The Hook - Topgun at Ten - Fall 1982

On the Front Cover: Cdr Ken Fisher, Recent Commanding Officer of Nas Dallas’ VF-201, Leads a Section of Hunters F-4NS Over Nas Oceana’s Tacts Range, 11 August 1982, During Squadron Deployment to VF-43. Photo by Bob Lawson. GGA Image ID # 21a9f240f4

Introduction

The Fall 1982 edition of The Hook captures the spirit of carrier aviation with a focus on innovation, history, and precision training. Highlighted by "Topgun at Ten," celebrating the decade-long legacy of the Navy Fighter Weapons School, the issue offers insights into the advancements and challenges of naval aviation. With stories on carrier landings, the role of LSOs, and reserve squadron deployments, this edition provides a detailed and compelling look into the operations and dedication of those involved in naval aviation.

Topgun Plane Captain Assists Marine Capt. Dan “Spartan” Driscoll Strap Into F-5E at NAS Miramar. Photo by Bob Larson. GGA Image ID # 21aa0d0a87

Table of Contents : Air Plan

• BRIEF
• FROM THE CATWALK
  Peter Kilduff
• LAUNCH
  • "Wasp's Deckedge Elevator—ala Rube Goldberg"
    David E. McCrostie
  • "Trap 'Em"—USS LANGLEY (CV-1) Preparations
    CAPT Al. Raithel, Jr., USN (Ret)
  • "The Indispensable Man"—The LSO, part one
    Barrett Tillman
• AT MARSHAL
  • "Topgun at Ten"—Navy Fighter Weapons School
    Story and photos by Bob Lawson
  • Command Changes
  • "The Big E is Back—With Attack!"
    Photo essay by Bob Lawson
• MANNING THE SPARE
  • "Reserve CarQuals"—VF-301
    LCDR Jan C. Jacobs, USNR-R
  • "Success Through Preparation" —VF-201 Deploys to Oceana
    LCDR Ross Burgess, USNR-R
• RECOVERY
• IN REVIEW
• WAVEOFFS AND BOLTERS

About the Publication

The Hook is published quarterly by The Tailhook Association, a non-profit corporation dedicated to foster, encourage, develop, study and support the aircraft carrier, sea-based aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, and aircrew of the United States of America and to educate the public in the aircraft carrier's appropriate role in the Nation's defense system.

Views expressed in The Hook are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policies of The Tailhook Association or the United States Navy. Printed in U.S.A. Bulk-rate postage paid at Bonita, California. Copyright (3 1982 by The Tailhook Association. All rights reserved.

Subscription for The Hook is included in the $15.00 annual membership in The Tailhook Association. Regular Membership is open to anyone who has made a carrier landing as a pilot or aircrewman. Associate Membership is open to anyone having the background and interest to support the goals of The Tailhook Association, as stated above. Ordinary subscriptions are also available.

Conclusion

Through its engaging articles, historical retrospectives, and dynamic photo essays, the Fall 1982 edition of The Hook continues its mission to celebrate and inform about carrier aviation. The comprehensive table of contents reflects the breadth of content, from technical advancements to personal accounts of service. This issue stands as a tribute to the skill and resilience of the U.S. Navy’s aviation community and offers readers a deeper appreciation of its enduring legacy.

THE TAILHOOK ASSOCIATION
Membership/AdministratiOn
P.O. Box 40
Bonita, CA 92002
(619) 479-8525

• PRESIDENT : CAPT Thomas A. Stanley, USN
• SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT : D.S. Laird, CDR, USN (Ret)
• VICE PRESIDENTS
  • CAPT Ken Dickerson, USN
  • LCDR GregOry A. Cassady, USNR-TAR
  • Thomas J. Kane, Jr.
  • Robert H. Thompson
• BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  • Jack O'Hara, RADM USN (Ret)
  • F.A.W. Franke, Jr., CAPT USN (Ret)
  • D.S. "Diz" Laird, CDR USN (Ret)
  • CDR Rod Knutson, USN
  • Robert A. Allwine, CDR USN (Ret)
• ADVISOR, NAVAL AVIATION MATTERS : James D. Ramage, RADM USN (Ret)
• EXECUTIVE SECRETARY : Ron Thomas
• GENERAL COUNSEL : R.E. Gallatin, CAPT USN (Ret)

CORPORATE MEMBERS

The following corporations exhibit their strong support of Naval Aviation through their membership in the Tailhook Association.

• Beech Aircraft Corporation
• Lockheed-California Company
• Beech Aerospace Services, Inc.
• McDonnell Douglas Corporation
• Bendix Corporation Oceanics Division
• Northrop Corporation
• Boeing Vertol Company
• Northrop Corporation, Ventura Division
• Computer Sciences Corporation
• Cubic Corporation
• Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Group
• Ford Aerospace & Communications Corporation
• Raytheon Company
• General Dynamics/Convair Division
• Rockwell International
• General Dynamics/Pomona Division
• Sanders Associates, Inc.
• General Electric Company-Aircraft Engine Group
• Sikorsky Aircraft
• Grumman Aerospace Corporation
• Teledyne Ryan Aeronuatics
• Harris Corporation-PRD Electronics Division
• Texas Instruments Corporation
• Hughes Aircraft Company
• United Technologies-Norden Systems
• Litton Systems, Inc. Guidance & Control Systems Division
• Vought Corporation