The theme of this year’s reunion at John Ascuaga’s Nugget in Reno/Sparks, Nev., is “Training Command” (TraCom). TraCom is our common bond — Naval Aviators, Naval Flight Officers and aircrew. We all look forward to a lively panel of TraCom storytellers led by RADM Rico Mayer, former Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATra). We will have TraCom stories from past and present, so I hope you can attend Hook ’10 to enjoy. We have many other interesting, informative and exciting briefs and panels, which I encourage all to attend. These presentations will give you a sense of where Naval Aviation is and where it is going.
As we approach this year’s symposium, I offer two thoughts to ponder.
First — Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates’ recently implied at the U.S. Navy League’s Sea, Air and Space Symposium, that we may not need 11 aircraft carriers. Even though he later clarified his comments by stating, “I will not cut an aircraft carrier.” Could this be a foreshadowing of things to come? It is recommended that those inside the beltway keep sight of the fact that everything our strike groups do, require carrier air wing support — from responsive and persistent fire support, to strike group offense and defense operations, to freedom of navigation operations, to anti-surface and -subsurface warfare operations — the air wing participates in it all. Additionally, the most responsive and persuasive first responder to any crisis is still the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, whether it is in support of peacetime operations or a show of force needed to stabilize a crisis somewhere around the world. When the rubber meets the road, Naval Aviation and aircraft carriers are often the weapon systems of choice for our political and military leaders. It is important that the membership of this organization carry this reality to our elected officials so they don’t make a strategic miscalculation. Our nation’s security depends on Naval Aviation.
Second — Something for tailhookers to consider during the convention in September is unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) integration. UAVs are coming to the aircraft carrier. That is a simple fact. But the integration of UAVs into carrier operations and tailhook aviation should be done in a measured and deliberate way. There are certainly missions where UAVs have a place, but they will not be the panacea, and the need for trained and combat-ready tailhook aviators will remain for years to come. We need humans in the loop, at the tip of the spear, to make decisions in the fog of war, where intelligent decisions based on imperfect information will require a man or women in the cockpit, in the fight, not hundreds or thousands of miles away.
These are exciting times. But they are also times that will require our active involvement to ensure tailhook aviation remains a viable part of this nation’s security. Keep these thoughts in mind as you walk the display floor at this year’s reunion. Attend the professional symposium and come ready to debate these issues. Ask the hard questions of the pre?senters and the Flag Panel.
Four-Year Report Card
Over the last four years, we accomplished a lot. We have expanded the professional symposium to include more presentations. We have increased the participation in the convention, a result of the close coordination and support of Commander Naval Air Forces (CNAF). We were able to have the Blue Angels — the U.S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron, Tailhook Naval Aviators — attend the reunion through close communication and coordination among the Chief of Naval Information, the Blue Angels, CNATra, CNAF and Commander U.S. Naval Air Force Atlantic.
We continued the process of building the convention’s professional reputation and provided the stage for tailhookers past and present to meet and share Naval Aviation experiences, opening a professional dialogue that is hard to create anywhere else. I am proud to have been a part of this experience and look forward to being a part of it for years to come as a lifetime member of the Association.
But, over the last five years we have seen a slight decline in membership. With the retirement of the F-14 Tomcat and S-3 Viking communities, and the introduction of the EA-18G Growler (going from a four-seat cockpit to two), it is easy to explain this slight decline. But there are many out there that have let their membership expire; folks who left the Navy before reaching retirement, folks who retire and even some of our active-duty members. It is my opinion that if someone is a tailhooker, they need to stay in touch with this fraternity, this brotherhood in arms, called Tailhook. I don’t think there are any tailhook aviators, when they look back at their time in the Navy, who don’t do so with a great sense of pride and satisfaction. We all share one of the most unique bonds. Whether a tailhooker pilot from the straight-deck days, or a Growler NFO today, the thrill and exhilaration of the trap will be permanently etched in our minds, and will always be a source of pride. Reach out to those friends who you know from your TraCom days, your junior officer or your department-head days and encourage them to rejoin the flight. They will be glad they did.
New President Elect
This year’s Hook will be my last, as will this column, as the president of this outstanding organization. After four rewarding years as the president of the Tailhook Association, I have decided to resign effective at the end of this year’s convention. I informed the Tailhook Association board of directors (BoD) of my decision February 2010, giving them time to go through the process needed to elect a new president, time that also would allow a proper turnover during this year’s Hook. After scrubbing the list of O-6s who were willing and able to serve as president, the Tailhook Association BoD has chosen CAPT Sterling “Sterls” Gilliam as our new president. I can think of no finer candidate for this position. Sterls’ excellent reputation throughout Naval Aviation, dedication to the U.S. Navy, carrier aviation and particularly the Tailhook Association (as evidenced by his three terms and nine years on the BoD) make him an outstanding choice. Sterls is well qualified for this position and I am confident he will take this Association to new heights. I am honored to give him the lead and take combat spread, ready to fulfill my wingman responsibilities. Change is often good, and I have no doubt he will bring new ideas that will make the Tailhook Association even better than it is today. Sterls will continue us on the path that presidents before him have paved, a path toward continuous organizational improvement. Congratulations Sterls — your six is clear.
I look forward to seeing you at Hook. Your signal is “Charlie” for Hook ’10. Make your reservations now so you don’t get a “waveoff” in close!