Old Birds

[BoeingDiesel]

Easy there Big', my comment was not intended to be an attack on your post. You're absolutely correct, the entire campaign was an exercise in futility.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Easy there Big', my comment was not intended to be an attack on your post. You're absolutely correct, the entire campaign was an exercise in futility.

Your comment was not SEEN as an attack!!!! Just the way that I looked at things and dont mind letting people know. lots of Military guys fight over WHO was the best WHO was to tuffest WHO was this and that, I DONT KNOW WHEN PEOPLE HAD TIME TO THINK ABOUT SUCH I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER!!!!!

Bottom line was when the I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER HIT THE FAN that guy in the hole next to me didnt care what branch of the military I was in.



The absolute best feeling I had was when I was taken to Ramstein AFB to get some real work done on my leg. When I woke up the head nurse said that's a Full Bird Colonel's A** your squeezing SSGT!!! I thought it felt kind of flabby!!!!! Her response was I will give you that ONE TIME cause your pretty drugged up but dont let it happen again!!! :-laf:-laf She made sure that I had my wits about me and gave me a BUNCH of teletype letters asking about my condition from the entire group and their officers at our FAC base we had every branch of the Military there and they thought enough of me to ask. PRETTY WARM AND FUZZY FEELING

 

[BoeingDiesel]

A new Bird

I took my grandson to the airport today so he could sit in some the cockpits of 51s’, F4U and the F6F. He, my grandson, has a love for flying that reminds me, of me, fifty years ago. Needless to say, Grandpa will be subsidizing his flying lessons. We ended up in the bone yard when I came across these old war horses. What a shame that these beautiful old girls have fallen into such a state of decay. The first is a McDonnell-Douglas F4J and the next is Republic F105. The F4 was a multi role platform and, on many sorties, flew CAP for the F105s’ over SEA re; “Operation Linebacker. ” The 105 “Thud” was a beast and never received its due in the annals of history. The F4 had brute power under burner and could take a beating. We referred to [her] as the Douglas Diesel AKA [Boeing Diesel] as she was always blowing smoke trails. Those were the days…? You bet!

Just thought I’d share the day.



My grandson took his first flying lesson today…he was all smiles until we walked into the FBO @ KCNO at which time he put on a serious face. I went on deck, as an observer, with him and his CFI paying close attention to the CFIs’ method, personality, etc. as he went through pre-flight inspection. They saddled up and went through the pre-start checklist, put on their headphones and my boy yelled, “Clear prop. ” The engine of the little Cherokee snapped to life compressing the nose strut and then settled down to a gentle idle. I could see his instructor talking to GC and a few moments later they were taxiing for departure.

About 80 minutes later they were taxiing back…I could see the smile on their faces, obviously talking about the flight. Once they shut down, my grandson gave me the thumbs’ up and went into the office which gave me the opportunity to talk with his CFI. He just shook his head and smiled… his first words were, “Gregg, this kid is a natural. ” He went on to comment in how my grandson was within commercial standards in his coordinated turns, easily maintained altitude, heading with wings level to horizon and only lost 50 feet on his first attempt at a steep turn, along with various other maneuvers. He looked at me and asked if he had had any previous lessons, so I told him that he had taken the controls to my Decathlon on several flights and that I was of the same opinion…he is a natural.

Upon arriving home, his Mom (my daughter) and son in law were happy to greet their son with hugs and congratulations but they had no clue in what their son had just accomplished. To the average every day human, flying is a mode of transportation and that’s where it ends… If they only knew. I should also add that my grandson told his mom and dad that he preferred they not come with us for his first lesson. I asked him why… he didn’t want his parents there and told me that they just wouldn’t understand and would act like parents. He was all business.

 

[HBarlow]

Gregg,

What kind of aircraft is a Decathlon? I noticed you mentioned the name in your post to me on the PCH ride thread but being uninformed about aviation, I guessed badly it was an obscure reference to a motor vehicle (ground type) I was unfamiliar with.

 

[jhenderson]

American Champion, entry level aerobatics and a decent cross country airplane. I got my tail wheel endorsement in one. They are among my favorite planes. They are a ball to fly. Congratulations to Greggs grandson. I can't waite to here about his 1st solo.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

This is a picture of a Decath. Xtreme. Fantastic little aircraft and makes my commutes to Austin very enjoyable. Trimmed out with VMC I cruise at 113 Kts. (130-ish MPH). It has full IFR glass panel, should the need arise, and its paint scheme is modeled after USN VF-111 (Triple Sticks) SunDowners squadron. I've pushed the envelope a few times more than this old body cares to endure but she is certified to 6+ / 5- loads.



Yep, I'm looking forward to the day his CFI gets out of the plane, but that is a ways down the road. My hope ( and his ) is to be nominated for selection to the USNA. He has the intellect, grades, sports ( tennis and baseball ) and gets involved with his community. I'll begin the petitioning very soon.

 

[GCroyle]

Gregg,



I think Grandpa is just a little bit proud, congrats.

 

[HBarlow]

Gregg,

Impressive aircraft. How long does it take you to fly from Seattle area to Austin or thereabouts?

That would be a great beginning if your grandson can be accepted to the Naval Academy. The USNA turns out outstanding young men (and women) with fine educations and great strength of character. Many of them rise to top levels in the military and private industry and none of them are turkeys.

I worked for a lot of them over the years. I definitely liked some better than others but I never met a bad one. One NA graduate I worked for when he was a young LCDR (04) and CO of a WWII vintage diesel electric submarine rose like a rocket ship to the rank of four star admiral. He was very impressive even as a young officer and clearly his superiors knew that. His name was Arthur Stanley Moreau, Jr. He was CINCUSNAVEUR (Commander in Chief US Naval Forces Europe) when he died on active duty at age 53 of a heart attack. His early death was a great loss to the Navy and America.

 

[BoeingDiesel]

SEA to AUS looks to be about 1800 miles, or so. That would probably be about a three day trip considering this type aircraft, mountainous terrain, weather and potential NFZ’s. I’m temporarily in SoCal, with a few trips per month to Lakeway, and trying to button up all the loose ends and convince the wife life in Texas is far better than Kalifornia,. I could literally spend the rest of my days exploring Texas, eg; your post in another thread of heading out to Three Sisters and Leakey Tx. I googled Leakey and showed the wife all the pictures…she loves that type of countryside, but prying her away from the kids and grandchildren has been tough. SoCal to Austin is an easy flight with a fuel stop and maybe head break…ten to thirteen hours max.



Serving under Admiral Moreau, in his junior years, must carry a lot of memories for you. Somewhere in the past several years I read an article about the Admiral in what a phenomenal commander he was…I just can’t recall where I saw it. Might have been Navy Times or the navycafe.



If my grandson isn’t accepted into the NA then he will attend Ohio State for his degree, engineering or related science, and join ROTC. Acceptance into the USN OCS program is extremely competitive with about a 20% approval rate and he understands that anything less than a 3. 9 will put his jacket in the round file. We’ve been working on memory exercises the last several months and his task for the day is to memorize one news paper article of 100 words or more. He didn’t see the value in this at the outset (nor did I 46 years ago) but he now understands the importance of the exercise.



Proud of this kid…? Yeah, you hit the nail GCroyle.



It occurred to me, after re-reading my original post, I’m one of the ‘Old Birds, and maybe in some fashion I’m reliving my youth through him, but now, it’s my time to give back…and so I shall.

 

[HBarlow]

Gregg,

Had a couple of senior moment thinking Seattle not SoCal. I guess it stems from initially assuming you lived/worked in the Seattle area when I read your posts years ago. Sorry.

TXDOT prints and mails a free annual updated version of a nice publication titled "201x State Travel Guide" on request. You can find it online if you haven't already. It is an excellent intro to Texas with descriptions of every incorporated city and town, interesting things nearby, population, elevation, etc. The state is divided into regions with descriptions of the geography and terrain. You might find it interesting.

The TX Hill Country area you are moving to has experienced a huge population growth in the past 30 years, much of it due to mass exodus from the rust belt states and KA for similar reasons but there are still many small towns which are hardly changed from the 1940s. It's fun to drive/ride back in time through those areas.

Everyone has heard or heard of the old Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson song about going to Luckenbach, TX. Luchenbach is not a real town any longer but is a popular destination every weekend in good weather. Hundreds of weekend travelers flock there on motorcycles (not the Hardly thug crowd) from all over the state to enjoy the weather, back roads riding, scenery, and free live music at Luckenbach. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luckenbach,_Texas

I've been there many times and will probably stop by again when Dick and I ride to Leakey.

Texas is "different" with a different culture and proudly maintains that TX culture. I think you and your wife will enjoy it. It's clear you have the mind of an explorer, a learner of new things, and I'm sure you will. If you can convince your wife she will also.

My girls (female GSDs) are demanding breakfast. More later.

 

[HBarlow]

Gregg,

Texas Highways is a good monthly magazine. We've subscribed for longer than I can remember, even when we lived in San Diego. It is travel oriented not news or politics, and features excellent photography and brief articles about towns, regions, events, history, etc. I recommend it.

Your grandson sounds like a likely prospect for the USNA and you are doing a great job preparing him. It will be a wonderful thing for him and for you if he can be selected. I have some limited understanding of how extremely selective it is but what a lifetime achievement selection and graduation can be. Graduation from one of the service academies is preparation for successful careers in that service but also in life.

Back to Admiral Moreau. Yes, serving under his outstanding leadership was an honor and I have many fond memories of the time. He stood out like a bright shining star among his peers. I was a clueless young fool with little understanding or ambition when I stepped aboard my first submarine in February 1964. Through some strange mistake I volunteered for submarines, went through the basic screening, and was ordered direct to a submarine without the six or eight week submarine school that everyone was required to attend. Never figured out why or how that happened and was the only sailor I ever heard of who did that. I was even more clueless than most new submariners.

When I reported aboard a wimpy little LCDR who I won't name was CO. He was timid, totally unimpressive. A few months after my arrival LCDR Moreau reported aboard and relieved the wimp. Moreau was handsome, dashing, wore beautiful tailored uniforms, was impressive in appearance and confidence. Shortly after Moreau assumed command he took us out to sea. The very first time he ordered, "Dive, Dive" and cleared the bridge I was in the Control Room at my station and we had the vents open and were slowly, gently submerging the ship as normal. Moreau yelled down from the Conning Tower, "Get a down angle on", "you people drive a submarine like old people xxxx"! Remember this was 1964, pre-pc. That moment established his command presence. From that day forward we operated the boat with gusto. He was a serious submarine co who was about training for wartime service. We began to take on all the challenging operations. In 1965 we were at home in our homeport of NLON CT only 85 days.

We made a long Mediterranean cruise in 1965 including a month or more in and out of the Russian Navy port of Murmansk which I think was, at the time, a huge Naval Base with many warships. This was during the Cold War. At night we would snorkel charge our batteries a few miles outside the port. During daylight hours we were submerged or at periscope depth in the harbor taking periscope photos and gatheriing electronic countermeasures intelligence. This was exciting and scary stuff for an ignorant young sailor like myself. I understood we were in enemy territory.

Once we apparently observed a warship coming our way and went deeper. I don't recall how deep the bottom was inside the harbor but we were down as deep as we could go without striking bottom. The warship apparently detected our presence and began running a pattern back and forth overhead pinging with active sonar. Captain Moreau ordered the outer doors on the forward torpedo tubes opened which was a preparatory step for firing torpedos. My eyes were wide and my heart was in my throat. The danger passed with no attacks and we returned home at the end of our mission.

Under Moreau's leadership we twice won the Navy E for excellence based on competitive observations by senior officers of our methods in all areas of operating the ship. Even young, dumb sailors like myself recognized Moreau was special and we were the best submarine in Submarine Squadron 10. We were proud to serve in his ship.

In 1955 the world's first nuclear submarine, the USS Nautilus had gone into service. Nautilus was quickly followed by Seawolf, Skate, Skipjack, Triton, and others. The US and the Navy had a plan. Hundreds of new nuclear submarines were planned and would be built while the aging WWII era diesel-electrics like Halfbeak would be retired and not replaced. The submarine officer corps had to move into nuclear power training or they would be cast aside. There would be no more command opportunities in submarines in the very near future for them. Nuclear power was the future.

Junior submarine officers who wanted careers in the Navy had to go before Admiral Rickover, the tyrannical madman who ran the Nuclear Navy. The stories of the abuse young officers who aspired to submarine service had to endure at the hands of Rickover to be selected were legendary. Books were written about Rickover. Young LCDR Moreau had ignored Rickover. He apparently had zero interest in kissing Rickover's ring and submitting himself to subjugation under Rickover for a career in the nuke Navy. At the end of captain Moreau's two year command tour in Halfbeak he was promoted to commander and went to the surface Navy. I'm not sure now but think his first assignment post Halfbeak was as XO on a surface warship then he commanded a surface warship. Competition was keen for surface command as with any command assignment so this was somewhat impressive for a submarine officer so easily to move into command of a warship. I'm sure he was a standout there as well.

Following that surface command tour he was promoted to full captain. Captain Moreau was co of Naval Station Subic Bay in the early '70s when the Vietnam conflict ended and thousands of refugees escaped. In typical Moreau fashion, he probably submitted the idea of temporarily confining and housing thousands of Vietnamese refugees on Grande Island in Subic Bay. That was successful of course. Eventually the Vietnamese were absorbed into the US.

cont.

 

[HBarlow]

Soon Moreau was selected for promotion to admiral. I was at Naval Station Subic Bay in the late '70s when Admiral Moreau came ashore to call on my CO. Moreau was commanding an aircraft carrier battle group with a carrier as his flagship and a number of surface warships and a submarine or two all under his command making a Western Pacific deployment. From that assignment he earned a third star and moved on. Don't know or remember where he served as a three star, believe it was on CNO's staff, but it was only for a short time then he had a fourth star and was CINCUSNAVEUR.

I have been disappointed to be unable to find no written history of this very impressive naval officer. I have searched. A book should be written about him. Had he not died young on active duty he might have been the next Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) or Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He was that good. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery along with one of his sons who died, I think, as a pilot in Vietnam.

I am proud to have known him.

As an aside, the wimpy co he relieved long ago is still living and a member of the association of former officers and crew of that submarine. The wimp wrote a piece published in the association newsletter supporing and encouraging old retired shipmates to vote for nobama. I almost vomited. The man is clearly a fool. A fool for believing in and supporing nobama and a fool for promoting him in that newsletter.

 

[HBarlow]

My apologies for so many editing and ***ting errors. I think they are removed and the ***ts flow as I wrote them now. I spent too much time writing the long ***t and was struggling to repeatedly copy it into a Word file to save it.

This damned TDR software with all its problems is the absolute enemy of anyone who attempts to write a long ****t. I have written 100 long ***ts since this sorry software was implemented only to find when I hit the key to ***t the system locked down and my entire ***t was lost.

Edit: What's up with this lousy software now?

I had to go back and restore every one of the examples of using the word "P-O-S-T" in the paragraphs above. Is the software now blanking out every example of the letters "P-O-S" in the word P-O-S-T now?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Gregg,

Texas Highways is a good monthly magazine. We've subscribed for longer than I can remember, even when we lived in San Diego. It is travel oriented not news or politics, and features excellent photography and brief articles about towns, regions, events, history, etc. I recommend it.

NO POLITICS THAT CANT BE TRUE

QUOTE
. I spent too much time writing the long post.

ITS CALLED Plagiarism NOT WRITING

ON SECOND THOUGHT MAYBE YOUR RIGHT!!!

1. titless wave A yeoman in the US Navy, that is a male enlisted sailor, who does clerical work and other office chores usually associated with female tasks.


Should have been a MAN and did a REAL MAN'S JOB shuffling paper is not something to be proud of IMO

 

[BIGNASTY]

My apologies for so many editing and posting errors. I think they are removed and the posts flow as I wrote them. I spent too much time writing the long post and was struggling to repeatedly copy it into a Word file to save it.



This damned sorry TDR software with all its problems is the absolute enemy of anyone who attempts to write a long post. I have written 100 long posts since this sorry software was implemented only to find when I hit the key to post the system locked down and my entire post was lost.

I will have to go to Church more often my Prayers do get answered if the entire post was lost :-laf Part of it would be a God send but ALL OF IT IS A SIGN FROM ABOVE

 

[BoeingDiesel]

That was a great read Mr. Barlow. I think most of us would agree that there were officers and there were leaders. Admiral Moreau was obviously a true leader, and speaking [without] authority, I can truly say I have never heard a ***itive comment about Admiral Rickover.

I learned early on as a lowly LtJg the value of MCPO’s. I challenged an AMCM what was an acceptable tolerance on a control surface. I said it was too tight and he reassured me the tolerance was perfect. After a few minutes of going back and forth [as he would not be deterred] I discovered the error in my claim. He just smiled, and I’ll never forget his comment, “That’s okay Son…Sir, you fly the lady and I’ll keep her tight. ” Several hours later my SQCO called me and the Chief on deck. Neither of us commented to his subtle questions. The Boss’ dismissed the Chief and then stepped in front of me and gave me a little personal advice pointing out the Chief had a hell of a lot more experience than me. He also commented on how he always addressed the CPO’s as Mister. That was a lesson well learned.



The following describes the MCPO.



CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC

ACTIVE-DUTY NAVY E9 SELECTION BOARD RESULTS//

GENTEXT/RMKS/1. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING PERSONNEL WHO HAVE

BEEN SELECTED FOR ADVANCEMENT TO MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER BY THE…

ACTIVE-DUTY NAVY E9 SELECTION BOARD. STRONG COMPETITION BETWEEN QUALIFIED

PROFESSIONALS IS ONE OF THE STRENGTHS OF OUR NAVY AND YOUR

SELECTION SPEAKS HIGHLY OF YOUR ABILITIES.



The Navy's Command Master Chief (CMC) Program is a valuable asset which stimulates free-flowing communications and ensures the highest standards of professionalism are upheld at all levels within the chain of command. Command Master Chiefs strengthen the chain of command by keeping the Commanding Officer aware of existing or potential situations as well as procedures and practices which affect the mission, readiness, welfare and morale of the Sailors in the command. CMC's are the senior enlisted leaders who report directly to their respective Commanding Officers. They formulate and implement policies concerning morale, welfare, job satisfaction, discipline, utilization and training of Navy personnel. By reporting directly to their Commanding Officer, the CMC's keep their chain of command aware and informed of sensitive and current issues.

 

[HBarlow]

Gregg,

I never met ADM Rickover personally but I know from serving six and a half years on a nuke submarine the nukes lived in literal fear of his visits or visits by his staff officers. I have heard fellow chief petty officers I served with, some of them nukes, speak of their experiences on other boats when Rickover came aboard. The stories were humorous but sad.

Rickover created the Navy nuclear power program and ran it until his death but he created incredible results. The Navy has never had a nuclear incident or accident in all these years and with all these reactors in service. The Navy was also the source of all the initial training for all civilian nuclear power plants. Many nukes left the Navy and went to work for civilian nuclear power companies.

Thanks for the reminder of the Navy's CMC program. I was very fortunate to serve as a CMC under four different captain cos and three different admirals for a total of almost seven years. I really enjoyed those years.

I don't remember you ever acknowledging that you were an officer in the Navy although I could guess you had been a military pilot. Did you retire from the Navy?

Edit: The software replaced the letters "P-O-s" in the common abbreviation for chief petty officers!

 

[BoeingDiesel]

I know... what's up with this software?? I as trying to say P. O. S. I. T. I. V. E. but it kept starring me out.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Because if you want to get down to it a P. O. S is a bad word for you know what and some little dainty one went and complained I said a no no word so I did to I guess some are VERY SENSTIVE and have their itbity feelings hurt with bad words ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh soooo sorry baby boy