by RADM Tom Brown III, USN(Ret)
The hottest topic to report since I last wrote to you nine months ago is progress in our effort to regain official recognition from the Navy leadership. But, as is often the case, results are mixed. The discouraging news is that we were denied permission once again to hold a fund-raiser golf match at NAS Oceana in May to benefit the Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship Fund.
On the other hand, we have received positive signals from Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig and members of Congress who feel it is time to move on. The following is a thumbnail sketch of progress to date and where we stand in mid-May:
Tailhook president CAPT Lonny McClung and I are standing by to meet with ADM Johnson. We hope this happens before this article goes to press.
I am guardedly optimistic at this point that we will have a positive change in our relationship with the Navy before we meet again in August at Tailhook ’99. Barrett Tillman, a frequent contributor to The Hook, recently wrote an interesting observation, noting that the Pearl Harbor attack occurred in 1941, and by 1949 we were on friendly terms with Japan, Italy and Germany. The so-called Tailhook incident occurred in 1991 — and it’s now 1999. The time is right!
Courageous Actions
Let me point out that Sen. Warner performed a particularly noteworthy, politically courageous act by taking such a strong public stance on reconciliation. Here’s an excerpt from a recent thank-you letter to Sen. Warner from ADM Leighton “Snuffy” Smith that is right on the mark:
“Thank you, sir, for your straightforward and courageous position in advocating official recognition of the Tailhook Association by Navy leadership. . . . [Your] letter has gotten a huge exposure and has been received with an abundance of praise for your position. . . . Thank you, sir, for expressing such unvarnished support for our profession and an Association that can represent it proudly.”
More Courageous Action
I have to tell you about our current “D.C. Team.” Key members are RADM “Bad Fred” Lewis (board member), CAPT Lou Kriser (VP for legislative affairs) and Carl Smith (general counsel). In addition, we have received strong and timely support from the “12 stars” — ADMs Snuffy Smith, Stan Arthur and Jerry Johnson. Add to that stalwart group VADM Richard C. “Sweet Pea” Allen, president of ANA. Calling out these noteworthy supporters is not meant to exclude other board members and officers who continue to support our Association in so many wonderful ways. Nor, of course, does it exclude executive director CAPT J.R. Davis and the rest of our great team at our headquarters.
Lonny and I want to thank each of you from the bottom of our hearts for your continuing support and flat outstanding performance as we attempt to work our way out of the minefield we have been in. I ask our members to give each of these folks a pat on the back the next time you see them.
Readiness and Retention
I last raised the issues of readiness and retention in the Fall ’97 issue, and it’s appropriate to review progress since then. The military budget shortfalls continue, and our military leaders are forced to manage in an extremely difficult environment, to say the least. It seems as if we have to borrow from Peter to pay Paul.
But late in September 1998 the Joint Chiefs testified in Congress that we indeed had a readiness situation that was a lot less than desirable (my words). Secretary of Defense Cohen stated that he had requested the Joint Chiefs not to complain publicly about budget shortages. The current conflict in Kosovo, where our Tailhookers are performing so admirably, is bound to add additional stress to the readiness situation. In fact, I am concerned that our potential adversaries are observing the situation and planning their next moves as we speak.
We had to admit we have a problem before we could proceed to fix it. There are a lot of things we need that money can buy. You know the facts as well as I. Certainly we need more spare parts. Funds are also needed to address certain personnel issues, some of which we have outlined before. Congressional leaders are now aware of the problems, and fixes are promised. I hope they can and will do it right!
The retention situation is obviously interrelated with readiness and, frankly, I’m not sure where we are right now. I know for sure that the Air Board is aware of what we need and continues to work the problem. VADM Mike Bowman is in the lead, with VADM Joe Mobley, LGEN Fred McCorkle and RADMs John Nathman, Mike Bucchi, Tim Beard, Steve Keith, Frank Dirren and Craig Steidle. VADM John Lockard, a recent member of the Air Board, has been a positive part of the solution as well.
I would advise junior officers to study and weigh your options very carefully. I know the airlines are hiring, and for some that may be an attractive career option. In the Fall ’97 issue, VADM John “Maz” Mazach gave you a list of about 10 positive things to consider when making your decision to stay the course. I recommend that you go back and reread that article. If you need a copy, call our headquarters and J.R. or Steve Millikin will send you one. We continue to need outstanding leaders to command our squadrons. It could be you!
Warrior Spirit
I want now to piggyback RADM Mike “Carlos” Johnson’s article regarding the warrior spirit and the performance of our current crop of active-duty Tailhookers in combat (Page 12). I suppose some take comfort in believing their generation was the last of the truly courageous Naval Aviators, but frankly I just can’t buy that. Here’s a recent quote from a JO (a member of Tailhook and the son of a Tailhooker) flying combat missions from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) over the former Yugoslavia:
“We had the greatest Alfa strike of all time. Launched the entire air wing and crushed an airfield. I was the last aircraft over the target, so I got to see the whole thing. You will know which one when you see CNN tonight. The greatest flight of my life! I shacked two LGBs into a hangar. . . . It is awesome what we can do if we’re given the right targets and the opportunity. The other guys dropped Rocks [Rockeyes] and shot HARM. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever been part of. The only thing I need to make my career in the Navy complete is to bag a MiG. Might be a little much to ask. Life is good.”
You folks be the judge! Keep charging, safely.