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HSL-47 SABERHAWKS
WERE RIGHT THERE
By LTJG Sean Stevens, USN
Rotor Review No. 87 / Fall '04
HSL 47 is leading the way for the LAMPS community as the first HSL squadron to deploy with
a Carrier Air Wing aboard an aircraft carrier. Presently, HSL 47 is attached to Carrier Air Wing
TWO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), with two combat elements aboard USS Shoup
(DDG 87), and USS Shiloh (CG 67). They are all an entity of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group,
currently deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation United Assistance to Northern
Sumatra, Indonesia.
The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group was originally slated to deploy in May 2005, but was
surged seven months early to meet Pacific feet requirements. This surge deployment was not easy
on any members of HSL 47 or their families, but there was an immense sense of satisfaction from
all squadron personnel for being a part of the history making "Bravo to Sea" (B2C) deployment.
When HSL 47 departed San Diego on 19 October 2004, aboard Lincoln, they had no idea that the
"B2C" concept would be put to the test immediately. On 26 December 2004 a devastating
tsunami wave crashed ashore in Thailand, Sri Lanka and Indonesia, killing thousands. Some of
the worst damage was done to the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, where fishing villages,
located all along the coastline, were completely destroyed. On 28 December 2004, Abraham
Lincoln Strike Group got the call to head for the Indian Ocean and lead the way for the
humanitarian relief effort for the Island of Sumatra. On 1 January 2005, while most of the world
was celebrating the new year, the two Lincoln squadrons, HSL 47 and HS 2, launched early that
morning for Bande Aceh, Sumatra. HSL 47 was one of the first of the two squadrons to land on
the beach, delivering critically needed humanitarian relief. The Lincoln squadrons, HSL 47 and
HS 2, have been delivering over 75,000 pounds of supplies a day to the disaster victims and
providing MEDIVAC services for people in remotely isolated areas. Low ceilings, IMC
conditions, and little instructions other than "get food to these people" could not stand in the way
of HSL 47 getting badly needed relief to tsunami victims.
The first few days of relief were punctuated by what most aircrew refer to as "Freelance
Missions" missions where aircrew visually search for displaced persons and either land and
deliver or simply drop from a ten-foot, ten-knot hover food and water, as landing zone conditions
dictate. As days progressed, an infrastructure of landing zones, supply points, and course rules
brought order to the effort, but many aircrew continued to hold onto a small amount of food and
water for the occasional freelance mission. Operation United Assistance has been an incredible
experience for the aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel of HSL 47, because of the
immense feeling of satisfaction of helping the people of Sumatra who lost so much.
While learning to operate as part of the Carrier Air Wing has taken a Herculean effort on the
part of all Saberhawks involved. HSL 47 has paved the way for the future of the LAMPS
community. Most would agree that the time operating with Abraham Lincoln Strike Group has
been one that most aircrew would only dream of, and being a part of Operation United Relief has
justified the sacrifices Saberhawks and all of Abraham Lincoln Strike Group have made.
HOW WILL YOU GET YOUR OP-PLAN?
Sometime in the near future the Squadron will put the monthly OP-Plan on the Squadrons web
site www.gpsana.org. Those with computers will be able to peruse it on the web site at their
leisure. Those without computers will still receive their monthly OP-Plan by snail mail. If you do
not have access to a computer at home or at your local library or your children's, or
grandchildren's, you will at some time in the future be asked to identify yourself to ensure that
you will continue to get the OP-plan by snail mail. Do not panic! This planned change is still just
an idea at this moment.
GIVE US YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Don't forget that you can get an electronic version of the Op-Plan at www.gpsana.org, usually
before you receive it in the mail. We are now taking most of the printed version of the Op-Plan
and displaying it electronically. Soon we will have the Op-Plan in pdf format so that you can
read and/or print it from your home computer. The site will be updated by the 25th of each
month. If you wish to be notified electronically when it is updated with new information, please
contact Tim Brown at timb53@hotmail.com who will then notify you when the Op-Plan is
updated. Tim Brown Assistant Membership Officer, Recruiting
FINAL FLY BY
Byron B. Calomiris, August 24, 2005
James F. Keeshen, May 20, 2005
CDR Stanton W. Waddell, USN(Ret)
July 17, 2005
Wings, Wheels & Rotors Show
at Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Joint Forces Training Base,
on Sunday, 23 October 2005,
9AM to 4 PM
Open house sponsored by Los Alamitos Area Chamber of Commerce, California National
Guard Joint Forces Training Base and the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association(PHPA)
All activities are on the flight line at Los Alamitos Army Airfield. Wings Wheels and Rotors
will provide Helicopter Awareness Day by the PHPA and the airfield. Various civilian and
military helicopters including the media aircraft seen daily in the skies around Southern
California will be on display for all visitors. Included will be military aircraft, warbirds and
helicopter flights in civilian helicopters for a small fee.
Also, there will be a car show with classic cars and antique vehicles on the flightline with
events for children and the rest of the family. Additionally there will be music, food, vendors,
displays, demonstrations and many other activities throughout Sunday, 23 October.
Proceeds are for the military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) funds for the base. Free
admission and parking. Picture I.D. required for entrance to the base.
For more information call 562-598-6659 or at WWREXPO.COM or info@losalchamber.org
BONEYARD HELOS NEW MISSION
Navy Times 8/29/05
Dipping into America s strategic war reserves, the Marine Corps is bringing back to life three
heavy-lift helicopters that have been entombed in the Arizona desert for more than a decade.
The Corps, faced with a steadily dwindling inventory of overworked CH-53D Sea Stallion and
CH-53E Super Stallion heavy-lift helicopters, turned to the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, Ariz., for some relief. Three H-53 Sea Dragon helicopters, which are more than 20
years old, were shipped to the Naval Air Systems Command aviation depot at Marine Corps Air
Station Cherry Point, N.C. on Aug. 9-11 to begin their rehabilitation, according to an Aug. 11
NavAir release.
Brushing away the grime of 11 years of mummification could take more than 18 months. The
helicopters will be brought up to the latest standards to make them ready for air assaults and
supply missions in the most rugged battlefield conditions, the release said.
The Corps has lost several CH-53s since the war on terrorism began, including a crash of a
Super Stallion in January in western Iraq that killed 30 Marines and a sailor. None has been lost
to enemy fire.
The production line for CH-53s was shut down in 1999, and a replacement is still years away.
FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
FRAN PIERI
Those of you who brought a guest to this month's luncheon, we on the GRAMPS staff really
appreciate your effort to bring in new members into your squadron. Remember to do follow-up
on them. Tell them about the camaraderie of our group and how well we all get along. Tell your
friends about our dynamic speakers such as the Rick Ludwig. As I mentioned before, prior
military service is not required to become a member in ANA. The majority of our members are
prior Navy and Marines. But, quite a few of us were in the Army and Air Force like myself and
our squadron commander, Jim Menees.
The Ray Pett "Let Me Buy You a Drink", still has $200.00 up for grabs for whomever signs up
the most new members this year. The contest ends at our November luncheon. The newest
member is COL. James L. (BALLS) Stalnaker, USMC of MAG 11, 3rd MAW. "Welcome
Aboardm Sir". His sponsor is Bud Yount. "Attaboy" Bud. Don't forget, our next luncheon will be
Thursday Oct. 13th. Please try to bring a guest. Keep the blue side up. Fran
THE PLANES OF FAME MUSEUM
By FRAN PIERI
Naval Air Power will be the monthly special event hosted by " The Planes of Fame Museum" at
the Chino Airport in Chino Calif. The special event will be on Saturday, October 1, 2005. The
event will begin at 10:00 am with a seminar on the development of Naval Airpower and conclude
with a flight demonstration of Naval Warbirds such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U-1 Corsair. Last
month our own XO Mel Locke gave a dynamic talk about his experience as a Marine Aviator.
For more info, either call the museum at (909)597 3722 or wwwplanesoffame.org. Hope to see
you there. Fran
CNO SUPPORTS RETIRING KENNEDY
CARRIER'S CREW FACES
UNCERTAIN FUTURE
by Mark D. Faram NAVY TIMES8/29/05
NAVAL STATION MAYPORT Fla. --Adm. Mike Mullen is sure of two things: The decision to
put the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy out of service was not only a sound one, but one he has
supported from the get-go. That's exactly what he told an assembled group of sailors in the
Kennedy's hangar bay Aug. 19 while the ship was pierside at home in Mayport, Fla.
The chief of naval operations pulled no punches in telling the crew just how uncertain their
future is — and will remain — until February, at the earliest. But Mullen also said that if the JFK
were to head into the sunset, he'd support upgrading Naval Station Mayport to handle
nuclear-powered carriers.
"Where we are right now is, the Navy last fall — with the blessing of Defense Secretary Donald
Rumsfeld — made a decision to decommission the John F. Kennedy," Mullen said. "That is a
decision I supported then, and I support it now."
But, Mullen added, he's not allowed to proceed with that decision until Rumsfeld submits the
Quadrennial Defense Review to Congress.
"I realize there are a couple thousand sailors caught up on the Kennedy, and people and families
want to know," Mullen said. "I don't have answers to all these questions right now."
That said, he's already looking ahead to a post-JFK Mayport, telling local reporters that if the
Kennedy were to be decommissioned, he would "recommend that we move forward with a
nuclear-capable Mayport."
But he refused to discuss the possibility of closing Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., and
reopening nearby Cecil Field, a former Navy jet base closed by the base realignment and closing
process in the 1990s.
"The BRAC Commission has raised the issue of Cecil Field; I am not involved with that,"
Mullen told local reporters on the ship's flight deck. "My recommendation is that NAS Oceana
remain open as the master jet base for the East Coast." The problems associated in keeping the
base open could he worked out, he said.
As he wrapped up his remarks on the Kennedy's hangar bay, Mullen sounded a little like a
football coach giving a halftime pep talk. "In the meantime, this is a commissioned ship," Mullen
said. "I expect, with the resources that are available, for the Kennedy to be ready to do the
missions as they are described."
However, he did not elaborate exactly what that means for the 44-year-old ship and what, if any,
missions it will take on until February.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY US NAVY
13 OCTOBER
A CB Museum in harms way at Gulfport, Mississippi. Ed.
STORY OF THE SEABEES
From Torpedoman's Assn News Aug 05
Every time I pass a Seabee bulldozer, I want to stop and kiss it.
Adm. William "Bull" Halsey, referring to the Navy Seabees during World War II
Admiral Halsey's appreciation for the Seabee's construction crews reflects the tremendous
contributions they made in times of war. You can learn more about the history and world wide
projects of the Navy's Seabees units at the CEC Seabee Museum, located on the base of the
Naval Construction Battalion in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Displays, models, and authentic exhibits tell a compelling saga of the Seabee's creation and
their distinguished service in war and peacetime missions. If you aren't familiar with the story,
probably the first order of business is finding out how their name came about.
"The name comes from the words Construction Battalion, or C.B. for short," says Sam Christian,
curator of the museum. "From that, the word ‘Seabee was coined."
Sam oversees the large collection, from cruise books and old tools and weapons to
black-and-white photos. "Most of the items we have are from World War II when the Seabees
were formed, Sam says. "And most of the artifacts are donated by individuals." The result is a
museum with heart.
World War II created a critical need for men with engineering and construction experience.
However, international law prohibited civilians in high-risk combat. It was Rear Adm. Ben
Morell's brainchild to develop Navy Construction Battalions and give command authority to the
Civil Engineer Corps.
Starting with an appeal for skilled volunteers in early 1942, the Seabees reached a quarter of a
million men in July 1945. Most of them (83%) were deployed overseas. They took part in every
major amphibious operation in World War II, in both the Atlantic and the Pacific. Seabee
pontoon construction units went on shore on D-Day at the Normandy beaches under heavy
enemy fire, often working beside combat troops. You may be surprised to learn that the Seabees
continue to help out in trouble spots both in the US and all over the world. Exhibits chronicle
their ongoing presence in Bosnia, their construction efforts during Desert Storm, and their
assistance with cleanup in Florida after Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
One of the best parts of the museum, however, is learning about how the little mascot bee
character dreamed up by cartoonist Frank J. Lafrates came into, well,"bee-ing." "I first thought of
a beaver, "writes Frank, as you read his words on a plaque. "But some research at the library told
me a beaver in trouble will turn tail and run." And we all know too well what a bee will do when
faced with danger. So a star was born, and he's a fitting character to represent the brave story of
the Navy's Seabees.
CEC Seabee Museum: Naval Construction Battalion Center, Marvin Shields Blvd., Building 59,
Gulfport, MS 39501; (601) 871-3164.Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Admission: free.
Directions: Take 1-10 to Exit 34 (U.S. 49 South). Turn right on US. 90 West; then right on Broad
Avenue, which dead ends at the military base. Check in with the guard, and proceed to the
museum.
Gramps hopes any hurricane damage was minimal
A TRIBUTE TO NAVAL AVIATION
From Pacific Flyer, August 2005
It was late at night as the Pope, who had departed this world, was approaching the gates of
heaven. There was no one around, but there was a small shack just prior to the gates with a light
on. The Pope stepped into the shack and startled a young man half asleep sitting at a small gray
desk.
"Excuse me," said the Pope, "but I'm supposed to check in here with St. Peter, but there is no
one at the gate."
"Yea, Yea," said the young man, "Where are your orders?"
"I don't have any orders," said the Pope.
"Well, it's too late to check in tonight anyhow," said the young man, "just go around to the back
of the building, find a rack and dump your gear in a locker. St. Peter will be here in the morning
and you can check in then."
The Pope grabs his stuff and walks around the building only to find a WW II style open bay
barracks. The racks are stacked three high and the only open one is all the way at the end of the
building, and it's on top.
He drags his stuff to the end of the building, but there is no locker for him. He takes a deep
breath thinks about it for a minute and decides this is just one final test. He crawls up into the
rack and falls asleep.
Suddenly he is awakened by a loud commotion outside the barracks. As he walks outside he
sees a huge crowd of angels cheering and clapping as a gold convertible limousine approaches.
As it draws nearer, the Pope sees a guy in a flight suit and Navy leather flight jacket in the back
seat with a beautiful angel on each arm, a beer in his hand and he is smoking one of the biggest
cigars the Pope has ever seen.
The Pope turns to the young man in the shack and asks, "Who is that guy?"
"A Naval Aviator," the young man replies.
The Pope says, "I don't get it. I worked hard all of my life to do God's work on earth. As a
young man I studied hard at the seminary, as a priest I labored hard to tend my flock and provide
guidance when they strayed.
"I struggled as a bishop to serve the church and as Pope, I was able to attract more followers of
the faith. Yet, when I reach heaven, St. Peter isn't here to greet me. I have to carry my own bags.
"I'm stuck in the top rack of an open bay barracks and I don't even have a locker for my bags!"
The young man looks at the Pope and says. "Look, we get a Pope every 20-30 years, but he is
the only Naval Aviator who has ever made it!"
The average Navy Pilot, despite the sometimes swaggering exterior, is very much capable of
such feelings as love, affection, intimacy and caring. These feelings just don't involve anyone
else. — Submitted by Joel T Boucree
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