New Squid on the Block

"The old navvet walks around the deserted hanger deck. The morning was crisp and clear, with only a hint of fall. The line crews would be out and about soon, giving selected squadron aircraft a quick once over before preflight crews begin their procedures.

He steps into the maintenance control office. Dust and cobwebs, mute sentries of times army, offer only token resistance, cause his memories to surrender, returning him to the here and now.

Was it that long ago, when Naval aviators, ground crews, and a host of others, gathered here with a mission? When F-4 "Phantoms" thundered down the runway, belching smoke as they shot toward the heavens?"

Yes, it was "that long ago". It was a different Navy back then. At least the first ten years were much more along the lines of "we work hard we play hard". When you crossed the equator you were a 'wog"...at least until you "kissed the baby". "The Chief" *was the final word ON EVERYTHING (that went for junior officers too). Back then, you could still "tack on" a crow. Do I miss it? Yes, yes I do. Would I put on the uniform today if country called, even though it is a kinder more sensitive Navy? Yes I would, in an instant.

But who is this interloper wondering round the 'Gazette? I answer to any number of things (just ask my better half). But Navvet55 works as good as anything.

As for me, well, I was an aviation electronics tech. Yeah we were called "Tweets", or "airdales" by the surface Sailors (or just admired for our tans by the "bubbleheads"). Spent a couple of tours working directly on the radios/navigation aids, down to component level. Other tours saw me working Squadron level maintenance on some of the last C-117's (converted DC-3's) in the Navy's inventory, as well as older model anti sub patrol aircraft (P-3's). Later, just north of Malibu, at one of the nicest duty stations we had, I was into the wonderland of electronic countermeasures. And found a home in QA as well.

As luck would have it, I also pulled a tour as a Navy Recruiter.....as I was an honest recruiter, I soon found myself working at the district as a Youth Programs Co-coordinator and Assistant Public Affairs Officer. *That* really was a challenging tour. If you can deprogram an 18 year old from all the left leaning propaganda they have gathered over the years from both parents and our "outstanding public school systems". Then get them to see what valid opportunities exist in the military, you can sell ice to Eskimos.

My last command was with a group on the east coast. I was eventually pronounced fit to become a pilot....granted it was piloting UAV's, but that was as demanding as real time aircraft environment would have been. Situational awareness counted as much for us as it does for those who physically strap themselves in to the multi million dollar beasts. We could lose an aircraft or cause a mission to abort just as easily by not paying the proper attention to details.

Well, that is about it. Hope I didn't bore you to tears. Left out lots of sea stories and such. But there will be other times. I want to thank Greyhawk for the opportunity to pop in here from time to time, and toss my two cents on the counter. If you have any questions, concerns, comments, please feel free to give me a shout and I will try to get back to you ASAP. you can reach me at navvet55-at-gmail-dot-com.

Update
Oh, and as this is new and all ...ok, with only 5 active braincells, and three of them on TAD status, I forgot to add my own little piece of the net is Snugg Harbor. Come on by an drop in. I am also a MiliBlogger.