A new feature wherein YHS dips into his photo-locker of some 40+ years.
The Battle “E” Bluetails (VAW-121) — 6+months into deployment, 3 more to go. We *thought* we were leaving the next day for only our 2nd port visit that deployment — Perth, Australia. Iraq had other ideas…and so did Carter. (ca. 21 Sep 1980)
(Breaking) Getting early reports that an E-2C Hawkeye assigned to the VAW-121 (“Bluetails”) is down in the North Arabian Sea. The crew evidently conducted a controlled bailout and three of the four have been recovered by SAR efforts.  Fourth remains missing after four hours. I can only speculate on what the cause of the mishap…
Bit of a surprise as most folks had expected a “safe” initial deployment in support of HOA ops: Osprey Aircraft to Make Combat Debut in Iraq By John J. KruzeAmerican Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, April 13, 2007 – A Marine aircraft with dual personalities — part airplane, part helicopter — will soon buzz and hover…
Geography: Midway Atoll is part of a chain of volcanic islands, atolls, and sea mounts extending from Hawaii up to the tip of the Aleutian Islands and known as the Hawaii-Emperor chain. Formed 28 million years ago, the island’s volcanic mass subsided over the years, gradually being replaced by a coral reef that grew around…
SJS, As I write this we are in the process of pulling pier side to a major US Naval Base on the Eastern seaboard. My squadron is being offloaded here and on the way home to our families and loved ones. At the same time we are on loading about 1500 tigers. A tiger is…
Arriving in the mail today — the E-2D IOT&E patch. IOT&E (Initial Operational Test & Evaluation) is a critical milestone event for the E-2D program. Conducted by VX-1, operating out of Pax River, IOT&E provides an opportunity to test the aircraft and weapons system in a more dynamic environment than what was present for developmental…
So – life as a Sailor in this modern Navy — you’ve caught glimpses here and at other spots like Lex’s, Pinch, and Yankee Sailor. But that’s the view from Officer Country. Southern logs in this week with some thoughts across a wide-range of topics from the enlisted POV. We’ve said it before and will…
