The Great Milestone Thread (1000 traps club + Carrier milestones)

[Beans]

No, if I recall in the archives, he was in Pensacola celebrating the grand opening of NASP. He couldn't have been in two places at once.

Guys, if we keep the font small, he won't know we're talking about him. :magnify_1

 

[HeyJoe]

Latest member of the Grand Club

090810-N-2600H-144 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 10, 2009) Capt. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, makes a high-speed pass in an F/A-18C Hornet assigned the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) before his 1000th arrested landing. Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are underway for their scheduled 2009 deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn/Released)

Don't know about semi-formal dnners surviving even into 80s, but cakes are still the norm. Any new member of Grand Club gets recognized at Tailhook and given a plaque by the Association.

 

[HeyJoe]

080911-N-7730P-082 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Sept. 11, 2008) Ronald Reagan Strike Group Commander Adm. Phil Wisecup and Cmdr. Christopher "Gator" Chope, commanding officer of the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, look over the arresting hook given to Chope in honor of his 1000th trap on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility and is focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gary Prill/Released)

 

[A4sForever]

Guys, if we keep the font small, he won't know we're talking about him. :magnify_1

You only hurt the one you love ...

I did that w/ 'touch' typing ...

 

[HeyJoe]

070315-N-7130B-178 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 15, 2007) - Capt. Richard “Rhett” Butler, commander of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, makes his 1000th carrier arrested landing aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Butler has been designated as a naval aviator for more than 21 years. Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway in support of operations in the western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron Burden (RELEASED)

 

[HeyJoe]

080316-N-3038W-583 EAST CHINA SEA (March 16, 2008) Capt. Michael Manazir, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), smiles after landing an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Tophatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, to complete his career 1,000th trap. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is deployed with the U.S. 7th Fleet operating in the western Pacific and Indian oceans. The 7th Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed fleets with approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines assigned at any given time. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Wagner (Released)

Last trap/flight in an assignment is also an event to be celebrated in a slightly different fashion.

090822-N-1245S-122 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 22, 2009) Capt. Michael C. Manazir receives a wet-down by shipmates after his final arrested landing as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are on a deployment in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gregory A. Streit/Released)

 

[A4sForever]

My former Bombardier ... Art ... still comes in @ the top of the list w/ 1,888 traps ... and I bought him several of those, for the record.

Let's see ... if I'd stuck w/ Art ... mebbe I could have bagged 1,000 as well ... O.K., decision time ... 1,000 traps and a 'full' USN pension ... or 25 years on the WHALE w/ this pension:

You KNOW how much I love the USN (be still my beating heart) ... but let me 'pencil in' all the numbers and I'll get back to you ...

 

[BusyBee604]

Grand Club

Let's see ... if I'd stuck w/ Art ... mebbe I could have bagged 1,000 as well ... O.K., decision time ... 1,000 traps and a 'full' USN pension ... or 25 years on the WHALE w/ this pension

1000th ship's trap and Grand Club...... no comparison

1000+ traps for 1 pilot = years of HARD work, thousands of flt hours, precision flying day/night, favorable assignments, willing to volunteer for all spares/test hops (& buddy buddy w/Flt Sked Off, lol). Naval Aviation History!

1000th for USS BOAT = nothing but a crap shoot, luck of the draw, no unusual feat, just a fun ceremonial tradition for 1 normal trap.:sleep_125

*just want make sure the young'uns don't confuse the two.
BzB

 

[TheBubba]

Wasn't it within the past year when a SNA got a USS BOAT's 1,000
(or multiple there of) trap in a T-45? I could be mistaken, but my google-fu and search-kwan-do have turned up zilch...

 

[Shpion1]

I made the maiden deployment onboard JCS in '98 with VS-31 and
CVW-7. Awesome cruise - especially the port calls in Australia and Hobart, Tazmania!
:icon_carn

Second that motion! I was in VQ-6. Those port calls were the best parts of that cruise. And flying off early.

The Crimson Donkey (a.k.a. the Red Ass)

Cosmo, Q6 came up with the Red Ass Patch. And then the Boat CO made them Illegal so we ordered another batch. And we painted the Playboy Bunny on our birds after one of our squadronmates did the spread, (don't bother looking it up) and we painted the little tube at the back end red. I have to say though that the Focs'le Follies weren't that bad.

Hey, Pinto used to say Gitty UP all the time in CVIC. Did he copy that from you?

 

[yak52driver]

So does a WOFD count against your landing grades, or is just a matter of screwing up the pattern?

What does WOFD stand for?

 

[BusyBee604]

Wofd

What does WOFD stand for?

Believe it be: WOFD = WAVE OFF FOUL DECK

Usually Aircraft, Personnel, or Vehicles/Machinery in the landing area. When clear, call is "Green Deck",

EDIT: Or arresting gear not fully retracted/ready.
BzB

 

[a2b2c3]

Holy thread revival Batman!

And WOFD stands for wave off foul deck.

 

[yak52driver]

Believe it be: WOFD = WAVE OFF FOUL DECK

Usually Aircraft, Personnel, or Vehicles/Machinery in the landing area. When clear, call is "Green Deck",
BzB

Thanks.

 

[Schnugg]

JCS is a good boat. I was Air Ops on her from Dec 99 - Jul 02.