Hello fellow Tailhookers, greetings from your new president. I am honored with the position, and I look forward to serving this great Association in the coming years.
As a Life member and being involved in the leadership of this fine organization in one way or another for the past 13 years, I can think of no greater honor than to serve as your president. It is “circle of life” for me, and I hope to give something back to an organization that has done so much for me.
First, let me extend a hearty well done to our outgoing President CAPT Russ “Gladys” Knight. In his four-year tenure, Gladys made Tailhook a much stronger organization. His efforts resulted in professional symposiums, better communication with senior Navy leadership, and in spite of a tough economy and a reduced active-duty force, strong membership numbers. Congratulations, Russ. You have left us in a nice position.
The Way Ahead
With the jet trimmed up by Gladys, I intend to continue on a course for success. My goal is to build an even more robust junior officer membership that is actively involved in our Association’s activities. I hope to strengthen further our ties with Navy leadership so carrier aviation can better articulate the tremendous contributions it makes to our national defense. (CVW-7’s superb warfighter panel at this year’s Hook brought to light some outstanding examples of those contributions.) I also look forward to perpetuating the wonderful relationship we have with the Tailhook Educational Foundation. It is heartwarming to watch the number and quality of scholarships increase each year. I want to keep this trend going.
Hook 2010
It was great to see so many of you at this year’s highly successful symposium. This year’s event was one of the liveliest reunions we have had to date. Almost 3,000 enthusiastic attendees enjoyed two days of top-notch presentations and well-run recreational activities. Capped off by the outstanding remarks of our keynote speaker, ADM James “Sandy” Winnefeld, we can score Hook 2010 an OK-3. The success of the weekend was a testament to the hard work of the executive director, convention coordinator and a team of tireless professionals. Well-done, JR and Tag.
Next Year’s Centennial
Over the years, Reno/Sparks, Nev., has become one of Tailhook aviation’s favorite “liberty ports,” and John Ascuaga’s Nugget Hotel is the reason. The hospitality is second to none, and next year promises to be no different. I hope you will join us in 2011 as we celebrate the Centennial of Naval Aviation (CONA). Hook 2011 is poised to be a spectacular event that will be one of the highlights of the yearlong CONA festivities. I hope to see you there. Until then, keep it north of the No. 1 wire and between the ladder lines.
CAPT Gilliam is a Life member of the Tailhook Association and has served nine years on the Association’s board of directors. He has more than 1,300 carrier arrested landings and 4,500 flight hours in more than a dozen different types of aircraft. He commanded VAQ-141, VAQ-129 and Carrier Air Wing Nine. He is currently the professor of naval science and commanding officer of the George Washington University Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps unit.