#212—“Down Time,” Part 2: USS Kitty Hawk (On-duty)

F-14 Tomcat (VF-84 Jolly Rogers) prepares to launch from USS Carl Vinson (CV-70). June 15, 1982. PH3 Dostie, USN.

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Above Photo: An F-14 Tomcat aircraft waits behind the blast deflector panels as another F-14 from Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84) prepares for launching during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70)…. Read more#212—“Down Time,” Part 2: USS Kitty Hawk (On-duty)

#211—“Down Time,” Part 1: NAS Agana, Guam (On-duty)

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) I write a lot about times on the flight deck during flight ops, which, as you may recall, are always exciting. But it’s not all about an adrenaline rush. We weren’t always flying planes. There… Read more#211—“Down Time,” Part 1: NAS Agana, Guam (On-duty)

#210—There’s Nothing Like a Liberty Port Call

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) After five weeks at sea, running flight ops from mid-morning to midnight, lack of sleep, and the constant hum of Kitty Hawk’s four main engines, I’m ready for a port call. I’m sure all 5,500… Read more#210—There’s Nothing Like a Liberty Port Call

#209—This “Getting Old S**t” is Getting Old

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) The Medicare Journey I thought about naming this post “The Medicare Journey,” but I decided to go a different route. Yes, I’m retired, I’m drawing social security, I’ve got some savings, and my wife &… Read more#209—This “Getting Old S**t” is Getting Old

#208—“Timeless Treasures”

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Growing up in Gainesville, Florida, my parents gave my sister and me a Kodak disposable camera, sometime in the 1960s. You remember those … 12 shots in a weird-looking yellow box. You’d turn the entire… Read more#208—“Timeless Treasures”

#207—Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

Carrier Sunset

Another year around the sun … another year of blog posts. Where does the time go? As we used to say back in my day, “It’s Not Just a Job … It’s An Adventure.” Here are the five most popular… Read more#207—Goodbye 2025, Hello 2026

#206—Those Things That Stay With You …

USS Ronald Reagan (2009) E-2 Hawkeye on Cat 2

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) By the time you read this blog post, I’ll have just turned a young 71 years old. I don’t know about you, but when I make another trip around the sun, I count my many… Read more#206—Those Things That Stay With You …

#205—It’s Become an Obsession

Professor Google defines “obsession,” as “an idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person’s mind.” Yep—no doubt, that’s what this project has become. I’m talking about my new book project … the one about 48 men from… Read more#205—It’s Become an Obsession

Blog #204 – Veterans Day 2025

Veterans Day is Tuesday, November 11 I’ve always tried to honor Veterans Day, even as a kid. My dad fought in WWII, and he took time for remembrance and taught me the importance and respect for veterans. I felt I… Read moreBlog #204 – Veterans Day 2025

#203—Welcome Aboard!

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) My transfer orders read, “Report to USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) no later than March 20, 1975.” I’d left my first duty station, NAS Agana, Guam, a month earlier (February), after spending 15 months working one… Read more#203—Welcome Aboard!