#136—What Makes the Flight Deck So Exciting?

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) They say working on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the most dangerous job in the world. You’ve heard me say this before… while I agree that working on the flight deck is… Read more#136—What Makes the Flight Deck So Exciting?

#135—You Mean There’s More to a Carrier Than the Flight Deck?

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Becky & I recently returned from a great trip to San Diego, visiting our son, Jared, and his two boys (our grandsons, ages 10 & 8). The weather was as I remembered it from years… Read more#135—You Mean There’s More to a Carrier Than the Flight Deck?

#133—A Veteran’s Christmas

First of all, Merry Christmas to all from Gainesville, Florida. If you don’t know where that is, it’s about 1½ hours from each coast, an hour south of Georgia, and two hours north of Orlando. Right smack dab in the… Read more#133—A Veteran’s Christmas

#132—The Navy That Stayed with Me Through the Years

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) My Navy “career” was a short four years. Actually, it was 3 Years, 11 Months, & 29 Days, But Who’s Counting? It may have been short, but during those formidable years, 1973-77, I learned a… Read more#132—The Navy That Stayed with Me Through the Years

#131—Japan Air Lines 747: Engine Out

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Naval Air Station, Agana, Guam – 1974 Oohhhh, baby. That’s it. “Ooh-Ga!” A little lower. “Ah-Ooh-Ga!” Don’t stop… “AHHH-OOOH-GAAA!” “Chet. Chet. Wake up, Chet.” “What the hell, Borne? I’m in the middle of a dream.”… Read more#131—Japan Air Lines 747: Engine Out

#124—Nighttime on the Flight Deck, Part 1: Launch

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) “What the hell took you so long, Chet?” Borne was his usual self—always smiling, cracking a joke, and making light of the moment. He knew the chow lines were often long enough to finish a… Read more#124—Nighttime on the Flight Deck, Part 1: Launch

#122—“Three-two…” and Other Navy “Numbers” I Can Never Forget

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, “Life gets more precious when there’s less of it to waste.”? In what movie (and who said it), did we hear, “We thought you was a toad.”? In what song (and who sang… Read more#122—“Three-two…” and Other Navy “Numbers” I Can Never Forget

#121—The “Decision”

“Dismissed for Academic Reasons.” There it was in black and white in May 1973. Now, why on earth would Florida State University want me to depart their wonderful institution? Probably it was because this was my first year away from… Read more#121—The “Decision”

#112—“Eject! Eject!”—Excitement from the Flight Deck

NACES seat test using a McDonnell YF-4J Phantom II at the US Navy Naval Weapons Station China Lake, CA (1987). Official US Navy photo.

#111—Navy “Orienteering”

Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, “The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.”? In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “Nobody is gonna hit as hard as… Read more#111—Navy “Orienteering”