Ask any child early on what he wants to be and odds are he'll tell you he wants to be a pilot. The thought of zipping around in
the wild blue yonder has to be an adventure of a lifetime. Back in July of 1986 while pulling duty on The Coast Guard base of
Governors Island. I survived the statue of Liberty celebration to meet up with a friend who was a pilot aboard the US carrier
John F Kennedy.
I took the launch to the carrier and was met by the Captain, a few staff officers and my friend for a post well done celebration
of a Caption's mess with then actor Gregory Peck, Neil Young and another distinguished guest. The meal as well as talk was
memorable. What made it even more memorable was an invitation for a family cruise aboard the carrier and a promised
flight in my friends jet.. How could one turn that down?
Make a long story short the day arrived I met the ship outside of Virginia. The day before was spent having a pre flight medical
exam and a run down of safety procedures and what to do if we had to ditch at sea. (lovely thought) The flight demo was at
1100hours the following day and i don't remember getting much sleep.
I can remember to this day suiting up in a borrowed flight suit that had its short comings (not exactly tailored to suit my size).
We made our way to the flight deck past the families and young lads their eyes agape with wonder.i felt like a hero of some
type and in their mind i was.
My ride was the back jump seat. Once seated i was assisted and literally strapped to a rocket . There wasn't much room. I can
remember asking my friend as the engines were fired and warmed up if any of these ever failed to launch Occasionally was
his reply > Put my mind at ease. We taxied into position and made ready for launch, the ship had already turned into the wind
and all the actors were in place. Our wing man was also ready in his position. A thumbs up was given and I was told to
deliver a snappy salute pre launch which didn't happen too well as the thundering jet engine force rocked us down the deck. I
became literally part of the seat from the force.
All I remember seeing, instantly was: the rushing deck, water then blue sky as our jet pointed skywards sharply. It didn't take
us long to get to altitude and remember looking down at the ship the size of a postage stamp, in nothing flat. It was to be a
short demo a few turns an passes over the ship and a dipped wing in salute for the crowd and then time to land. Now the
Kennedy has one of the longer flight decks and I walked it ,but quite honestly it didn't look all that big as we made our way
home. The force in landing was just as incredible as the catapult launch, the tail hook grabbed the cable and our controlled
crash (thats what they call it) and then; it was over. The ride of a life time. The jet engines powered down and I made my way
down from the aircraft. That night i was unofficially given my wings, at my last dinner aboard, that i will cherish greatly. The ride
was exhilarating. Not my first military ride but a first aboard a fighter jet launched from a carrier deck. It's little wonder why our
pilots are so keen on flying these marvels of aviation.
the wild blue yonder has to be an adventure of a lifetime. Back in July of 1986 while pulling duty on The Coast Guard base of
Governors Island. I survived the statue of Liberty celebration to meet up with a friend who was a pilot aboard the US carrier
John F Kennedy.
I took the launch to the carrier and was met by the Captain, a few staff officers and my friend for a post well done celebration
of a Caption's mess with then actor Gregory Peck, Neil Young and another distinguished guest. The meal as well as talk was
memorable. What made it even more memorable was an invitation for a family cruise aboard the carrier and a promised
flight in my friends jet.. How could one turn that down?
Make a long story short the day arrived I met the ship outside of Virginia. The day before was spent having a pre flight medical
exam and a run down of safety procedures and what to do if we had to ditch at sea. (lovely thought) The flight demo was at
1100hours the following day and i don't remember getting much sleep.
I can remember to this day suiting up in a borrowed flight suit that had its short comings (not exactly tailored to suit my size).
We made our way to the flight deck past the families and young lads their eyes agape with wonder.i felt like a hero of some
type and in their mind i was.
My ride was the back jump seat. Once seated i was assisted and literally strapped to a rocket . There wasn't much room. I can
remember asking my friend as the engines were fired and warmed up if any of these ever failed to launch Occasionally was
his reply > Put my mind at ease. We taxied into position and made ready for launch, the ship had already turned into the wind
and all the actors were in place. Our wing man was also ready in his position. A thumbs up was given and I was told to
deliver a snappy salute pre launch which didn't happen too well as the thundering jet engine force rocked us down the deck. I
became literally part of the seat from the force.
All I remember seeing, instantly was: the rushing deck, water then blue sky as our jet pointed skywards sharply. It didn't take
us long to get to altitude and remember looking down at the ship the size of a postage stamp, in nothing flat. It was to be a
short demo a few turns an passes over the ship and a dipped wing in salute for the crowd and then time to land. Now the
Kennedy has one of the longer flight decks and I walked it ,but quite honestly it didn't look all that big as we made our way
home. The force in landing was just as incredible as the catapult launch, the tail hook grabbed the cable and our controlled
crash (thats what they call it) and then; it was over. The ride of a life time. The jet engines powered down and I made my way
down from the aircraft. That night i was unofficially given my wings, at my last dinner aboard, that i will cherish greatly. The ride
was exhilarating. Not my first military ride but a first aboard a fighter jet launched from a carrier deck. It's little wonder why our
pilots are so keen on flying these marvels of aviation.
Flight
L-R Pam her husband CPO Mike
Smith, myself (LT Cmdr.) April and my
friend Howard Tuttle (LT). Taken
hanger deck .
Smith, myself (LT Cmdr.) April and my
friend Howard Tuttle (LT). Taken
hanger deck .
From the USS John F. Kennedy