Welcome Whalers
This is the new “Whale Chat”. It is in the ‘blog’ format. Blog? Oh you know, it’s that buzzword thing on the Internet. They are everywhere. We are going to try it out here as a substitute for the old whale chat page we had. It broke down again and has always been susceptible to hackers and slammers. Basically you can write anything you want. We can organize discussions by categories or topics or not.
So we invite you to leave a message. Simply click on the comment link below and say “Hi”. As we accumulate comments we may begin organizing some topics.
August 24, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Good on you . Glad to see some form of Chat room up and going again.
August 24, 2006 at 7:37 pm
Thanks Sam, We’ll give this baby a test hop and see how it goes.
Al
August 24, 2006 at 7:54 pm
Just checking in!
August 24, 2006 at 9:47 pm
Hope this works. Planning a visit to the USS Midway soon, anxious to see her new “WHALE”.
August 27, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Hi, just checking in. Hope this will keep the unwanted garbage off here. Nice move Al.
August 28, 2006 at 12:12 am
Glad a chat room is being tried again. “Hi All”!!
August 28, 2006 at 8:19 am
Checking in with my new e-mail, ( please change the roster) now that I am married to the girl I met in Sydney in 1963. We reside in the Brisbane area. If you are “Down Under” stop by, beer will be in the “esky”
Warren
August 30, 2006 at 12:37 pm
Great to see a new place to chat… hope the hackers don’t find it too soon. Living the great life… summers in Indianapolis, winters in Pensacola/Houston. Golf in both places.. what more could a whaler ask for!
Bob
August 30, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Roger, where you been? And Bob, I spend my winters and summers in Indianapolis!!
August 31, 2006 at 2:30 am
Looks like a start of something good,did enjoy the old format but willing to try this venue …The Skywarrior staff has my thanks for the effort to find new ways to talk to all WHALERS ..
August 31, 2006 at 4:16 pm
Agree with the rest of the folks. Lets get this in the air and take a couple of laps around the field and see how it works out. Could be a good way to go to keep everyone in the loop.
August 31, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Hey guys! Thanks for the input. I have a question…Is it of interest to you folks to leave this kind of banter posted for ever, eliminate it after a period of time, start some topic categories, i.e. general comments, flight ops, lost whalers, where I am now, etc., as they develop or just let this grow.
I haven’t investigated deeply what all our options are on this sort of format but will be looking into it. Just wanted to find out how this will be used.
One other thing…the “guestbook” gets hammered with hackers from time to time as well. Do you think this could substitute for both the guestbook and whale chat if we had the topics categories so folks could put their comments in the appropriate slot?
Just jump in at any point with your thoughts.
Thanks, Al
September 13, 2006 at 3:23 pm
My father died 10 August 2004 but he would have loved this place! He was an Avionics Chief in RVAH-9 for some years and enjoyed talking about his experiences. Wish I had recorded some.
I have set up a Private, Hidden forum on my website for all those Old Owls from his old squadron but haven’t had much response. Either they are all in here having a good time or they just don’t want to bother with all this newfangled electronic communications. Whatever the reason, it is a loss to the community if they don’t join somewhere and share their experiences with the rest of the community.
In the forum I set up, any member can start a new Topic with a Subject line of his own choice and discussion on that Subject will then be self-contained within the topic. It will last there as long as the forum lasts and I hope that’s a good long time as I also have a Memorium to my father there.
I have posted a link to this site in the forum for the benefit of those few members who have joined and will welcome anyone from here who would like to come take a look, especially if you were ever in the Hoot Owls. I have closed registration to the general public due to spammer problems but will post information on how to join if anyone expresses interest.
Charles M. Vining, Mustang Lt. USN-Ret
P.S. - Dad got the Silver Dollar for my first salute.
September 14, 2006 at 10:58 pm
Al - Suggest you and Staff keep the entries to the site active for thirty days. That should be enough time for everybody to have seen them. After that do a purge to a historical back-up site that can be referenced if someone needs to. Purge the historical site once a year of anything that is over six months old. My computer guru says this will keep the server from getting overloaded.
September 17, 2006 at 1:59 am
I have a subject. “Pappy Pudlin”. He was supposed to be the oldest enlisted in the Navy in 1970. He was the oldest in heavy 10. Who remembers him? How old was he? Did he finally retire, get shipped out to the old sailors home or did he “just fade away”? Who remembers something funny about him, because he was a humorous person? I remember the time in the galley at lunch. He rolled his white hat around and set it beside his plate. The ketsup wouldn’t pour. Well he got it to pour after pounding on the bottom , it flew out past his plate landing all over his white hat. He muttered to himself (like a sailor) all the way back to his barracks. If you remember anything humurous about anyone else, it would be intestering to hear. Don’t forget to wear something RED every friday to show support for the troops in Iraq (It’s a new thing).
October 13, 2006 at 12:51 am
Hey …its great to be aboard!! Nice to have a good place to chat and spin a tale or two. For your info I recently searched for and pulled up NAVAL AIR magazines and went into the archives for my time back in 59-62. Saw some familiar faces and read some of OUR stories again. I always loved GRAND PA PETTIBONE and those hair raising accident accounts! Sid Humphreys T/C VAH II ps We had aChief Yeoman who had an arm load of gold stripes . 9 I think!
October 22, 2006 at 1:48 am
Just heard from another old “Whaler”. Hope it was through this site. Did you know aluminum shrinks… I tried on the A3 on the exUSS Lexington at the reunion last year, and do you that it was too “small”; I wonder… When are we going to have another “gathering”? I really enjoyed the one we had in Corpus!
October 31, 2006 at 4:48 am
If anyone is interested there are some Heavy Ten manuals listed on Ebay, keyword: Hatron
November 11, 2006 at 2:30 am
i flew ea3b from 73 to 75 was on ranger when we accidently shot down our helicopter outside of pakistan
November 16, 2006 at 9:43 pm
Heavy 4 Det Bravo patch on eBay, keywords; heavy attack.
Also a Heavy 10 squadron plaque. Cast bronze patch replica on a wooden shield, keywords; VAH 10.
Neither item has a bid at present time, so you might score some memorabilia on the cheap.
For those Whalers that might be looking.
December 10, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Did I dream it or is there something going on at Pensacola in May? Like another reunion? Would like to know. Also who is the people who handle the reunions? Have another squadron who is planning an event and thought I would pass the info on to them. See ya.
December 13, 2006 at 1:45 am
Jerry,
I have it in good faith, from one Santa’s elfs (who is planning this reunion), that he has a big Xmas present in store for all of us WHALERS.
The May weather in Pensacola is just outstanding, especially if you are staying at a hotel on the beach.
World Famous
December 21, 2006 at 1:23 am
Murph - is that you? If so, you dropped off the “world” after we talked once. Drop me a line.
PS - Great idea - Whale Chat
December 27, 2006 at 4:35 pm
Hello out there all you former VAQ-130 det 14,31,&3 members. Let’s hear a greeting back. Let’s get reconnected.
Gordy
December 27, 2006 at 6:02 pm
I’ve been in touch with Gordy Davidson and we’re getting reconnected remembering what it was like to young and full of vinegar and whatever. My e-mail address has changed from that listed in the roster. It is now vkcrown@mac.com.
December 27, 2006 at 6:44 pm
I recently discovered your association and I’m happy to have the opportunity to participate in its activities. I was an AQ and worked on the ASB-1 with VAH 2 in 57-58. Then a 3rd Crew with VAH 6 for a few years.
Today, I build and fly Radio Controlled Models. I am considering the possibility of building an RC A3 if it’s possible. Is there any other RCers out there interested in such a project. The first thing I need is plans for the airframe to scale down to about 1/8th to get the shape for the model. Does any one have an idea where and how I could get such plans?
Bob
January 2, 2007 at 9:51 pm
Lyles –
Yep it’s me. Been in Canada for nearly 25 years. Retired as an AWC out of VP-69 at Whidbey. Have five grandchildren. You still in the Virginia / NC area ?
January 25, 2007 at 10:03 pm
I was just told aboput this site. I flew the last active duty EA-3B on her last flight on the last day of the fiscal year 1991. After flying from Rota to davis Motham…she was in an UP status when I shut her down…it broke my heart. i will be joining this distinguished group and would love to hear from some of my old whale buddies. Good to be back. SLIMBO
February 6, 2007 at 12:01 am
I was in San Diego last month and paid a visit to the ship I served my ships company tour, USS Midway (Asst Nav & Senior Watch Officer UW 64-66). They now have a restored Whale on the flight deck and the ship as a museum is drawing crowds above expectations. Unfortunately, the A3 is absent the Heavy 10 Viking sword!
February 6, 2007 at 7:25 pm
hey everyone!
howz it going? just visited the site , (first time in a long time) Hey Swish looking good in your POLO ha ha . Have you guys heard about the a# that hit the pentagon on 911.. i started laughing so hard, especially the shot of the “A3 Tire…. i sure never saw a tire like that. now someone said it was an Airforce A3,,, it could possibly be a B66… any way it was good for a laugh (search for a3 sounds and youll come across a few conspirisy articles. looks as if i have to go back to the Midway last time aboard there wasn’t a whale … ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE ONE! well take it easy everyonehave a great reunion…. oh can you beleive about Nowack… here I was telling everyone “Hey I knew her…. and now evdryone is saying “Hey didnt you know her.. lol life is craaaazy!
February 10, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Visited the USS Midway Museum last month, was a great trip. Was fortunate enough to find a tour guide “Greg” who allowed me to open the lower hatch and go up in the cockpit area. Interior needs a lot of restoration but I assume that won’t get done as it is not open to the public. Aircraft looked great with a couple of exceptions, the main gear doors were drooping down due to lack of system pressure and the nose wheel strut was also collapsed for same reason. There was no way I could have laid on my back and kicked in a drag chute like the old days. Hopefully they will find a way to correct the problem!!! Again great trip and a nice museum.
February 14, 2007 at 1:43 am
Reading rogers message brought back old memories. I spent alot of time as a plane captan working on the whales,1967-71 I know he’s for real because if you never worked on one you wouldn’t know about laying on your back to close the drag chute doors. How about packing those dogs?Fished a couple out of the water at Nas Alemeda. Good days, good memories.
February 16, 2007 at 6:39 am
In answer to Richard Myers question about Pappy Pudlin, He is now guarding the Whales in the sky. I returned to Whidbey in 1976 and he was out of the Navy. He spent his time that I know of around the Fleet Reserve and around town on Pioneer Way. He was the same old Pappy. He was one individual that all should meet. I sure won’t ever forget that little “feller”. Quite an individual. Larry
February 19, 2007 at 2:46 am
Hey Juice !!!! Where the heck have you been????? Email me!!!! Mark.S.Schneider@Kodak.Com
You have a very special Anniversary coming up this year!!!!! Say Hi to the boss…oh and Sarge too!!!
February 26, 2007 at 12:55 am
From my log book. First AJ-2 flight as B/N: 2 March 1957 (Pinpoint at Lake George); First A3D-2 flight: 15 April 1957 (RBS at JAX). Both highly memorable occasions occurred almost 50 years ago, and they seem like the day before yesterday! Something to ponder. Best wishes.
February 26, 2007 at 5:11 pm
Roger Eidenschink, really would have liked to stay on board with you guys, but wound up having four surgeries, over three years, on my ear and then got grounded. I bet it really torqued you guys to have to go to Australia before coming home. By the way, who was the crew that went in the drink, glad everyone got out ok.
February 28, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Jonesy,
Good to hear from you. The stop in Sydney was great. John Houch and I pulled liberty together so you know that event isn’t printable Ha Ha. The crew that went in the drink was Ltjg Whitlow, Lt Metzger and Ltjg Wraneshay.
March 3, 2007 at 3:12 am
Juice,
Saw that you typed a few comments on the A-3 web site…good to hear from you! I was just relaying to a former Air Force Colonel of our “Around the World” adventure in (2) A-3’s from VQ-2 as we caught up to our ship, the USS Eisenhower (CV-69). That was a great trip with some awesome sailors manning and maintaining a great aircraft over many oceans.
Today we ran systems and engines on the F-35 and will be flying her on Monday. A really versatile aircraft for all of the services (kind of like the A-3) Still having a lot of fun here in Fort Worth designing and testing good products for our military. You need to stop in some day and let me take you around our facility.
Hope to see you and some other Whalers at the A-3 reunion in Pensacola.
Take Care, Swish
March 7, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Anyone squeezed off a few photos of the A3 on the Midway Museum?
March 7, 2007 at 6:41 pm
Just joined the A3 Assoc. Looking forward to the A-3 Beach Det. Reunion in Pensacola, Fla May 18-20, 2007.
Years have gone by, but you never forget good days, good times, old friends.
Could not have asked for better men to have served with.
April 30, 2007 at 9:11 pm
WOW Swish, talk about memories! that round the world was a blast!!! i am going to try and make the reunion this year, My son is down in Mayport going through H60 FRS, he just completed Rescue Swimmer/ AW (AW said very quietly) and he just got out of SERE. Hey do you happen to know where they sell the A-3 tie pins, I had about six of them but the wings kept breaking off. i need to replenish my collection.
May 13, 2007 at 12:29 am
Just located the WHALE site. Its been a long time gone, but the WHALE will always be in our souls. Can’t make the reunion but hope you will post photos after the fact. Is Juice, the Juice from Mugu? Any idea where Jim Deal, Jim Henderson or Dennis Stogsdale (sp?) are?? Historic Aviation catalog had two volumes on the A-3. Excellent reading. Looking for some good photos of DaNang, Guam and Whales in flight I can download and print. Now living in Orange, CA. E-mail is a3bulldog@earthlink.net. Take care and Fair Winds. . . . .
May 15, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Friday May 18th is almost here. Boarding at 0700 at Dallas/
Ft. Worth Airport and arriving in Pensacola at 01030. Looking foward to the 3rd (Whale) Reunion. Got my Sea Bag packed. Arriving with some old memories and leaving with great new memories.
Was in VAH-4 Det Golf, VAH-10 and VAQ-133 from 1965 to 1969.
The Reunion Rooster shows 108 are coming. See you in Florida…
May 22, 2007 at 6:41 am
I just got back to this site and thanks to Larry Irvin now I know what happened to Pappy Pudlin. Larry Irvin never said when Pappy faded away, or how old he was when he went. I arrived at Whidby in 10/68, spent the appropriate time training with 123. Then to Heavy 10 where I was incharge of all ground support equipment until March/70, I left on 3/3/70. I rode to SEATAC with Gary Lees who got out the same day. I took the Navy drivers course 3 times and never passed. Once for forgetting my seat belt, once for turning the front tires before proceeding and cutting a corner to short, the other time I don’t remember why. I drove the equipment anyway. I also never had to do duty driver HaHa. The paper test was simple but the road test was all Mickey Mouse. One day I may attend a Heavy 10 reunion, if they have one in the future. If any one remembers me, I signed the guest book it has my E-Mail address. See Ya Richard
May 22, 2007 at 7:47 am
Who remembers the gedunk truck that came around every day in the afternoon. Once a guy hollered down to his friend “get me a Pickled Polish sausage”, the other guy hollered back with the appropriate gesture, not knowing 2 old ladys were waiting embarassingly near by in a car with the windows down,” I got your Pickled Polish sausage”. Who remembers gedunk machine in the Heavy 10 TV room. All one had to do was turn the knob to the desired number and kick it on a spot in the front. Out dropped a small warm can of some type of macaroni product. It didn’t take long before it was removed.
June 1, 2007 at 4:09 pm
Have been looking for some of the old zappers for a while now. I was attached to Vaw-13 and the VAQ-130 1966-1970. Made two West Pac cruises and one to the Med. Went out on The America, the Mighty “O” and the Saratoga. The America was making its first West Pac cruise in 67.
June 12, 2007 at 11:14 am
If any one ever wondered just how “Frosty” Lassen got that nickname, let me know and I’ll tell the whole interesting story…
June 15, 2007 at 12:09 am
Posting this on behalf on my uncle, Richard “Dick” Crishock, who flew with VAP-62 in the 60’s as a photo man. That’s about all I know for sure. Just wondering if anyone remembers him, or would like to contact him. He loves to tell stories of his days flying in the whale. And I love to hear them.
Thanks,
Rich - rich_triumph@yahoo.com
June 15, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Hey, everyone!! My Daddy was a “VH1-Smokin’ Tiger”. We lost him on June 19, 1959….I was 2….but I do remember him in his uniform…..he was very tall, and lanky, 6 foot something, so I remember when he would pick me up I would go “sky high”. I attended a reunion of the USS Independence a few years ago and was treated like royalty. There were men there who still were greatly affected by and remembered my Daddy’s accident. I didn’t ask them many questions, if any at all, about the accident because I could see how traumatized they still are…..I just listened, and hugged them. That was enough for me.
Now that I am 50, a divorced Mommy of 2 and NANA to 3 under the age of 4, I would like to ask a few questions…..not to get technical or anything like that…….I am just haunted by the fact that his body and that of the other gentleman who was killed…..were not recovered. …..Why? What was so horrible that these brave men at the reunion were reduced to sobs?……What happens when a “whale” hits the ocean? Did the ship run over it? One man was rescued—with major injuries and survived. They said my Daddy raised that plane up twice and he almost had it, but just didn’t have enough cat thrust. My older brother, who was 3 yrs at the time of the accident, thinks that our Daddy was attacked by sharks……did he even survive the crash? I just feel I’m old enough now that I can take the answers to these questions…..only if it doesn’t disturb the messenger…..Supposedly they recovered his helmet—-with a hole in it my uncle (his brother) said (when I was in college)…..if that is true, they recovered a helmet, they couldn’t recover a body or bodies? How could they rescue the man sitting behind my Daddy and not recover my Daddy?
…….I know, that is a lot of questions………………I don’t have a computer at home anymore (divorce casualty) so I can only reply at work……..Take care everyone……I hope I didn’t put a damper on anyone’s day…..
Thank you……Melanie
July 22, 2007 at 8:20 pm
I know many of you remember Florencio “Frenchy” Simas who was the company rep from McDonnell Douglas (then just Douglas) Aircraft to the 62 squadron. I just wanted to let you know that his oldest son, my son, passed away on July 9, 2007 of cancer. He was 49 and an electrical engineer like his father. Joe worked for defense firms near Washington, D.C. all of his career.
Son James Simas would like to keep in contact and so would I. Let me know when the next reunion is.
Best wishes,
Laura
September 30, 2007 at 1:07 am
Hi. I was in VAP-61 in 61-62. Dropped out of thirdcrewman school because of bad eyes. For the gent thinking of building a RC MODEL of an A3-D; there is a software program around (try modelling mags) which will take the original contours and change them for modelling use. As far as spars and wing ribs, I guess you could get plans for something similar and use them for guides. FREDDIE FLITTER died a couple of years ago in GA from a massive heart attack at work. He had changed his name to Fred Adams. Bob KNOTTS, PHCM, RET, PHX, AZ.
October 3, 2007 at 8:02 pm
just found this site i was c/n VAH-2 1963-1966 crew 5 lcdr r.r. vaughn, lt. r. toft
would like to e-mail vaughn’s family have some great memories of their father
is there a better way to lookup other flight crews from that cruise??
please help a new bee
david
October 8, 2007 at 5:10 am
Yes, I’m still above ground and glad to be. If Gary Lees reads this send me a howdy. My current e-mail is in the guest book. HATRON TEN 1968/1970
October 11, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Dave - I’m happy to see your name here. I hope all is well with you. It has been so long. I’m in northern California, I don’t know where you are but it would be great to sit and catch up. BTW you can join this site and all the members email, snail mail and contact information will be available to you via the secure link. Capt. Denny Bird from my VAQ 131 day’s is here for a shor visit on his way back to VA.
Here’s looking to catach up with you Dave.
Nick
October 29, 2007 at 8:48 pm
We just want to let the association members know that Gene Ballou is in Hope Hospice, Cape Coral, FL; he’s been battling cancer for some time now, had a new tumor develop since the A-3 reunion in Pensacola in May this year.
Bill Barnes is with him now and will stay with him for as long as necessary. Ray is going to Cape Coral on Wednesday for a few days - he and Gene go “way, way” back.
Please remember him in your prayers - that he not suffer.
Will keep you updated as we get new information.
Ray and Linda Landrum
October 30, 2007 at 3:35 am
Hey Master Chief,
Does anyone know anything about or heard anything on Chief Kenoyer. I was in VAQ-33 from 1981 till 1984.
November 3, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Last I heard, he was living in Arizona working on the AF base, Apache Helicopter repairs. Havent’ heard anything in over 10 years.
November 6, 2007 at 5:50 am
Ray,
You got me into the A-3 as a crewchief in the early 80s in VAQ-33. I flew to Barksdale with you in the TA-3 for Christmas vacation. You went to TX and I caught a bus to ARk.
That was when I found out an enlisted sailor could fly as an Aircrewman on A-3’s. That was the start of the best part of my 20 years in the Navy. Thanks.
David Harrison
Pensacola, Fl
November 6, 2007 at 5:58 am
Rob Shupe,
Can’t believe I have ran into your name here. I am retired in Pcola Fl the last 7 yrs. Drop me a line. BTW I worked with you, Kevin Hawn, Jim Cusick, Bob Blanton and “Blue” , Percy ect. Rick Miller ect. ect…. Take care.
David Harrison AMSC / A3 crewchief.
November 11, 2007 at 3:02 am
Hi!
Firstly, can I say what a great website.
Now, I apologise for raising this here but…. the claims that the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon was carried out by a “remotely controlled” A-3.
As a community of people who have extensive experience with this type, could I ask your opinions on this “theory”? I know some people will respond with a well-chosen expletive, but I’d ask you to refrain from this. Explain - as experts in this type - why it is not correct… or why it may be correct.
I’d ask permission to quote any replies on this website, where I am trying to refute such claims:
http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=11498&view=findpost&p=126923
Thanks for your time, and for keeping the memory (and associated data) of this venerable airframe alive.
Cheers from a rotorhead.
November 12, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Just passing through …needed a3dskywarrior website for link …
The best to all who served ..had a nice service up here in vermont on vets days by barton and orleans American legion post ..
1960–1964 ATN2… VAH-9.Hoot Owls ,CAG-3, and Saratoga CVA-60
hoot hoot
November 20, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I have found a few of you, but I’m still looking for “My Guys” from VAQ/VAK-308. Specifically from 78-82. Email me PLEASE!
kmathis45@aol.com
November 28, 2007 at 12:58 pm
12/3/2007 issue of Air Force Times has an article about the transfer of three TA-3s to the Lebanese Air Force. This is an air force that has no operational fix-wing warplanes. My first question, are they talking about the trainer version of the A-3, and if so, what in the world would the Lebanonese want these, or what are the intent on doing with them? Can anyone confirm this information. The article gives no details on the aircraft type.
November 28, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Ken,
Regarding the above reference…This is the second report we’ve heard about that the Lebanese Air Force is seeking to revive an A-3 version.
There was also a posting on 11/12/07 16:15, DefenseNews.com by By Riad Kahwaji.
We have tried to get some confirmation but so far nothing. Here is that article copied below.
Frankly, it seems a stretch to think it might come to pass, but it does merit following to see what happens.
*********
Beirut - Lebanese and American military officials may skirt policy
restrictions to provide the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) with old
trainers and close-air-support helicopters, according to officials on both sides.
“For some reason, U.S. policy does not permit providing Lebanon with
offensive weapons, especially air power,” said a senior Lebanese
military official. “But there is no problem with providing Lebanon
with trainers, and hence we have decided to go for this option as a start.”
The LAF, which relies on aid from the United States and other
nations, cannot seek new and advanced trainers on its limited budget.
An official at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut confirmed that of the few
options considered, the best available trainer was the TA-3 Skywarrior.
“About three TA-3 trainers would likely be made available to Lebanon
in the near future, but we don’t really know when,” said the U.S.
official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to
give an interview. “We might be able to send another two or three
TA-3s later on but cannot be sure at this stage.”
Another official at the U.S. State Department confirmed the possible
TA-3 transfer to Lebanon and said this would be a modest but helpful
start for Lebanon’s air capabilities.
The LAF has no operational fixed-wing warplanes. Its five remaining
Hawker Hunter jets are too old, and parts have been hard to locate.
“We need cartridges for the ejection seats before we can send the
Hunters back in the air,” said the official. “We have looked just
about everywhere, but with no luck.”
Another 11 Mirage-3 jets have been grounded since the late 1970s.
The LAF official said the presence of warplanes is important for the
morale of the troops and would give the military an edge against the
other militias in the country.
“We know the Hunters are old and we know the TA-3 is old, but for us
it would be better than nothing,” he said. “Besides, the trainers
would be given to the LAF more or less for free.”
The TA-3 was a U.S. tri-service large trainer that could also drop
bombs.
“So long as the trainer we will get can carry bombs and attack
ground targets, we will be very happy with it,” the LAF official said.
“We hope this would be the first step before the U.S. is ready to supply us with F-16s.”
However, another Lebanese military official said the LAF command was
still reviewing available options with the Americans.
“In addition to the TA-3, we are talking about other models, like
the TA-4J Skyhawk,” he said.
Some analysts believe that giving the LAF trainers that are too old,
like the TA-3 and TA-4, would be a bad idea.
“The U.S. and other countries that are interested in helping the
Lebanese military should provide it with equipment that is not
obsolete,” said Qassem Jaafar, a Middle East defense analyst.
“Besides, the LAF will face the problem of finding spare parts,
[which] it is already facing with most of its old hardware.”
The LAF had converted some of its UH-1H utility helicopters into
bombers and used them in August to blast positions of the
al-Qaida-affiliated Fatah Al-Islam terrorists in the Nahr Al-Bared
Palestinian refugee camp in northern Lebanon.
“At the U.S. military, we are now referring to the Lebanese Hueys as
UH-1Bs - and the B stands here for bombers,” the American embassy
official said.
Nizar Abdel Kader, a retired Lebanese Army brigadier general, said,
“Lebanon must have an air force, and the international community must
help it establish one in order to meet all the pending threats facing the country.”
Lebanese and U.S. military officials said talks were under way to
deal with the LAF request for attack helicopters, and the two options
being considered are the AH-1 Cobra and the OH-58 Kiowa.
“The Cobra is the LAF first choice but might face an obstacle with
existing policy restriction because it is designated as an attack
helicopter,” the U.S. Embassy official said. “The Kiowa, which is
designated primarily as a reconnaissance helicopter with light attack
capabilities, would be easier to pass the current export controls on
Lebanon.”
December 7, 2007 at 11:44 pm
The attached photo shows Ltjg Nickerson, Ens Flynn, and Chief Pariani about to celebrate the 93,000 landing on the USS Midway on June 30, 1961 in VAH-8’s A3 Buno 142242. A faulty fire warning light allowed them the opportunity to be the first recovery, thus cutting out of the pattern the planned trap for CAG.
Sitting on my desk at home* is a name plate awarded to my crew and I by the USS Midway after an inadvertent early landing one evening during cyclic ops in the Pacific off Japan.
*The name plate and photo has been subsequently donated to the Midway Museum at San Diego.
Nick Nickerson
Cdr, USNR (ret)
On 30 June, 1961, I was attached to Heavy Attack Squadron Eight along with Ens R.J. Flynn, and Chief F.P. Pariani while on the USS Midway. We were the crew of an A3B Skywarrior to launch on a night flight with other Air Wing Two aircraft. We were one of the last aircraft to launch on that cycle. The Midway was steaming off Japan and we had flown in from NAS Atsugi earlier that day. Engines spooled up on the Cat, all instruments and controls checked normal, and a salute was given to the Catapult Officer. The steam catapults swiftly accelerated our 30 ton aircraft to 150 knots as we flew off the bow of the Carrier. Safely airborne, gear up, flaps up, then bang! A fire warning light, port engine! Retarded throttle on that engine, but the light stayed on. Called PriFly and advised them of the problem as we continued a gentle climb checking the other related instruments. Past history had shown that periodic false fire warning lights were endemic to the A3, and we were hoping this was the case here. The ship advised they would have a ready deck in ten minutes, and my signal would be “Charlie” at that time. We continued up wind about four minutes, descended to pattern level and headed down wind expecting a clear deck on arrival. At this time, the last cycle before ours was at various altitudes behind the ship, also ready to come aboard. The lead aircraft in that group was piloted by CAG, our Air Wing Commander. He was scheduled to land first. As we turned final behind the ship, we were cleared to come aboard. The fire warning light still glowed. We called the “ball”, continued our approach and made a routine arrestment. The warning light went out as we cleared the wire. As we were shutting down, the Air Boss radioed, “You have just made the Midway’s 93,000th landing.” In the cockpit we were grinning as we shook each other’s hand. As we arrived in the Ready Room, the Squadron Duty Officer advised, “You all made the 93,000th landing, and CAG didn’t.”
H.C. Nickerson
Cdr, USNR Ret.
December 10, 2007 at 2:13 pm
I just sent a check to the “SAVE OUR WHALE” for $138.96. The amount of donation might seem odd to some, but in fact it was my planes BuNo when I was a plane captain (minus the 1). (138961)
It was side #611 in VAH-5 in 1959. She went on her way and was finally retired in 1970.
I think that anyone who donates $ for his BuNo should be noted
beside its listing in the “All A3’s Produced” section.
PLANE CAPTAINS DONATE NOW!!
If not your BuNo, just send in a donation anyway!
Those were the days my friends of_ _ _ _ _ _ _!!
December 11, 2007 at 12:12 am
Great to see you’ve got a new format. I haven’t been on the whalers site for quite a while.
I was in Heavy 10 line div. in ‘63-’64, plane captian with skins; two westpacs, including the first attacks on the north after the “Gulf of Tonkin” incident. I finished my enlistment+four months at VAH 123. Loved Whidbey.
While I was in the catwalk one day, I had to duck a broken arresting gear wire which had already taken several legs off of several guys. Nobody from Heavy 10 but I remember one guy from the ships company, a yellowshirt 1st class AB named Neil Sevitz who lost both legs at mid-thigh but survived. What a tragic cluster! Only the Phantom aircrew died.
By the way, ofbg means “old fat bald guy’, retired after 35 years with the Spokane Fire Dept. Real name is Richard Holschen, grandpa of eight.(love to brag)
December 12, 2007 at 5:57 am
I was attcched to VQ-1(FleetAirReconSquadron-1) , where we had 3 E-A3B’s from 7/7/69 and was also in Da Nang with det Bravo as well as Atsugi Japan and Agana Guam
When I returned to the states in June of 1972, I was assigned to Vaq 130 when I was assigned to support ( I was An E-4 Aviation Electronics Technician)our new pilots on CarQuals and was flown from Norfolk Va Via an E-A3 and landed on the CVN John ,F Kennedy in the North Atlantic Ocean For My final 30 days of my enlistment !
What a career I had ,
I would not want to relive that ,However I WOULD NOT TRADE MY EXPERIENCES FOR ANYTHING
Proud to have found your website ,tonight!
December 25, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I happen to catch the latest National Treasure movie yesterday…and yes there are 2 A3’s in it. In one of the closing scenes they are in a hanger, and clearly you can see 2 of the Raytheon A3’s in the backdrop. Check it out. To my knowledge, the last time an A# was spotted in a movie was Flight of the Intruder. Someone correct me if I’m wrong.
Nick Duerksen
January 20, 2008 at 4:53 pm
ralph walters
I was in VAQ 130 det.3 from 68 to 71 as a plane captain.Wespac on the bonniedick in 70 and the big “O” in1971We had a reunion in vegas last year and have scheduled another one for 09.Lokking for more people. You can contact Dan Britton at d.l.britton@comcast.net.
January 23, 2008 at 4:56 am
WAS IN VAP 62 AND VQ2 IN THE AERO 21B,TAIL DEFENCE RADAR, AND THEN ASB-1,MAPING.WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO MAKE CONTACT WITH MY OLE SHOP CHIEF ATC SWAN,LATER AN LDO AND JOHN STOUT OR STAUD,NOT CLEAR ON THE SPELLINS.FINNALY RETIRED AT 74,TOO YOUNG .ENJOYED THOSE SEVEN YEARS WITH THE A3D,SHE NEVER LOOKED OUTDATED,LOVEY SIGHT.
January 23, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Chuck, drop me a note and I’ll send you the ASB-1A data flow chart.
pcmcnally@hotmail.com
February 7, 2008 at 2:14 am
ASB-1! I was fixing those &%$$% things in VQ-2 after every trap in 1980. I was on a gedunk to Germany and they had the ASB-1 and the ARN-6 (bird-dog) in thier museum of (antique) technology!!
This is the first time I have been on the site since the get-together in Pensacola……when is the next one scheduled??
February 9, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I was with VAH 6 at NAS WHIDBEY….63′..64′..at which time we were transferred to the East Coast and NAS OCEANA…We then Med Cruised with the USS FORRESTAL….
Does anyone kinow how to get a list of who was in a particular squadron..I had one when I got discharged…..But 1st b….wife got rid of everything of mine…then I got rid of her …
For those interested RVAHNAVY.COM is a site for former Whales and Vigilante Squadron members…If that address doesn’t work e mail me and I will get the full addy
February 9, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Ok I’m stoopid….In referance to my last post…
Here’s the site…as I said it for former VAH and RVAH squadrons
http://www.rvahnavy.com/simplemachinesforum/
February 24, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Hello to all my old fellow crewmen from my years at Whidbey. Hope to get to a reunion one of these days. I was a crewman in most of the VAH squadrons between 1959 and 1972. Lots of memories and lots of traps on 27C carriers and others. Flying with students in the RAG was exciting Got a few centurion patches and a few thousand hours. Now living in Barugo Leyte PI in the winter and Oak Harbor in the summer. The SanMiguel is still cold
Charlie Brown (William Brown)
minuswang@yahoo.com
March 24, 2008 at 3:33 am
wondering if any VAH-11 Det 8 guys around… flew with them Aug. 1964 to Dec. 1964 doing Operation Leapfrog… Marklin, Carlisle, Tinlin, Fields were some enlisteds I remember and flew with… Nichols, Werner were Pilots I flew with mostly.
March 27, 2008 at 11:40 am
Flew many of the Leapfrog missions with RM2 Fant. Not many of the ol’ Det 8 guys left. Good to hear from you.
April 13, 2008 at 11:06 am
As I have stated before…I was in VAH 6….63′ 65′
Question:
Before the VAH Squadrons went to the A3s…Was there…or have ANY of you ever heard of a squadron that was called….
HEAVY SIX OUTLAWS..If I read on article online correctly…most all of the “Heavys” flew A2Js? Savages …I do have apage with ALL the VAH/RVAH Squadron Patches…and none have that name…Kinda got me stumped…been through ALL the online patch sites….Any info ..will be grealy appreciated…
April 18, 2008 at 1:39 am
hello my moms husband was a pilot that flew and lost his life with your father and one other pilot on the cvh bonnhome richard 1957 may 14
His Name was joseph hosking please comment back at this email address thanks - char
April 28, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Membership packets of six A3 Skywarrior life members were returned with no forwarding information. I have attempted emailing them and web searches with no success.
Please advise me via email, Hollygreen@A3Skywarrior.com or telephone, 703-266-9137, if you have any information about these members.
Thank you. Frank Cogdell
Robert Kelly, Black Mountain, NC
Terrence O’Brien, Waipahu, HI
David Holmes, Troy, AL
Basil Pugh, Wallace NC
Llyod Richards, Ft. Washington, MD
Herman Lane, Webster Springs, WV
April 28, 2008 at 9:18 pm
Hell-o all you whalers. I hate when i dont come here on a regular basis, I start reading things thats 2 years old..ha ha. Its great to see all the Names here, Master Cheif Landrum… How are you doing? Just talked with Westbrook the other day, he says hello. Andy Barbre How you doing Shipmate Yep Im the one from Mugu, and Evan, Look looking at the “pictures” I have looked at the wheel assemblies they definatley are NOT of an A-3 Version nor an A-3 Bomber version. Its My opinion. Sorry to hear about Gene Ballou even though he and I didnt part on good terms He was a good guy hope he recovers,,,, Billy Barnes…is your anchor on right? Pacman gets pissed over things like that ya know! Hey Ill let yall go for now. Drop me a line ….”WHALE BALL …4.0″ cjutras_1@netzero.com
May 19, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Was wondering if anybody out there was on Det64 looking for my squadron patch, hoseitus non jamitus corny I know but what can I say. Commanding Officer Commander O’der. 1968-1969 out of Whidbey Island. I was originally in Vah-4 to Vah-2 to Vah-10 to combined squadron on Det 64. Remember one birds number 111. Anyway email hrhuckleberry@aol.com.
May 24, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Hi, I keep seeing snippets in the news about the Lebanese Air Force getting three to six TA 3 Jets donated by the US. Does anyone know if tese jets have been delivered ?
May 26, 2008 at 1:52 am
Off the subjest but I just watched National Treasure Two and the mighty A-3 Skywarrior has made it into another movie. If you get the DVD wait untill the end and a pair “real” national treasures show up. I venture to guess that they are Raytheon A-3’s. The best clue I could get was had a side number of 77. I have seen number 77 in other pictures. Seeing them made my night and fully worth the price of buying the DVD. Oh, the movie was pretty good also.
May 27, 2008 at 5:53 am
I was in the Army Security Agency 1967-70. Electronic Warfare Intercept Operator. After a tour of duty on Shemya AFS I was stationed at Ramstein AFB where we were to fly an A-3D out of Rota. I did the high altitude evacuation /ejection, ejection seat and other training at Weisbaden but before I ever flew a mission the aircraft was sent to Shemya (1969) to cover the mission of the A.F. “blackbird” that had crashed. Since I had just spent a year on beautiful Shemya I said “no thanks” and ended up flying C-7A Caribou’s out of Rhein Main instead. I would be interested in hearing from any of the Army guys that actually did the Ramstein-Rota Elint mission…Harold Borland
May 30, 2008 at 1:17 am
On my website I have set up a forum for my dad’s old Squadron, RVAH-9, the Hoot Owls. It is Private and Hidden and you must join the main forum first but, if you knew my father, Chuck Vining, ATCS, I would love for you to join and share any memories you may have of him.
June 8, 2008 at 3:06 pm
The Ash Tray Saga, Part One
Some of the personnel of Heavy Attack Squadron Nine (VAH-9) still have their ash trays from the Med Cruise of 1958. There is an interesting background to these ash trays which has national security implications never before revealed. After 50 years of silence, I have decided to share part of the story.
Upon finally graduating from HATULANT in Sanford as a B/N, I found myself as the junior Ensign in the squadron thus inheriting the special job of managing the coffee mess. Underlining the importance of this task, I was told that in the history of the Navy there were more courtmartials of mess managers than any other activity. I endeavored to do a good job.
The next year was filled with turmoil and uncertainty as the new A3Ds were delivered and the crews got familiarized and certified. Prominent were trips back and forth to the Saratoga for carquals; and for the longer stays the squadron had to furnish support personnel. Soon flying around the clock, I noticed that a lot of coffee was being consumed, and the ship’s brand of coffee seemed to be more popular than the A & P brand that I had been purchasing while back at the base. So my first important innovation was to borrow several foldable metal equipment boxes from the unit Intel folks which happened to be stamped “SECRET” conspicuously, and we took these empty boxes out with us to the ship. That way we were able to bring back some of that good coffee when we returned temporarily back to the base. Although we continued to charge 5 cents for coffee, we declared free coffee periods when the treasury reached 25 dollars.
On 3 January 1958, VAH-9 officially took residence on the mighty Saratoga, and less than a month later we departed Mayport for the Mediterranean. After we arrived at Gibralter on 13 Feb. 1958, I was told to meet with some senior officers for an important discussion. The courtmartial dilemma flashed through my mind; the irony was that I didn’t drink coffee. But no, there were bigger thoughts–more liability, I thought. The prevailing feeling was that the squadron needed ash trays, and the leadership had decided that I should handle that task, hopefully with a lot of flair. That was all; get enough ash trays for the entire squadron–design them, procure them, and pay for them. And, strongly implied, let’s get the job done now. We were now at sea again, heading for Italy, and my head was spinning; why me? The implicit answer was that I had done a whale of a job managing the coffee mess.
Those of you who still have ash trays from that cruise probably still treasure them. I will reveal details in Part Two. Ed Parris
June 9, 2008 at 8:40 pm
The Ash Tray Saga, Part Two
We were looking back to the summer of 1958–50 years ago–when Heavy Attack Squadron Nine was aboard the Saratoga on a nine-month cruise in the Mediterranean. My task was to procure personalized souvenir ash trays for members of our unit. Starting with despair, I eventually accumulated enough information to formulate a plan; the target was to be the Ikaros Pottery Shop in Rhodes, Greece.
Accordingly, the Saratoga set its anchor off the famed harbor of Rhodes on 18 June and I quickly found myself on a shore patrol bicycle pedaling over hill and dale in search of the pottery factory. I had noticed from the air that the island was rather small and reckoned that the shop would not be difficult to locate. Reflecting my depth of thought, I had brought along my checkbook from a Sanford bank should it be necessary to make a good-faith deposit on the very unusual ash trays.
After several hours of riding in the summer heat, I found the pottery works, gave my specifications to the manager, and consummated the deal. Each ash tray was to have the squadron logo painted in the center, with the dates of the cruise on the outside rim. My squadron friend, Jolly Jack, had insisted that the ash tray be able to hold a really big, rotten cigar–the type he was noted for. There was no “hoot hoot;” I left that for Niners who would follow us in time.
The manager insisted on full payment in advance, and I was so happy to have this task off my back I wrote a personal check for $300 for fabrication and delivery of the hand-painted ash trays. Who could have guessed that just a month later US Marines would be landing on the shores of Lebanon and the international crisis would cause the second visit of the Saratoga to Rhodes to be cancelled.
You would find it difficult to believe that I–now a lowly LT (jg)–could have anything to do with the Sara returning to Rhodes at a time of intense crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean. The odds were quite remote, especially because the second carrier in our group had lost one of its two catapults so that the Sara had to perform double duty. However, those of you true salts with real sea duty in your blood will understand that strange things do happen. Thus on 12 August we returned briefly to Rhodes and I was told to hustle ashore and to return as soon as possible with those damn ash trays.
Again, I borrowed a bicycle, dashed out to the factory, and was informed that the 300 ash trays had been delivered, completing our contract. But to whom? Returning to the shore patrol office at the pier, I was told that a large wooden box had been delivered to the far end of the pier and it had been there, unclaimed, for quite a while. Then, apparently a military boat loaded the box aboard and went back out to sea. After further questioning I was told that there was a “spy boat” anchored offshore and they might have the box.
Borrowing a boat and driver, I located the spy boat and as we approached we received an electronic warning to stay away.
Being in uniform, I told the coxswain to continue closing on the anchored ship. Despite repeated warnings, I was soon able to survey the deck area and not far from a receiving ladder I saw the large wooden box I was seeking–my box! We made a quick pass toward the receiving ladder, I grabbed it, and was on the deck of the alien ship in a few seconds. I pointed to the box, told the OOD that my name was on it, and took custody of it. Soon I was back on the Sara with my trophy; nothing succeeds like success!
A month later, the Sara was relieved by the good ship Forrestal at Augusta Bay, in Sicily. Flying through two hurricanes on the way back to affirm the masculinity of RADM George Anderson, we returned to Mayport on 1 October 1958. It was a good cruise, and no one could say that we didn’t leave our mark on history. We have the ash trays to prove it.
June 10, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Post Script
The Ash Tray Saga
I am being asked why I violated international law by boarding a ship with no name, with no flag, in international waters while wearing a uniform of the US Navy. I suppose the alternative would have been to draft an official letter as coffee mess treasurer through my CO, through the Navy chain of command to SecDef asking him to discuss the matter with the heads of CIA and/or NSA. As I said, nothing succeeds like success. It is so sweet!
June 17, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Greatly enjoy the A-3 site. Though faulty vision kept me out of the cockpit, I was a USAF personnel officer 1962–66 and a PACE instructor (nine cruises) 1980–87. I knew many Whalers aboard the Ike, JFK, Independence, and America and thoroughly enjoyed their fellowship.
My last PACE tour, Kalamazoo 1986-7, I heard an A-3 had crashed. AC was supposedly named Carpenter (or was it Calendar?). Pretty sure it was a fellow I had known aboard America. I’d appreciate any detail, and regards…
June 25, 2008 at 1:52 am
Snoopy Markland… post your e mail for me… would love to ‘communicate’ with you… was you, nichols and fields that I made my only ‘night’ flight with…during my A3 days… made hundreds of nighters in P3 orions… still my favorite navy memory flying with you guys!!
June 25, 2008 at 1:55 am
hey, Snoopy…guess it be easier if I posted my e… slinger609@cox.net, and am sure you already figured out the 609 comes from the bird we flew most of the leapfrog missions in…