The Hook - Where are the Carriers? - Fall 2000

On The Front Cover: Section of VFA-122 Flying Eagle Super Hornets cruise over central California on a training mission. In the lead is an F/A-18E with an F/A-18F on the wing. Photo by Neville Dawson. GGA Image ID # 21aba05cc2

Introduction

The Fall 2000 issue of The Hook offers a detailed look at the evolving role and operations of naval aviation at the turn of the 21st century. With a spotlight on the strategic positioning of aircraft carriers across the Pacific and Atlantic fleets in "Where Are the Carriers?," this issue delves into the critical role of naval power. The table of contents also features historical retrospectives, such as a photo essay on the F6F Hellcat, and contemporary updates on air wings, squadron deployments, and cutting-edge training advancements.

Table of Contents : Air Plan

• BRIEF
  • In Harm's Way: Naval Aviation at the Dawn of the 21st Century
    VADM John NathmCOmmander,
    Commander, NaFOrcesr Forces Pacific Fleet
  • Where are the Carriers?
    Pacific Fleet: USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), USS Constellation (CV-64), USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Nimitz (CVN-68).
    Atlantic Fleet: USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS George Washington (CVN-73), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
  • From the Chairman: The View From Here
    RADM Thomas F. Brown III, USN(Ret)
  • Naval Aviation in Color: The F6F Hellcat
    photo essay by Robert L. Lawson
• FROM THE CATWALK
  • From the Catwalk
    Hookers of a Different Kind, The Good Ol' Days, Avoidable Accidents, and more. conducted by CAPT Hook
  • The Further Adventures of Youthly Puresome: A Near Thing
    CDR Jack D. Woodul, USNR(Ret), artwork by Carl Snow
  • Where Are They Now? Whitey Feightner
    LCDR Rick Morgan, USN(Ret)
  • Check Flight in "01' Shaky"
    LCDR Rick Morgan, USN(Ret)
• LAUNCH
  • A 50-Year Tribute: Naval Aviation In Korea
    Barrett Tillman
  • Up To Speed With the Super Hornet FRS
    Jeff Hall, photos by Neville Dawson
• AT MARSHAL
  • Command Changes
  • Air Wing and Squadron Reports
  • CVW-5 Shows Off at Wings 2000
    photo essay by PH3 Michael A. Damron, USN
    Wings 2000, the annual air show at NAF Atsugi, Japan, provides Carrier Air Wing Five the opportunity to show off some spectacular CAG birds and reinforce its ties to the local Japanese community. This year, the CVW-5 squadrons' corrosion work center personnel outdid themselves with a group of eye-popping paint jobs.
  • Carrier Air Wing Composition as of 1 October 2000
• MANNING THE SPARE: News from the Reserves
• RESPOT
  • They Came Back: A Report on Tailhook 2000
    Barrett Tillman and LCDR Rick Morgan, USN(Ret)
• IN REVIEW
  The Second Luckiest Pilot: Adventures in Military Aviation; Donald K. Tooker, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, 2000, Hardcover, 227 pages, illustrated, $26.95. Kaiser Fleetwings XBTK-1; Bob Kowalski; Steve Ginter Publications, Simi Valley, CA, 1999, softcover, 34 pages, illustrated, $7.95. Low and Slow: A Novel of Navy Flight Training Behind Round Engines; D. E. "Butch" Bucciarelli, Xlibris Publishing, 2000, softcover, 316 pages, $16.00.
• WAVEOFFS & BOLTERS
  • What is It?
    Steve Millikin and Hal Andrews
  • Patch Page: World War II VC Squadrons

Tailhook Association Vision, Purpose and Objectives

It is the vision of the Tailhook Association to be nationally recognized as the premier organization for support of carrier and other sea-based aviation. The purposes of the Association as set forth in the organization bylaws are:

to foster, encourage, develop, study, and support the aircraft carrier, sea-based aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, and aircrews of the United States of America; and to educate and inform the public in the appropriate role of the aircraft carrier and carrier aviation in the nation’s defense system.”

The objectives of the Tailhook Association in implementation of the stated purposes are:

• To uphold a commitment to the highest standards of professional and personal conduct
• To honor the service and sacrifices of all those who are or have been a part of carrier-based aviation
• To sponsor and participate in professional gatherings designed to constructively enhance public recognition of the importance of carrier and other sea-based aviation
• To provide an interactive forum for fleet aviator thought and opinion in carrier aviation matters, particularly that of the junior aviator
• To contribute to the enhancement of professionalism, camaraderie and morale among carrier and other sea-based aviators
• To honor and give special recognition to those who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of carrier-based Naval Aviation
• To contribute to improved communication among civilian and military communities regarding carrier aviation matters; and
• To develop an ever-widening membership base.

The Hook is published quarterly by the Tailhook Association, a California nonprofit corporation. 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 the USA. Bulk-rate postage paid at San Diego, Calif. Copyright ©2000 by the Tailhook Association. All rights reserved.

Subscription for The Hook is included in the $40.00 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. Subscriptions are also available to organizations or individuals.

A current corporation annual report, prepared in accordance with Section 8321 of the California Corporations Code, is available to regular members upon request.

Conclusion

The Fall 2000 edition of The Hook captures the dynamic intersection of naval aviation's storied history and its modern evolution. Through engaging articles on carrier placements, historical tributes, and training innovations, the publication reaffirms its dedication to celebrating and educating about carrier-based aviation. This issue stands as a testament to the enduring importance of aircraft carriers and their pivotal role in global defense strategies, while also honoring the community of aviators who drive this legacy forward.

Managing Staff Members

• EDITOR : CAPT Steve Millikin, USN(Ret)
• MANAGING EDITOR : CDR Jan C. Jacobs, USNR(Ret)
• ASSOCIATE EDITORS
  • CAPT Wynn F. Foster, USN(Ret)
  • Barrett Tillman
  • Carmelle Carter
• CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
  • Steven P. Albright
  • Hal Andrews
  • Margaret Bone
  • CDR Doug Siegfried, USN(Ret)
  • Mike Weeks
  • CDR Jack D. Woodul, USNR(Ret)
• CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
  • Ted Carlson
  • Rick Llinares
  • Jose M. Ramos
  • CDR Chris Buhlmann, USNR

Printing by Neyenesch Printers, San Diego, Calif.

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Articles and news items are welcomed. Submit material for The Hook to: Editorial Offices, The Hook, 9696 Businesspark Ave., San Diego, CA 92131-1643. (858) 689-9227 or (800)322-HOOK, Fax (858) 578-8839

VOLUME 28 NUMBER 3 FALL 2000

©2000, all rights reserved

ISSN: 0736-9220