As of this writing, the gradual withdrawal of American and Coalition forces has begun from Iraq and the Middle East after their incredible and historic victory during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The swiftness of their victory and the overwhelming power and might that was so evident to all of us during the initial intense combat operations has left a lasting and profound impression on the entire world.
It required several months to position our forces, and in spite of negative political actions on the part of countries that had been considered some of our closest allies, the young men and women of the Coalition were ready to go when the order was given. These young people of the Coalition, principally from the United States, and our cousins from the United Kingdom and Australia, fought their war as many of our members fought theirs — World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Kosovo and Afghanistan. As with their forebears, numerous acts of courage and self-sacrifice are now beginning to emerge, but there are differences of circumstance.
These 21st century warriors were without doubt better prepared and better equipped than their forebears. Their equipment was better because of technological advances and the application of technology and tactics to the lessons of past conflicts. They were better prepared and trained because leaders such as VADM Tim Keating, RADM Dave Nichols, CAPT Bill Gortney and CAPT Dave Rogers, to name a few, have been part of a long and difficult process to ensure the availability of the very best and most relevant training. All of these long sought advances in technology and training assured the highest state of readiness.
Nowhere else are the differences more apparent than in the readiness of Naval Aviation for the Iraqi War. Six carriers, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Constellation (CV-64), Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Nimitz (CVN-68) and Kitty Hawk (CV-63) together with their embarked air wings, were deployed to the region and were all uniformly flawless in their conduct of combat operations.
Further, Marine F/A-18s based in Kuwait not only conducted long-range strike operations, but were key in the rapid advance and success of the Marine ground element. Other air forces and elements were also involved and made significant contributions. But this war, probably more than any other recent example, clearly demonstrated the viability of carrier-based striking power and the devastating effect of properly applied close air support.
More important, though, has been the magnificent performance of each individual Naval Aviator, both afloat and ashore. A friend recently stated, “Those kids are great,” to which I responded, “You understate the case. First, they are not kids. They are American fighting men and women doing their duty. Second, they aren’t just great. They’re superb.”
As we welcome them home, we should all be mindful that they have now made a huge contribution to the rich heritage and tradition of Naval Aviation, an intangible factor so vital to the core beliefs of our Tailhook Association. They can proudly take their places next to the other veterans and heroes who comprise our membership.
The Battle of Midway
The preservation of Naval Aviation’s heritage and tradition is central to the mission of the Tailhook Association. Without doubt, the most important event that is part of that heritage is the U.S. Navy victory at the Battle of Midway, 2–4 June 1942. Many historians have cited the Battle of Midway, in which U.S. Navy carrier forces resoundingly defeated the Japanese, as the turning point of World War II in the Pacific. Certainly it ranks in significance with the Battles of Britain, Stalingrad and the Atlantic as a seminal event. But there are a few historians who have suggested that Midway was not only the turning point in the Pacific, but that it was so important as to be characterized as the turning point in all of WW II. We, the inheritors of the Midway legacy, are only now awakening to the battle’s importance as underscored by official U.S. Navy policy that encourages annual remembrances of the event. Commemorative observances are now being organized in various locations by regional Tailhook Association Ready Rooms. I hope Tailhookers, wherever you were, gathered together during the period 2–4 June to commemorate the Battle of Midway and to celebrate the heritage of Naval Aviation
RTB
For the past eight years it has been my honor and privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of our Association. In that time, all of the “good men and true” who make up the Board have worked hard and have given so much of themselves to chart the right course for our Association. And they succeeded.
These past eight years have seen our Association emerge from the dark shadows of near financial ruin and official scorn, and have seen our membership grow and become more vital. None of this could have been accomplished without the outstanding leadership and example of our Chairman Emeritus, RADM Tom Brown, and CAPT Lonnie McClung, our former president and a great fighter pilot.
Their advice and counsel have been invaluable. Further, our financial recovery is due to the wise stewardship of executive director CAPT J.R. Davis and those wonderful full-time, part-time and volunteer personnel at Tailhook headquarters. But that’s only part of the success story because our Educational Foundation under VADM Mike Bowman’s leadership has given us credibility, and our world-class magazine, managed capably by CAPT Steve Millikin and CDR Jan Jacobs, has given us intellectual legitimacy.
Finally, three special people, great heroes who never flinched after the events of 1991, need recognition for their steadfastness under fire — RADM “Jig Dog” Ramage, CAPT Bill Knutson and CAPT Wynn Foster.
It pleases me to say that the future for our Association is bright. Our future is so bright, in fact, that the President of the United States recently became a Tailhook Association member due in no small measure to the outstanding initiative of a few Tailhookers in San Diego. We can now all say with pride to our Commander in Chief, “Welcome aboard.”
I thank all of you for allowing me to serve, and now it’s time to pass the lead to another, depart the pattern and RTB. I wish you all steady decks, wind down the angle and OK-3s.