Guest Speaker - Col. John Berkley, USMC

by Mel Locke, GPS PAO

The latest look at Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles (UCAV) was provided by a representative of Northrop Grumman, Col. John Berkley, a 29 year veteran Marine Corps pilot, to the Association of Naval Aviation Grampaw Pettibone Squadron. John is the manager of the F-35, Joint Strike Fighter Product Development program.

An organizational chart was shown with the following areas of responsibility: electronic systems, information technology, mission systems, integrated systems, Newport News, ships systems and space technology. In these seven areas of production 26 billion dollars has been budgeted through 2010.

Integrated systems cover tactical aircraft, long range aircraft, unmanned combat air vehicles and airborne early warning systems.

Film clips were shown of the UCAV- Global Hawk, Pegasus, Fire Scout, and the Rotocraft. Global Hawk has a radius of 5400 miles. It has flown non-stop from California to Australia. During Iraqi Freedom, 55 percent of the prime targets were identified by Global Hawk and we destroyed 40 percent of the Iraqi armored vehicles. The Global Hawk uses a conventional runway for takeoffs and landings.

Pegasus was designed and produced for the Navy and the Air Force. The primary mission is surveillance and support. Pegasus also takes off and lands on a conventional runway. The silhouette of the Pegasus appears like a mini B-2 Spirit Stealth bomber.
UCAV Fire Scout was designed and manufactured for the Navy and Air Force. It makes vertical takeoffs and landings. Over 100 flights have been made to date. Its weight is 2,650 pounds with a payload of 300 pounds. Radius is 150 nautical miles with an endurance of five hours.

The Unmanned Combat Air Rotocraft was designed for the U.S. Army. Primary mission is for reconnaissance and support. Two additional Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles will become available by the year 2010. The names of these air vehicles are Target and Watch Keeper.

All Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles designed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman are described as "Connecting seekers with shooters, in a combat network."

I am the new Ops Officer with a hard act to follow. The immediate three predecessors – Danny Musselman, Jim Menees, and Bud Kretsinger – have always managed to arrange for excellent military and industrial speakers as well as arranging terrific field trips. I hope to meet their standards – at least I will give it the "Ole College Try".

This months speaker, compliments of Danny, is CAPT Larry "Hoss" Pearson, a former Blue Angel Leader and currently heading up a company providing Aggressor Aircraft(A-4's & F-5's) Services and Flight Training to worldwide military units. Bud Kretsinger had previously arranged to have ADM Mike Malone, COMNAVAIRPAC "Air Boss" speak to us in February.

Other future speaking topics include "The Future E2C", "Aircraft Archeology", "Helicopter Operations in Iraq", and "Reminisces of a WWII Naval Ace".

It has been three years since we have had a field trip aboard an aircraft carrier. With the carriers back to a more normal rotational cycle following their intensified and extended support tours of the Afghanistan and Iraq actions, it is hoped that such a field trip can be arranged for in the near future.

Andy, GPS OPS

Let me start my first "From the Skipper" column by saying it is a great privilege and honor to serve as your Commanding Officer.

The New Year has begun! I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Next, I wish the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron (GPS) a great year, but, it takes more than wishing to keep GPS a continuing success. It requires dedication and hard work by many volunteers. Some of our volunteers have given of their time and treasure for many years and I extend to them our heartfelt thanks for a job "WELL DONE". Yes, the New Year has begun and GPS has three new officers: myself, Mel Locke as XO, and Andy Gilcrest as OPS O. This Squadron is your Squadron! We three new officers are only the stewards. Our mission is to maintain and improve the Squadron we received on 1 January, 2004. Frankly, to carry out our mission, we need the support and help of every Squadron member.

What can you do to help us build the Squadron? Volunteer your time and help with the many tasks that make this THE GREATEST ANA SQUADRON. Believe me; it will make you feel good to be part of the GPS team. Try it! If you wish to volunteer please see Mel Locke, your XO and he will find a job for you. If you have ideas for speakers or trips or tours, please, see Andy Gilcrest your OPS O. If you have complaints, please, see me, your CO.

It is imperative to recruit new members to maintain a vital Squadron. Thus, we want each of you to recruit new members. Please, throughout the year make every attempt to bring new members into the Squadron. The war on terror continues, and will continue. Thus, I am sure that many people you contact daily are very interested in the military, particularly the Spearhead, the US Navy and US Marine Corps. Become recruiters.

I want to thank Bud Kretsinger for turning over to me a Squadron that is in excellent condition. Hear! Hear! Bud, WELL DONE! Also, I congratulate the new and most deserving GPS Fellows: Tim Brown, Dr. Bob Helton, Jack Hindes and Ray LeCompte. We thank you for your excellent service to the Squadron.
Remember Gentlemen! Help your Squadron. Jim Menees