Tailhook — the word has a special meaning to the people of the United States Navy. Of course, it has an especially significant meaning to all those men and women who have operated or supported the aircraft that are launched from and recover on board our nation’s aircraft carriers. It has special meaning to all active-duty and retired military, our industrial partners and to the Tailhook Association. The device extends from the undercarriage of an aircraft, engages (or hooks) one of the crossdeck pendants (wire cables) stretched across the landing area on the flight deck and safely brings the aircraft to a dramatic and exciting full stop landing aboard the world’s mightiest warships.
Aircraft carriers conduct operations around the globe, around-the-clock, in all-weather conditions, supporting and defending our national interests whenever and wherever they are called upon to do so. Missions include power projection from the sea against potential land-based or sea-based enemies, protection of international air and sea lines of communication, protection of U.S. forces and people ashore, freedom of navigation in international waters, peacetime presence and humanitarian relief efforts.
Annually, the Tailhook Association convenes a convention, symposium and reunion — called Hook — for the membership, men and women, and our guests. In the last issue of The Hook magazine, our chairman of the board of directors reviewed many of the successes of Hook ’09. I second his comments about the positive outcomes that occur at each of our Hook programs, and I add some additional comments. I believe it important to review the charter of this great organization … “a fraternal, nonprofit organization internationally recognized as the premier supporter of the aircraft carrier and other sea-based aviation, whose purposes are to foster, encourage, develop, study and support the aircraft carrier, sea-based aircraft, both fixed- and rotary-wing, and aircrews of the United States of America; and to educate and inform the public in the appropriate role of the aircraft carrier and carrier aviation in the nation’s defense system.”
Those who attend Hook conventions know what great events they are. This past year we saw numbers and participation that rivaled any of our previous years. The official symposium program has been expanded to cover a wide range of topics that impact Tailhook Aviation. The corporate participation, without which we could not possibly hold the convention, is top-notch and is something that adds significant value to the education of current and future leaders. Equally important is the attendance of our active-duty Naval Aviation service men and women. The active-duty participants span the rank and file of Naval Aviation, from the large number of senior Tailhook leaders to our junior officers still in flight school, men and women, all who understand they bear the burden of our professional reputation, and they do so with great dignity. Our men and women are responsible for each other and to our military service.
It is also important to note that the Hook is a respectful, rewarding and enjoyable event for all. The large number of husbands, wives and children of Tailhook Naval Aviators who are seen mingling on the convention floor and in the symposia prove this. Hook is truly a professional experience for all those who attend, an event that is the envy of every other warfare community.
Hook isn’t only about the reunion. The Tailhook Association continues to be a socially conscience and responsible organization, as evidenced through the Tailhook Education Foundation (TEF) and our school outreach programs. In the last three years, TEF has provided 199 scholarships to college-age students. Those scholarships provided $475,000 to eligible and deserving recipients, and we currently have $1,200,000 in our scholarship portfolio that will continue to provide scholarships to eligible sons, daughters and grandchildren year in and year out. This is a great achievement, which is the result of many who believe in what the Tailhook Association is about and want to help the organization continue to have a positive effect on the youth of this great nation.
And finally, Hook is about the family we call Tailhook Naval Aviation. The Hook magazine tells the story, but the convention rekindles the spirit. Each and every year more than 3,000 of our 11,000 members — men and women, warriors, civilians, active duty and retirees — make their way to Hook to reunite with ship and squadronmates. We attend to learn what is the latest and greatest regarding the carrier fleet. We attend to meet and talk to the leadership of Naval Aviation and the corporate sponsors who build the best carrier-based Naval air force the world has ever seen. Hook is an integral part of Naval Aviation and invaluable to keeping our Navy and this nation strong.
I am a proud lifetime member of the Tailhook Association. We are a tremendously proud organization. I ask you to join me in telling our great story, for it is a true story of success that has been earned through the hard work of Tailhookers past and present, whose unfailing devotion to this organization continue to keep it vibrant. It is an amazing story of success, one we need to be proud to tell. It is up to us, Tailhookers — let’s work together to keep up our knots and stay on the positive side of the power curve.