Gender
Male
Columbus
Age:
You need to be a member of Navy Veterans to add comments!
Gender
Male
Location
Columbus
Birthday:
October 14
Age:
Rank
Petty Officer Third Class
Enlisted Rating
Aviation Machinist's Mate
Where were you or your family stationed?
I began my adventure in company 127 at RTC Orlando. Went to A school in Millington (NATTC Memphis) to learn/earn rate of ADJ. Onward to VA42 Framp (NAS Oceana) to get acquanted with A-6E's and KA6D's and then ultimately to VA-85. I experienced the Line division for awhile and eventually transferred to the PowerPlants shop. Although mainly based at NAS Oceana, our squadron deployed aboard USS Forrestal (CV-59) as required. I consider myself fortunate to have participated in flight operations and exercises conducted in Puerto Rico and Cuba. I've also had the opportunity to serve aboard USS FORRESTAL during numerous deployments from 1976 through 1979. Obviously, the Tall Ships (OPNAVSAIL '76) and the '78 Med Cruise were most memorable; Harry Chapin, the Haiti Experience, Palma, Naples, Marseille, Torremolinos, Valencia, Capri, and a few cold ones with our former XO, "Zap" (Admiral, USN Retired) to name a few. But one experience I'll never forget, was that cat shot to Sigenella field for attack exercises against the FID. Awesome! So dust off that cruise book or photo album and travel down memory lane every now and then. It's all good.
Veteran of Foreign War
None, The Cold War
Current Status with the US Navy
Honorably Discharged
Start date of your service
October 20, 1975
End date of your service
October 19, 1979
Comments
Thanks for the email. I still had a good friend that was still there during your time with VA-85. He was PR2 Paul Foltz. He and I enlisted in the Navy on the buddy program and did our first tour with this squadron. Still looking to contact fellow shipmates, but it's been hard tracking them down. Going to make contact with Mike Walsh, but would like to find a guy by the name of Bailey. Anyone know him?
Al, love your pictures of the Forrestal and the aircraft. I just wish I would of taken pictures while I was there.
Talk to you later,
John
Rik