Calling all Aircraft Carrier Veterans !

[mjarrels]

We craned aboard all our aircraft before we left North Island on the USS Ranger heading to Desert Shield/Storm. No fly all across the Pacific... Full steam ahead, a week pier side at Cubi Point. Piority is PI liberty, dang war can wait!

mark

 

[VTtractorguy]

All of you guys have my deepest respect for serving this great country of ours. I realize this thread is Aircraft Carriers, but I thought you would like this pic:



My dad was a WWII B-17, B-24 and B-29 pilot. Here is his group (462nd) taking off from Tinian Island on a mission. I desperately wanted to follow in his footsteps, but my vision would not allow it. But I am with all you military guys in spirit.

 

[DavidVT]

Great stuff everyone, thank you for your service!!

 

[sandman2234]

I was on a carrier, but not an airdale. Worked in supply side that most of you guys would want to visit at least a couple times a month. Pre LES barely and while the crew was still paid in cash, I was in the Disbursing office of the USS Lexington CVT-16.
David from jax

 

[crash325]

Do Seaplane folks count? I did walk across a carrier deck once to catch a boat out to my plane.
In from Jan 1957 out in April 1962, 5 years 3 months & 3 days.

Round engine mech. mostly 3350's, a little time on 1830's. Also a jet mech. funny story here, but 2 long for this post.

Twice we flew up and down the coast carrying an "A-Bomb", could have wiped out LA and ourselves. We could not get high enough or fast enough to get out of the blast.

Got some air time in P2V's as well, just a ride to collect flight pay.

Single Engine: Playing war games, we were to go single engine. Pilot & co. pilot started down the check list. If we really had to go single engine, no time for a check list. So I turned the fuel off on #2. Dirty look from the pilot, then right to business without a check list. He never said a word to me about it. Pilot was an old salt and 1 of the best.

Lots of fun stories if anyone is interested.

 

[V1Rotate]

My dad just passed away he was 92. He served in WW2 aboard aircraft carriers in the south Pacific as a radio technician and rear seat gunner on SBD dive bombers and TBM Avenger torpedo planes. It is unfortunate that every day we are losing many of his generation, we owe them our greatest respect and admiration. Can you imagine what our world would be like if it weren't for their courage and patriotism?

 

[JB4310]

My dad just passed away he was 92. He served in WW2 aboard aircraft carriers in the south Pacific as a radio technician and rear seat gunner on SBD dive bombers and TBM Avenger torpedo planes. It is unfortunate that every day we are losing many of his generation, we owe them our greatest respect and admiration. Can you imagine what our world would be like if it weren't for their courage and patriotism?

My Uncle who died 15 years ago was on a torpedo plane during WW2, I believe he was a gunner as well.

Aircraft Carrier Photo Index: USS SAN JACINTO (CVL-30)

They called it the lucky San Jan, survived every major engagement in the Pacific. He told me how they were on recon one cloudy day and came thru a hole in the clouds to catch the Japs refueling, said they were sitting ducks and they sunk alot of iron that day :thumbsup:

JB

 

[VTtractorguy]

It is unfortunate that every day we are losing many of his generation, we owe them our greatest respect and admiration. Can you imagine what our world would be like if it weren't for their courage and patriotism?

Absolutely! I couldn't agree more.

 

[rocknrod]

edited

 

[rocknrod]

A3D (Skywarrior, IIRC) and F-14 Tomcat (which replaced the F-4 Phantom)...

Not a tomcat - Vigilanty

CV-64 - 1977 to 1979
CVN-72- 1991 and 1992