-end Warriors in June 1956. I was released to inactive duty in Dec 1957 and immediately joined the Reserve and began an airline career that lasted for 34 years flying DC-3, F-27, and DC-9 aircraft.

YES INDEED, LIFE IS GOOD ! R. G., Captain USNR(RET)

I have attached a copy of the VS-23 Squadron Patch that was in use until the S2s arrived and the Black Cat was adopted.

The Pucker Factor

The F3 Demon this pilot flew for carquals was noted for its slow engine response in a landing pattern. For a number of reasons, it was not in the fleet very long. I think this guy's description of the first night launch and landing represents many Naval Aviators' experiences. I think this is the best writing on the subject that I've read.

Read on ...

From Gene A. to John D. to J.F. for post.

US Naval Power

For the first time in over 20 some odd years, three carrier strike groups got together in formation for a great photo op.















From top to bottom are the aircraft carriers, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, KITTY HAWK, and RONALD REAGAN (also shown above).

We even had Air Force planes fly-over, see the B-2 Stealth Bomber, below. The only warships not seen in the photo are the 4 nuclear powered submarines standing guard. WOW!


Stand By. Execute!
Operation Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area (June 19-23, 2006), the exercise involved 28 Naval vessels including three carrier strike groups, more than 300 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (From S.D. to B.K. to J.F. to post.)

Life Is Good

I joined VS-23 in March, 1957 and went inactive in January of 1959; thus, I know about half of Bob's mailing list. I did a brief stint with VS-774 ('61-'63) at Los Alamitos with Danny flying 'fam' flights.

Got married in 1963 and still am, to Iris whom some of you have met. We had 3 kids - girl, boy, boy. The latter has boy/girl twins age 3 1/2. We retired to Ashland, Oregon in 2002 where our daughter had been teaching school for several years. Grandchildren live in Morro Bay, CA so we see a lot of the I5 corridor. Going to Legoland the last week in March. - anyone know of a San Diego area house/condo rental available for 7 adults and 2 small kids?

VS-23 highlights: A single-engine GCA at Los Alamitos on Christmas Eve of 1958, a vertigo inspired attempt to buy a North Island farm after a Quebec exercise further South, foiled by co-pilot Ken E., chasing holes in the sky with the USS Princeton after an S&R flight on the '58 cruise, using Kobi Sho for navigation and last but not least - a check ride trying to decipher El Toro's Able/Nan with O.T.

Modern technology and VA meds keep me chugging along and "Life Is Good".

Jo F.