One of our most important responsibilities as members of this great Association is "selling" Naval Aviation and the aircraft carrier every chance we get. I'm always excited when I hear a great presentation about the value, flexibility and capability of the carrier. One of the best presentations I've ever heard was given recently in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., when VADM John J. Mazach, USN, ComNavAirLant, addressed the local Navy League. We were doubly fortunate to have our newest carrier, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), conducting a port visit at the same time. If plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery, VADM Mazach gets my vote. I want to share some of his points so you may be better armed in selling carrier aviation: "First, the forward presence and our rotational way of doing business is the hallmark of the U.S. Navy and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Last year when tensions flared in the Strait of Taiwan, Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and Independence (CV-62) Battle Groups were quickly dispatched to flex their 90,000 tons of American diplomacy. This was a prime example that the carrier remains the force of choice in carrying out our national commitments and responding to crises."
"Over the years the carrier has proved a most effective use of American tax dollars. Six of the eight carriers used against Iraq in Operation Desert Shield/Storm--John F. Kennedy (CV-67), Ranger (CV-61) America (CV-66), Independence, Saratoga (CV-60) and Midway (CV-43) were also involved against North Vietnam 25 to 30 years ago. Of the billions spent building land-based airfields and their support facilities in that area, not a single tactical strike sortie was launched into Iraq from one of those airfields.
"It is important to note that the routine forward presence provided by our Navy and Marine Corps is accounted for in our one-third of the annual defense budget. When our sister services forward deploy in response to a crisis, they must seek additional funding to cover the cost of those operations. Historically, our large-deck carriers have proved the least vulnerable, most survivable and most cost effective 'airfields' ever built. And consider this--John C. Stennis will still be in service when our children's children fly from her decks in the year 2050. This magnificent new carrier came in ahead of schedule and under budget."
"The young tigers we have on our carriers today are as excited at their prospect of maintaining and flying high-performance aircraft from our flight decks as any of us old-timers ever were. They are proud to be among the ranks of Tailhookers, to work with smart, innovative leaders and the best sailors in the world. The apex of military flying has always been the business of flying tactical aircraft in combat, and Navy aircrews can argue that they set the standard. That shameful business in Las Vegas a few years ago is often confused with what we do, our signature way of life, but let there be no mistake--we are Tailhook aviators. We are not just another bureaucracy.
"Ours is a dangerous and unforgiving business that demands the highest professional standards. But resident in that business is an untarnished code of service, conduct and commitment. The Tailhook incident had its roots in a time and place now forever past, and will never be repeated. Let us never forget that this calling still has one name--Tailhook. Let us never speak that name without remembering its true meaning--the men and women who exist for the important reason of defending this nation. Tailhookers are the first to be called. Although we have been severely scrutinized by the media and others, our Gold Wings do not tarnish. We will proudly continue the business of Naval Aviation. I am confident that as our world and Navy change, and as perhaps storms blow in unexpectedly, the United States Navy will remain the best ever assembled anywhere in the world, and that the carrier battle group will continue to provide four and a half highly combat-capable acres of U.S. sovereignty to project air power from the sea."
To that, VADM Mazach, we all say a hearty "amen." And to our members, the ball is in your court. Get out there and sell Naval Aviation and our Association. There has never been a more critical time in the history of the Navy or Tailhook for the message to be heard, and you now have some great tools to make your case.
CAPT Lonny K. McClung, USN(Ret)
President