Not so fond memories: I flew on the mission that located the loan survivor of Deep Sea 005, an EA-3, after it broke up in flight. CVW 2, USS Ranger, Westpac 1982, I think. We were in the normal wing CVIC brief when it was interrupted by CAG. Deep Sea 005 was way over due. All missions were scrubbed and we all went out on SAR. After getting our sectors assigned CAG flew off the TV and busted in our RR a minute later. CAG Baird, a VS guy, took the copilot's seat in my aircraft. Our wingman on the adjacent sector first got contact with the survivor, an AT3, on the PRC90. We flew over and CAG took On Scene Commander. CAG was real good with the kid, reassuring, positive. He was in his raft hundreds of miles form the ship. We never got a good eye on him due to the sea state, but he gave us a good smoke. A P-3 came along and predictably, was useless. Dropped a raft or some survival thing half a mile down current from the kid. Broke the kid's heart. The SH-3 launched at max range and the ship continued to close at max speed. The guys on the ship said it was banging, and shaking like crazy. It sound like it would come apart. Some SWO in the wardroom said it was the fastest he had ever seen the ship go. The AT3 made it. Got the medicinal shot and everything. Never found anything else from Deep Sea 005, nothing. One of the EVALs on 005 was from my hometown and we used to have lunch occasionally.
can remember my time on Guam, busted many a knuckle on those Whales, spent time with VQ-1 72-75, still remember the Fruit bat in the cage in the Hanger. Dets to Cubi were awesome, also made the Det to Osan,Korea with the Photo RA-3Bs, Atsugi, USS Ranger, thanks for posting those Whale pics,"The wreckless abandon of Youth,to be young again" another round of San Miguels :icon_zbee
