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The S-3 is just getting old and the Navy wants to move the money from S-3's over to the SuperHornet. So, it goes away. The Buddy store is absolutely reliable, the Super Hornet uses the exact same buddy store (except 1 mod so they can go faster). Anyone who say's that tanking is merely a...

I was not there when this went down, but it was the 2000 cruise on the GW w/CVW-17. I checked in just after they got back & the bubbas in the squadron are the ones that told me about it. I did the 2002 cruise on the GW with the Hornet pilot so I know for a fact that he was still flying and...

VarmintShooter, I completely agree, those with prior service are the exception to my rant, I guess I was just speaking to the new Ensign w/o prior time. I had to remount the medals & ribbons too, what a great way to spend $70+!

Lookin' through my hard drive tonight and I found this video I got at my last command. Hornet/Tomcat flyby It's not your average fly-by. They were grounded for a few days afterwards, but because the Hornet pilot was a former Blue Angel and they properly briefed it, nothing big became of it...

You are elgible to Augment at 4 years of service regardless of transitions, etc but you have to apply. If you do not apply when you first become elgible, a year or so later they will screen your whole YG anyway. They screened YG98 in Nov of 03, so I guess 2000 is up for it this Nov.

I know this doesn't apply to you Zab, you've had more than 1 deployment in support of the GWOT, but an individual cannot use the same 30 day period to qualify for both medals (GWOTEM/GWOTSM). But if you have two qualifying periods (Like mult deployments), then you are elgible for both medals...

there is a current proposal in Congress to make the GI Bill a free program retroactive to Sept 11, 2001. This isn't bogus info, but it hasn't passed Congress yet either. Eitehr way, the GI Bill is a terrific investment.

Thanks for keeping us up to date. Amazingly, I haven't seen this info in any of my normal sources.

There are a ton of rumors and scenarios about what will happen when the Kitty Hawk is decommissioned. Will the Japanese change their constitution to allow a CVN? Will the USN move the forward deployment base to Australia? Guam? Hawaii? I've heard all of these tossed around in conversation...

If they move the E-2's to JAX, PLEASE move the COD's too!

I just had the pleasure of a limited (Persian Gulf) world tour aboard the good ship JFK, and no matter how much I want my Navy to be a 12 carrier Navy, I don't see how that ship can last until 2018. That isn't a typo either, they really have been planning on using the JFK until 2018. I think...

Thanks, now I'm trying to figure out how the props work. Who ever thought up the whole pitch change assembly was either a genius or a psycho!

I do not know the exact answer, but here is some of the big picture. The RAG in Oceana is mostly doing the F-14 transitions to the SuperHornet and Lemoore is taking most of the new students. Now I am sure that some students do go to Oceana too, but this is the way for the majority of them. I...

I classed up this last Monday and I selected C-2! Now I'm remembering why I hate ground school!

The GI Bill will be avail to you for up to 10 years after you leave the military. On top of that, there is legislation being considered that would make those benefits avail to your spouse or dependents. The GI Bill is a great investment because not everyone wants/is able to participate in the...

I did my EPSQ when I first got to my fleet squadron in 2001. Some people fill them out in the RAG. I even remember the Intel types filling them out as candy-o's at OCS. I did have to list all of my tickets on my initial application for the Navy. I don't remember the questions on the EPSQ...

Yeah, it was 13. They were spread out over several states, 5 years and I was good at talking the judge out of them, so I kept my license. You still have to report that you got them on the EPSQ though... Funny thing, I was a Criminal Justice major in college and a cop after college for a...

I may have set some records when I applied to the Navy with 13 speeding tickets & other youthful indiscretions. Nobody ever questioned it, so I would have to assume that as long as you are not an axe murderer, you'll be ok.

I had no problems getting in with a Criminal Justice degree, but that was back in '97/'98. Most of my squadron-mates have a wide variety of degree's so I don't see that being a negative factor with the other positives that you listed!

yes that is true, but the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 68) is retiring in 2008. Normally when the Navy gets a new carrier, one is retired. Just like happened with the Connie & the Reagan (CV 64 & CVN 76). So there could still be an excess of 1 airwing & that is what we were discussing.

These squadrons won't necc'y have to go away, but in the post we were discussing that if a carrier were to be decommed, then an airwing would probably go away too.

Sorry if it wasn't clear, we were discussing the two (2) airwing squadrons that are in Jax (VS & HS) and the approx 600 personnel in those squadrons. I was a part of CAG 17 until last week, so I am familiar with the last deployment on the JFK.

Yes you can. The option is avail to Viking guys, but I don't think anyone has taken it yet. I also know that NFO's have the opportunity on the NFO to pilot board to select helo's too.

Brett, I do understand you post, but I am dissagreeing with you on a few points. 1. JFK has been scheduled to decom in 2018 for quite a while now, that isn't a new number, 2. The ships company does contribute a very large amount to the community and economy, I mentioned the 2 squadrons...

Brett, I don't know what you are thinking, but the 3,000+ ships company brings a lot to the Jacksonville economy. The airwing squadrons located in Jax do too. I'm sure if a carrier goes away, so will 1 airwing. The JFK has been scheduled to be on active service until 2018 for quite some time...

I've lived in the Fleming Island area of Orange Park for 4 years now, and I wouldn't live anywhere else in Jax. Traffic is not as bad as people seem to perceive. I hate driving San Jose much more than Hwy 17 in OP. Look for something in Eagle Harbor or Fleming Island Plantation and you will...

Our PR's seemed to not be in the loop on attaching stuff to the aerosave (mesh) vest. They had us put the bladder of a camelback in big inside pocket on the left side and then looped the hose around the neck so you could drink from it on the right. It did make it easier to remove for filling...

Some flight surgeons get real lucky. When I was in Kingsville, there were 2 Flight Surgeons completing the syllabus so they would be dual designated. They were not going to an operational squadron though, they were going to NAMI/NOMI to work on the research side of things. They fly at least...

FYI, I'm in Norfolk house hunting as I write this, so here are a few of the lessons I'm learning. 1. Be ready to buy NOW, the houses here are on the market about 2 days before they are under contract. 2. Be pre-approved for a mortgage, not pre-qualified. 3. Be pre-approved for more than you...

I don't know about North Island, but there is speculation on the E-2's being moved to Jax after the Vikings retire to make room so Norfolk can become the "Master Helo Base". Of course this is just rumor and innuendo at this point. The other option is to move them to Oceana, as if Oceana isn't...

No I haven't seen that one yet, is it avail online anywhere? It really is too bad that the Hoov is going away, but it's getting on in it's years and the SuperHornet wants the Viking money. The airplane is a blast to fly, and I'm hoping for one last flight in it while I'm stashed here at the...

So true... But when the guy takes time to find you at rats and say thanks, you know he is always glad you are there.

ZAB, What am I chopped Liver? I think Wink would take exception to your statement too! Flying the Viking is a great time. As for lifestyle, it's no different from anyone else on the boat. A typical mission will have you launch for a 2.8 hour SSC mission while also acting as a recovery...

Yes they do. Every ready room has them. Paddles hates them, nuggets study and worry about them and everyone else barely pays any attention to them... until you have a streak going - then you dare not say a word about it so you don't jinx it! Whatever you do, don't eat the dog just before...

Here you go! The thumbnail background is black, but it is clear on the actual image.

Bunk - Is there anything to the idea that a transition guy will become a "more rounded" officer if he experiences the COD side after having done a full sea tour as part of the airwing? More rounded as being a better asset to the community. The COD guys I was talking to on the ship said that...

Some of the first transition guys were promised one or the other platform, but not anymore. I have no guarantee's. As far as I know, it will be decided with the rest of the group when I class up.

So how does a Viking transition guy play into the selection mix?

I have to second Water Street Seafood Co. Get the Crawfish Chicken!

As in at 2330 on any night, it is guaranteed to be Case III, much less asking in the gulf which happens to be about the darkest place on earth at night. The sheer stupidity of the question made the entire airwing laugh their ass off at him. That was last cruise and people are still making...

Boat guys will understand this. Heard on departure prior to the 2330 launch in the gulf: "Say case launch?" My former CO at his finest.

I'm aboard the JFK and flexed from SSC to SAR for this last night. The ship tried like heck to avoid the dhow, but carriers don't quite turn on a dime. For those who haven't been here before, or are trying to forget, the gulf is very, very hazy and seems to be about the darkest place on earth.

Vikings aren't going to be a frequent option from flight school, but they are still an option for the time being. My Viking RAG contact say's the last CAT 1 student will start maybe in Oct 04 but Rumorbuster said that the Vikings will be avail for selection until Oct 05. Probably just not at a...

ZAB- I can't believe that they let you on the computers there in Monterrey. What are you going to do when you are in a 3rd world country with no internet access? I'm in Fallon enjoying a wonderful paid vacation on the Navy. Too much fun.

Leave OCONUS is easy, just need the clearances for some countries and the CO's signature. The 350 mile radius is no longer though. The Navy decided that was an illegal restriction. I guess they figured out that if you are on leave, you are on leave and can go to wherever the leave was...

I'm a Viking Pilot going to the E-2/C-2 community after my next cruise and I've been having the same indecision (Sundown transition). I've got a few observations though. The E-2 mission is actually very good. You are vital to any combat ops that are going on & They do not stay close to the...

I have to second what K-Mac said about the S-3. If you ever get the chance to go S-3 I would recommend it. I am a Viking pilot on my first sea tour with 1,000 hours in the Hoover. It has been the greatest platform ever! The NFO's in the community are world class and have got the benefit of...

KMAC- Are you being a little loose with your terminology? I can't believe that we would attrite someone for not fitting in the t-45. I would think that they would just be NPQ'ed from that platform and offered another route, I.E. Helo's or Maritime.

I've got 1200 hours (980 in type) so far and I've still got a deployment to go on this tour. Viking guys seem to average on the high side of 300 a year. I'll be leaving this sea tour with 1500 hours and 1250 in type (1250 PIC).

When they start flying the WarHoov down there, I'll be joinin' ya. Just like old times in Corpus...Until then, it's back to C2X on the JFK.