Flight plan

Wings of Gold, Fall 1999

"As I See It". I learned in the attack world along time ago that it is always harder to hit a moving target so I have tried to not let any grass grow under my feet these last three months. Along with work here at headquarters, I have had the privilege of getting out and visiting our active duty and a few of our ANA squadrons up close and personal in multiple locations. While I remain solid in my belief that the military glass is at least half full, I have seen some of the unfilled portion generated by the strain the operational tempo is having on active duty. I must share with you how proud I am of all of our ANA squadrons and our active duty who are our solid bedrock of freedom.

For over two years, our Italy ANA squadron has been dormant and without leadership. Recently, Mr. Patrizio Ghezzi graciously volunteered his time to assume the duties as CO. He has found others in Italy willing to volunteer as officers in that squadron. Welcome back to our Med Centurion squadron!

The trip to Reno, NV for Tailhook gave my wife and I the opportunity to visit our Sierra Nevada ANA squadron, led by CAPT Ray Alcorn, USN (Ret.). My thanks to Ray and his squadron for a great visit and their booth at Tailhook where we gained 20 new ANA members. Tailhook 99 was professionally executed and well attended by active duty, especially CVW-7. The Tailhook Association is now awaiting a decision from the Navy Department regarding official recognition.

Attended the Patuxent River ANA/SES luncheon with an informative briefing on the AIM-9X Sidewinder program. RADM Rich Maughlin, USN (Ret.), CO of the squadron, maintains a very aggressive ANA program at Pax River. Keep Stroking!

The Air Power Symposium on Capitol Hill generated much debate on varying programs. The key thrust was recognition of the air power contribution to recent events in Kosovo. There was tremendous support for a very robust and effective aviation arm in our national defense posture. The big problem is finding. Recent Congressional Appropriations Committee decision to not fund USAF F-22 production, with return ofthat dilemma to OSD for review, generated much debate with a few frontal attacks by USAF about Naval Aviation. I felt that the Naval Aviation speakers more than held their own with dignity and expression of true contribution of Naval striking power.

At the F- 14 Fighter Fling in Norfolk, Virginia I saw tremendous spirit and comaraderie as they celebrated their recent successess in Bosnia, Persian Gulf and Kosovo operations. The winner of the Precision Strike Award for the year went to SWATSLANT (F14 Weapons and Tactics School at NAS Oceana). The video show at the beginning of the evening highlighting F-14 laser guided bombs (STEEL) on target drew much applause. The community is extremely proud oftheir multi-mission tactical accomplishments and ANA is proud of them. If you want to see spirit, go to the F14 community!

I recently flew with the VP-46 Grey Knights in a P-3C on a flight from Norfolk to Whidbey Island, Washington with an outstanding aircrew. I addressed the VP-46 safety standdown, saw the arrival of their first AIMS production aircraft which puts a stabilized long range optics and forward looking infra-red sensor turret under the nose of the P-3C, witnessed one of the JOs greenlighting his Skipper and wife for dinner in their home (some things just never change), and attended a bit of liberty with a few of their officers. Outstanding spirit and Comaraderie. My thanks to Skipper CDR Bill Moran and his squadron for allowing me to see them in action. They are a superb squadron!

Our Whidbey Island ANA squadron, led by CAPT Rich Porritt, USN (Ret.) hosted a well-attended active duty and ANA luncheon. The VP-30 RAG Weapons Training Unit from Jacksonville, Florida provided a very professional briefing documenting the recent integration of Surface Land Attack Missile (SLAM) on the P-3C with a showing of successful operations in Kosovo. The P-3C community is excited about its enhanced integration into battle group operations in a new role. Being an attack type, I told them it was ok to blow things up. I had great dialogue about the community and ANA with CAPT Andy Anderson, the skipper of VP-30, and with CAPT Tim Norgard, VP-Wing Commander at Whidbey The spirit and aggressiveness of the P-3C community is very evident and I saw professionalism at its finest. Thanks to Rich Porritt and his ANA squadron for hosting a great event and for inviting ANA members from the Flying Beavers, Puget Sound and Olympic ANA squadrons. LCDR George Bickford, USN (Ret.), CO of the Flying Beavers, drove up from Portland, OR to attend the luncheon and CAPT Ken Sanford, USN (Ret.), CO of the Olympic squadron, showed up with a bus filled with 40 ANA members. Great show!

The EW Prowler Symposium at Whidbey, hosted by CAPT John Cryer, USN, EA-613 Wing Commander, was a very professional event. It reviewed the tremendous contributions of the EA-6B community in recent combat operations; the tremendous demands being placed on the community; the need to identify a replacement airframe very soon while retaining ICAP-3 capabilities; and many other programmatic issues. If you want to see another community that is full of energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and spirit, but in heavy demand with over utilization of assets and people requiring great attention, go to the VAQ EW community! Great visit with CAPT Cryer about the community and ANA!