For Aviation ratings, their families and friends
Location: USS Neverdock
Members: 81
Latest Activity: Sep 20, 2019
Started by Glenn Jones. Last reply by George M. Klaes Sep 30, 2013. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Hans Larsen. Last reply by NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza Jul 14, 2013. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Started by Scott. Last reply by Robert Jan 31, 2012. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Comment
Navy Honors F/A-18 for 35 Years of Distinction...
Story Number: NNS131209-17Release Date: 12/9/2013 9:52:00 PM
From Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft Public Affairs Office
NAVAL AIR STATION PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) -- The F/A-18 Hornet community celebrated the 35th anniversary of the aircraft's first flight during a ceremony Dec. 9 in the Rear Adm. William A. Moffett building atrium at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.
Sponsored by the F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265), the celebration highlighted the accomplishments and continued impact of the U.S. Navy's longest running tactical aircraft program.
"The F/A-18 and EA-18G program continues to thrive, it is by far the predominant tactical force for naval aviation," said Capt. Frank Morley, PMA-265 program manager, "and it will continue to be for many years to come."
Originally designed to replace the F-4 Phantom and the A-7 Corsair II, the F/A-18 Hornet took its first flight Nov. 18, 1978. Today, the F/A-18 platform, including the Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler, operate in 44 Navy and 11 Marine Corps Strike Fighter and Electronic Attack Squadrons worldwide.
Since its maiden voyage 35 years ago, the F/A-18 family of aircraft has flown 8,692,167 flight hours averaging nearly 250,000 flights hours per year since the historic journey.
"The success of this program rests on the shoulders of many that have come before us, and many that have spent a lifetime supporting this program," Morley said during the ceremony.
The ceremony's keynote speaker, retired Vice Adm. Jeffrey A. Wieringa, shared a number of "sea" stories based on his experience as a past program manager (April 2000 to May 2003).
"I became a naval aviator in 1977 - just one year before the Hornet entered into service," said Wieringa. "So, you could say that both the F/A-18 and I earned our wings right about the same time."
Rear Adm. Donald (B.D.) Gaddis, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft Programs (PEO(T)), also shared thoughts about his time as PMA-265's program manager and what he believes has made the F/A-18 and EA-18G program so successful.
"We have always had very, very good leadership inside the Hornet industry team, PMA-265 and in the competencies," said Gaddis. "That successful culture is going to keep us flying as a team until probably 2030 or 2035."
The ceremony was followed by a luncheon and tours of Hangar 201, home of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23. Four static aircraft displays were on exhibition, each representing an iteration of the F/A-18. Boeing also provided guests the opportunity to "fly" the F/A-18 Super Hornet via its mobile simulator.
For more information about the F/A-18 Hornet, Super Hornet and EA-8G Growler, visit the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) website.
Thanks guys! This is what I came up with...
This was the best I could get out of the one existing picture, glare from the reflective tape really gets in the way. But since it was taken on the flight deck at night, we are lucky it turned out at all. I surfed until I found the picture of the actual helicopter in flight during the same deployment. You can't make out his name without a magnifying glass , but we know it's there :)
The guy who took the picture is now in Japan, where the squadron was relocated after the last deployment. Our son is currently deployed on the Truman and communication is iffy at best most days. I had to pull this one together without him.
Thanks again for your ideas!
Justamom. Try his friend. It sounds like it was a personally owned
camera so his son's friend may still have the photo. If so you
may be able to have the photo digitally enhanced.
Not sure is this is the correct group for this question but worth a try. My son is air crew for a helo squadron, not a pilot. Last year his quick action averted a possible accident and his squadron had his name and hometown painted on the side of the bird. I only have a grainy picture of him posed beside it. He was never able to coordinate a better picture. He is now with a different squadron and no longer has access. Do you know if the Navy or the squadron takes pictures of this kind of thing? Son said a friend took the one he sent to us from the ship. We are hoping to get a better picture to present to his grandpa, who flew dive bombers in the South Pacific in WWII, for his 90th birthday soon. Thank you!
"We had a visit from our AO Sailor Alyssa and her bff yesterday. They stopped on their way back to Virginia from the bff's home in Ohio."
you can take a ride in a B-17....I have: http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm
WOW! http://www.b17.org/
Fair Winds and Following Seas to your Dad, Brad.
My dad made his "final flight home" today to be with the Lord. Pic was just uploaded. Was a 2nd Lt. in the USAF and got to fly the first fighter jets, the F80 shooting star. Both grandchildren AWR2 Rescue Swimmer Garrett Krygier and 2nd Lt. Marine Valerie Gibson will miss him too!
NavyDads mission is to Provide Support, Encouragement, and Knowledge to Sailors and their Families throughout their Journey together in the United States Navy.
NavyDads can only succeed with your help. We receive no outside funding and every dollar you donate helps us cover operating costs and helps keep this site running.
Posted by Scott Shiley on June 21, 2024 at 8:44am 5 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Michael J Conway on April 18, 2023 at 4:08pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Joseph Hernandez on January 28, 2023 at 11:54am 1 Comment 1 Like
Posted by Philip Steinert on January 2, 2023 at 2:10pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:08pm 2 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by william joseph wolfcale on December 3, 2022 at 4:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Michael J Conway on November 13, 2022 at 9:55pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Posted by Jeff J Sperekas on June 25, 2022 at 7:33pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Posted by Wesley Scott Phillips on January 5, 2022 at 11:37am 3 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by John W Hensman on October 9, 2021 at 4:21pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Posted by John D O'Rourke on September 16, 2021 at 5:58am 2 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Mark F Durovka on March 22, 2021 at 8:46pm 2 Comments 2 Likes
Posted by Thomas ODonnell on January 10, 2021 at 3:00pm 7 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Jim Lisi on December 13, 2020 at 1:21pm 3 Comments 1 Like
Posted by Elliott Peigen on September 7, 2020 at 9:56am 2 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by John Lillyblad on March 18, 2020 at 4:38pm 5 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Fernando Bolano on March 17, 2020 at 2:36pm 3 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Chris Koning on February 9, 2020 at 3:54pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Posted by Mike Cunningham on February 3, 2020 at 2:15pm 1 Comment 0 Likes
Posted by Mike Cunningham on January 15, 2020 at 1:23pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
© 2024 Created by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin.
Powered by
NavyDads.Com is a private web community consisting of Navy Families, Supporters, and Sailors. NavyDads is not affiliated with
the United States Navy and the views expressed here are solely those of our admins / members on NavyDads.Com
© 2020 NavyDads LLC. All rights reserved.
You need to be a member of "Airdales" to add comments!