It wasn't the way I'd planned to end my career as an editor. But things in life don't often work out the way we plan. My thought was to turn over the reins as editor three or four years down the road to a younger man or woman. The truth is I loved my job as editor of The Hook, and even after 16 years in the job, I looked forward to every day in the office. I was truly having the time of my life.
But as it happened I had a turn of bad luck. A severe nervous system disorder has kept me confined to bed for some months, and it gradually became apparent that I could no longer oversee the production of The Hook. As a result, the Spring and Summer issues were produced largely through the magnificent efforts of our managing editor, Jan Jacobs, and staff archivist Doug Siegfried. This effort was complicated by a painful injury to Jan's back. Despite this, Jan and Doug succeeded in doing a marvelous job maintaining the quality of The Hook. Thank you, Jan and Doug, for your loyalty and superb work throughout our long association. You are great friends as well as a talented editor and a talented archivist.
A selection committee was formed to identify my replacement and they narrowed the field to several highly qualified candidates. After a difficult process, LCDR Rex A Schildhouse, USN(Ret), was selected as The Hook's new editor. He is a Tailhook Life Member, a former Naval Aviator (E-2, C-1, C-2 and T-2) and has a broad publishing background. I am certain that he will continue the high quality and professional content of the magazine.
I have heard many times that The Hook magazine is among the finest of our nation's professional journals. While flattering, all of this is possible only with the generous contribution of a great many people. Jan, Doug and I merely assemble and organize the efforts of countless Tailhookers and other contributors.
Foremost among them are Barrett Tillman, Jack Woodul, Bob Lawson, Margaret Bone, Rick and Mark Morgan, CAPT Wynn Foster, Bill Knutson, Tony Holmes and Robert "Boom" Powell. I deeply appreciate also the contributions of Peter Mersky, Rick Llinares, Jose Ramos, Hal Andrews, Carl Snow, Sandra Irwin and Hank Caruso. I am indebted to the encouragement of VADM Mike Bowman, RADM "Jig Dog" Ramage and RADM Paul Gillcrist.
I also appreciate the loyal support of my colleagues CAPT Earle Rogers, editor of The Foundation magazine, Fred Rainbow, former editor of Naval Institute Proceedings and Rosario M. "Zip" Rauza, editor of Wings of Gold magazine. I particularly appreciate the active support of CAPT Mick Taylor of the Director of Naval Aviation (N88) staff.
Supporting me in other vital ways were J.R. Davis and the Tailhook staff, Carol Bentley of Neyenesch Printers, Phyllis and Carmelle Carter, and Barbara Woodbury. There are countless others who supported our efforts during the past 16 years and I am grateful to each for his generous contribution.
As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Tailhook Association, I am proud of the fact that despite a severe blow to our organization several years ago, Tailhook has returned stronger than ever as a supporting institution for Naval Aviation. We on The Hook are immensely proud of our role in this recovery as we communicate Naval Aviation's history and its advancements in technology, tactics, procurement and operational philosophy to our members.
We are deeply grateful for the support of our advertisers in enabling us to accomplish this important task.
Additionally, I would like to thank the many flag and general officers who have contributed time and talent in preparing their thoughts for publication in The Hook. I also want to thank the squadron public affairs officers who have been faithful in submitting news articles and photographs documenting their units' activities. These continued firsthand reports from the "tip of the spear" are an important part of our success.
It's been great fun working with the fine men and women of Naval Aviation. I am honored to have met so many who have fought defending our nation in wars that range from World War I to Operation Iraqi Freedom. I particularly enjoy meeting our active-duty Tailhook members, and am in awe of their professional capabilities. I am proud to have in some way supported them in their efforts.
I will truly miss the daily contact with friends and personal heroes whose contributions and support of the Tailhook Association's objectives will never be forgotten. Thank you for believing in us. God bless you all.