"Bug" Roach: There are legends and there are legends above all others

[Catmando]

......"Bug" had unqualified praise for him as his favorite skipper of a carrier in support of the Air Wing......

"Bug" was always most gracious, almost to a fault.

 

[HeyJoe]

No, different guy. This was Rear Adm. Frederick G. Fellowes (aka "Field-day Fellowes")

He refers to himself as "Ted" these days.

 

[Catmando]

This may be a stupid question, but I thought the whole purpose of the RAG was to qualify you in a specific aircraft so you are "cleared" in that aircraft and can actually deploy? Was this just one of those deals created by a need for pilots during Vietnam? The story almost seems like a tall tale.

Tall tales were common back in the day, and many were true. I can't verify this tale is 100% accurate, but it sounds about right. Certainly Wizard and Viper bagged the MiG, and Wizard was way junior at the time.

The F-4 RAG, VF-121 at the time had a 6-month waiting pool. So a lot of guys did a lot of different things in the interim, including flying with other squadrons, just to keep busy.

I also seem to recall an Air Intel Officer or maybe two who instead of a qualified RIO, "surreptitiously" flew in an F-4 backseat on a combat mission feet dry, over the "North." Tall tail, but true. Things were far more flexible back in the day.

 

[Catmando]

CDR Bug Roach

More about the legend from Tailhook.org here:

"Remembering Bug"

 

[Pugs]

HJ Comment: The caption left out Rear Admiral "Lobster" Fitzgerald (then N880 and now Admiral Fitzgerald, Commander Naval Forces, Europe) on the far left and Rear Admiral John Cotton on the far right who retired as Vice Admiral in charge of Naval Reserves.

Lobster is retiring in a couple months. Flew with Cotton several times when he visited us in 209, very nice guy to us.

 

[BlkPny]

Tall tales were common back in the day, and many were true. I can't verify this tale is 100% accurate, but it sounds about right. Certainly Wizard and Viper bagged the MiG, and Wizard was way junior at the time.

The F-4 RAG, VF-121 at the time had a 6-month waiting pool. So a lot of guys did a lot of different things in the interim, including flying with other squadrons, just to keep busy.

I also seem to recall an Air Intel Officer or maybe two who instead of a qualified RIO, "surreptitiously" flew in an F-4 backseat on a combat mission feet dry, over the "North." Tall tail, but true. Things were far more flexible back in the day.

We used to always fill an empty back seat with anyone who wanted to go. Took lots of SEALs and river boat drivers, our own maintainers, as well as other visitors. We also had a steady flow of pilots from the various boats off the coast come fly with us for the fun of it. We had two A-7 types visit us just when we had some guys on leave, and a big battle erupted in the U Minh forrest. They were actually a big help, working the radios, calling altitudes, and working the target. They both earned Air Medals with us.

 

[Old R.O.]

This may be a stupid question, but I thought the whole purpose of the RAG was to qualify you in a specific aircraft so you are "cleared" in that aircraft and can actually deploy? Was this just one of those deals created by a need for pilots during Vietnam? The story almost seems like a tall tale.

Back in the early '70s, there were not enough fleet seats for the RIOs coming out of NAS Glynco, Ga. (the NFO Advanced Training base before it moved to Pensacola in 1974). In my class in 1972, at least 1/3rd of my class didn't get fleet seats and were sent to CAG staffs directly. They picked up their NATOPS quals with one of the two assigned F-4 squadrons in their air wings. At least two of my classmates flew combat missions before the war ended while those of us who DID get fleet seats were still in the RAG when the war ended. I think that Wizard was in a situation like this, as he was actually assigned to CVW-11 staff and not VF-114. I also think that Pete Petigrew was the CVW-11 LSO and not in VF-114 either, but both were in an Aardvark F-4J when they hosed the MiG. Wizard once told me that the only time he actually went through a RAG training program was when he was CO of VF-124, the F-14 RAG.

 

[A4sForever]

.... I think that Wizard was in a situation like this, as he was actually assigned to CVW-11 staff and not VF-114. I also think that Pete Petigrew was the CVW-11 LSO and not in VF-114 either, but both were in an Aardvark F-4J when they hosed the MiG .....

Roger that: McCabe was in the CAG staff (or was it AIRPAC & TAD to CAG-11 'cause they didn't have anything for him to do @ Coronado/Miramar ??? I can't remember ... ) and Pete was one of the CAG-11 LSO's ...

Pettigrew (sic) : one of my LSO trainers & a guy who never saw a mirror, camera, or microphone that he didn't LOVE ... ... he was actually a good guy, a good LSO, & a good stick ... just a prematurely gray LSO-narcissist ... and he got a cameo in the bar scene in TOPGUN for his efforts ... and he was one of my 'mentors/advisors' at my first (SoCal) airline ...

 

[Catmando]

Roger that: McCabe was in the CAG staff (or was it AIRPAC & TAD to CAG-11 'cause they didn't have anything for him to do @ Coronado/Miramar ??? I can't remember ... ) and Pete was one of the CAG-11 LSO's ...

Pettigrew (sic) : one of my LSO trainers & a guy who never saw a mirror, camera, or microphone that he didn't LOVE ... ... he was actually a good guy, a good LSO, & a good stick ... just a prematurely gray LSO-narcissist ... and he got a cameo in the bar scene in TOPGUN for his efforts ... and he was one of my 'mentors/advisors' at my first (SoCal) airline ...

A lot of NavAir (and ALPA) history here, and some great stories I personally know, but.......
I better not comment... for many reasons. :censored_

 

[Shadow1]

Pete Pettigrew was an instructor of mine in 1969 at VF-121. Bob Hughes was his wingman on his Mig Kill flight. Bob was a great guy who as a nugget in VF 114, I flew with on a cross country to Tinker, then to Forbes AFB. It was a great weekend, and also my first flight as a RIO in the F-4. The AARDVARKs had brand new F-4's at the time and smelled like a new car.
He also shot down a MIG on the same flight as Pettigrew, then was unfortunately killed in an ACM engagement back at Miramar.

 

[BusyBee604]

"Bug" was always most gracious, almost to a fault.

I never had the honor of knowing or meeting "Bug" Roach, as he was over 1/2 generation after me. I sure have heard a lot of excellent stories about this man. I have attended 2 Tailhook "Mixers" named in his honor, and plan a third & my final one in six weeks time, thanks to the assistance of my Son & 2 of my VA-146 combat Squadronmates! To me, the "Bug" flight suit mixer is the highlight of the Tailhook experience. I've never bothered with the over-priced, "Formal", rubber chicken Saturday night banquet! I'll be playing Blackjack instead & socializing with long-lost friends.

I'm sure "Bug" will be looking down on "his affair" Friday evening, with a big smile, perfectly dipped pisscutter, & a twitch of that awesome Westpac "Stache"! I will sip a toast to him that evening.

OBTW, A4sForever, welcome back, you were missed, Bruddah.
BzB

 

[Jim Henderson]

Rear Admiral Ted Fellowes was a fighter pilot so must be someone else. He was commanding officer of one of many carriers that "Bug" waved aboard and although notorious for enforcing the rules concerning wearing of flight jackets through the gate* as well as speed entering the break when he was "COMFIT", "Bug" had unqualified praise for him as his favorite skipper of a carrier in support of the Air Wing.

*If you were caught trying to pass through the gate, you and your CO had an audience with him and your CO stood duty at gate until next malcreant was caught

Served as Capt Ted Fellowes Navigator on USS San Diego AFS-6. Field day Ted is right on. The best Captain I served with. Demanding but very fair, looked after his crew but they had the to earn it. Would sail with him anytime!!