We witnessed the passing of one of our great Presidents, Ronald Reagan. He did much work in support of the Armed Forces. He gave back to the citizens a great pride of Country and a strong sense of patriotism.

I thought we had another great meeting. Our speaker MajGen Gallinetti provided a wonderful fact filled brief on his tour in Iraq. The Sailors of the First Quarter from Seal Beach Weapons Station were recognized for their good work. It was a honor to have the Weapons Station Seal Beach Commanding Officer, CAPT Robert W. Fowler, USN present for the awards. It was good to see LtCol Tom Lasser, ANG at the meeting. He now has an office at Los Al. He works for the State Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. We also had as guests Major Grosz, USMC and GySgt Scoby, USMC. They are located at Los Al and provided transportation for General Gallinetti.

As I said earlier, it was a great meeting. Again the GPS staff made me look good. All the work that goes on behind the scenes all month by our many, faithful and competent GPS staffers culminates into the membership meeting. We have them to thank. I thank them for you. As I write this, they are starting to write the OP-Plan, prepare the menu, fold and mail the OP-Plan, gather the names from the reservation call-in system, work with the speaker and his needs and finally on the day of the meeting get to the Elks Club early and prepare it for YOUR enjoyment!

Also, any member of the Squadron has a standing invitation to attend our staff/lunch meeting at 1200 hrs on Thursday, 1 July, at the Navy golf course in Los Alamitos. I look forward to seeing some of you there. See you at the July Meeting.

GPS CO,

Jim Menees

We were most fortunate to have MajGen Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC speak to us on Iraq. His briefing was illustrated with over 100 photos and they along with his remarks gave us some positive balance to counteract the negativism so prevalent in the media. I want to thank Bud Yount for suggesting the speaker and for making the initial contact.

In August, our speaker will be LtCol Dick Ewers, USMC(Ret), former squadron commander and test pilot and currently doing flight test work for NASA. Some of the more interesting projects that he will discuss include work they are doing using F/A_18's to test how they would get the "pilotless" aircraft of the future to fly in formation, air refuel, and in general fit into the national airspace structure. They are also flying an F/A_18 with very special flight controls in it to take advantage of the wing twist for flight control instead of ailerons. Could the Wright Brothers have been right with their wing warp approach 100 plus years ago?

Several of our members attended the opening ceremonies of the Midway Carrier Museum in San Diego. They were impressed with what has already been accomplished in only a few months but report that it will take a few additional months before the viewing public can have access to spaces other than the flight and hangar decks. Delaying a GPS field trip to the fall will allow us to see more, avoid the summer crowds, and enjoy the cooler weather. Stay tuned for further info.

GPS OPS

Andy Gilcrest

Guest Speaker - Major General Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC

By Mel Locke, GPS Executive Officer

JUNE LUNCHEON REPORT

Members and guests of the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron were privileged to hear Major General Jon A. Gallinetti, USMC, speak on "A Tour as Chief of Staff, Combined Joint Task Force Seven, Iraq." He was introduced by former GPS Commanding Officer Marv Garrison, Col USMC (Ret). After an illustrious 30 year career as a naval aviator, General Gallinetti is now serving as the Commander of Marine Air Bases in the Western area. He gave an overview of his tour in Iraq from September 2003 to April 2004.

He noted that Iraq is approximately the size of California with 26 million people. The country of Iraq is bordered on the north by Turkey, on the east by Iran, on the south by Saudi Arabia, and on the west by Syria and Jordon. This results in many borders to patrol.

The Task Force's ground transportation included Humvees and special built SUV's with armor plating and bullet proof windows, which were so thick and heavy the motors would burn out if the windows were lowered and raised. Each SUV cost $185,000. Even with this protection the military is constantly at risk because bombs can be set off by cell phones and garage door openers. Air transportation for the Task Force Team was provided by Blackhawk helicopters. A villa provided housing for officers and trailers were used for troop showering facilities, but despite the setting the sounds were of mortar and gunfire.

The streets of Baghdad were littered with burned out autos destroyed by either car bombs or RPG (rocket propelled grenades.) This was the handiwork of the guerilla groups of Iraq. As a result of mind-washing, self-destructing human bombers become martyrs. It was the General's belief that additional occupational troops will be needed to assist the transition of Iraq in becoming a democratic nation. Security training has been provided by the occupational forces. Iraq lacks security leadership, training, and equipment.

During the Task Force Seven raid on the Al Tabul Mosque, they seized weapons that had been manufactured around the world. Some of the munitions came from Europe and South America.

The speaker referred to the Biblical history of Iraq. Aerial views were shown of cities, palaces and the Iraqi countryside. This also included scenes of the Tigress and Euphrates Rivers. Other scenes were presented of Monsul Airfield, Al Basra Airfield, Star gate Babylon, Amphitheatre, the zoo, market area, Assassins Gate, Al Tabul Mosque, Iraqi Marsh and Habur Gate, at the Turkish border. Sixteen hundred trucks pass through this gate daily.

The people of Iraq own 2 times more vehicles now than before Iraqi Freedom. The economy is starting to move and there is great Iranian influence. Over half of the Iraqi homes have TV dish antennas. The Iraqi currency and coins have been reissued, thereby voiding the currency and coins with the image of Hussein. Agriculture will be very important for the future economy because of the excellent location between two rivers.
At Saddam Hussein's Southern Presidential Palace, four huge hooded helmets are on the rooftop, with the likeness of Hussein. His parade deck is outlined with crossed sabers 35 feet high. Hussein owned 40 opulent palaces and three meals a day were prepared in all palaces because he kept moving for protection. A taste tester was employed to make sure he wasn't poisoned. He described the prior regime as brutal with Saddam's sons more ruthless than the father. In one palace, a Marine Birthday Ball was held November 10, 2003, with 450 guests. The traditional birthday cake was cut with the sword of Saddam Hussein's son.

Iraqi resources include the second largest oil reserves in the world. Oil production is 2.8 million barrels per day. Of this oil supply, 1.7 million barrels are exported daily. During the past year, 250 million U.S. dollars was used for 3,000 schools, 200 newspapers, and 300 hospitals. At present all Iraqi universities and colleges have re-opened. One of the highest priorities of the Iraqi people is the education of their children. There are many humanitarian efforts at present.

At the conclusion of his presentation, General Gallinetti was presented with a gift by GPS Commanding Officer Jim Menees. Members and guests gave the General a well- deserved standing ovation for the outstanding and informative presentation.

CITATION SOQ

For superior performance of duty while serving as Command Investigator for Force Protection Department, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Seal Beach, California from January to March 2004. Petty Officer Diaz performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. He played an integral role in spearheading the complete re-writing of over 50 Force Protection Department Standard Operating Procedures. Coordinated a Mid-Eastern Anti-Terrorism training course through the U.S. Coast Guard that greatly enhanced the situational awareness and real-world threat knowledge base within the department. He vigorously researched and laid the groundwork for a First Class Association by drafting the by-laws and charter membership guidelines, establishing a union of his fellow First Class Petty Officer's that was never present before. His leadership end initiative within the department were key factors in his selection as Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Senior Sailor of the Quarter for the first quarter 2004. Petty Officer Diaz's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected credit upon him ana were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. I take pleasure in commending you for a job "Well Done".

R. W. FOWLER, CAPT. USNR Commanding Officer

Petty Officer Diaz was awarded a $100 check from the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron.


CITATION JSOQ

For superior performance of duty while serving as Patrol Officer and Special Reaction Team member for Force Protection Department, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Seal Beach, California from January to March 2004. Seaman Barr consistently performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner, resulting in his nomination and selection as Junior Sailor of the Quarter for first quarter 2004.

He consistently demonstrated his ability to perform all duties, even those normally assigned to a senior Petty Officer. During this quarter he conducted over 30 traffic violation stops with zero mishaps, and responded to over 50 building alarms in highly restricted areas throughout the station, always keeping safety in mind while conducting a thorough and methodical search of the premises.

His hunger for knowledge was shown by becoming qualified as Patrol Supervisor, a qualification usually not held by someone of his paygrade. Seaman Barr's most recent success was being honored as Force Protection Department's Patrolman of the Month for March 2004. Seaman Barr's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. I take pleasure in commending you for a job "Well Done."

R. W. FOWLER, CAPT, USNR, Commanding Officer Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach

Seaman Barr was awarded a $50 check by the Grampaw Pettibone Squadron and a $50 dinner certificate for the "Crab Cooker Restaurant" give by the restaurant owner, a Squadron member.

ANA CONVENTION

The 29th Annual ANA Convention took place in Washington DC from 9 June through 12 June. The Convention was attended by Gramps members Ray LeCompte representing our CO Jim Menees, Bob Olds and his wife Marty, Dr. Bob Helton and Bud Kretsinger. The Convention began with a welcome reception on Wednesday with a welcome reception for all.

Thursday's events program started with the Industry Breakfast; which included all the industry exhibitors present, and began with the Honorable Joseph E. Schmitz, Inspector General, Department of Defense, addressing the attendees. ANA President; RADM. P.D. Smith, USN (Ret), ANA President, invited Ray and Bud to attend. The morning sessions included a "Strike Warfare" panel, with RAD. Matthew Moffit; USN, Director of NSAWC, the Moderator, and an "Industiy Panel." ADM. Stan Arthur, USN (Ret.), and ANA CEO, acting as moderator, concluded the afternoon panels.

Friday's events program included the ANA CO's and Trustees breakfast; again attended by Ray and Bud. RADM. Smith addressed the attendees, and spoke of the ANA financial status, which is recovering nicely, but membership is declining, and asked for suggestions to reverse this trend.

This was followed by Session Three, "Flag Officers Panel," with VADM. Mike Malone, COMNAVAIRPAC the moderator. An Awards luncheon took place in the afternoon, saluting those, both civilian and military, who have served Naval Aviation in the highest of traditions. For the evening, a special Private Reception was held at the new Smithsonian, NASM Steven F. Udvar_Hazy Center, located at the Dulles International Airport.
Saturday morning was left open for members to pursue area sight seeing trips of their own choosing. Most of Gramps attendees chose to return to the museum to see what they had missed the night before.

The ANA/Naval Aviation Ball was held Saturday evening. Keynote Speaker was CNO, Admiral Vern Clark, USN. He praised Naval Aviation, recounting its past and projecting its future. He addressed the new CVN 21, under construction, and the future of the aircraft that will be on its decks. In the past; ADM. Clark had jokingly referred to himself as "Black Shoe Navy", not being a Naval Aviator. At the conclusion of his presentation, VADM. Malone "winged" CNO, ASN Clark, as a Honorary Naval Aviator, and presented ADM. Clark with a pair of Brown shoes.

This Convention was the result of the very few ANA Headquarters personnel, working under almost insurmountable problems and conditions, managed to put together the Convention in only nine months. Special thanks should be given to the ANA President; VADM. PD Smith, CAPT. Zip Rausa, USN (Ret.), Mr. Eric Wheeler and Ms. Jackie Hayes. Bravo Zulu to you folks, and Well Done!

WHO IS GRAMPAW PETTIBONE?

Here are excerpts From the January 1983 issue of Naval Aviation News.

"At 78 years of age, Robert Osborn is in the autumn of his years. Grampaw Pettibone, the well-known, feisty sage of safety whom Osborn helped create 40 years ago this month, has always been in the autumn of his years. After all, Gramps came into being at a very old age.

With age comes wisdom and the well-deserved license to give advice freely without reservation or compromise. This was the idea behind Gramps when he first appeared on the pages of what was then The News Letter on January 15, 1943. Time hasn't changed Gramps or his attitude toward safety. Neither has it subdued the creator of his image, Robert Osborn.

Listening to Osborn talk today, one gets the picture of a straight laced, Wisconsin_bred character with a will totally opposed to the "dumb things people do" that cause needless loss of life, injury and damage to priceless equipment. He obviously is a staunch believer in the notion of responsibility and accountability for actions ûû good and bad. Perhaps that is why Osborn latched onto the idea of Grampaw Pettibone from the start.
Gramps has always been the most popular department in Naval Aviation News (NANews), even among its non-aviation readers. In no small measure, Osborn's art has contributed to Gramp's success over the years. Grampaw Pettibone unabashedly airs dirty laundry with the hope that the same laundry won't have to be hung out again. The column has always been based on the idea that safety can be enhanced by sharing lessons learned. With his talented hands and remarkable insight into human behavior, Osborn through Gramps artfully puts out the laundry each month with both skill and humor, which is perhaps the best way to get the point across. He does it in a way that makes the subtle impact reach home every time."

Many of our early members knew Robert Osborn and one member visited him at his home in Salisbury, Conn. prior to his death. He gave permission for our Squadron to use his creation and made several Gramps drawings for use by our squadron.

Gramps from Yesteryear

Naval Aviation News

May June 2004

FLY BY WIRE

A section of A-6 Intruders was on a low-level flight in a scenic area of a foreign country. After completing a pre-briefed simulated attack, the flight leader directed another attack on a "target of opportunity," a small dam in a narrow and steep ravine not far from the first target.

The lead pilot was at the pull-up point for the second run when he saw power lines directly ahead of his A-6. Both crew members felt a thump. The bombardier-navigator then saw fuel venting from the forward edge of the right wing tip.

The wingman saw the lead pull up rapidly and the fuel venting from the wing. Upon returning his attention to the target area, the wingman himself saw power lines immediately in front of him. He started to pull up but decided he could not clear the wires. He pushed the nose down and flew below some cables and above others without striking them.

Both planes made it home but the lead Intruder had struck a 7/16-inch-diameter aluminum steel cable that was supported by a pair of 360-foot towers on either side of the gorge. The cable was approximately 750 feet above ground level and was clearly depicted on the appropriate navigational charts.

Grampaw Pettibone says: Woe is me! Will we ever run out of wire cutters? Doesn't happen that much but as sure as the swallows return to Capistrano, somebody's gonna play dodge ball with power lines now and then and lose.

Even if your vision is 20/20 or better, those slender strings in the sky are tough to see on low-levels and especially tough to hurdle. Study the charts, know where the lines are, know where you are, and stay above `em!

MIDWAY CELEBRATION
Submitted by Former GPS CO
Bud Kretsinger

Friday evening, 5 June, Chris and I were guests of the USS Midway, CV-41, to celebrate the naval victory at the Battle of Midway from 4 June to 7 June 1942. As this report goes to print, the Midway Museum will be open as a military museum, in San Diego.

The ceremonies started at 1700 with the RADM Riley Mixson, (Ret.), The Executive Director of the Aircraft Carrier Museum, Presentation of Colors, and the Invocation by the Midway Chaplain, CAPT. Arthur Dominy (Ret.).

VADM. Mike Malone introduced Mr. Walter Mirisch, the producer of the film "Midway." Mr. Mirisch related the difficulties he had with the production, including a time span of eight plus years between his starting with the idea, and the actual filming. It seems the movie, "Tora-Tora-Tora" hit the theaters about that time, and there were some concerns about the two films coming out about the same time period. A scheduled fly-by was cancelled due to a low overcast.

RADM. Mixson then introduced the attending survivors of the Battle of Midway, and also introduced the families of those who died in the Battle. Other guest speakers included RADM. Charles S. Hamilton II, Deputy Program Executive Officer for Ships, Congresswoman Susan Davis, and Mr. Alan Uke, founder of the San Diego Aircraft carrier Museum.

The Midway's current exhibits include an F-4, an A-6, and A7, an E2C, and a Huey on the Flight Deck, an F-14, and a SNJ on the Hangar Deck. An A-4 had been on the Hangar Deck, but had been removed from the ship prior to our arrival. Current plans are to fill the Flight Deck with aircraft spotted to simulate preparations for a launch. The Hangar Deck also has Flight simulators, along with forward sections of F-4 cockpits, and two MIGs.

During our visit, we only spent time on the two decks. There were no tours of the interior compartments during the Celebration. We were told, when everything is done, tours of all the compartments, Ready Rooms and Mess decks, as well as the Island, will be available
For those who wish to visit the Midway, information can be found on the internet at www.midway.org. Look for our Ops-O, Andy Gilcrest, to come up with a visit trip to the Midway. I'm sure further information in this regard will be forthcoming at a near future date.

MIDWAY MAGIC
Submitted by GPS Member
Allen E. Morgan

The U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41) was commissioned at the Norfolk VA Navy Yard on 10 September, 1943, Captain Joseph Bolger. commanding, to commemorate the battle of Midway 4-6 June, 1942. Throughout her illustrious career in the Pacific area, she received such awards as the Navy Unit, Navy Occupation Service medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal China Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

Allen E. Morgan, a retired naval aviator and ANA Grampaw Pettibone member has 3 oil paintings aboard the U.S.S. Midway entitled "Action On The Yorktown", "Launch Midway" and "Midway." The Midway is now a museum and is permanently berthed at the Navy pier on the waterfront in San Diego, CA.

She has a most exciting story to tell when you pay her a visit. And now it has been told by journalist Scott McGaugh in his soon to be published is his "Midway Magic" book. Next time you are in San Diego come aboard this heroic aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Midway and enjoy the great artifacts and memorabilia that you and your shipmates will find aboard. Then feel the nostalgia as you stand along side the beautifully restored Naval aircraft from WWII, Korea and Vietnam on the flight deck.

FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP
OFFICER
FRAN PIERI

Because of MajGen Gallinettis' great presentation, I was unable to bring the mike around to introduce your guest. I hope they enjoyed the camaraderie at the luncheon and the General's speech. I would like you to bring a potential member to the next luncheon on Thursday, July 8th. Guest are always welcomed. If they decide to join the GRAMPS squadron; be sure they get an application form. I always have a stack of them on the table next to where you enter.

As I mentioned before, be sure to do "follow-up." I also want to remind all of our current members to renew your membership before it expires. If your membership expires before you renew, you will get a post card from me to re-up. It's important that you let me know if you have renewed your membership so you can continue to receive the Op-Plan.

The Ray Pett, "let me buy you a drink" contest with $150.00 is still up for grabs. The person who signs up the most "new" members into the GRAMPS squadron by the end of October 2004, gets it all. The ANA national contest applies to all ANA members. When you sign up five (5) new members by the end of this year; you becomes an "ACE" and will be awarded a free annual membership.

Keep the blue side up. FRAN