{"id":7118,"date":"2024-03-12T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=7118"},"modified":"2024-03-12T09:33:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T13:33:17","slug":"launch-the-alert-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/launch-the-alert-5\/","title":{"rendered":"Launch the Alert 5!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Not many people in this world have heard the phrase, \u201cLaunch the Alert 5!<\/em><\/strong>\u201d I mean, why would they? Unless, of course, they watched the movie, \u201cTop Gun<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d But for those of us who have lived it\u2026 it\u2019s more than a catchy phrase!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m a Navy veteran. I was an ABH <\/strong>(Aviation Boatswains Mate-Handler<\/strong>), which meant I worked with aircraft: Crash Firefighter <\/em>and Aircraft Director<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After Boot Camp <\/strong>(RTC Orlando)<\/a> and ABH \u201cA\u201d School<\/a> <\/strong>(Lakehurst, NH), my first duty station was NAS Agana, Guam<\/a><\/strong>. We worked two sections, \u201cPort\u201d and \u201cStarboard,\u201d 24 hours on and 24 hours off, every day, for 15 months. FYI… I was in the Port section. While on duty, five of us spent two, four-hour shifts a day in a cramped Crash firetruck on an \u201cAlert Spot<\/em>\u201d between parallel runways. Our job was to wait for an aircraft emergency, or worse\u2026 a crash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While I was in Guam, I never heard the phrase, “Launch the Alert 5.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the Flight Deck\u2026<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It wasn\u2019t until I was aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Kitty Hawk<\/a><\/em><\/strong> (CV-63), that I heard it for the first time. I was in V-1 Division\/Crash<\/a><\/strong> during the Westpac \u201975 <\/strong>cruise and worked on the flight deck. I learned what \u201cLaunch the Alert 5!\u201d meant with the help of Crash Bos\u2019n Ty Robuck<\/strong>, Crash LPO Jeff Atteberry<\/strong>, and Ass\u2019t Crash LPO \u201cBig Willie\u201d Williams<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"F-4
F-4J (VF-74) Phantom Night Launch off USS America (CV-66) Westpac ’72\/73.
(Photographer Unknown)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Back in my time (\u201973-77), we were still in the \u201cCold War<\/em>\u201d era. Geez, that seems sooooo long ago. Among other things, the Russians constantly flew reconnaissance missions over our Carrier Task Force. We didn\u2019t trust them any more than they trusted us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two main Russian aircraft that buzzed us were Russian Bears<\/em> and Russian Badgers<\/em>. BTW, the Russians still<\/em> fly reconnaissance missions over our naval forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russians in the Air<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Once we left Hawaii <\/a><\/strong>and on the way to the Philippines<\/a><\/strong>, we established the \u201cAlert 5<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d This meant we had two F-4 Phantoms<\/strong> on the catapults ready to launch from a cold start within five minutes<\/em>. We kept this routine up around the clock<\/em> during that two-week transit, primarily because the Russians didn\u2019t work nine-to-five either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Russian
Russian Badger escorted by F-4 Phantom (VF-114 Aardvarks)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A pilot and RIO (Rear Intercept Officer) sat strapped in the F-4 cockpit waiting; nearby the starter equipment was hooked up to the aircraft, and a full plane crew, including maintenance and ordnance men. A Yellow Shirt <\/em><\/strong>director would be there, too, all ready to go at a moment\u2019s notice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Launch the Alert 5!<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If the Russians came anywhere <\/em>near us, the Air Boss <\/strong>would announce over the 5MC [flight deck PA system], \u201cLaunch the Alert 5!<\/em><\/strong>\u201d At that point, the plane captain and crew would start the F-4 Phantoms, spooling up the jet engines, check the ordnance, and ready the aircraft for launch. The Yellow Shirt would direct the F-4 onto the catapult. Then, when all was ready, the Shooter <\/strong>would launch the aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal was to have at least one aircraft in the air within five minutes. Most of the time, we made it with time to spare, though sometimes there would be an equipment malfunction in which case we would launch the second one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Russian
A-7 Corsair (VA-195 Dambusters) \u201cescorting\u201d a Russian Bear<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One pilot relayed to me that the usual scenario was that they would fly escort with the Russian Bear <\/em>or Badger <\/em>and smile and wave. Both the American pilots and the Russians would take photos of each other. But the pilot was always ready with his trigger finger, just in case. I was glad nothing ever happened; at least no one ever told us anything ever happened during those friendly exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, no, as far as I know, no pilot ever flew \u201cinverted\u201d over a Russian aircraft like \u201cMaverick\u201d did in Top Gun<\/em>. Cheesy, but effective for Hollywood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \u201cAlert 15\u201d \u2013 Always a backup<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

We also had an \u201cAlert 15\u201d as backup. Two additional F-4 Phantoms or A-7 Corsairs would be ready to launch within 15 minutes<\/em> after the Alert 5. The crews were not<\/em> in the cockpit for the Alert 15, but close enough to get ready quickly in case one of the Alert 5s could not launch. It was spectacular to watch this remarkable teamwork in action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve been known to QUIETLY say, \u201cLaunch the Alert 5!\u201d It usually happens when I\u2019m driving and somebody recklessly pulls in front of me. Am I the only one?!<\/em> Or, when I\u2019m in the grocery store and the aisle is blocked. Yes, I often get a strange look or a harsh word. But it is so <\/em>worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teamwork is the Key<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

While I can easily recall the phrase, the thing I remember the most is how we worked together as a team<\/em> to make it happen. Think about it. A couple dozen guys, many who don\u2019t know each other personally, but recognize the importance of what we do and why we do it. We constantly trained for this and when the time came, we executed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After I left the Navy, I became a firefighter with the City of Gainesville<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 a \u201cnatural\u201d progression for me as an ABH. Similar to those emergencies we faced on the flight deck, training kicked in when needed. There were times I worked with other firefighters, same city, but a different shift from a different station. But because of our continuous and intense training, we all knew what to do when we needed to do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those Instincts\u2026 Still There<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m currently retired, at least today. Who knows about tomorrow? But there are times, few and thankfully, far between, when I\u2019ve come upon an emergency and my reactions mimic what we did in the Navy and <\/em>the fire department. I react to the situation and hopefully, am of some help. Traffic accidents, house or car fire, cat up a tree…, or health emergency \u2013 I do what I can. I\u2019m sure I\u2019m not the only one here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My wife is an RN (retired) and more than once we\u2019ve come across an accident and worked the scene as a team. Like most first responders, that instinct to run toward <\/em>the fire\/accident\/emergency is still there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do miss the challenges and the excitement of the flight deck. Yes, it was dangerous, and we lost a few crew members. We can Never Forget<\/em> them. But we were there for a mission. We were there for the Navy. We were there for our country. And that, my friends, makes me a proud Navy veteran!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Until we meet again,<\/em>
Andy<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"NEVER<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (\u201973-77) and the author of several books. His newest novel, NEVER FORGET<\/strong>, is the story of A Vietnam Veteran\u2019s Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness. NEVER FORGET is FREE (eBook, PDF) for all veterans. Download your FREE<\/strong> copy HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous blogs mentioned in this post:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n