by Barrett Tillman
President Lonny “Eagle” McClung said that Hook ’99 was “beginning to look a lot like it used to — but even better.” Convening at the Nugget in Sparks, Nev., from 19–22 August, the event drew a far larger crowd than any since ’91 with significantly more industry presence. With nearly 850 preregistered attendees and “only” 825 available banquet seats, the prime ingredient in Nevada duplicated that while deployed — minimum space for available assets!
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the first moon landing, Hook ’99 celebrated Naval Aviation in Space. Four astronauts attended, representing every manned program from Gemini to the Space Shuttle, with suitable tribute to Golden Wingers’ disproportionate contribution to space exploration. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of Topgun, which piggybacked with other reunions on the scene that included VA/ VFA-125, VF-82, VF-92, VF-144, VF-151, VAQ-130 Det 1, VS-23 and the Flying Midshipmen.
The annual membership meeting convened at 1600 on Friday with a packed meeting room. Eagle McClung reported on the expanded board of directors and the four individuals elected to three-year terms: LCDR James “Guido” DiMatteo, USNR; CAPT Bud Orr, USN(Ret); CAPT Steve Webb, USN(Ret);and CAPT Rodger Welch, USN. As 80 percent of the voting members had approved a bylaws change that permitted the Board to expand to 15 members, those appointed to fill the two new slots were CDR Sterling Gilliam and CAPT Robert “Brick” Nelson. Eagle read Gilliam’s inspiring message from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in which the new exec of VAQ-141 said “Tailhook is critical to the health and welfare of Naval Aviation.” It was also noted that CVW-8 boasted an “all Tailhook” officer membership in VF-14.
The board reappointed McClung and RADM Tom Brown, USN(Ret), as president and chairman, respectively, thus drawing upon their unexcelled dedication to the Association. Executive director CAPT JR Davis reported on 1998 finances that marked a second consecutive year in the black with another successful year underway.
Membership chairman Bill Cannon reported an increase in active-duty membership, partly offset by a slight drop in civilian members. Additional programs are under consideration, including possible “senior aviator” discounts.
Eagle resumed the podium to report on Association contacts with the Navy Department. He said, “When [Navy] Secretary [Richard] Danzig came aboard, a new window of opportunity opened up” for renewing Navy/Tailhook affiliation. Toward that end, SecNav dispatched an investigative team composed of VADM Mike Bowman (AirPac), Marine LGEN John Rhodes (Combat Development Command) and Carolyn Becraft, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Their task was to observe Hook ’99 events and report to SecNav, presumably clearing the way for a meeting with Association leadership and the secretary later in the year.
McClung took a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of Hook supporters in the D.C. area, including Senators John Warner, R.-Va., and Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R.-Texas, retired VADMs Bill Houser and ANA president Richard “Sweet Pea” Allen, together with ADMs “Snuffy” Smith, Stan Arthur and Jerry Johnson. In late May, McClung and Brown met with the Air Board, including VADM Bowman, with additional inside assistance from Tailhookers Lou Kriser, Fred Lewis and Carl Smith.
RADM Brown next paid tribute to the industrial sponsors before noting that “People is what we’re about — people committed to Naval Aviation, and people with a fanatical devotion and pride of profession of arms.” He emphasized Tailhook’s part in passing on the legacy of carrier airpower to the next generation while remembering ‘the wonderful people we left behind on other seas and shores.’”
Brown noted that more industrial exhibitors were present than at any time in the past eight years: ANA, Air Warrior III, Boeing, Hank Caruso, Check Six Specialtees, Dixieland Band, USS Forrestal (CV-59) Sea, Air and Space Museum, USS Hornet (CVS-12) Museum, ITT Night Vision, Litton Industries, Lockheed Martin (JSF), Motorola, Naval Air Warfare Center, Naval Institute, Newport News Shipbuilding, Northrop Grumman, Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Northwestern Mutual Life, Photo Arts, Raytheon, Red River Rats, R.G. Smith Art, Skyhawk Association, Topgun, Vanguard, VFA-125 and VFC-13.
A Navy Hornet pilot, acknowledging the importance of the SecNav team, stood and delivered the JO perspective. He observed that nonflying jobs, extended deployments and other considerations are valid reasons for poor aviator retention, but insisted the main problem is “the political BS we have to put up with.” He also stressed that JOs are “offended that it’s taken eight years for our distinguished guests to get here.”
Next, a former Spad driver noted that “there are 2,000 Air Medals in this room, and Tailhook has nothing to be ashamed of.” The applause was loud and long.
Friday night’s Bug Roach Mixer was a roaring success. Thanks to CVW-7’s presence at NAS Fallon, the heavy crowd was even heavier as some 350 pilots, NFOs and exchange personnel arrived on scene in green Nomex. Boeing’s Hornet simulator was kept busy as a succession of Tailhookers old and new alternately bagged bandits and trapped (or tried to), with audio effects provided by merciless running commentary from the onlookers. No better example of the bond between tailhooking generations could be found.
Raytheon’s nine-member team was led by Al Steichen, who led off with a strike weapons brief. He described the need for a mix of aviation ordnance to deal with all targets and threats across the VA spectrum: direct attack, stand-off beyond point-defense measures, and outside all likely defenses, including “double digit” SAMs. JSOW, HARM, Maverick, Paveway II and III, and Tactical Tomahawk all are part of the mix to enhance the range and versatility of Naval strike warfare. Of note are JSOW (AGM-154) glide- and powered-range capability (40- to 80-plus n.m.), while HARM’s precision navigation mode is being accomplished with Germany and Italy.
Gil Rud of Boeing’s Pax River office teamed with Ricardo Traven to describe F/A-18E/F operational test evaluation. The F/A-18’s overall fleet record remains exceptional: only four ramp strikes after some 400,000 traps. Meanwhile, the Super Hornet program involves for the first time a truly joint evaluation team with factory and Navy pilots working simultaneously rather than sequentially to complete the test cycle. The presentation involved some eye-watering footage of the E and F’s recovery capability (no AOA limits) after a variety of departures, including inverted spins with asymmetric loads.
Systems engineering manager Ernie Wattam noted that the E/F will boast 59 weapons loads certified when it reaches IOC with VFA-122 late next year. The first Echo deployment is slated for VFA-115 in 2002 with a Tomcat transition squadron deploying in 2003, the centennial of powered flight. Simultaneous engagement of air and ground targeting will be a major feature of the F/A-18F, while tanker and jammer options also are planned for the Super Hornet.
Boeing’s presentation continued with Chip “Big Bird” McNees addressing the Joint Strike Fighter program. The four-service requirement involves USN, USMC, USAF and UK aircraft, each with specific needs in similar airframes. In the Naval services, the JSF will replace the AV-8B and F/A-18C/D, rated at a deck spot of 1.09 based on the current Hornet, but without a folding wing. Units costs are pegged in the $31 to $38 million range, though the Air Force variant may run less. Initial squadron service is expected in 2008. Jack Rose described SLAM-ER and JDAM usage with dramatic strike footage from Yugoslavia.
The Lockheed Martin JSF program brief was presented by Steve Weatherspoon. Teamed with Northrop/Grumman plus Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce, the JSF contender anticipates a production run of 3,002 aircraft, including 609 for the U.S. Navy, 609 VSTOL machines for the Marine Corps and 150 for Britain. The U.S. Air Force buy is pegged at 1,763. Production could begin in 2004 with IOC four years later.
Eagle McClung convened the recognition luncheon as Corky Lenox and Wes Fry described the 1999 scholarship program. New scholarships were announced for C.W. and Marny Gilluly, Wally Schirra, Bob Elder and “Jig Dog” Ramage. One of the 1998 winners, Kim Gall, expressed her gratitude. The Hook editor Steve Millikin proclaimed Margaret Bone the outstanding contributor for the 1998 publishing year for her Marine Corps Harrier coverage. In the shortest acceptance speech on record, Margaret simply but eloquently said, “Ooh-rah.”
Our top recruiter was LT Matt Buckley of VMFAT-101, who signed up 30 members during the past year. In keeping with the Marine Corps connection, Eagle proudly presented a plaque to COL Marv Garrison, USMC(Ret), for his exceptional work as a former board member and the Association’s permanent contact with Leatherneck aviation.
An informal poll of attendees revealed that the longest distance traveled was logged by Fred Lane and his wife Gerry, all the way from Sydney, Australia. As the Royal Australian Navy’s first A-4 CO, his motto is “Skyhawks forever, mate.”
The earliest documented trapper survey was a close-run contest. Bob Mackelwood, who landed aboard Enterprise (CV-6) in February 1941, got the nod while former NAP Bob Kanze was in the running, but lost his logbook when Lexington (CV-2) sank at Coral Sea. Among current aviators, the top bagger present was CAPT Gene “Rockytop” Tucker with 1,274. New members of the Grand Club included CAPT Roy Rogers of NAS Fallon, CDR Zack May and CDR Tom Lang. The Golden Hook award for outstanding corporate support went to LCDR Jim “Max” Gross, USNR, of Lockheed Martin.
The West Coast Hornet RAG demonstrated its mastery of the three Boeing Hornet simulator contests as LT Jamie “Squeaky” Johnson won the “Aces High” event and signed on as our newest member. The Nevada Top Hook “line period” was won by -125 skipper CDR Chuck “Snapper” Wright, and Flight Lieutenant Paul Hoskinson, RAN, captured the “Quick Draw” title with fastest kill on an inbound bandit. As usual, the Bug Roach LSO of the Year Award was presented by the Central Coast Council of Navy League. This year’s top waver is LCDR Jim “Hoagie” Hogan of the VAQ-135 Black Ravens.
Noting that CinCHook maintains operational security, Eagle high-sided two Tailhook stalwarts with surprise Lifetime Achievement awards. RADM Tom Brown and CAPT Wally Schirra were acknowledged for their longtime support of the Association and their willingness to go the extra nautical mile to keep Tailhook vigorous, active and alive. All hands responded with a boisterous standing ovation.
In keeping with the theme of Naval Aviation in Space, CAPT Will Trafton, USN(Ret) reflected on his 1993–’97 tour as NASA associate administrator for space flight. He described the Space Shuttle program, noting that one vehicle costs about as much as a CVN — around $3 billion. Of 1960s design, the four shuttles are upgraded to enhance safety and reliability, and about 150 flights are left in the four “airframes” currently flying. They are expected to remain in service until 2030 or so.
The Navy has always been well represented in NASA, and Trafton noted that every astronaut class has more Golden Wingers than any other source. Nine Space Shuttle crews are in training at any given time, with increasing attention being devoted to plans for the 15-nation international space station. NASA provides $1.5 billion per year to keep 100,000 Russian scientists and technicians working on space programs rather than other and presumably less enlightening pursuits. CAPT Trafton foresaw a need to return to the moon in order to test equipment and procedures for an eventual voyage to Mars. At best, it’s a six-month trip there one way, but could be as much as 18 months depending on cosmic variables such as Mars’ position relative to Earth. In any case, it’s a safe bet that when humans walk on the Red Planet, one of them will be a Tailhooker.
Bob “Sundance” Davis gave the audience a look at current and next-generation carrier developments at Newport News. Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is on track for delivery in 2002, while CVNX is expected in 2012. The latter marks the transition from the perfected Nimitz class to the 21st century design employing sophisticated technology to reduce crew size and increase efficiency. The Carrier Innovation Center adopts a highly unified approach to CV design, with concepts such as electromagnetic catapults and nonrotating radars that are just a few ideas being integrated into prospective carrier designs. Roll-on/roll-off modules will permit fast reconfiguration, with a variety of modules planned for mission-specific tasks.
Tailhookers in space were described by two undisputed authorities: CAPT Jeff “Bones” Ashby and CDR Scott Altman, both veterans of recent Space Shuttle flights. Ashby in fact had barely returned to Earth in STS-93, which he landed in July. Both noted disproportionate Navy participation, with about 30 percent for all astronauts and 45 percent of the leadership positions. Competition is extremely stiff, and Ashby said it’s almost unheard of to be accepted for astronaut training on the first try. With a selection rate of about 1 in 100, Bones opined “Persistence is the name of the game.” During a 10-year NASA flight career, an astronaut might fly four to six times. Against the possibility of additional Shuttle launches, Ashby and Altman received Tailhook shirts from Eagle McClung.
In place of the Air Board, six ship captains or CAGs fielded a variety of questions from active and retired aviators. They were RADMs(Sel) Marty “Streak” Chanik (Enterprise) and J.J. Quinn (Lincoln), together with CAPTs Rich Jascott (CAG-7), Brick Nelson (CAG-3), Craig Weideman (CAG-20) and James “Sandy” Winnefeld (Cleveland). Brick Nelson mused about the irony of former JOs sitting on a senior symposium panel, quipping, “Somehow, we have become them!”
All the ship skippers reported personnel shortages; in one case the yellowshirts used CPOs to make up part of the 12-man deficit among an establishment of 30. Typically carriers have recently deployed 350 to 500 short in ship’s company and 200 to 300 in the air wing. Increased tasking has not eased the burden; for instance, E-2s have been co-opted for antidrug work, and one CO said “Our JOs are gone more than they were before. That hurts retention.”
However, Streak Chanik also noted that sailors still like to deploy. He said that mid-cruise and immediate post-cruise re-enlistments were at or slightly above the 38 percent needed.
Predictably, aviators’ biggest complaints involve too little flight time and ordnance. Basic airmanship issues were widely discussed, and one O-6 reminded JOs, “Don’t forget to fly the airplane first!”
Civilian maintenance contractors, mainly in port, may be part of the answer part of the time.
Addressing retention, a CAG said, “Keep ’em flying and you’ll keep ’em in.” But it’s not easy. Though some FRS instructors are flying more than 100 hours a month, a NAS Lemoore, Calif., pilot said half of the squadrons were unable to enter the annual West Coast bombing derby because they couldn’t field four jets. By one reckoning, only five percent of Hornet pilots have dropped Paveway II or III, though one CAG said “Desert Fox was great for readiness,” and another quipped, “Saddam has some great target ranges.” But home-grown training is increasingly difficult, especially with the continued use of Puerto Rico’s Vieques range in jeopardy. Loss of the ES-3A already is felt in the air wings, and one officer said, “It was a mistake to do away with that asset.” Additionally, few of the aircrew will be able to transition, resulting in loss of experienced personnel and an attendant decline in morale. The Reserves are keeping busy, as CAG Weideman reported that his units spread across six states are in good shape. CVWR-20 squadrons have provided adversary services to the fleet, and VAQ-209 has logged time at Aviano.
There was a consensus that the Navy needs to return to its roots. Some squadrons have resumed the old tradition of dining out. The effect has been completely positive, said one CAG, stressing that such events improve morale. “A lot of our customs and traditions have gone haywire,” he said, adding, “There is nothing wrong with being elite!”
Finally, the inevitable topic of Navy women arose. Enterprise had about 200 women from E-1 to E-5 on the previous cruise, mostly in the air wing. In response to a question from the floor, Streak stated that two became pregnant before deployment and one on cruise. The panelists’ attitude was unanimous: “It only becomes a problem if you let it.” CAG-7 Rich Jascott said, “We can’t recruit enough men, so how do we ignore half the population?” J.J. Quinn spoke for many when he advocated “One standard for all; treat everybody the same way.” Toward that end, Brick said that “Women JGs are assigned to a bunkroom like God meant for JOs to live.” The men and women in the audience cheered their approval.
Saturday night’s banquet was another sellout, with all 825 seats taken. And small wonder: It was a tall order to match the star power of recent speakers such as CAPT Jim Lovell and ADM Sir “Snuffy” Smith, but Wally Schirra packed ’em in. A strong Tailhook supporter, Wally had stepped up to the plate during the start of the comeback at Hook ’93 and delighted this year’s audience with a disarming recitation of his Naval and NASA careers. He noted with pride that his first flight began “while I was still in the hangar,” as his mother had been a wing walker. As the only astronaut to fly Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions, he added to his credentials, which included Korean combat with the Air Force, flight test and fleet operational experience. “Along the way, you learn to depend on your friends,” he said, “and that’s what Naval Aviation is all about. You take care of your friends and they take care of you.”
Tailhooker of the Year honors went to RADM(Sel) Marty Chanik, a life member who drew Eagle McClung’s praise “for sticking with us when it was career-threatening to do so.” As a fighter pilot and carrier skipper, he emphasized the pride of Tailhook aviation and simply stated, “It’s a privilege, honor and pleasure to attend this gathering of eagles.”
Next year’s event (dubbed “Hook 2K”) is tentatively slated for the Nugget from 17 to 20 August, where Tailhook again will accept John Ascuaga’s exceptional hospitality.