Vessel Tour - Tuesday, March 29, 2005

The tour of the USS Mobile Bay, CG-53, an Aegis Guided Missile Cruiser was a memorable and wonderful event. CAPT Robert Fowler, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach made a great effort to insure we were given this very special vessel tour and a briefing on the Seal Beach Weapons Station. As the CO of this Squadron, I thank Captain Fowler for his interest and effort in obtaining this one-of-a-kind vessel tour for our Squadron.

Squadron Tours - Mechanics and Obligations

Our Operations Officer Andy Gilcrest is doing a great job providing excellent speakers and arranging great tours. I know that tours are difficult to set-up. First, you sign up a group of Squadron members and their guests for a tour. That is just the beginning. A bus must be contracted for and paid. Money must be collected in a timely manner from the participants. The place to be toured must be coordinated with to insure a smooth, enjoyable and interesting event for all participants. The difficulties that occur are usually these two items; One - Collecting the monies in a timely fashion from the signed-up participants, and Two - when people pull out of the tour within a week or two of the tour. By that time the ability to find new individuals to fill the bus is impossible and our commitment to the bus company cannot be broken. All of this gives the OPS-O heartburn and ulcers. So, please, when you sign-up for a Squadron tour pay promptly and only pull out for a serious reason, not for your convenience.

ANA Reunion and Meeting

One more time - come to the ANA reunion/meeting in June! Come when you can, stay as long as you can, but come!! I've looked at all of the events that will be going on and I believe it will be very entertaining and very informative. This is your Association of Naval Aviation and it is doing its very best to bring to you the very best about Naval Aviation and about many other interesting facets of your modern military forces!! So, please do come!!

Our June speaker will be Royce Williams who as a Navy Lt. during the Korean action shot down some Russian MiG-15's with a Panther Jet, which had considerably less performance than the MiG's. These were not MiG's launched out of North Korea. They were seven MiG's launched out of Vladivostokk, Russia and were headed straight to the U.S. Fleet Elements operating off the North Korean Coast. Operating off the USS Oriskany, Williams and his teammates who were outnumbered engaged the MiG's. This was not a good day for Russia and because of their direct involvement much of this mission remained highly classified until four years ago. Williams will relate what occurred in this fascinating engagement as well as some of the follow-up events with the Intelligence Community and a personal meeting with President Elect Eisenhower.

As a side note, Williams was serving in VF-781 which was a Reserve Outfit from Los Alamitos that had been activated for the Korean action. Grampaw Pettibone Squadron (GPS) has four current members that served in the first Korean cruise that VF-781 made aboard the Bon Honme Richard. They are Don Palmer, Homer Davis, Ed Fitch, and Buzz Henderson. Royce Williams served in the second VF-781 cruise. Shortly after that, the VF-781 Pacemakers were converted to an active duty squadron, the VF-121 Pacemakers. VF-121 subsequently made three more cruises to the Far East in the mid- 1950's and GPS has two current members that made that last cruise prior to VF-121 becoming the West Coast F4H Phantom RAG at Miramar. They are Dick Kiner and yours truly. Andy, GPS OPS

Guest Speaker - Gordon Dillow, Orange County Register

By Dr. Dick Fields, Public Affairs Officer

Grampaw Pettibone Squadron was honored to once again have Gordon Dillow, reporter and columnist for the Orange County Register, as our April speaker. This is Gordon's third presentation to this group. Gordon, a Vietnam veteran Army sergeant, has been to Iraq twice: first during the invasion by coalition forces and recently during the occupation. Both times he was with Alpha Company of the First Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. On his arrival in Iraq, he and his fellow journalist faced great skepticism on the part of the troops with whom they were embedded. This, of course, was the natural consequence of the anti-military media bias that is so prevalent in this country. It took several weeks of proving themselves before they were accepted and trusted. His unit was the first unit to cross the border on March 20th at the start of the war. The unit met little resistance taking their objective, but then took casualties as a result of trying to avoid harming civilians. The enemy was in civilian trappings. Their unit took the first casualties of the war. Gordon's communications with the Register provided the only contact the troops had with family back home and was greatly appreciated.

For the following three weeks, the unit marched toward Baghdad, enduring "the worst camping conditions you will ever see". Their chemical resistant clothing served the dual purpose of protection from the enemy and from each other's lack of showers. When they entered Baghdad, they were greeted by large crowds of Shiite Iraqis who waved and smiled and thanked the Marines as liberators. Conditions were different, however, when they were assigned to take one of Saddam's palaces and search a mosque. They became engaged in a seven hour firefight, during which the dedication and devotion to duty and to each other became very apparent. Esprit de corps was very high despite casualties and very difficult conditions.

Gordon returned to Orange County and stayed in touch with 'his' Marines, many of whom served three tours in Iraq. He decided to return in 2004, but the Register could not send him. He quit his job and returned to Iraq and his Marines as a free lance reporter, on his own. Conditions were quite different this time. Our troops were working in bad conditions, subject to all manner of clandestine attacks, dangerous patrols and politically correct target restrictions that made no military sense. Nonetheless, our guys were always the gentlemen and heroes. They moved out of a more secure headquarters building so that it could be returned to use as a school for Iraqi children. They politely asked permission, even though fully armed, before searching Iraqi residences. They displayed the best of qualities we could ask for in American youth.

We are grateful to Gordon for informing us how things REALLY were in Iraq. Most of the media never reports the good and honorable conduct of our men in Iraq. We need to know.

SEAL BEACH WEAPONS STATION AND THE USS MOBILE BAY
FIELD TRIP

On March 29, thirty six GPS members and their guests arrived at the Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach for a briefing on the station's functions and a tour of the cruiser USS Mobile Bay. CAPT Robert Fowler, Commanding Officer of Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach made a great effort to insure we were given this very special vessel tour and a briefing on the Seal Beach Weapons Station. The detailed planning and execution of the program was carried out by Gregg Smith, Public Affairs Officer for the station. Gregg met us in the parking lot and we car pooled onto the base.

Gregg hosted us in the stations very spacious auditorium and meeting room and gave us an excellent presentation of the stations functions. Naval Weapons Station, Seal Beach was commissioned in 1944, at the height of WWII, as a Naval Ammunition and Net Depot. The base at that time had two primary missions: Storage and loading of ammunition onto Pacific Fleet ships bound for the war, and servicing the anti-submarine nets used to protect fleet bases and anchorages around the world. Seal Beach was an ideal site due to both a large amount of open space for safe weapons storage and the area's proximity to the Navy bases at Long Beach and San Diego.

Since WWII the complex has evolved into the Navy's primary West Coast ordnance storage and loading installation. Cruisers, destroyers, frigates and medium sized amphibious ships are loaded with missiles, torpedoes and conventional ammunition at the facility's 1,000 foot-long wharf, and larger ships can be accommodated at an explosives anchorage located in nearby Long Beach Harbor. An average of 100 vessels are loaded or unloaded each year.

Base infrastructure includes 220 buildings, 56 miles of railroad track for 130 locomotives and railcars, 80 miles of paved road, and 127 ammunition magazines with over half a million square feet of storage space.
Following the Station Briefing, we proceeded to the dock area and Gregg Smith took our picture in front of the ship(see above). We were then welcomed by some of the ships company that gave us a brief rundown of their recent deployment activities. This included a 9 month deployment that included the start of the recent Iraqi action. And I believe they have made another deployment to the same region since then. The ship was at Seal Beach for the purpose of off-loading all ordnance before entering dry dock for an overhaul. We were then broken into groups of 12 and assigned a guide for the ships tour. More on that after a few interesting facts.
The Mobile Bay is a Ticonderoga Class Aegis Cruiser. It was commissioned 21 February 1987 and is home ported at San Diego. Some significant information on the ship follows:

Displacement 9,589 (FL) Tons, Dimensions, 565' 10" x 55' x 31' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54RF, 2 VLS, (122 Missiles) 2 x 20mm Phalanx CIWS, 2 x 25mm Bushmaster mg. 6 x12.75" TT. 2 LAMPS Helos.
Machinery, 80,000 SHP; G.E. Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30+ Knots, Crew 370 includes 30 women

Built to be employed in support of Carrier Battle Groups, Amphibious Assault Groups, as well as interdiction and escort missions, their mission is two-fold. First, to prevent the employment of weapons against friendly forces by destroying enemy missiles, aircraft, submarines and surface ships. Second, to conduct offensive actions against the enemy through the employment of long range anti-ship and land attack missiles, and through naval gunfire support.

The ship is outfitted with many weapon systems. Of most pertinent interest to the Iraqi action is the Tomahawk weapon system. This cruise missile, I believe, has a range that exceeds 700 NM's and has pinpoint accuracy and thus only a modest payload is required to be very effective. The Tomahawks were some of the first weapons to deployed against Iraq. It was mentioned that the Mobile Bay itself fired 31 Tomahawks the first night of the war. The Tomahawk gives the surface navy the ability to strike targets 100's of miles inland with unmanned assets. However, the primary reason for building the Aegis Cruisers initially was to protect the strike groups from a variety of airborne weapon systems. The SPY-1 Phased Array Radar can track hundreds of airborne targets simultaneously as well as direct 20 surface to air missiles at one time.

The tour I was on started in the Combat Information Center(CIC). The CIC is heavily populated with computer and monitor hubs for each type of mission that the ship supports. There are also large screen monitors that summarize the information for all the mission elements as well as provide full detail for the most pertinent action going on. Even the Captain of the ship is located in CIC during an action. Our guide was a second class and was knowledgeable in all the CIC functions. We learned that through airborne and surface relays, that the CIC can control the airspace out to a 750 mile radius from the battle group.

Our tour guide then walked us around the ship pointing out the various sensor systems and weapon systems including the hangar bay which houses the two LAMP helicopters that are operated from the ship. Our tour finished by viewing the launch tubes from which the Tomahawks as well as other missile systems are launched. Our guide told us that the area was off limits for a considerable period after the numerous Tomahawk launches to Iraq because of the difficulty of decontaminating the area of the numerous toxic elements that are left behind. One member of our party said he saw a video clip on www.military.com of a sailor in the vicinity of the tubes when some of the tube covers opened and a firing commenced. The sailor took off running. Our guide said that event happened on the Mobile Bay and was happy to report that the sailor was not injured.

We saw evidence of the ships motto in several locations which is "Full Speed Ahead" which of course is taken from Admiral Farrugut's famous statement made in the Civil War Naval Battle in Mobile Bay where he was quoted as saying "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead". I was always confused by that statement as there were no torpedoes in the civil war until I learned that what we now call sea mines were called torpedoes back them.

Our guide has just re-enlisted until 2009. Working in CIC, he found that his passion is controlling aircraft. He has applied for and been accepted into Air Traffic Control School. I believe that he intends on getting out in 2009. He will someday probably be controlling our airliners from an ATC Center. In the meantime, the Navy has his services for nine years. He is a most impressive and knowledgeable young man. As one tour participant expressed to me, "These young people we met are so outstanding, given their awesome responsibilities and maturity, it really makes you proud". "With people like these as our ambassadors, how could so many foreigners hate us?" "It has to fall back on envy, jealousy and ignorance".

Everyone that I talked to said they really enjoyed the field trip. I believe that many were impressed with the professionalism of the Mobile Bay Crew. Andy, OPS-O

SEAL BEACH SAILORS HONORED

MA1 Marcus C. Blackwell, NWS, 2004 Sailor of the year - CITATION; Petty Officer Blackwell developed and expertly managed a department training program for 115 personal for which he earned a Gold Star in lieu of third award. Blackwell's managerial ability, personal initiative and unswerving devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. GPS of ANA also takes the CO's pleasure in commending MA1 Blackwell for a job "Well Done."

GM1 Desand Hall, NWS, 2004 4th Qtr Senior Sailor-– CITATION: Petty Officer Hall was selected for superior performance of duty while serving as Security Department Safety Officer wherein he consistently performed his duties with vigor and resolve. His outstanding people skills and unique knowledge received excellent reviews from peers and superiors alike. Hall's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. GPS of ANA also takes the CO's pleasure in commending GM1 Hall for a job "Well Done."

MA2 Richard Wilson, NWS, 2004 4th Qtr Junior Sailor - CITATION; Petty Officer Wilson was selected for superior performance of duty while serving as a Patrolman wherein he consistently performed his duties with enthusiasm and determination. He continuously exhibits all facets of the Navy core values with his devotion to duty and eagerness to train and mentor junior Sailors in his section. Wilson's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected credit upon him and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. GPS of ANA also takes the CO's pleasure in commending MA2 Wilson for a job "Well Done."

ANA MEETING & REUNION
SAN DIEGO MAY31/JUNE 4

"LET GEORGE DO IT!"

At the April 14 Luncheon, a request was made for additional Volunteers to help with the San Diego Reunion and Meeting. Being of a practical nature, we figured that of the 150+ in attendance, we were hoping for fifteen or so volunteers. We received five! Not what one would call a really good response. " I'm too busy". "Someone else can do it". "I don't volunteer for anything." It does sort of make one wonder.

These are the GPS people who have answered the call of ANA to assist in putting on this event. Jim Menees, Andy Andresen, Joe O'Toole, Marty and Bob Olds, Lorraine Dadamo, Ted Heineman, Mel Locke, Dr. Bob Helton, Chuck Simons, Dave Newbro, Roy Fassel, Nick Melnik, Andy Gilcrest, Ray LeCompte and Bud Kretsinger. Sixteen volunteers from a membership of over 400! And nine of those are from your Staff.
We are still a few positions short of a full compliment. Some of those opened up as I write this. Others need filling.

Wednesday
10:15 am to 3:30 pm Ticket Taker/Miramar Bus Manager (1)
12:00 am to 5:00 pm Ships Store (1)

Thursday
2:00 pm to 5:00 pm Ships Store (2)
10:30 am to 1:00 pm Awards set-up and Presentation (3)
11:15 am to 11:45 am Awards luncheon Ticket Taker (1)
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm Spec. Forces Flr. Mgr. (microphone) (1)

Friday
7:00 am to - Golf Registration & Mulligan Table
7:30 am to 12:30 pm Registration (2)
12:00 am to 5:00 pm Registration (2)
8:00 am to 12:30 pm Ships Store (1)
12:00 am to 5:00 pm Ships Store (1)
5:30 pm to 9:30 am Ticket Taker/Midway Bus Manager (3)

Today's Luncheon will be the last time for you to become involved. Help support ANA. You might make a difference. As a side note, May 2nd is the last date to register for a room at the present rate of $125 per day. After that date, the room rates go up. How much? Don't ask! Mission Valley Marriott direct phone number is (619) 692-3800. Be sure to tell them it's for ANA.

A PAIR OF ACES

Several years ago five Grampaw Pettibone Squadron members met for lunch, Dick Martin, Marv Garrison, Bud Yount and the focus was on a pair of Corsair Aces, Rog Hedrick and Ken Walsh. It was a memorable event to have these two relate humorously some of their life threatening tales of combat in WW II.
RADM Roger R. 'Rog' Hedrick USN (Ret) was a member of Tom Blackburn's Jolly Roger Squadron, VF-17 flying F4U Corsairs. They started out aboard a boat but the Navy put them ashore and they pretty much followed the chain of Islands with the Marines from Guadalcanal. Rog was Blackburn's XO and was credited with an even dozen Japanese aircraft shot down.

LCol Ken Walsh USMC (Ret), who became the first Corsair Ace, sailed from San Diego 8 Jan 43 on the Matson Luxury Liner SS Lurline with 4999 other Marines, a member of VMF-124 Commanded by Major Bill Gise. He had quarters topside from CPL Bud Yount who was berthed at "C" Deck amidships, top bunk. They both had successful tours, Ken received the Congressional Medal of Honor from President FDR for shooting 20 Japanese aircraft and finally made it 21 two years later. Ken was also a Japanese Ace, he was shot down five times. Ken Walsh was the fourth ranking Marine Corps Ace.

This was truly a pair of Aces to draw to in any man's game. "Oldbud" Yount

Grampaw Pettibone in
Naval Aviation News March-April 2005
Head Jam

An AH-1W Super Cobra launched as Dash-4 in a division of Cobras for a daytime electronic warfare and "battle drills" mission in the local warning area. After several simulated engagements, the Dash-4 helicopter commander in the front seat transferred controls to the copilot in the rear seat. The helicopter commander then passed a "heads down" over the intercom and proceeded to focus on the forward-looking infrared display in an attempt to find the Dash-3 aircraft.

A minute later, 300 feet over the trees, the copilot yanked the Cobra into a hard right-hand turn in response to a simulated air threat called over the radio by the division leader. In the middle of the turn, the copilot looked up and left to reacquire his section lead, and as he did, his head became pinned against the canopy. Unable to reference either his instruments or the ground, the copilot said, "My head's stuck," over the intercom and nothing else. The helicopter commander heard the call but thought nothing of it.

He remained focused on the FLIR presentation until he saw trees in his peripheral vision, then joined the copilot in an attempt to maintain control of the helicopter. The Cobra hit the trees and lost the tail boom before coming to rest on its right side. During the crash, the helicopter commander broke his arm and ankle, and the copilot sustained severe back injuries.

The copilot was able to egress only after pulling his head out of the stuck helmet, and he then helped the helicopter commander out of the cockpit. The base search and rescue helo picked them up some time later.
Grampaw Pettibone says:

Now I know it's a tight fit in this particular type of chopper, but what kind of sideshow contortions did this guy have to go through to make his melon stick like that? Keeping sight of your wingman is one thing, but if you've got to torque around like a hoot owl to do it, chances are you're out of position.

But never mind the glued noggin; the real issue here is bad crew coordination. Once the copilot realized he was in trouble there was only one call to make over the intercom: "Take the controls." And if somebody tells me, "My head's stuck," as I'm cruising 300 feet above the forest, I might be inclined to stop watching television and start thinking about aviating. In any case, these fellahs were lucky they were able to walk or, rather, limp away from this one.

FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
FRAN PIERI

Thank you thank you thank you to every one of you who brought a guest to the last luncheon. It was the largest group we've had in a very long time. I saw that many of you brought your spouse, and that was wonderful. They're always welcome, so bring them again at the next luncheon. For those of you who brought a friend other than your spouse; how were they impressed with the camaraderie, food and our featured speaker, Gordon Dillow? I handed out all my extra Op-Plans, some log books and a few membership applications. As I always mention, now is the time to do follow up. Be sure to tell them that they do not have to have had prior military service. The Association of Naval Aviation welcomes everyone. The Ray Pett "let me buy you a drink" contest is doing OK, but could be doing better. Since last November, there's been only nine(9) new members who have joined the GRAMPS Squadron. The newest member is; Raymond Mitchell. His sponsor is, W. C. Grizzell. Welcome aboard, sir. To all you new members; ask people in your group of friends if any of them would be interested in joining The Grampaw Pettibone Squadron. Remind them that the next luncheon is Thursday, May 12th. So, mark your calendar and bring them along. Also, get there early for a good seat. Keep the blue side up. Fran

PLANES OF FAME MUSEUM
by Fran Pieri

The Planes of Fame Museum is at the Chino Airport in Chino Calif. I am one of the many volunteers who is involved in restoring America's first Jet Aircraft. It's the P-59, made by The Bell Corp. back in 1942. The museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to collecting, restoring, displaying and preserving aircraft and memorabilia for the education benefit of current and future generations. Hours are; 9am to 5pm daily. (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Upcoming events will be on Saturday, May 7th. The theme is "Victory Over Europe", featuring The P-47 "Jug" and other aircraft that participated in the war over Europe. Two weeks later will be an even bigger event. On Saturday an Sunday May 21st and 22nd will be the museums annual AIR SHOW. You will see many of the vintage aircraft that most of you flew many years ago. Some of the aircraft you can actually get a ride in. I hope to see y'all out there in May. For more info, just go to their web page at; planesoffame.org. Fran

FINAL FLY BY

Col James H. Clark, USMC(Ret0

I'LL SEE YOU AT THE
ANA REUNION IN SAN DIEGO MAY 31 TO
4 JUNE