Life is a journey, one step followed by another…
April 1977—USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)Somewhere off the Coast of California “Hey Chet… You ready for this?” I was sporting my new, brightly colored jersey… this one is yellow. My new “home” is no longer the Crash Crew, but now I’m… Read more#172—Change of “Scenery” (Red to Yellow)
Thanks to those who commented on my previous blog, #170—An Honor & a Privilege.” Several comments were spot on and reminded me of things I’d forgotten. Here’s a few more shared “memories:” June 1975 – Somewhere in the Middle of… Read more#171—My First… Overseas Liberty Call
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Someone recently asked me what my favorite plane was when I was in the Navy. Not an unusual question for a Navy veteran, but it came from a young’un, probably not yet a teen. She… Read more#158—My Favorite Navy Jets (70s version)
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) In my last post I wrote two weeks ago was my “Anniversary” of joining Uncle Sam’s Canoe Club 50 years ago. That post got me to thinking about those last few days aboard USS Kitty… Read more#149—Short? “Five Days and a Wake-up”
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
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.
If you’re listening to this audio, take a moment and close your eyes. Allow me to describe beauty beyond comparison from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. This is not about jet aircraft taking off and landing. This is… Read more#101—From the Flight Deck: Indescribable Beauty
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, “Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”? In what movie (and who said it)… Read more#98—Flight Ops: Aircraft Recovery
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, “A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.”? In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “I love this place at night, the stars. There’s no right… Read more#81—Flight Deck Dangers: Launch & Recovery
Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, “The only person who never makes a mistake is the person who never does anything.”? In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, “I feel the need… the need for speed.”?… Read more#79—What Did You Do in the Navy, Granddad?