YellowSheetWinter2019 : simplebooklet.com

4 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgThe Magazine of Marine AviationTheWINTER 2019 | VOLUME LXThe MCAA is a non–profit organization incorporated in 1972 to carry out the work and spirit of the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans Association, which was made up of Marines who served in WWI prior to 30 November 1918. Today, our membership includes active duty, retired, and honorably discharged Marines and anyone else with an interest in Marine Corps aviation – past, present and future. MCAA represents the entire spectrum of Marine Corps aviation from all ranks and skills.The Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Yellow Sheet takes the name from the old yellow–colored, printed form that pilots used to record ﬂ ight data after each hop.The original yellow sheet had a tear–off portion, which contained basic aircraft information with space for aircrew log book stats, ﬂ ight time, instrument time, number of takeoffs and landings, type of ﬂ ight, passengers, and other assorted information. At the end of a ﬂ ight, a pilot always walked into the “line shack” and reached for the yellow sheet. And that’s why the MCAAnamed this publication The Yellow Sheet.Sgt Johnathan C. Mecklin, a training chief and Weapons and Tactics Instructor assigned to the 22nd MEU, cleans the bushing on the tailvrotor of a CH-53E Super Stallion on the  ight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3). PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, MSGT LEE PUGH12. FROM THE HALLWAY DISTRIBUTED AVIATION OPERATIONS: ORDNANCE FORWARD Lieutenant Colonel Josh Roberts, HQMC, Aviation, reports on how the aviation ordnance community is advancing its capabilities to meet future challenges. 34. A BOX OF OLD RUSTY AND FORGOTTEN MEDALS Major Michael Conley, USMCR (Ret), recounts his childhood memories of his father and “The Commander’s” career.

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 7But we don’t just want to limit our support to our squadrons. We know that an individual can sometimes make all the difference. So let us know what Your MCAA can do for You! We are all stakeholders in this great institution and we want to get your rudder input if you think we can be doing a better job. In closing, I would like to thank our industry partners who continue to support our mission. You provide the gear and capabilities that help our Marines ght in every clime and place, and we are humbled by how much you do for all of us. We know you make tough choices every day and we appreciate you keeping MCAA a priority. We couldn’t do it without you! Semper Fi, Dog COMMANDer’sCALLNATIONAL COMMANDER LtGen Jon Davis, USMC (Ret) DEPUTY COMMANDER, EAST MajGen Jon Gallinetti, USMC (Ret)DEPUTY COMMANDER, WEST MajGen Bob Butcher, USMC (Ret)TREASURER Col Robert Deforge, USMC (Ret) JUDGE ADVOCATE Col Art White, USMC (Ret) SERGEANT MAJOR VacantADJUTANT Col Alan Sullivan, USMC (Ret)PAST THREE NATIONAL COMMANDERS LtGen Keith Stalder, USMC (Ret)LtGen John G. Castellaw, USMC (Ret) Gen William L. Nyland, USMC (Ret)DISTRICT DIRECTORS Col John Gumbel, USMC (Ret) LtCol Tim Hill, USMC (Ret) Col Bruce Hulick, USMC (Ret) Col Bob Nasby, USMC (Ret) Col Eric Van Camp, USMC (Ret) Col Earl Wederbrook, USMC (Ret)BOARD MEMBERS Col Paul Croisetiere, USMC (Ret) LtCol Rich Richardson, USMC (Ret) Col T. David Seder, USMC (Ret)EXECUTIVE DIRECTORCol John Rader, USMC (Ret) DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & YELLOW SHEET EDITORRoxanne M. KaufmanDESIGN Bright Eye Designs«MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION«As we get ready to gather this May in San Diego, California, I am really looking forward to meeting each and every one of you at our annual MCAA Symposium. This year’s event (as are all the others I’ve attended over the years) is energizing to me; we get to see each other again, tell or re-tell some mostly true stories, and learn from and meet with today’s Marines who are writing our Corps’ new history every day. I’m proud and happy to be leading this great organization and be able to give back to all who did so much for me, our Corps and our Country. My top priority is growing membership and telling the Marine Corps Aviation story. I rmly believe—that as an institution—when we revitalize and support our squadrons, membership growth will follow. As a result, both the staff and myself are reaching out and supporting as many events as possible.So far this year, we have already supported: the 100th Anniversary of VMA-231 “Ace of Spades”, Bransom-Capital Squadron Dinners, the activation of the John R. Dailey Squadron, the John Glenn Squadron Acquisition Awards Banquet, the VMAQ Sundown and Dinner, and the Don Davis Squadron Reunion.HEADQUARTERS 715 Broadway StreetQuantico, VA 22134703–630–1903Ofcers & Board of Directors

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8 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgTo the Editor:The fall issue of The Yellow Sheet contains, as always, several interesting articles. I was particularly struck by the story of Corporal Williams’ Medal of Honor. I was able to nd the citation in a book of medal accounts, Yesterday’s Heroes, 433 Men of World War II Awarded the Medal of Honor 1941-1945, by Kenneth N. Jordan, Sr., Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Atglen, PA, 1996.I’ve summarized the citation, and I hope your readers will get a feel for the action this man went through, keeping constantly on the move through incredible enemy re.He is one of the heroes in a large group of heroes who helped make our country’s heritage and history what it is. Indeed, Semper Fi!All the best,Peter B. MerskyCommander, USNR (Ret)Williams, Hershel Woodrow, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division. Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 23, 1945.For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines in action against Japanese forces. Quick to volunteer when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Corporal Williams went forward alone to try to reduce devastating machinegun re. With only four riemen covering him, he fought desperately for four hours under heavy enemy small-arms re. He repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and get more amethrowers to advance once more against enemy positions, wiping them out one after the other. At one point, Corporal Williams mounted a Japanese pillbox and thrust the nozzle of his amethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants and silencing the gun. In another action, he charged enemy riemen who tried to kill him with their bayonets, destroying the enemy soldiers with his amethrower. Corporal Williams’ tenacity and courage, unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism were instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strong points his regiment encountered, enabling his company to reach its objective.Dear Commander Mersky, Thank you for sharing his citation with all of us! I couldn’t help but to do a little more research on Corporal Williams after receiving your email. I particularly enjoyed his “Stars and Stripes” interview from February 2015. His humility and humor are impressive, including his story on being “arrested” on the way to Washington from the Pacic to receive his Medal of Honor. It was an epic, “Once Upon a Time,”—expedited orders, confusion and concern on why any general would want to see him, his rst time ying in an airplane, getting into the middle of nowhere in the middle of night with no one to greet him, and being in the wrong uniform of the day. His mentoring of other Marines, public appearances with rst responders, talks on PTSD, and creation of a not-for-prot to honor Gold Star Families also impressed me. He is truly a great American! Dear Rox,I intended to send this a while back, but I misplaced my copy of the Yellow Sheet. My comment pertains to the lower caption that appears on page 26 of the Summer 2018 issue:“Takin’ Care of Business” is not an Elvis song! The song was written by Randy Bachman and recorded by Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973. Here’s what Wikipedia says about the tie-in to Elvis:Elvis and the TCB Band: During his last few years of life,Elvis Presleyadopted “Taking Care of Business in a Flash” as a motto, abbreviated as TCB and associated with a lightning bolt. The logo can be seen on one of his airplanes, and is still used in Elvis merchandise. His entertainment room at Graceland also shows his dedication to that motto. His last backup group was called theTCB Band, which still plays under the name. Elvis had been a major inuence on Bachman, who in 2010 said he had been aware of rumors about the origins of the TCB name but had not had them conrmed until watching a documentary about Elvis in which his widow conrmed the BTO connection. In an interview withLarry LondonofVoice of America, Bachman commented that Elvis had recorded a version of the song but that it would probably never be released.The emblem on the nose of the Huey is Elvis’ logo. However, the song is not his.Take care!HankDear Hank, Thank you for keeping us honest and helping us take care of business! You are now on my phone-a-friend list for Tuesday night trivia!Roxanne M. Kaufman DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & YELLOW SHEET EDITOReDITOr’sINBOXEditor’s Note: Thank you for all of the valued responses about Colonel “Charlie” (Vulture) Carr. It was overwhelming to say the least, and the responses are still coming in. The 2019 MCAA Journal will showcase his life and legacy.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 9sQUADrONCONTACTSARIZONAYuma – Tom Miller SquadronCO– VacantXO – Col Billy McMillin USMC (Ret)928–580–3131colusmcret@hotmail.com CALIFORNIACamp Pendleton – Mike Yunck SquadronCO – Col Matthew Mowery760–725–3642matthew.mowery@usmc.mil XO – Col Patrick Gough, USMC (Ret)858–679–1755 ext 212patrick.gough@pklservices.comSan Diego – Marion Carl SquadronCO – Col Simon M. Doran858–577–1782simon.doran@usmc.milXO – Col Greg Goodman, USMC (Ret)858–361–9437gregory.l.goodman2@boeing.com POC– Col Earl Wederbrook, (Ret)858–577–1211earl_wederbrook@raytheon.com COLORADORocky Mountain ChapterCO – Maj Michael Dukes, USMC (Ret)Michael.dukes@rocketmail.com Pensacola – Roy S. Geiger SquadronCO – Col Michael JohnsonMichael.h.johnson@usmc.mil XO – Col Joe Richards, USMC (Ret)850–516–2550jprichards46@gmail.comOrlando – John F. Bolt SquadronLtCol Tim Hill, USMC (Ret)407–356–7190timhillorida@gmail.comXO – Col Rick Packard, USMC(Ret)407–463–6479richard.j.packard@lmco.comHAWAIIKaneohe Bay – Bruce Matheson SquadronCO – Col Michael Watkinsmichael.e.watkins@usmc.milMARYLANDPax River – John Glenn SquadronCO – Col Steven Girardsteven.girard@navy.milXO – Col Hank VanderborghtVanderborght22@yahoo.com MASSACHUSETTSBostonCO – Col Joe Mahoney, USMC (Ret)617–786–0832jhmahoney@verizon.netXO – Col Andrew Ley, USMC (Ret)718–320–5676aley@jagersmith.com POC – GySgt John Margie, USMC (Ret)508–690–1682jomargie@comcast.net NORTH CAROLINACherry Point – A. A. Cunningham SquadronCO – LtCol Gregory DemarcoGregory.demarco@usmc.milNew River – Keith McCutcheon SquadronCO – LtCol Shayne Frey910–449–6753shayne.frey@usmc.milXO – Maj David Holdstein910–449–5557david.holdstein@gmail.comOKINAWAMCAS Futenma – Joe FossCO – Col James Harpjames.f.harp@usmc.mil XO – Col Phil Van Etten, USMC (Ret)sumobuff@hotmail.comAT–LARGE SQUADRONSDevastate Charlie – Marine Air C2 SquadronCO – Col Scott Gondek, MACG 48 CO847–688–7129 ext. 201 scott.gondek@usmc.milXO – Col Rey Masinsin, USMC (Ret)813–810–3271reymasinsin@gmail.comPOC – Col Curt Ames, USMC (Ret)540–295–5959curtis.ames@me.comRobert “Guy” Robinson SquadronCO – MSgt Kevin Bonner, USMC (Ret)530–318–1517jkbonner@sbcglobal.net531 Gray Ghosts SquadronCO – Roman Makuch718–416–0160N2uck@yahoo.comXO – LtCol Rich Richardson, USMC (Ret)Ahr–amarine@md.metrocast.net Donald E. Davis, Marine Aviation LogisticsCO – Col Laura Sampsel, USMC (Ret)808–375–4172laura.sampsel@sofsa.mil POC – Col Kevin McCutcheon, USMC (Ret)828–443–1560kevinmccutcheon76@gmail.comJohn R. Dailey SquadronCO –Ricky Johnson252–241–2454rjohnson4@ec.rr.com XO – Danny Walsh252–447–2157boones@bizec.rr.com*MCAA National changes this list as we receive updates, however, if you see something that is no longer correct, please email us at admin@ymcaa.org and let us know.SOUTH CAROLINABeaufort – The Great Santini SquadronCO – LtCol Allen SzczepekAllen.szczepek@usmc.mil XO – Maj John “Simple” Simpson, USMC (Ret)843–812–7197jwsimple@comcast.netTEXASDallas/Ft. Worth – Bob Galer SquadronVacantCorpus Christi – John Smith SquadronCO – VacantXO – VacantVIRGINIANorfolk – Darden-Schilt SquadronCO – LtCol Matthew Crouch702–509–3039matthew.crouch@usmc.milXO – Col Mike Soniak, USMC (Ret)757–574–3717msoniak@cox.net Quantico – Nighthawk SquadronCO – Ron BerubeBerube1050@aol.com XO – Kevin WildKhw7562@gmail.comWASHINGTONSeattle – Richard C. Mangrum SquadronLtCol Art Crowe, USMC (Ret)425–284–1455mangrumsquadron@gmail.comWASHINGTON, DCWashington, DC – Bransom–Capital SquadronCO – Col Robert D. CooperRobert.d.cooper1@usmc.mil XO – Vacant

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MCAA 2019 Registration FormListed below are all registration and meal costs for the Symposium & Aviation Summit. Send a check, money order, or credit card (no phone reservations accepted) to ARMED FORCES REUNIONS, INC. You may also register online and pay by credit card at www.afr-reg.com/mcaa2019. All registration forms and payments must be received on or before 6 May 2019.Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. ATTN: MCAA322 Madison Mews Norfolk, VA 23510 757-625-6401/757-627-3807 fax Registration cut-off date is 6 May, 2019Price Per# of PeopleTotalACTIVE DUTY FOOD & BEVERAGE PACKAGE #1Includes Symposium Registration Fee, Welcome Aboard Reception (Tuesday), and Flight Jacket Happy Hour (Wednesday). $95 $ACTIVE DUTY FOOD & BEVERAGE PACKAGE #2Same as package #1 plus Awards Banquet (Thursday). $158 $INDIVIDUAL OPTIONS FOR ACTIVE DUTY AND CIVILIAN:REGISTRATION FEE MILITARY (non-reimbursable & included in packages above)$10 $REGISTRATION FEE CIVILIAN / RETIRED MILITARY $30 $Welcome Aboard Reception (Tuesday, 14 May) $40 $Flight Jacket Happy Hour (Wednesday, 15 May) $50 $Luncheon with Guest Speaker (Thursday, 16 May) – Not included in any packages listed above$34Awards Banquet (Thursday, 16 May) $65GOLF EVENTGolf Tournament (Wednesday, 15 May) Active Duty $65 $Golf Tournament (Wednesday, 15 May) Gov, Retired Military $75Golf Tournament (Wednesday, 15 May) Civilian $85 $Total Amount Payable to Armed Forces Reunions, Inc. $Please do not staple or tape your payment to this form.PLEASE PRINT Registrant full name: ______________________________________________ Call Sign: ________________________________Classication (select all that apply): Active Duty General Ofcer Reserve Industry Retired CivilianCompany name/Active Duty Unit: ________________________________________ Rank _______________________________MCAA Member? YES NO MCAA Sqdn: ________________________________________________________________Address: ________________________________________________________________State ___________ Zip ____________Telephone ( _____ ) _________ - _____________ EMAIL _______________________________________________________Guests 1) ______________________________________________ 2) ______________________________________________ 3) ______________________________________________ 4) ______________________________________________CREDIT CARD INFORMATIONVisa /MC/ Discover Card # __________________________________________________________Exp: _____________________Name on card: __________________________________________Signature: _________________________________________OFFICE USE ONLYCheck # ________ Date Received _________

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14 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orga shorter amount of time than the historical precedent. In order to break the “Iron Mountain” logistics concept and increase survivability on the modern battleeld, Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1 (MAWTS–1) developed the distributed aviation operations (DAO) concept. This concept empowers the ACE with the exibility to maximize operational opportunity in a kinetic and distributed environment without the need to return to the same origin for every aircraft refueling and reloading event. In addition to exibility and maximizing opportunity, the DAO concept increases aircraft survivability because it keeps the enemy guessing where we are and provides the combatant commander with multiple options of where best to employ forces. To best support this concept, the aviation ordnance community has cross–trained their intermediate–level aviation ordnance Marines with their organizational–level counterparts, and have physically embedded them in the ying squadrons to best posture squadron commanders with immediately accessible O–Level and I–Level aviation support. The aggregate of crossed–trained aviation ordnance support also provides the squadron commander with the increased manpower to operate in and maneuver through multiple forward arming and refueling points (FARPs) that are easily maneuverable across the entire battle space. In order to execute the above described scenario(s), the aviation ordnance community developed safe procedures to tactically transport all–up–round (AUR) munitions (bombs, missiles, and rockets) around the battlespace without dragging along the requisite logistics footprint (personnel, support equipment, and tools) typically required for aviation weapon assembly. This eliminated much of the time and resources typically required once a FARP has been designated and established. These methods rely on the use of the recently developed ADU–943 adapter (used to reinforce the bomb trailers) and transport and assault support resources that are organic to the ACE (C–130, MV–22, CH–53, and UH–1). Depending on the scenario, we are also trained and authorized to incorporate the use of the ground combat element’s ship–to–shore connectors; amphibious assault vehicles and air cushioned landing craft), all of which enable the ordnance personnel and the AUR’s to move around the battle space in advance of the aircraft. The AURs are rolled out of the aircraft and staged right next to the aircraft ready to be hot–loaded, which eliminates weapon Cpl James Huyhn, an aircraft ordnance technician transports a guided bomb unit laser joint direct attack munitions weapons system to an AV–8B Harrier ordnance staging area. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, CPL ALINA THACKRAY

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 15FROM THE “HALLWAY”assembly time and allows for full FARP establishment in less than ten minutes from ramp down. To expand the operational envelope, we can execute these FARP operations at traditional sites, atop buildings, oating barges, public roadways, or parking lots. This capability allows the Marine Air–Ground Task Force to continue to ght forward threats in a scenario in which all airelds within the area have been heavily damaged or sabotaged during an initial attack.While conducting combat operations, it is imperative that we reload the aircraft as quickly as possible, and with the most suitable weapons to accomplish the mission. To best facilitate this, we certied the F/A–18 to carry two GBU–32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions on the BRU–55 bomb rack, which removed the limitation of ying 500–pound munitions only. In order to increase speed, we also developed peculiar armament support equipment loading procedures, which permits us to load assembled weapons that are pre–wired, fused, and attached to a certied “good” launcher. This process eliminates the load crew from loading each bomb individually and attaching the associated hardware. For the AV–8B Harrier, we developed ordnance hot–loading procedures for the BRU–70 triple ejector bomb rack, which allows us to leave the bomb rack on the aircraft and reload each station without having to conduct a fresh round of operational checks. For the sake of comparison, let us reect back to major combat operation in Iraq where FARP teams were sent forward in convoys to support H–1 operations along the axis of advance. These FARP crews loaded Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacements with thousands of rockets in their original packaging. Once the team received an order to establish a FARP, the ordnance personnel had to break out the individual rocket components from their original packaging and assemble the munitions. This tedious process took over 70 minutes to complete. When resupply was required, a CH–46 or CH–53 would be tasked with delivering more rocket motors and warheads, at which point the assembly cycle would start over again. To circumvent this cumbersome process, we developed the Phase II MK–648 rocket container, which permits us to transport AUR rockets. Additionally, the Phase II MK–648 container can be sling–loaded by a UH–1Y aircraft, which eliminates the need to task a larger assault or cargo aircraft to resupply the FARP. A typical scenario for the UH–1Y is to deliver the AUR rockets to the FARP, proceed to provide close air support (CAS), and then return to the FARP for a tactical hot re–load from the rockets it just delivered to the FARP. With the increased payload capacity and addition of two weapons stations on the AH–1Z, we conducted several tactical demonstrations to enhance the capability of the aircraft ring AIM–Marines with MWSD–273 conduct a FARP exercise aboard MCAS Beaufort, SC, on 19 Dec 2018. The simulated FARP trained the Marines for upcoming exercises and deployments. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, CPL DEBRA S. SAINER

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16 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.org9M Sidewinder missiles. After the recent software upgrade, the AH–1Z can now y with a full combat load to provide CAS and now has the capability to defend itself against enemy aircraft with air–to–air missiles. Additionally, the AH–1Z can now offer some protection to FARPs and expeditionary air bases). As a comparison, the AH–1W could only carry a Sidewinder if it surrendered its Hellre missiles on that same side. When aviation ordnance personnel deploy off a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to establish ashore FARP operations, they now embark with them the self propelled ordnance transport (SPOT) accompanied with the carrier ammunition rough terrain (CART). This autonomously controlled (robotics technology) ordnance transporter system (when equipped with the MK–648 Phase II) can expedite the hot–loading of AUR rockets on H–1 aircraft. The SPOT and the CART are designed to t in the back of an MV–22 and now reside in the authorized cargo load for all MEU deployments. Small and agile, the SPOT/CART combo reduces aircraft hot–loading time by 70% getting these attack aircraft back in the ght faster. The integration of technology into our support equipment has allowed us to more efciently allocate ordnance personnel to support the mobile nature of tomorrow’s ght.As with any kinetic scenario, ammunition visibility and accountability is critical. Although the distributed environment makes this critical task more challenging, we are now relying on use of the Ordnance Inventory System Remote Partial Connect and VECTOR–Weapons to ensure the accounting aspect keeps pace with the action across the mobile battle space. These state–of–the–art software suites, combined with the requisite minimalist hardware, allows us to track all ordnance inventories and expenditures real–time on a secure network. With this instantaneous visibility, we can better predict and coordinate immediate resupply efforts to support units across a distributed battlespace.Across the Marine Corps, the aviation ordnance community has successfully pursued and subsequently implemented Level III Dynamic Preservation capabilities that have resulted in signicant reductions in required man–hours for scheduled maintenance requirements, reduced costs associated with Level III Static preservation materials, and increased readiness levels for aircraft armament systems. Additionally, modernization efforts such as the shelving project at Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS–11) have resulted in increased storage capacity, more efcient inventory management, and improved workplace safety. Due to the tenacious efforts of aviation ordnance Marines around the world, many crew–served weapon (CSW) armories have been modernized via high–density mobile storage systems. These upgrades have ensured antiquated armories that could not previously comply with physical security requirements are now in compliance, have resulted in more efcient and streamlined inventory management procedures for weapons, and in increased readiness when combined with Level III Preservation capabilities. Because of inadequate CSW storage practices over numerous years for squadrons deploying in support of SPMAGTF–CC–CR as well as Integrated Training Exercises, the Marine Corps has acquired two mobile armories for future employment. These armories meet all physical security requirements, possess Level III Dynamic Preservation capability, include a SmartWasher system for improved cleaning of weapons, are self–sufcient with deployable generators, and include high–density mobile storage systems capable of storing an entire squadron’s worth of weapons in any operational environment. To increase efciency the eet is employing new technology that is capable of automated data–tracking such as rounds red, ring rate, and rounds remaining until next scheduled inspection for both crew served and medium caliber weapons. This technology revolutionizes the way we obtain and aggregate data, both in garrison and combat, as it also provides the user with a predictive diagnostics capability. Furthermore, passive RFID technology inclusive to the system enables instant inventory capabilities for armories, improved inventory accuracy by way of Common Access Card (CAC) enabled check–in and check–out processes versus logbooks, and more efcient administrative procedures via preloaded Navy and Marine Corps forms.In order to ensure our Marines are properly trained and sustained to conduct these high–risk evolutions, we established the MAWTS–1 Expeditionary Ordnance Course (MEOC). This course provides students with a unique opportunity to gain exposure to all current and future aviation expeditionary operations. After one week of academics, the students are then injected into the highest operational tempo they will ever experience outside of combat. The course curriculum includes preparing all Type/Model/Series aircraft for full combat loads, establishing and subsequently maintaining FARPs, organizing FARP convoys, establishing a forward operating base, and becoming exposed to hot–loading each Type/Model/ Series aircraft in the USMC inventory. At the conclusion of this course, students are able to assist their unit commanders and act as combat mission planners with enhanced planning skills and insight into integrating all aviation assets to promote mission success. In addition, they are rendered subject matter experts in expeditionary advanced base operations and are granted the secondary Military

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 17FROM THE “HALLWAY”Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 6577. At the conclusion of this course, students are rendered subject matter experts in aviation expeditionary operations and are granted their secondary MOS. This new MOS designation is intended to assist commanders with identifying and growing these highly trained specialists within their commands.Due to the success of DAO/DSO FARPS, tactical demonstrations (TACDEMOs) conducted at MAWTS–1, and the MEOC, the U.S. Air Force has reached out for assistance in developing their own expeditionary capabilities. For example, we [the Marine Corps] started assisting Hill Air Force Base, Utah, with data collection to develop procedures to hot–load the A–10 Thunderbolt. Additionally, Marines assisted in developing a plan to conduct distributed aviation operations in different designated USAF scenarios presented during the 2018 Combat Air Force Weapons and Tactics Conference. They specically worked together with Mission Area Working Group–4, which was tasked with integrating new agile UTC’s into the Combat Support Wing. In order to help meet future challenges, we will continue to provide sister–service training relevant to expeditionary air base operations and distributed aviation operations.One of the primary goals of DAO/DSO FARP operations is to reduce the amount of time the required aircraft and personnel are exposed on the deck in a hostile environment. As such, MAWTS–1 consistently trains Marines to execute hot–reloading and hot–refueling operations separately; however, the overall time an aircraft must remain in the FARP can be signicantly reduced if these operations are conducted simultaneously. Recently, the MAWTS–1 Ordnance Division conducted multiple TACDEMOs demonstrating that all USMC aircraft can be simultaneously hot–reloaded and hot–refueled safely and efciently. Additionally, ordnance and fueling personnel demonstrated awless communication throughout the evolution and the time was drastically reduced increasing the survivability of both the aircraft and the Marines executing the FARP. Through the tenacious efforts of the Marine aviation ordnance community and the cooperation of our Navy brethren, this capability will soon be authorized for eet commands, drastically changing the way the ACE will ght over the next decade.TOPLCpl Angel Marin, an aviation ordnance technician with VMA–223, attached to SPMAGTF–CR–CC, loads a guided bomb unit onto an AV–8B Harrier. As a quick reaction force, the SPMAGTF–CR–CC, is capable of deploying aviation, ground and logistical forces forward at a moment’s notice, and supports Operation INHERENT RESOLVE, working by, with, and through the partner forces to defeat ISIS. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, CPL ALINA THACKRAYBOTTOMCpl Heath Hagler, top, and Cpl James Huynh, both aircraft ordnance technicians with VMA–223, attached to SPMAGTF–CR–CC, conduct release and control functions on an AV–8B Harrier to ensure that the aircraft’s weapons system is ready for operations in the region. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, CPL ALINA THACKRAY

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The Third Marine Division Reunion: All Eras in Branson, Missouri, 17-22 September 2019, Contact: Roger Bacon, (215)-822-9094, rogerbacon45@yahoo.comVMFA-251 Reunion: 7-10 November 2019 at the Crowne Plaza Charleston Convention Center, 4831 Tanger Outlet Boulevard, North Charleston, SC 29418. The reunion is open to anyone who served with VMO/VMA/VMF/VMFA-251 at anytime (WWII to the present) as well as family. For more information: http://www.vmfa251.org/reunion.htm for the latest news, plus links for hotel room reservation.MCAA Would Like to Congratulate Our Members on Their Recent Promotions — BZ!*From: Fall 2015 Yellow SheetreAD &INITIALBrigadier General Dennis A. Crall has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Crall is currently serving as the senior military advisor for Cyber to the Under Secretary of Defense – Policy, Washington, District of Columbia.Brigadier General Karsten S. Heckl has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Heckl is currently serving as the commanding general, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, North Carolina.Brigadier General Christopher J. Mahoney has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Mahoney is currently serving as the deputy commander, U.S. Forces Japan, Yokota, Japan.Brigadier General Gregory L. Masiello has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Masiello is currently serving as the program executive of cer, Air Anti – Submarine Warfare, Assault, and Special Mission, Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland. Brigadier General Paul J. Rock Jr. has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major general. Rock is currently serving as the commanding general, Marine Corps Installations – Paci c, Okinawa, Japan.Colonel Marcus B. Annibale has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Annibale is currently serving as the head, Aviation Weapons and Programs F-35 Branch, Department of Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, District of Columbia.Colonel Daniel L. Shipley has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Shipley is currently serving as the deputy director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, Department of Programs and Resources, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, District of Columbia.Colonel James B. Wellons has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Wellons is currently serving as the head, Weapons Requirements Branch, Department of Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, District of Columbia.Colonel Leonard F. Anderson IV has been nominated for appointment to the rank of brigadier general. Anderson is currently serving as the assistant wing commander, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve, New Orleans, Louisiana.*For promotion and change of command announcement, please email rkaufman@ ymcaa.org. 18 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgMCAA – 531 Gray Ghost Squadron (VMF(N)-531, VMF(AW)-531, VMFA-531): Will have a reunion from 27-30 June 2019 a t MCB Quantico, VA. For more information go to their website: https://sites.google.com/site/531grayghostsquadron or to contact them via email: ghostlore531@yahoo.comVMAQ Monument We are pleased to announce the formation of the VMAQ Monument Foundation whose goal is to erect a monument at a national museum that preserves and promotes the legacy, history, and accomplishments of the VMAQ warriors and their families that have supported Marine Corps Airborne Electronic Warfare for over four decades. Please consider donating to the Foundation to help us preserve the history and legacy of this community. For more information and ways to donate, please visit https://vmaqmonument.org/

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 19ACTIVe DUTYUPDATESThe Devilﬁsh Turn 97!More than 350 Marines and Sailors gathered at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Bob Hope Theater in California, to celebrate the 97th birthday of Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 11 (MALS-11) on 7 December 2018 to reect on the unit’s heritage and accomplishments over the past year. Established on 1 December 1921, at the Marine Flying Field in Quantico, Virginia, as Flight 1, 2nd Air Squadron, MALS-11, the “Devilsh” proudly carry on their legacy. The birthday ceremony included a cake cutting and recognized three Marines within the unit to pay homage to the lineage of the unit. The Marines included the newest member, Lance Corporal Isacc Chaves, who checked in 6 December; Staff Sergeant Steven Gillman, who has served the longest with the squadron since 19 July 2009; and Gunnery Sergeant Dominic Easton, who has the most aggregate time served over multiple tours with the squadron. Totaling over 850 Marines and Sailors, MALS-11 provides aviation logistics support to six tactical squadrons and the F/A-18 training squadron that encompasses Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11), 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.In the past year, the “Devilsh” actively deployed 143 Marines and Sailors to global locations while providing support to MAG-11. MALS-11 Marines deployed on SS Curtiss (T-AVB-4) as an expeditionary aviation logistics detachment aoat in support of exercise Valiant Shield 2018, off the shores of Guam. Additionally, MALS-11 also deployed Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron-225 in September to Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the Unit Deployment Program. Most importantly, MALS-11 Marines deployed in early January to provide support to the aviation combat element for Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE—elements of MALS-11 have sustained constant rotational support since 2015.In February 2018, MALS-11 competed in the Western Division Matches Competition-in-Arms Program in which two Marines were awarded Bronze Medals in the pistol competition and were invited to the Marine Corps’ Matches in Quantico, Virginia. MALS-11 received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award in 2018 for accumulating over 2,000 volunteer hours over a 10-month period. MALS-11 received the 3rd MAW Marion Carl Safety Award and was selected as the 3rd MAW nominee for both the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Don Davis Award for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron of the Year Award and the Marine Corps Aviation Association’s Pete Ross Safety Award.Young and Old Devilsh partake in the rst servings of cake. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS

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20 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgMeet the MarineLance corporaL aLexandra amor SantoS arambuLoBeing a Marine goes past the uniform, haircuts and swagger. It’s a whole Marine concept. They are a group of exceptional human beings who embody the Corps’ ethos of honor, courage, and commitment. Now, here is your chance to Meet the Marine.Name: Lance Corporal Laura E. ThompsonAge: 20Hometown: Nashville, TennesseeMilitary Occupational Specialty: 7257, air trafc controllerLance Corporal Laura E. Thompson is an air trafc controller assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. According to Thompson, she joined the Marine Corps to broaden her horizons and help shape herself into a more experienced individual. “I needed an opportunity to have a career,” said Thompson, 20, from Nashville, Tennessee. “Once I was at boot camp I knew it was where I needed to be and where I’m supposed to be.”According to Thompson, the Marine Corps got her out of her shell and helped her become comfortable with the uncomfortable.“It gave me self-condence to the point where I’m actually looking for stuff that I could do on my own time that is outside of my [normal routine],” said Thompson. “The Marine Corps kind of put me in situations I never thought I would be in.”Thompson states that being in her job eld; she has to be condent enough in herself and her job prociency to be reassuring to the pilots, so they can keep focus on the task at hand. She has to make sure she properly guides the pilots in and out the area safely.As she gains rank and experience, Thompson plans on making her junior Marines her priority. She says as a leader, she is hoping to make a positive impact on her Marines and help them leave their mark.“I’m a people person,” said Thompson. “I like listening to other people’s ideas and pinging things off of them.”Thompson said joining the Marine Corps gave her the opportunity to mold herself into the leader she wants to be and allowed her to make an impact on those around her. At just 20 years old, LCpl Thompson is already using what she’s learned in the Marine Corps to pay it forward and mentor junior Marines. PHOTO COURTESY: ALEXANDRA AMOR SANTOS ARAMBULO

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 21ACTIVE DUTY UPDATESTrain Like We Fight: 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Conducts Simulated TrainingSergeant meLiSSa martenS, marine corpS ForceS reServeSMaintaining a constant state of deployment readiness is a key ingredient for Reserve Marines to stay successful and relevant in what they do and how they perform. Whether it be annual training requirements, or specic training geared towards individual military occupation specialties, it all comes together to aid in a unit’s ability to rapidly respond when called upon.Each year, Reserve Marines traditionally conduct 48 drill periods and 14 days of annual training. During this time, the Marines are developing and enhancing their skills, so they can provide highly trained individuals to augment, reinforce, and support active forces in global engagement.With the battle space ever-evolving, Marines with Marine Air Control Group 48 (MACG-48), 4th Marine Aircraft Wing (4th MAW) from Chicopee, Massachusetts; Great Lakes, Illinois; Miramar, California; and Virginia Beach, Virginia; spent their February drill period ensuring they are ready for whatever threat they may encounter by conducting simulated training during Night Watch, a Marine Air Command and Control System exercise, from 22-24 February 2019. “We have four outlying sites as a apart of MACG-48, and through Night Watch, we tested if we could talk with each other, coast-to-coast, using the communication and radar equipment we have that gives us an air picture to monitor,” said Major Thomas Dunaway, operations ofcer with Marine Air Control Squadron 24 (MACS-24). “It is a 48-hour exercise where the crews practice their turnovers, brief and debrief, and gain a better understanding of their gear.”Unlike active duty Marines, who have 365 days each year to master their specialties, Reserve Marines have a limited amount of time to become procient. Capitalizing on time and staying focused during each training block ensures the Marines maintain their relevancy in each military occupation specialty.“There is a series of qualications that all Marine Air Command and Control System Marines must meet to be qualied to sit in certain positions, and they get very limited opportunities to meet those mission essential tasks and earn those qualications,” Dunaway said. “Night Watch gets the Marines qualied so we can maintain readiness as a unit and we can forward deploy.”With a staple of the Marine Corps being to “train like we ght”, simulated realistic training is essential to keeping the Marines skills sharp, exposing them to situations they may encounter in the future.“This exercise is important because in a real scenario, we could potentially have degraded communication with some of our more high-end equipment, forcing us to go back to basics,” Dunaway said. “The cyberspace threat makes it crucial to test these capabilities, and know how to operate everything we’ve got.”Involving various units from across the country, Night Watch was an opportunity for the Marines to not only collaborate with each other but to also understand how to integrate and operate together as one.“What is unique about Night Watch is that it is the only time all year that 4th MAW will get to do a Marine Air Command and Control System exercise all together,” Dunaway said. “Being dispersed geographically, we typically conduct separate training events with the different squadrons. This is the one time all of our sister squadrons will look at the same picture and same simulation together.”Every Marine, no matter the job or rank, plays a vital role in the success of their unit. Understanding how each Marine ts in to the puzzle and how the skills they bring to the table effect the outcome of a scenario, is a key learning objective that Night Watch aimed to achieve.“The biggest takeaway from this exercise is the Marines having a better understanding of what a Marine Air Command and Control System is and what our job is,” said Gunnery Sergeant David Lopez, operations chief with MACS-24. “We are talking everyone from administration, to motor transportation, to logistics. Just these Marines seeing what they do, no matter how small their job is, and how it plays in to the Marine Air Command and Control System as a whole, is a success.”

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 23ACTIVE DUTY UPDATESThe F-35C Achieves Initial Operational Capabilityhqmc Ten F-35C aircraft (VFA-147) are displayed on the  ightline at Naval Air Station Lemoore in celebration of the F-35C’s Initial Operational Capability (IOC) announcement on 27 February 2019. The IOC declaration is a capability-driven joint decision made by Commander, Naval Air Forces, Vice Admiral DeWolfe Miller III, and United Sates Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Lieutenant General Stephen R. Rudder. Achieving IOC means the F-35C is available to be used in deployed environments as requested by combatant commanders. Photo Courtesy: U.S. Navy photowe moved the cargo and equipment that they needed.” A KC-130J Hercules with 9,500 pounds of cargo, seven Marines from VMGR-252 and two Royal Air Force Canadians  ew for 7 hours before landing at Thule Air Base, Greenland; a joint United States Air Force and Danish base, to spend the night prior to arriving at CFS Alert. Approximately halfway to Thule Air Base, the team switched from normal navigation, using magnetic headings, to polar navigation, using true headings. This was due to the large variations between magnetic north and true north, since they were traveling only 508 miles from the North Pole, according to Major Dustin Schelegle, a pilot with VMGR-252.“On 23 January, we departed Thule Air Base and  ew 1 hour and 30 minutes north to CFS Alert,” said Schelegle. “The air eld was a 5,500 feet by 150 feet gravel strip covered in snow and ice.” The sun was absent from the sky, with temperatures sitting 22 below zero, when the service members made history as they landed at CFS Alert around 10:30 a.m., Wednesday morning. The success VMGR-252 had while landing the KC-130J Hercules demonstrated the aircraft and crews ability to operate in the sheer artic winter darkness. “It was very… very cold. Initially stepping off you felt pretty normal, but you could tell within minutes you needed to get back inside,” said Maguire. “Your face would start freezing, I would take my gloves off to snap a few photos and within a few seconds your  ngers would start to go a little numb, turn red, and start hurting.”With the harsh, cold weather environment, VMGR-252 created multiple contingency plans due to high risks of traveling to the artic and the potential for drastic change in weather, according to Schelegle.“Once we got up there we were coordinating with them [Canadians] about requirements for extra gear in the artic. They had artic survival kits, which aren’t actually even in our publications … so we had to borrow those from them,” said Schelegle. “We even brought a PMA 207, [ ight philologist,] who came out looking at our gear for our maintainers.”A  ight philologist’s job is to manage the procurement, development, support,  elding and disposal of the Navy’s Tactical Airlift Program Systems.“Having a PMA 207 on board allowed them to learn different things from the Canadians … like having the survival kits for when you go up into the artic,” said Schelegle. “We are pushing for the possibility to get the artic kits and looking forward to seeing what that is going to look like in the future. Because if we ever start  ghting in an environment like that … that’s something you are going to need for the survival of the air crew and passengers.”From the approval of the mission to take off, VMGR-252 and the Canadian Royal Air Force accomplished all the administration and logistics within 14-15 hours, according to Captain Dean Aszman, the co-pilot for the  ight.“It was impressive to see we were able to get all these people and cargo all the way into the arctic circle, something that’s never been done in Marine Corps’ history,” said Aszman. “I’m super grateful, honored, and proud of this opportunity that the Marine Corps has given me.”

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24 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgWarthogs Take Over Hawaiian SkiesSergeant JeSuS SepuLveda torreSU.S. Airmen with the 442nd Fighter Wing descended on Marine Corps Base (MCB) Hawaii, in February to conduct various training exercises across the Hawaiian Islands. The  ghter wing, stationed out of Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, worked alongside III Marine Expeditionary Forces to improve combat strength and joint service effectiveness between the two branches. “Our objective here focused on packing up and deploying to Paci c region environment,” said Chief Master Sergeant Aaron McRoberts, the deployment superintendent with the 442nd Fighter Wing. “Working alongside Marine aircraft was a unique experience and any issue we had, they were more than happy to help.”The  ghter wing conducted various training exercises such as escorting MV-22B Osprey aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (VMM-268) and a forward arming and refueling point exercise where fuel was shared to an A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft to increase  ight times. U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Todd Riddle, the commander of the 303rd Fighter squad, 442nd Fighter Wing, said the unit has deployed multiple times to the Middle East, but the U.S. Air Force is pushing towards more training in the Paci c.“The U.S. Air Force wants to see more Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and this is the  rst time we were able to employ ourselves here,” he said. “Starting from nothing, we were able to work our way up to improving our joint service effectiveness with the Marines. They were able to setup various live  re exercises for us, while we provided combat search and rescues and escorts.” The ACE is the U.S. Air Force’s approach to ensure forward deployed forces are ready for a potential contingency with little notice. One of the training events took place at the Pohakuloa Training Area, combining close air support from A-10 Thunderbolt II Warthog  ghter aircraft with UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367. Riddle said the training provided a better understanding of how U.S. Marine Corps aircraft operations are conducted and how his squadron can be implemented into the Marine Air-Ground Task Force. Nearing the end of the month, U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and VMM-268 coordinated with the 442nd Fighter Wing to simulate a downed pilot rescue on MCB Hawaii. Warthog  ghter aircraft provided aerial security while Ospreys extracted the pilot.“Being able to work with Ospreys was a unique experience and working with U.S. Marines, in general, only makes us more of a lethal force in readiness. We collectively  gured out a game plan to combine our assets and skills, and at the very end of the training shows how much we grew together.” An MV-22 Osprey with VMM-268  ies with U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft assigned to the 442nd Fighter Wing, Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, SGT ALEX KOUNS

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 25ACTIVE DUTY UPDATESMCAS Yuma Celebrates 60 Years of Service to the Corps at AirshowLance corporaL hannah poweLLWhat better place to enjoy 70-degree weather in early March, free entertainment and aircraft demonstrations than the annual Yuma Airshow? Yuma is home to Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Yuma, Arizona, the busiest air station in the Marine Corps, which supports 80 percent of the USMC’s air-to-ground aviation training. Each year MCAS Yuma hosts one of the  nest military airshows of the season. During this year’s airshow, MCAS Yuma celebrated 60 years of Marine aviation. Although the air station was built in 1928, it wasn’t of cial turned over to the Marine Corps until 1959. Helping them celebrate was Marine Attack Squadron 214 (VMA-214) with its AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) with its F-35B Lightning II aircraft, the United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt demonstration team and many other performers.Among the long list of airshow performers was The Tora Tora Tora Commemorative Air Force (CAF), which paid homage to the beginning of the American involvement in World War II with a recreation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Tora Tora Tora began in 1972, when six replica Japanese aircraft used in a movie of the same name were donated to the CAF. “We’re not promoting nationalism or glorifying war, the intent is to help generations born after the war to understand that war doesn’t discriminate with the pain it causes, and that courageous individuals on both sides lose their lives,” said Mike Burke, the Tora Tora Tora second generation lead.Tora Tora Tora is intended as a memorial to all soldiers on both sides who gave their lives for their countries. “I remember everything about the war and seeing Tora Tora Tora was really emotional,” said Barbra Colbert, a spectator at the 2019 Yuma Airshow.In addition, United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II demonstration team, for the  rst time in Yuma Airshow history, also helped the air station celebrate 60 years of Marine aviation. The A-10, otherwise known as the “Warthog”, was designed for close air support of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick action against enemy ground forces.“The most unique thing about being an A-10 pilot is meeting people that have actually been on the ground and received support from the A-10, said USAF Major Ryan Rutter, the A-10 Safety Of cer.As a whole, the 2019 Yuma Airshow was a great showcase of military airpower, a spectacular tribute to the past, and an opportunity for people to see the aircraft that paved the way for the newer platforms. The Tora Tora Tora Commemorative Air Force conducts their  ight demonstration on the MCAS Yuma  ight line. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, CPL HANNA POWELLAn F-35B pilot displays its capabilities. PHOTO COURTE SY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, SGT ALLISON LOTZAn AH-1 Vip er  ies during the Yuma Airshow. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. MARINE CORPS, SGT ALLISON LOTZ

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28 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgColonels Discuss State of Marine AviationJeFF newman StaFF writer, navaL aviation newS (reprinted with permiSSion oF the teSter)The colonels leading the four main Marine Corps aircraft programs at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) gathered at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum on 4 December 2018 for a panel discussion on the state of Marine aviation.Before an audience of mostly industry representatives and fellow Marines, the program managers—Colonel Matthew Kelly (V–22 Osprey), Colonel David Walsh (H–1 helicopters), Colonel John Neville (small tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)) and Colonel Jack Perrin (H–53 helicopters)—each detailed the work currently underway inside their programs.Kelly gave an update on the MV–22B’s Common Conguration–Readiness and Modernization (CC–RAM) program, which is upgrading 129 older MV–22Bs to the current standard coming off the production line. The goal is not only to improve those Ospreys, but also increase readiness by signicantly reducing the 70–plus distinct congurations in the MV–22B’s eet of more than 300 aircraft.The rst two MV–22Bs have been inducted into CC–RAM and a third is scheduled to do so in January.Kelly’s ofce is also working on improvements that will make it easier to maintain the V–22s engine nacelles, which he called “one of the harshest environments in naval aviation.”“It’s basically an engine and wiring that gets rain and dust and mud and everything else thrown into it on a daily basis,” he said. “We’ve learned a lot over the last 15–to–20 years trying to maintain that nacelle and make sure it has the right ventilation and airow.”With the last UH–1Y Venom delivered to the eet in April and the AH–1W Super Cobra set to be On 4 December, the John Glenn Squadron co–hosted a Panel with The Patuxent Partnership (TPP) and Association of Naval Aviation, Patuxent River Squadron titled, Marine Air – The Sea–Based Inside Force. A large crowd at thePatuxent River Naval Air Museumwas treated to a great discussion on readiness, affordability initiatives, and program updates.

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From left to right, CAPT Mark Converse, USN (Ret.), CO of the ANA Pax River Squadron; Col John Neville, USMC, Program Manager, PMA–263, Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Ofce; Col Matthew G. Kelly, USMC, Program Manager, PMA–275, V–22 Joint Program Ofce; Col David Walsh, USMC, Program Manager, PMA–276, Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Programs; Ms. Bonnie Green, Executive Director, The Patuxent Partnership; Keynote Speaker/Moderator: LtGen Steven R. Rudder, USMC, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, Headquarters Marine Corps; BGen Gregory L. Masiello, USMC, Program Executive Ofce for Air Anti–Submarine Warfare, Assault & Special Mission Programs, (PEO(A)); Col Steve Girard, USMC, CO, MCAA John Glenn Squadron.Not in the photo, but participating in the event was Col Jack D. Perrin, USMC, Program Manager, PMA–261, H–53 Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Ofce.PHOTO CREDIT: SARAH EHMAN, THE PATUXENT PARTNERSHIP.fully replaced by the AH–1Z Viper by 2021, Walsh said his program ofce is beginning to focus less on transitioning to the new H–1 platforms and more on sustaining them.To that end, Walsh’s team is working to reduce maintenance man–hours and increase the reliability of parts, two factors that an independent readiness review identied as crucial to improving H–1 readiness, he said.Neville said the chief challenge faced by his program ofce is keeping pace with the rapid development of technology in the eld of small UAS.“How do you develop a program to keep up with that technological advancement, as rapid as it is, especially with what we see in retail stores?” he asked. “How can I do that across conventional forces that need training and logistical support and everything that goes along with that?”One solution being explored is a “common controller” with which Marines could operate various UAVs, Neville said.Perrin said readiness has improved for the CH–53E Super Stallion thanks largely to a “reset” program that thus far has rebuilt 21 aircraft at considerable cost–per–ight–hour savings and increases in executable ight hours.Afterwards, the panel members took questions from familiar sources such as NAVAIR Commander Vice Admiral Dean Peters, Operational Test and Evaluation Force Commander Rear Admiral Paul Sohl and Brigadier General Greg Masiello, program Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 29SQUADRON NEWS

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30 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgexecutive ofcer for Air Anti–Submarine Warfare, Assault and Special Mission Programs (PEO(A)).Sohl—who later said he felt like a “proud dad” watching Kelly, Walsh and Neville, whom he had as students during his stint as executive ofcer and then commanding ofcer of the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School—asked how Marine aviation programs would avoid a recurrence of the readiness shortfall that followed the 2013 federal budget sequestration.Perrin said his ofce was working on buying new motor cores for the CH–53E, while his focus for the in–development CH–53K King Stallion remains ensuring proper funding for the aircraft’s logistics support.“We hold those [costs] to be sacred,” he said. “I tell everybody in industry, when you come into my ofce, the new improvements and the new radios, it’s all really good stuff. I’m a test pilot, I love new widgets and gadgets, but the most important thing anybody can have is…availability. Unless that aircraft is up, you cannot do anything.”Meanwhile, the H–1 program ofce is investing in fuel cells and skid gear while federal funding is at an all–time high so that “when time gets rough and money gets short, we have the basics to keep the aircraft ying,” Walsh said.Kelly discussed a project to apply a sealant to the V–22’s constant frequency generator, preventing water leaks that were causing the component to fail. Retrotted generators have been lasting twice as long as those without the sealant, he said.Hosted by The Patuxent Partnership, the panel also featured Masiello, who delivered introductory remarks, and Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lieutenant General Steven Rudder, who moderated the event.

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Marine Corps Col John Neville, Program Manager of the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems program of ce at Naval Air Systems Command, speaks about his program during a December 4th panel discussion at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Also seated on stage are Colonel Matthew Kelly, Colonel David Walsh and Colonel Jack Perrin. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. NAVYSQUADRON NEWSWinter 2019 | yellowsheet | 31Enclosed is my voluntary assessment of $admin@ ymcaa.org NEW MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL 1YR 3YR 5YR Digital (1 year) DATE ________In This Issue The 75th Anniversary of MACCSReadiness in Reserve: 4th MAWThreading the Needle: Air Support for Operation PHANTOM FURYWinter 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgTheMarine Corps aviation assoCiationwww.ymcaa.orgHONORING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN MARINE AVIATIONIn This IssueThe 2018 Aviation Award Winners75 Years of MACCS (Part Two)The Battle for the City of the DeadMay 2018$40 1 Year$110 3 Years$175 5 years$15 DigitalIn This IssueLieutenant Karl S. Day, WWI Marine Bomber PilotThe 2018 MCAA Symposium RecapMoonlighters Reunite and Recount Their LegacySummer 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgTheIn This IssueLieutenant Karl S. Day, WWI Marine Bomber PilotThe 2018 MCAA Symposium RecapMoonlighters Reunite and Recount Their LegacyIn This IssueMarine Night Fighters in OkinawaThe “Flying Nightmares” in AfghanistanSkyhawkers ReuniteFall 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgThe

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32 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgCUrATOr’sCORNERBy his tenth birthday, Thomas Alfred Russo, born in 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, had started selling newspapers and magazines on the street, splitting his earnings between his parents and his growing love of photography. Russo built himself a (very) small darkroom in a storage area under the stairs of the 500 square foot home he shared with his  ve siblings. His small stature fostered Russo’s independent and rebellious nature. He desperately wanted to enlist in the Marine Corps following Pearl Harbor, but was too young and his father refused to sign a parental waiver. Thus, following his high school graduation, Russo elected to start instruction at the New York Institute of Photography and then joined the Marines on 9 Dec 1943, just after his 18th birthday. While in New York, Russo met and quickly married his wife Charlotte, herself a talented photographer, with whom Russo had three children.Following basic training, Russo was assigned to Air Engineer Squadron 44 (AES–44) on 17 February 1944 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina. The following month, he transferred for instruction as a still photographer and camera repairman at the NT School (Photography) at Naval Air Training Center Pensacola, Florida. While in Pensacola, Russo was taught by some luminaries of American photography, including Edward Steichen and Chief Petty Of cer (and famed movie, and later TV, actor) Leif Erickson. Russo returned to MCAS Cherry Point in August 1944 and remained there through 1947, serving in several different AES units as a cameraman and repairing the aerial camera used by the reconnaissance aircraft stationed there.Technical Sergeant Thomas Rousseau’s Graﬂ ex Speed Graphic Cameraben KriSty, aviation curator, nationaL muSeum oF the marine corpSDischarged in Jan 1947, Russo changed the spelling of his last name to Rousseau—to accommodate some the strongly held ethnic and religious beliefs held by his in–laws and moved his growing family to Spokane, Washington. There he took up a number of small side jobs while also still pursuing his passion for photography as a budding commercial/news/portrait photographer and used camera gear salesman. Between 1947 and 1952, Rousseau served in USMCR units in Spokane and Seattle, reaching the rank of staff sergeant. In Dec 1952, Rousseau joined the Headquarters Squadron, MCAS El Toro and then Stations Operations Squadron 1 as an Aviation Photographer Technician, with the same duties he had during his time at MCAS Cherry Point in World War II. By August 1952, (now) Technical Sergeant Rousseau transferred to the Headquarters Squadron, 1st Marine Air Wing (1st MAW) and shipped out with the wing headquarters for duty in Korea. “The other boys carried weapons while I carried a camera,” recalled Rousseau of his time in Korea. His primary task was photographing the daily activities of the 1st MAW—from  ight operations and maintenance work to VIP portraits—and producing prints that were distributed to various American and international magazines and newspapers. While in Korea, Rousseau requested a temporary promotion to second lieutenant, which was denied because he was found to be one inch below the minimum height requirements for a marine of cer at the time! However, Rousseau did  nd that this small size could be an asset as a combat photographer, allowing him to “squeeze into places where other [photographers] could not go!” As a combat photographer assigned to the air wing, Rousseau had the ability move with relative ease across Korea and he often TSgt Thomas Rousseau visits with South Korean orphans, while holding the same Gra ex camera donated by his family to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. PHOTO COURTESY: MRS. JAN PIERCE

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 33CURATOR’S CORNERaccepted assignments that would put him in harms way. On one occasion while photographing operations on the front lines, he was lucky to survive a direct hit on a forward dugout he had just exited, which killed one of his best friends. Rousseau was particularly drawn to the plight of the South Korean civilians who lived around the various U.S. military airelds and bases and he frequently captured images of “everyday people moving through their everyday lives.” Rousseau returned home from Korea in August 1953 and continued to serve at MCAS El Toro as an aviation photo technician and chief clerk with Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG–15) until his discharge in February 1955. After his discharge, he once again settled in the Spokane area and started his own insurance company. Rousseau passed away in January 2018 at the age of 92, still as passionate about photography as he had been as a boy. Following his death, his daughter donated one of the Graex Speed Graphic cameras that Rousseau used while with the 1st MAW in Korea, an attractive desk plate, and a selection of uniform pieces to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Additionally, Rousseau’s family has donated a pair of scrap books, several large photographic prints, and several hundred original 4x5 and 35mm negatives of Rousseau’s photography from Korea. These beautiful and powerful images will be preserved made available to researchers and historians as part of the holdings of the Archives Branch, Marine Corps History Division.If you have ight gear, personal effects, or other artifacts which you would like to donate to the National Museum of the Marine Corps, you can contact Aviation Curator Ben Kristy at benjamin.kristy@usmcu.edu.TSgt Rousseau used this Graex Speed Graphic 4x5 camera while in Korea as a combat photographer with 1st MAW. PHOTO COURTESY: NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPSThis often–published image of Grumman F9F–4 Panther jets from VMF–115 taxing out for launch from the K–3 (Pohang) Aireld was taken by then–TSgt Rousseau on 15 March 1953. PHOTO COURTESY: NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

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36 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgI stopped three feet from him and looked up. Unexpectedly, he smiled, extended his hand, which I took and he said, “Congratulations, Michael. You now have a more formal education than me.” And that began my curiosity about this man whom I called “Sir,” and the rest of the world called, “Commander.” It has taken me 50 years to truly understand and appreciate him.After my father died I inherited a small box of his. At the time I took a quick glance and put it in a closet. Many years later, while cleaning out that closet, I once again found the box and sat down and went through the contents. There were some old photos, a gold chief petty of cer badge, commander boards, warrant of cer boards, plus a small box with rusty old military ribbons, of cer’s buttons, and crumpled medals. I stared at that box of medals for a long time. A very long time. What a sad ending to a great and devoted military career. So I decided to research his medals and military history. I also found a picture of The Commander in uniform and framed it, along with placing his awards in a shadow box that is now on our family room wall. That was the least I could do. And now his story:He was born in Eldorado, Illinois, in 1913, the youngest child in a coal–mining family with a sister and two older brothers. His name was Loy Abe Conley. Because of the name “Abe” and not “Abraham,” he was a true student of Lincoln, a man who came from nothing and through hard work, self–education, and desire became something great. That’s perhaps where his love of reading, writing, mathematics, and art began. He wanted to continue his education, but he knew that once he graduated from the eighth grade he had to support his family by going into the coal mines. He decided, instead, to follow the footsteps of his two older brothers, Arza and John, and join the Navy. His brother John had recently won the U.S. Navy Paci c Fleet Welterweight Boxing Championship and his brother Arza was a wrestling champion. It was 1927 and Loy Abe Conley was fourteen years old. He hitchhiked to St. Louis, Missouri, and lied about his age to the Navy recruiter. However, he failed the physical exam the  rst time because he was underweight.“I ate three pounds of bananas and drank a gallon of water,” he would later tell me, “and made the weight by one pound.” The next morning he was on a train to Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. Upon graduation, Seaman 3rd Class Conley was assigned to USS Relief (AH–1) – a hospital ship involved in the Second Nicaraguan Campaign (1926–1933). Treating malaria and the wounded, he often transferred the injured to military hospital biplanes and thus began his love of aviation. Prior to this, he had never touched an airplane. In 1933, he was transferred to Submarine Base New London, Connecticut. Having no great love for submarines—“Reminded me of “ There were some old photos, a gold chief petty o cer badge, commander boards, warrant o cer boards, plus a small box with rusty old military ribbons, o cer’s buttons, and crumpled medals. I stared at that box of medals for a long time. A very long time”.Although damaged, this photo shows a Martin PM–2 on beaching gear. The PM–2 was an improved variant of the PM–1 and featured more powerful engines and twin vertical tails over the PM–1’s single–tail design.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 39a coal mine,” he later told me, he asked to be transferred to aviation at Torpedo Base Newport, Rhode Island. Before his transfer, he married Estelle Makowiecki, a Polish girl from Norwich with nine brothers and sisters. In 1935, they had my only brother, Loy. At Newport, there were torpedo squadrons, dive bombing squadrons, patrol squadrons, and ghter squadrons. My father had found heaven! He became a well–known and respected aviation mechanic (plus, because of his art talent, he designed numerous squadron insignias). His primary squadron was Patrol Squadron 14F (VP–14F), ying as a crew member/mechanic in the PM–2 and P2Y–2. But his expertise as a mechanic not only raised him in rank but also in experience in a new world of aircraft such as the N3N–1, O3U–3, J2F–1, TBD–1A, and PBY–3. He accumulated about 500 hours in various aircraft from 1937 to 1941. By 1940, he was a petty ofcer rst class with a gold aviation rating badge. In an interesting note, he ew 2.5 hours with Colonel Roy Geiger in November 1940 in a N3N–1. Colonel Geiger would later become the Commanding General of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing on Guadalcanal, the “Cactus Air Force.” They would meet again on the “Canal.” In mid–1940, Dad was also fortunate to meet his two brothers at Newport before Arza and John were assigned to ships in the Pacic. In early 1941, he was promoted to warrant ofcer and assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where most of his duties involved training ofcers and enlisted on aircraft maintenance. In early 1942, he was transferred to Moffett Field, California, where he served in Lighter Than Air (LTA) Squadron ZP–32 and was promoted to ensign. He accumulated more than 100 hours on blimp patrols.In early 1943, he was promoted to lieutenant junior grade and transferred to Guadalcanal. In addition to working with the Seabees rebuilding runways, hangars, and living quarters, he also commanded a “quick action team” of mechanics to repair damaged aircraft as they landed on Henderson Field. He caught malaria on the Canal that would affect him the rest of his life. In 1944, father was transferred to Air Ferry Service Squadron One (VRS–1) at Naval Air Station (NAS) New York. He was again transferred three months later, this time to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, to join Air Transport Squadron Three (VR–3). He was promoted to lieutenant while there. In 1946, he was assigned to U.S. Naval Base Hawaii and learned about maintenance of these new things called jets.In 1950, he served 14 months aboard USS Valley Forge (CVA–45) as the chief aircraft maintenance ofcer, supporting operations during the Korean War. During that time, my stepmother had an apartment overlooking San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge. I spent many hours at the bridge looking through my binoculars and watching ships.“Is that him?” I would often ask. I was only ve. In 1952, my brother, Loy, Jr., joined the Marines. After graduating from Parris Island Boot Camp, Private Loy (he never used Jr., so I will drop it here) was assigned to the Anti–Aircraft (AA) School at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Halfway through his training, his sergeant came up to him and said the company commander wanted to see him.“Damn, what have I done now?” he said to himself.He reported to the captain, who asked if he knew a Commander Conley.“Yes, sir,” my brother replied. “Is he here?”The captain said, “No, but he’s in Norfolk and there’s a plane waiting Now a chief, sports three enlistments stripes on his left sleeve.

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40 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgto take you up there. Get a uniform together and head to the runway now.”Landing at Norfolk as the sun was setting, my brother exited the small aircraft and saw my father standing near the line shack. As he walked toward him, Private Loy asked himself if he should hug the Commander or salute him. He saluted and the Commander returned the military greeting.They shook hands and then they hugged. A wild evening followed in the Norfolk bars with sailors and Marines looking curiously on as the Commander and the PFC wandered from bar to bar.They saluted and hugged again, then Private Loy departed on his return ight to Lejeune on Sunday morning.After graduating from AA School, Private Loy had orders to San Diego, California, then on to Korea. With his orders in his hand and leaving Lejeune for a train to San Diego, he was greeted by a Marine major and told to report to a R4D (C–47) leaving for Washington, DC. The major looked at Private Loy and said, “He’s very proud of you.” “The Commander,” Abe in a formal retirement portrait, 1955.Private Loy boarded the transport and in the process, bumped a Navy lieutenant off the plane. Boy, was he angry being kicked off by a Private! Once in DC, Loy transferred planes to San Diego. The Commander knew a lot of people and could grease a lot of skids.My father nished his naval career at NAS New York and at the Pentagon as an aircraft procurement ofcer. He retired in 1955, at the age of 42, after 28 years of service, holding every naval rank from seaman recruit to commander. “I’ll never tell them my real age,” he once told me. “They would probably screw up my retirement pay!” He bought a new home in a former orange grove in Ontario, California. I remember that it cost $14,000. Escaping the coal mines in Southern Illinois, he served in Nicaragua, Guadalcanal, and Korea, retiring as a full commander with just an eighth–grade education, but with a desire to educate himself, see the world, y, and serve his country.“Give your country a couple of years of your life, Michael,” he once told me. “That’s part of what you owe her.” He’s buried in Mazatlan, Mexico, where he had a winter home. The Guadalcanal malaria killed him at age 62. Our family was not allowed to pay for any expenses at the funeral because the church and the people of Mazatlan wanted to honor “The Commander”, because he continued to do for their community what he always loved to do. He taught orphans and homeless people about mechanics, electricity, plumbing, carpentry, and the joy of learning. He gave them an opportunity to better their lives. I think Mr. Lincoln would have been proud.

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42 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgbOOKsIN REVIEWBirth of a Legend, McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II. BY TOMMY H. THOMASON. STEVE GINTER PUBLISHING, SIMI VALLEY, CA. 2018. 185 PP. ILL. $49.95.REVIEW BY CDR. PETER MERSKY, U.S. NAVY RESERVE (RET)Peter B. Mersky is a book reviewer and author of several books on U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation subjects, as well as the rst book on Israeli ghter aces to be published outside Israel (Specialty Press, 1997). A retired U.S. Navy Reserve commander, he was the editor of Approach, the Navy’s aviation safety magazine and has written his book review column for Naval Aviation News since 1982.Most readers will be aware of the McDonnell—later McDonnell Douglas—F-4 Phantom, one of the truly great aircraft, which ew and fought with a number of countries’ air forces, especially the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force throughout the Vietnam War, as well as the Israeli Air Force beginning in 1969 through several campaigns. Many books and articles have been written about this masterpiece, and it has appeared in a number of movies. However, no author has seen t to discuss the beginning prototypes and rst production Phantoms in such detail. Originally designated the F4H-1, before the major change of the designation system in October 1962 (rumored to be at the command of then-Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara who was frustrated at not being able to decipher the existing system—probably because he couldn’t be bothered to learn it!).That the author is an engineer is obvious. No one else could have given this unusual book its characteristic depth of focus on design details through many great photos and written text. Beginning with a capsule history of Naval Aviation’s post-World War II attack aircraft the earliest designs, particularly those of the nascent McDonnell rm, the design was the AH-1, which through a series of changes of concept, became the F4H. The F4H’s basic design never changed and became the two-seater we all came to know and love. Indeed, USAF Phantoms served as “Wild Weasels” as late as 1991’s Desert Storm.Ginter’s open-ended Naval Fighters series—this new book is no. 108—has produced many in-depth photo histories of familiar and not-so-familiar aircraft of mainly World War II and post-war types, with a few excursions into the period just before the war, and happily, there is no end of the series in sight. It would be nice to see the publisher and one of his authors turn their attention to a few earlier aircraft from the period before, during and immediately after World War I, especially where we have just nished commemorating the Great War’s centennial.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 43BOOKS IN REVIEWMikoyan MiG-19. BY YEFIM GORDON AND DMITRIY KOMISSAROV. HIKOKI PUBLICATIONS LTD, CRECY PUBLICATIONS, UK, SPECIALTY PRESS IN THE U.S. 2018. 432 PP. ILL. $64.95.REVIEW BY CDR. PETER MERSKY, U.S. NAVY RESERVE (RET)The 29 April 1957, edition of Newsweek magazine carried a cover illustration—actually an artist’s rendering—of a simplied MiG-19 in a full afterburner climb across the page, while bold red type below declared, “CLOSING THE GAP IN THE AIR,” then in black type underneath, “Reds Are Coming Up Fast—What They’ve Got.” In those early, intense days of the Cold War, any new Soviet equipment, especially aircraft was cause for great concern in the west. The solid, not-too-graceful MiG-19, with its NATO codename Farmer, was the latest design to come from the MiG design bureau. Memories of the Korean War’s MiG-15 and its later MiG-17 were still very much on everyone’s mind. Now, some 60 years from those troubling times, this huge (8 ½ x 11 ½ inch) volume with more than 400 coated-stock pages follows a similar book on the MiG-17 in the Famous Russian Aircraft series, and is probably the ultimate biography of the Farmer in all its myriad prototype and production forms. And like the previous MiG-17 book, the color proles that illustrate most of the paint schemes and markings in which the MiG-19 ew should satisfy most ambitious modelers.Coupled with an amazing collection of color and black-and-white photos, authoritative text, line drawings, well-done proles, as well as various tables, this book should be the last word on the MiG-19. The text discusses all the aircraft that led up to the Farmer’s service variants, and the end section that describes the aircraft that served with many of the USSR’s client states, including brief notes on any combat the individual country’s ghters may have seen, including the latter period of the Vietnam War against U.S. Navy and Air Force aircraft, and in the Middle East against Israel. The Farmer also saw lengthy service with the Pakistani Air Force and the Communist Chinese beginning in the late1950s ying against the aircraft of the U.S.-supported Chiang Kai-Shek government on Formosa.The MiG-19 was never a real player, but certainly put in its appearance from time to time and could hold its own against other adversaries with its heavy cannon armament.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 45Major Stanley Bailey, VMF-214’s commanding ofcer and his executive ofcer, Major W.H. McPherson, led a pre-dawn twelve-plane ghter sweep over Kyushu, just fty-ve miles east of Franklin and no more than fteen minutes ying time away. At 0630, the day’s rst heavy strike against Kure and Kobe harbors in the Inland Sea were warming up on her ight deck. Marine First Lieutenant Kenneth Linder, the only member of VMF-214 in the strike, was scheduled to y with the Air Group 5’s commander, in the number three takeoff position. Unfortunately, Linder’s Chance Vought F4U-1D developed engine trouble and was shoved aside to the deck-edge elevator for a few minutes until his engine was xed. As he taxied back into the lineup, Franklin received word from the carrier USS Hancock, “Enemy plane closing on you…one coming toward you.” It was later determined to be an Imperial Japanese Navy single engine Yokosuka D4Y Suisei dive bomber, code named “Judy” by the Allies. Franklin’s combat information center picked up a moving target, but then lost it in the clutter of the task force’s planes. Suddenly, the Judy appeared out of the base of the low cloud cover about 1,000 yards directly ahead of the carrier. As Linder accelerated down the ight deck the Judy passed over his canopy on a reciprocal, “masthead” level-bombing run. Lieutenant Jim Hardin, a Marine radio correspondent aboard the Franklin, wrote an eyewitness account:Prelude: On 19 March 1945, the ESSEX-class aircraft carrier, USS Franklin (“Big Ben”), CV-13 was engaged in conducting airstrikes against targets on the Japanese home islands of Kyushu and Honshu. Aboard Franklin were two Marine squadrons—Marine Fighter Squadron 214 (VMF-214) “Black Sheep” and the “Sky Raiders” of VMF-452.INFERNO RIGHTAircraft carrier USS Franklin (CV-13) attacked during World War II, 19 Mar 1945. Photographed by PHC Albert Bullock from the cruiser USS Santa Fe (CL-60), which was alongside assisting with reghting and rescue work. Photo #: 80-G-273880, Ofcial U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. The carrier is are and listing after she was hit by a Japanese air attack while operating off the coast of Japan – the crew is clearly seen on ight deck. After the attack the vessel was dead in the water, took a 13-foot starboard list, lost all radio communications, and broiled under the heat from enveloping res. Many of the crewmen were blown overboard, driven off by re, killed or wounded, but the hundreds of ofcers and enlisted who voluntarily remained saved their ship through sheer tenacity. The casualties totaled 724 killed and 265 wounded, and would have far exceeded this number if it were not for the exemplary work of many survivors.

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46 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.org “The bomber came out of a heavy black cloud that was near the Franklin. The pilot put his plane into a shallow dive and made a run from bow to stern, very, very low. The bomb was released amidships.” Twenty-one year old Marine Lieutenant Arthur O. Schmagel* was out on the catwalk, adjacent to the ready room, observing the launch when the Japanese dive bomber came into view. Initially he thought it was a friendly aircraft making a courier drop, but then he suddenly recognized it was an enemy plane. Corporal Bill Clinger was startled when the Judywhizzed over his head. (Ranson R. Tilton)*Schmagel suffered badly burned face and hands while he crouched on the catwalk. He eventually went over the side and was rescued by a destroyer.Flight Deck The Judy made a quick lineup correction, then raced down Franklin’s centerline from the bow and released two Type 99 semi-armor-piercing bombs, containing an estimated 133 pounds of explosives. They struck the ship almost simultaneously. The rst bomb punched through the r-planked ight deck on the centerline at about a 25-degree angle and detonated in the hanger bay. “There was a tremendous explosion,” Hardin said. “Instantly, a great ball of ame shot along the hanger and ight decks. Great clouds of smoke poured out, as the carrier turned out of the wind. Then there were heavy explosions on the ight deck.” At the time of the attack, there were 31 aircraft spotted on the ight deck, all turning up, fully gassed with high octane fuel, and loaded with 500-pound general-purpose bombs and 11.75-inch “Tiny Tim” rockets with their 500-pound warhead. Casualties were heavy among the ight deck crew, several of whom were blown off the ship by the force of the explosions. Immediately after taking off, Ken Linder yanked his F4U into a hard left turn and suddenly he found himself in the midst of anti-aircraft re. He thought it was like “every ship in the eet was shooting like crazy at him!” As he continued to climb out of the maelstrom of re, he spotted red “meatballs,” on an aircraft about a mile to a mile-and a half ahead and thought, “My God that’s a Jap,” and it was “screaming wide-open for Japan.” Linder charged his guns, and at 500 yards’ distance, he red a two-to-three-second burst and observed strikes around the Judy’s greenhouse and wing root. At the same time, the air group commander appeared and also red on the enemy aircraft. Under the guns of the two Corsairs, the Judy pulled into the clouds, stalled, and fell into the sea. It was Linder’s rst shoot down, but he never received credit for it because another pilot was awarded the kill. As Linder circled the Franklin, “It was a sight to see, blowing like crazy. All the gas lines were owing, the bays were open and everything was exploding, including those Tiny Tims on the fantail.” Hardin picks up the account. “In a few minutes, the entire ship was engulfed in smoke, broken by the glare of AboveBurning after being bombed off Japan, 19 Mar 1945. PHOTO COURTESY: NAVAL HISTORY AND HERITAGE COMMAND

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 47explosions. On the ight deck, a terric explosion lashed out when the planes still on deck disappeared as their bombs exploded…their rockets red and ashed by in great orange streaks a few feet over our heads…the carrier shuddered as thought in an earthquake. Debris was landing in the water 500 yards from the carrier.” Private First Class Stephen Nowak, a gunner on a 20mm cannon exclaimed, “We self-destructed. It was like reworks.” Corporal Michael Sansone of VMF-214 was on the ight deck, amidships when the rst bomb exploded. “I was leaning up against the island watching the planes launching. Suddenly, I saw a plane no more than a hundred feet above the ight deck. I just saw a glimpse as he came over the bow and straight down the ight deck. Just as he peeled off the port side, I distinctly remember a big boom to my right. I looked up in time to see the forward elevator dropping back down into the elevator well. After that, everyone on the ight deck made a run to the island.” “Rockets were cooking off and shooting down the ight deck,” Sansone continued, “but because of the smoke you couldn’t see anything. So I started crawling on my belly from the starboard to the port side. There was nowhere to go. The debris was raining down on the ight deck…and it sure was terrifying. When the Tiny Tim rockets started going off…I just about lost it. They had a terrifying scream. I buried my head and nose in the ight deck, and I was actually scraping the wood with my ngers, trying to get into a hole, but there was nowhere to go. I crawled so far and ducked, crawled so far and ducked…I didn’t know where to go or what to do. I thought I was dead.”Below Decks The Judy’s second bomb penetrated the hanger bay where it detonated just below the gallery deck level and over the 22 parked planes waiting to be sent to the ight deck. Half of aircraft were fueled and others were being topped off. Second Lieutenant Eugene “Rocky” Staples of VMF-452 was half-asleep in his room shortly after seven a.m., “listening to the racket of a dive-bomber ight taking off immediately above my head on the ight deck when I heard a loud explosion and then for a minute nothing. I thought immediately that a dive bomber must have crashed over the bow on takeoff and exploded in the water. Then two huge explosions shook the ship along with a erce rattle and pounding of what I thought were the ship’s antiaircraft guns. I jumped out of my bunk in my shorts and went out into the narrow corridor. The rattling and explosions were growing in their intensity. I thought we were under attack and ring at enemy planes. A ship’s ofcer whom I knew slightly came running up the corridor from amid-ship. I asked him what was going on. “We’ve been hit by a bomb and we’re blowing up,” he shouted at me. “That’s our own ammunition blowing up.” I ducked back into my room and hurriedly dressed as the ABOVEYokosuka D4Y2 “Suisei” before taking off. IN THE PUBLIC DOMAINLEFTVought F4U-1 Corsairs are refueled aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USSFranklin(CV-13) in early 1945. VMF-214 and VMF-452 were assigned to CVG-5 aboard Franklinfrom January to March 1945.ABOVEFranklin fully engulfed.

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48 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgbanging and rattling and explosions continued. When I came back to the corridor ofcers and men were milling around in all directions. Up along the narrow corridor from the hangar deck, stygian gures of men burned black were staggering forward towards the fo’c’sle [forecastle] deck area. Black smoke was pouring in from the rear. Huge explosions, reverberating in the steel walls and ceilings, rocked the ship. Another ship ofcer shouted that we should all head as far forward as possible and get out into the open fo’c’sle deck at the prow just below the ight deck. Within minutes about a hundred men, some so badly burned they were barely conscious, shivering in the cold, moist wind, had assembled on the open deck. The ship was losing speed and beginning to list. As the explosions continued, a ship’s ofcer shouted at us to assume a pushup position on the deck using our ngers and toes to avoid ankle and leg fracture because of the pounding, hammering action of the deck under our feet.” In ready room number 51, the Black Sheep pilots were preparing for the next mission. Lieutenant John Vandergrift of VMF-214 recalled, “I was in our ready room and standing beside Carroll “Bud” Faught. We were in our khaki ight suits, being briefed and taking notes on our clipboards about our upcoming mission. Then suddenly…the center deck of the ready room slammed into the overhead. BLAM!” The two were ung to the deck. “Fortunately, Bud and I were standing so close to the bulkhead that the enormous deck heave from the explosion was just outside of where we were standing. I don’t know what happened, because so much of it is a blur. The ready room was ripped and torn…ames and smoke and bodies were all over the place. There was a lot of heat. It was very intense. Flames were coming in from every area, through holes in the deck and a part of the ready room that had been torn away.” First Lieutenant Bill Rogalski was in VMF-452’s ready room when a mechanic pulled him out to discuss a mechanical problem with his plane. The bombs hit and, “the ames came right over us,” Rogalski Giving Last Rites to an injured crewman aboard USS Franklin (CV-13), after the ship was set are by a Japanese air attack, 19 Mar 1945. The crewman is reportedly Robert C. Blanchard, who survived his injuries. PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH, NOW IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 49recalled. “They shot out from the hanger deck, up and around us. If I’d been in the ready room, “I’d have been gone.” He and the mechanic hurried to the ight deck. “Everything was blowing up. Fire and ames, bombs and gasoline, rockets and whatever shooting off.” Many of the squadron’s enlisted personnel were in a long breakfast line that snaked through the cavernous hanger deck. They were wiped out in the rst few seconds of the conagration. VMF-214 lost half its enlisted men…13 men killed and 13 missing. Private First Class Nowak was trapped in a mess hall on the 3rd Deck, along with 250 to 350 crewmembers, below the water line, without any way of knowing what was going on. “All of a sudden the ship started shaking. It was just a mad rush toward the ladder, so I ran for the doorway, and, of course, a lot of fellas tried to push me to one side. I stood on the ladder and shouted, ‘Nobody is going to get out that way! The hatch is battened down.’ ’’ Nowak took it upon himself to nd a way out. After six or seven attempts, he was able to locate an escape route and returned to the trapped shipmates. He ordered them to form a single line, holding on to the belt of the man in front. “I was just amazed they listened to me,” he said and led the group out. Twenty-two year old Technical Sergeant Ray Larson, VMF-452 remembered, “I was just getting up from the mess table to go up topside when the whole ship just shuddered. I thought we were torpedoed. Everybody jumped up, but we couldn’t go forward or aft because of the smoke…it was very thick and very caustic, a gagging type of smoke. The rst thing I did was to take my handkerchief, wet it under the spigot, and hold it across my face. Then we all herded into a room and shut the hatch, which had a glass porthole. The explosions were going off above us, and someone said, ‘That’s just our ve-inch guns shooting at the Japs.’ Yeah, right. We all knew better. Then we just waited.” From time to time, someone would bang on the hatch and plead to be let in,” Larson recalled. “But every time they opened the hatch, a cloud of smoke came in with them. We were running out of air every time that hatch opened. Suddenly, a Navy lieutenant said, ‘I’ve found a way out. I’ll take the rst ten men closest to the door rst. If I get them through, I’ll come back and get the rest of you.’ ” “He left and was gone for what seemed to be an awful long time,” Larson said. “Then he came back. He told us to stay low on the deck and take it easy and keep moving no matter what we encountered—re, smoke, or dying men—we weren’t to stop. Then he told us to hang on to the belt of the man in front…and that’s the way we got out. When I saw a little of God’s blue sky…boy, was I thankful. I’ll never forget it.” Lieutenant Vandegrift’s feet and ankles were totally shattered by the explosion and he couldn’t walk. The blast broke Faught’s arm and both legs, one of which was later amputated. “I took off crawling over the bodies, or what was left of them,” Vandegrift explained, “and I had trouble crawling around the smashed bulkhead to get to the hatch. C.K. and I managed to get the hatch open, and we exited the port side catwalk next to the elevator across from the island. There were four of us on the catwalk trying to get our marbles together. The fuel turned the hanger deck into a blast furnace…burning fuel poured out of the hanger deck curtain just below me. The whole area quickly turned into a griddle, and we were being cooked like marshmallows. Our only option was to go over the side, but it wasn’t a very nice day for a swim. Still I knew we weren’t going to be able to stay on the catwalk much longer.” Vandegrift nally jumped, but didn’t remember hitting the water. He bobbed to the surface and managed to paddle over to a oater Are and listing after a Japanese air attack, off the coast of Japan, 19 Mar 1945. Note re hoses and crewmen on her forward ight deck, and water streaming from her hangar deck. Photographed from USS Santa Fe (CL-60). PHOTO COURTESY: U.S. NAVY PHOTOGRAPH, NOW IN THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES.

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50 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgnet. He watched the Franklin as it steamed away. Explosions seemed to be tearing her apart. Lieutenant Hardin wrote, “It seemed impossible that the carrier would remain aoat.” Faught followed Vandegrift over the side. He fell 50 feet and had to use his good arm to push himself away from “Big Ben,” as it passed by, listing and smoking. He managed to nd a seat cushion to hold onto and oated alone until the destroyer USS Marshall came by with a climbing net hanging over the side. Faught yelled until he caught the attention of a sailor. “Climb on up,” the man shouted. “I can’t,” Faught replied, “Both my legs and an arm are broken.” Finally one of the ship’s boats rescued him. Faught lost his left leg below the knee. The two pilots were lucky. “There were twenty-eight men in the ready room,” Vandegrift said, “and just four of us survived the deck heave. Everyone else was killed.” Saving the Franklin Rocky Staples recalled, “After about an hour, the explosions abated momentarily. I followed a ship’s ofcer up a catwalk to the ight deck to help ght the res consuming the entire rear half of the ship. All over the forward portion of the deck wounded men were limping and being carried forward from the res and explosions towards the stern. I came across a friend and squadron mate, Lieutenant Jim Ormond, lying on the ight deck in pain, his leg shattered at various points from the concussions. I got an arm around him and we limped forward as far as we could get.” “By mid-morning Franklin was dead in the water and listing increasingly to starboard,” Staples explained. Explosions and re raged through its entire rear half. The tilting deck was slippery with reghting foam. USS Santa Fe slid into formation with us off the TOPCrewmen survey the damage and look for survivors among destroyed aircraft on the USS FranklinBOTTOMCrewmen attend church service in the ruined hangar deck of theFranklinafter arriving at the New York Navy Yard in April 1945.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 51“The Black Sheep: The Deﬁnitive Account of Marine Fighting Squadron 214 in WW II”But the battle was not over yet. At 12:54 p.m., radar picked up a bogey four miles out. It was another Judy, and it attackedthe Franklin. Gill saw it release a bomb and ducked behind a winch, knowing it was coming for me. The bomb looked unreal, several times bigger than the plane that released it! But the bomb missed, splashing 200 yards to starboard and detonating in the water, shakingthe Franklin. There were a few 40mm guns still operable onthe Franklin, and a motley crew scrambled to man them — yeomen, laundrymen, two buglers from Big Ben’s band, and Gehres’ Marine orderly, Wallace Klimiewicz of Jersey City. They splashed the Judy.Major John Stack, Bronze StarFirst Lieutenant John Skorich, Bronze StarFirst Lieutenant Walter M. Newland, Silver StarThe President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Walter M. Newland (MCSN: 0-16898), United States Marine Corps Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while attached to the Marine Fighting Squadron Four Hundred Fifty-Two (VMF-452), while on board USS Franklin (CV-13), during operations against enemy Japanese forces near Kobe, Japan, 19 March 1945. When the carrier was hit by an enemy bomb and rocked by the explosion of her own ordinance, First Lieutenant Newland immediately organized and led parties into numerous hot magazines to remove and jettison live ammunition, and then fought raging res in the face of further enemy air attacks. His courage and devotion to duty were in keeping with highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.Private Wallace Klimkiewicz, Bronze StarPrivate First Class Lloyd Charnstrom, Bronze StarPrivate First Class Edward Allen, Bronze StarDonald Russell, Silver Star (He was the rst civilian to earn the Silver Star. He served on Franklin as a technical representative of the Chance Vought Division of United Aircraft Corporation and stayed with the ship.)Major Herbert T. Eliott, Bronze Starstarboard side and slowly crept in towards the listing ight deck to take off survivors. Within half an hour, a makeshift breaches buoy was rigged to transfer wounded men across the gulf between the two ships.” “Shortly after noon, an order was passed around orally—the public address system was an early casualty of the day—that all hands except the permanently designated salvage crew should abandon ship. I decided it was time to go myself. I judged the rise and fall of the Santa Fe in the swell, waited for the exact moment when the top of the Santa Fe’s left gun turret came level for a second or two and took a running jump across the six-foot gap. I landed on my feet just below the cruiser’s command post, stumbled for a second, and then they pulled me up.” By late afternoon, Franklin’s res were out and she was under tow, headed back to the United States. She had suffered 807 killed and nearly 500 wounded—one third of her crew. The two Marine squadrons lost sixty-ve men; VMF-214 lost six ofcers and twenty-six men and VMF-542 one ofcer and thirty-two men. Franklinhad suffered the most severe damage and highest casualties experienced by any U.S. eet carrier that survived World War II. USS Franklin reached Gravesend Bay, just off Brooklyn’s Coney Island on the cool and windy afternoon of 26 April, after a 12,000-mile journey. Franklin’s repairs were underway when the war ended. The two squadrons were reconstituted, but did not deploy for the same reason.An Imperial Japanese Navy Yokosuka D4Y3 Type 33 “Suisei” dive bomber.

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54 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgOn 10 April, in response to that request, two U. S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons bombed a Serbian tank and command post. The next day, two U. S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornets strafed additional targets. Those Hornets were stationed at Aviano Air Base in Northeastern Italy and belonged to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251) “Thunderbolts.” The squadron was nearing the end of a six-month deployment to support Operation Deny Flight—the NATO venture that began on 12 April 1993, to enforce a UN no-y zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Watching these events unfold were the members of another Marine Corps’ F/A-18 squadron, for they would be replacing VMFA-251 in four short days. At their home base—Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort, South Carolina,—Marines of Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 224 (VMFA (AW)-224) sat poised to “play” with twelve brand new, two-seat, F/A-18D Hornets.At the time, I was a senior captain in -224. I had joined the Bengals in the summer of 1993 as a weapons and sensors operator (WSO) in the back seat of the Marine Corps’ newest toy. On Wednesday, the 13th of April 1994, I didn’t bother to go home after work. With VMFA (AW)-224 departing at zero-dark-thirty on Thursday morning for the trip across the Atlantic, I decided to get a room at the BOQ. Smart move! I was up at 0200 to attend the brief, and after eight hours of ying and seven aerial refuelings, “the Bengals” arrived at the Naval Air Station in Rota, Spain. On Friday, we continued into Aviano, where VMFA-251 welcomed us with a hamburger cookout. Then we crashed for some much-needed sleep in temporary tents. Our real introduction to Aviano came a few short hours later when we were awoken by thunderous take-offs at 0200 and 0400 by U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles. John, welcome to Aviano!The Bengals’ new home was a NATO Air Base under USAF control. Aviano consisted of several distinct areas, with Area F being the ightline. It was this area that we would become intimately familiar with, for on Saturday, personnel of VMFA (AW)-224 moved into permanent tents there. Living in a massive tent city that was located just yards from the runway, the Bengals would be eating, sleeping, showering, exercising, and relaxing in tents in Area F.VMFA (AW)-224 commenced ight operations on Sunday, the 17th of April; however, those sorties stopped short of entering Bosnia-Herzegovina. Instead, the Bengal’s F/A-18Ds halted at the aerial refueling track, turned around, and returned to Aviano. The same familiarization ights were conducted the next day. The most amazing aspect of these ights was all the gear that I carried to the jet: binoculars, maps, camera, water, snacks, piddle-packs—I felt like I was going camping. Then, on Wednesday, the 20th of April, the games began.I was scheduled for a 0245 brief and a 0440 take-off to y the squadron’s rst anti-air warfare combat air patrol. As if that wasn’t enough pressure, I had been “crewed-up” to y with the squadron’s commanding ofcer (CO). So, I gured that it was going to be my job for the next six months to keep the old man’s butt out of trouble. We no sooner entered Bosnia than the airborne warning and control system (AWACS) vectored our two Hornets onto an airborne “Hip.” That was the NATO code name for the Soviet-designed Mi-8: a medium, twin-turbine, transport helicopter that could also act as a gunship.What? We were intercepting helicopters? Nobody said anything about doing that! So, in the pre-dawn darkness, we forced the Hip to land using procedures that were made up on the y. John, welcome to Operation Deny Flight!In pre-deployment training, VMFA (AW)-224 had anticipated intercepting three types of xed-wing aircraft:The G-2 Galeb (English F-18D weapons load-out for missions in Bosnia - HerzegoviniaAIM-9 heat-seeking missile

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56 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.org(NVGs), the Bengals traversed the night skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina. And the international cooperation continued, with their Hornets receiving fuel from L-1011 Tri-Stars in the British Air Force.Likewise, life aboard “USS Aviano” continued. I might as well have been on a ship because my entire life revolved around a tiny group of tents, where every day was the same: wake at 2000, brief at 2200, takeoff at midnight, land at 0400, eat breakfast, sleep until lunch, work all afternoon, eat dinner at 1700, nap at 1800, repeat. In early June, the CAOC added force protection to our Hornet’s list of missions. Thus, on Saturday, the 4th of June, I got airborne carrying the air-to-ground missile 88… better known as the high-speed, anti-radiation missile (HARM). Now Bengal aircrew played a daily game of cat-n-mouse against the Soviet radar systems of Bosnia-Herzegovinian’s surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).However, accepting the new mission did not mean an end to the others. On Wednesday, the 8th of June, I was in a combat air patrol that intercepted a Hip which had gotten airborne from a soccer eld in Posuje and forced it to land. On Sunday, the 19th of June, I did simulated CAS on NVGs. Two days later, I ew in the Italian Cellina Meduna Training Range to escort a C-130 Hercules as it dropped U. S. Army paratroopers to train UN FACs. On Wednesday, the 29th of June, another four-hour combat air patrol intercepted two different Hips. The next day, I did simulated CAS with a Spanish FAC. Yes, NATO was certainly getting its money’s worth out of the F/A-18D!July rolled around to have the CAOC demanding still more tasks from the new Hornet. On Saturday, the 16th of July, I briefed and led an afternoon ight that demonstrated diverting from Bosnia-Herzegovina down to the Adriatic Sea to protect U. S. Navy ships. I liked ying on a day schedule: I got a full night of sleep, didn’t miss any meals, and got to take a shower. Secondly, the CAOC began tasking VMFA (AW)-224 with thirty-minute alerts. Here, the aircrew briefed a particular mission, but then sat in the Ready Room for eight hours awaiting the CAOC’s call to launch. Main Street, Tent CityThe Mi-8 (NATO reporting name: Hip) is a medium twin-turbine helicopter, originally designed by the Soviet Union, and now produced by Russia.

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 57August started off great, with the mail on the 2nd of August, bringing a box of cookies from Mom and the latest Victoria Secret’s catalog.The next day, I had a 0300 brief for another four-hour combat air patrol; however, the ight was spent conducting reconnaissance over Sarajevo. Due to a recent spate of are-ups, we were now ying with two 1,000-pound Mark-83 bombs. On Sunday, the 7th of August, I had a 0540 brief to y a four-hour CAS mission. Upon returning to Aviano, I sat on alert from 1100 to 1830. That was just one of those schedules, where the best part was nally taking off my socks at the end of the day.The next day, I ew an uneventful, four-hour combat air patrol; but during which, our HARM received SAM launch indications. That’ll catch your attention!On Tuesday, my combat air patrol monitored a J-22 Orao that taxied to the end of the runway at Udbina Aireld, but never got airborne. Then, the rest of August was marked by routine, uneventful, four-hour missions own from USS Aviano, with the intercept of a lone Hip from the Posuje soccer eld highlighting Friday, 19 August.But the month ended on a fantastic note. On 21 August, I was informed that I would be promoted to major on the rst of October. Oh no! I didn’t want to undergo the mandatory lobotomy.In any case, the light at the end of the tunnel got brighter on Tuesday, the 20th of September, when the advance party for VMFA (AW)-332 arrived. Known as “The Moonlighters”, they were another F/A-18D squadron from Beaufort and were scheduled to replace us during the rst week of October.Then the Marine Corps promoted me to major on Saturday, the 1st of October. Six days later, I wore gold oak leaves as I climbed aboard a USAF C-5 instead of into an F/A-18D. VMFA (AW)-224 departed USS Aviano and spent that night at Lajes, a Portuguese aireld in the Azores Islands. On Saturday, the 8th of October, I rode that same C-5 for six hours back to Beaufort. Being single, I walked right through all of the wives running to get their hugs and continued straight to the BOQ parking lot. Four hours and fty dollars later—for a new battery—I nally drove home. After unpacking, I treated myself to the all-you-can-eat, steamed seafood bucket at my favorite watering hole. I would summarize the deployment as six months of international cooperation that highlighted the amazing capabilities of the new F/A-18D. Main Street, Tent CityTent City Ofcers Club, named after Marine aviator who received the Medal of Honor for heroism in aerial combat during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

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58 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂ ymcaa.orgID THIsAIRCRAFTLtCol Charles AbercrombieMr. Chris BatesSSgt Myron Zeke BlahyCAPT Richard BraselMaj John T. BrownLtCol Michael E. ByrnesLT Travis CallaghanLtCol Kevin A. CampbellMaj James M. CappabiancaMaj Michael ConleySgt Terry ConsiderSSgt Richard Huston Coulborn Maj Gregory R. CzyzewskiMaj Michael R. Davidge1stLt Francis DavisCapt John A. DelektoLtCol Gregory DeMarcoMaj Derek DivineMaj James J. DormerSSgt Sara Jean DudleyCol John T. DurkinCDR Brian R. DuvalGySgt Michael L. FeltonLeonard Garre Capt Ryan P. GibbonsLtCol Brian S. GildenLtCol Sean GodleyCol Sco GondekCol Donald A. GordonCol Michael GoughMr. L. Randall HackSgt Brian T. HallMaj Joe A. HeinsLtCol Henry G. HessMaj James D. HoltLtCol Stuart H. HowellWelcome New MCAA MembersWelcome New MCAA MembersMaj Clyde A. JesseLtCol Travis KelleyCapt Chad KellingSgt Melvin D. KingeryMaj Brandon LevCapt Stefan MajeskiLtCol Michael James MaloneCapt Thomas McGuire2ndLt Ma hew McKeeCapt Mar n J. MerklerMr. John A. MohrMaj Timothy A. MouwMSgt Galin N. OliverCapt Stephen PaulMaj Lennard G. PaulsenSgt Burt C. PedersenMaj Brandt PetersonBillingsley Garner PogueSgtMaj Johnny G. PooleLtCol Michael Ramlogan2ndLt Patrick RobichauxLtCol Christopher RoyCol Duke SavageLtCol Paul D. SaxLtCol James P. Sconﬁ e Col Chris C. SeymourLtCol Lou SimonSgt Steven SmithCapt William O. SteinbergLtCol Gregory J. SummaCapt Paul F. ThomasCapt David C. VotrubaCapt Joseph E. WardMs. Deborah WebbCDR Michael WerbowetzkiTim C. WilsonYou Guessed It!The aircraft in the fall edition was a Grumman JRF “Goose.” Marines operated the JRF-1, 1A, –4, and –5 with a crew of two as follows:VMS-3 in Saint Thomas, Virgin Islands - JRF-1ACG Second Division, FMF – JRF-1CG First and Second Division, FMF – JRF-4Base Air Detachment at Cherry Point N.C. – JRF-1 - reassigned from CG Second Division.Parris Island, S.C. – JRF-5All aircraft were withdrawn form service by the end of 1947.Thank you to all of you who guessed correctly and gave me additional information on this aircraft and its personnel.Kent FellowsWally JabsRoger PetersonAlan Sullivan Craig WheelIf you think you can identify the aircraft below, email your submission to rkaufman@ ymcaa.org. The answer will appear in the Summer issue of the Yellow Sheet ID THIS AC For the next issue »THE ANSWER IS Grumman JRF “Goose”

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 59TAPsSOME GAVE ALLCOL WARREN BESTWICK, 96, OF REDMOND, WASHINGTONHe entered the University of Montana and then the Civilian Pilot Training Program during World War II, joining the Marine Corps in 1942. He became a corsair pilot and served with VMF-323 “Death Rattlers.” In Korea he served aboard USS Bataan with VMF-312. He ended his military career after 32 years in the USMC Reserves as a colonel and the commanding ofcer of VMF-216. He was the recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses and seven Air Medals. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Glenette, and his daughters.COL SAMUEL P. BRUTCHER, 84, OF ATHENS, GEORGIABorn in Savannah, Georgia, he was a member of the Naval Reserve and graduated from Georgia Military College. Following graduation, he served for 33 years as a Marine aviator. He served in Vietnam and was squadron commander of VMA-331 from 1973-1974. After retirement in 1985, he moved to Athens, Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Pinkie, and son, Sam Jr. COL WILLIAM D. “VULTURE” CARR, JR., 75, OF ORO VALLEY, ARIZONAA true legend in Marine Corps aviation. He had over 10,000 ying hours in various attack, ghter, and support aircraft, and ew 670 combat missions in two wars. He also had 376 arrested landings on various aircraft carriers of the eet. His decorations include a Silver Star, 10 DFCs … for a full account of his career, please see the full-length story in the upcoming MCAA Journal. He is survived by his wife, Judy Ann. MS. ELAINE COLLINS, 92, OF KANEOHE, HAWAIIShe grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. Later she graduated from Mary Washington College, and then went on to become an airline stewardess, ying for National Airlines on the East Coast. She met her future husband George Collins (an active duty Marine from 1938-1974) in the air on one of her ights. They were married inNovember of 1947. She was a proud, active Marine wife and enjoyed their multiple duty stations, including Hawaii, where they retired. Colonel George Collins retired in 1974 and passed away in 2000. She is survived by a daughter. CAPT JOHN A. GRIFFITH, III, 87, OF JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDAAfter retirement from the Marine Corps in March 1973, he earned a BA from the University of North Florida, graduating with distinction in 1976. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with “V”, Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and Presidential Unit Citation.COL WINSTON E. JEWSON, 102, OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIAAn SBD pilot in World War II, he ew with VMSB-132 and VMSB-331 in the Marshall Islands. He was part of the Japanese surrender party at Maloelap, and also served during the Korean War. MARKEM LANDRY, 68, OF BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINAHe is survived by his wife, Carman. LTGEN WILLIAM R. MALONEY, 89, OF FAIRFAX, VIRGINIAHe received his commission in the Marine Corps in 1951 as a second lieutenant following his graduation from Brown University. He served as a rie platoon commander in Korea where he received a Bronze Star with Combat “V”. He completed ight training in 1955 and was assigned to VMA-333, ying AD-1 Skyraiders. He retired from the Marine Corps in June 1985. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Virginia. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa. (MCAA will have a full-length story on his extraordinary career in the upcoming MCAA Journal)LTCOL JOHN J. MCCARTHY, 90, OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA.“Jack” enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1946 at 17 years old. He served as a mechanic on the submarine USS Bergall, studied at Temple University, and went on to graduate from Naval Flight School in 1954. He ew the AD-1 Skyraider and A4D Skyhawk. He graduated from USC in 1962 and went on to train hundreds of new pilots. By his retirement in 1975, he had completed 29 years of service, 2 combat tours, 312 combat missions, 3,500 ight hours, and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and 19 air medals. He is predeceased by his loving wife Maureen, daughter Dianne, and survived by his companion, June, and ve children. COL TERRY WILLIAM MCKINSEY, 72, OF OREGONNicknamed “Spike” for his habit of landing ghter jets hard on the runway, he had initially enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965, though shortly after received appointments to both West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy. He chose Navy and became a Marine ghter pilot. He ew for the Oregon Air National Guard until retiring in 1995, as a colonel with 30 years of service in all 4 branches of the military. In retirement, he volunteered with multiple non-prot organizations and enjoyed shing, baseball, ice cream, and 1950s pop music. He is survived by his wife, Anna. COL ROBERT SINCLAIR, 96, OF DANA POINT, CALIFORNIAHe was a highly decorated Marine Corps aviator who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. He survived by his wife, Patsy.COL WILLIAM T. SINNOTT, 83, OF ANNAPOLIS, MARYLANDAfter graduating from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1953, he attended Columbia Prep School in Washington, DC, where he enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve and worked on aircraft at Anacostia Naval Station in Maryland. He received an appointment to the Naval Academy in 1954 and upon graduating in 1958 was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He became a Naval Aviator in September 1960. He served three tours in Vietnam, served in Japan, and helped plan the Iranian Hostage Rescue Mission in April 1980. He retired after 30 years of service in 1983. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy, and his children. LTCOL RAYMOND SPRINGFIELD, 78, OF CAPE CARTERET, NORTH CAROLINAHe is survived by his wife, Margaret. LTCOL GEORGE P. SWEENEY, III, 75, OF MERRITT ISLAND, FLORIDAFollowing his education at University of St. Thomas. in St. Paul, Minnesota, and American University, Washington, D.C, he joined the Marine Corps in 1966. He was an F-4 Marine naval ight ofcer and ew 320 missions in Vietnam. He won the MCAA Naval Flight Ofcer of the Year Award in 1981 and retired from the Corps in 1986. He enjoyed studying the Civil War, the Alamo conict, Custer’s last stand, and the Crimea War. He is survived by his wife, Ann, and daughter, Mary. LTCOL THOMAS L. WATKINS, 81, OF SEDONA, ARIZONAHe graduated from Slidell High School and joined the Marine Corps shortly after in 1955. He spent 23 years in the military as an aviator, serving 2 tours in Vietnam. He earned a degree in Aviation Management from Auburn University in 1974. After retiring, he continued his love of aviation by ying helicopters for Air Logistics. He was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Patricia. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Barbara, 3 children, and 3 stepchildren. COL CHARLES TYLDEN WESTCOTT, JR, 95, OF PROVINCETOWN, MASSACHUSETTSOriginally from Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic, he was orphaned at the age of three and was raised in Provincetown, Massachusetts, by his maternal grandmother. She sent him to the Admiral Farragut Academy and then on to the U.S. Naval Academy. He led Marines in Japan and China in 1945, after graduating from the USNA. He also served in Korea in 1954 and Vietnam in 1965. After retiring he and his wife, Carol, returned to Provincetown. He is preceded in death by his wife, Carol, and son Charles. He is survived by his daughters.

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60 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgDONATIONsTO MCAAMCAA is pleased to recognize those who have contributed to MCAA funds this quarter. Wing Level $1,000 & AboveGroup Level $500 –$999Squadron Level $100 – $499LtCol Patrick FinneranCol G. F. Robert HankeCol Todd KemperCapt Robert O. MeyerCol Robert W. MolyneuxCol John RaderMGySgt Sheldon SimonovichLtCol Russell StrombergMaj Merle EgletMajGen William GossellCol Peter LeeMaj Richard ThomasCol Robert F. WarrenCapt Robert AbrajanoBGen Mike AguilarCol John AldridgeBGen John C. ArickCol William BauerGySgt John BentleBGen William A. BloomerMaj Jay BoswellSgt Richard E. BoyceCol William T. BridghamCol Sam BrutcherCol Glenn F. BurgessCol Raymond Michael BurnsCol Ernest W. BuschhausLtCol John E. CarrollMr. Sydney D. CarterCol Michael R. CatheyCapt John Caussin Mr. Michael CimineraCol Robert ClarkCol Arthur B. ColbertCol James M. CollinsLtCol Charles E. DanielsMaj Charles B. DavisGen John Davis LtCol Peter Davis1stSgt Harold De AmelioCol Claude E. DeeringCol Mel W. DeMarsCapt Stuart A. DutcherLtCol Stephen J. DryoffLtCol David EchternachLtCol William EgenLtCol Buzz ElliottMaj John ElliottLtCol John P. ElwellCol David Emich Capt John ForterCapt Bill FranklinCol Steven L. FranklinCol Fred A. FreelandMr. John FrenchLtCol W. Todd FrommeltMaj Stanley FrostCol John A. GagenCol Larry GrovesLtCol William M. HaleLtCol Larry HannahCol Dennis HarkeCol Richard L. HerringtonCol Robert HickersonLtCol William HindsMaj Eugene HomerCol Glenn M. HoppeCol Mikel HuberMaj Walter JabsCol Dennis JacksonCol Thomas R. JohnsonMaj John JoinerCol Patrick J. JonesMr. Christopher KernCapt Joseph KerwinCapt William KretzschmarLtCol Ronald KronCol Edward KufeldtSSgt Christopher LarsonMr. Charles LeairdCol Scott LeitchCol Fleet LentzCol Bud Lewis Col Andrew LeyLtCol Gordon LimbLtCol Michael P. LinehanCol Darwin LundbergCol William MacakCol Lawrence J. McDonaldCapt Kevin Mac DonnellMaj Patrick McGinnMr. John McGonagle Col Paul McGrawMr. Gordon McKelveyMr. William McRobertsMr. Anthony MelitaCol Jonathan MendesMaj Peter MeyerMaj Jon MillerLtCol Alwin MoellerMr. Robert MoranMr. John MorgensternCol J. Stewart MosbeyDr. Story MusgraveCol Michael NeedhamMr. Richard NewellCapt Paul Nick Col Thomas O’HaraCol James OrrCol Larry OutlawPatricia PriceCapt Michael QuielloLtCol Larry RannalsMaj David RathboneLtCol Elwin ReichertCapt Terril RichardsonLtGen Terry RoblingLtCol Hugh RonaldsCol H. Gary RoserLtCol Colin RuthvenCol Dick RyanLtCol Douglas SassoLtGen Robert SchmidleCol David SchnackLtCol Michael SchwarzkopfCapt Allan SherwinLtGen Philip ShutlerSgtMaj David SimpsonCol Robert Sinclair

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Winter 2019 | yellowsheet | 61Division Level $25 – $99Section LevelUp to $24Col Charles V. SmillieMSgt Roben SmithCol Michael SoniakLtGen Keith J. StalderCol James StalnakerMr. Lloyd StimsonCol Keith StiversCapt John SullivanCapt David SwaneyCol Bronson SweeneyCol James SweeneyMajGen Larry TaylorMr. David TimmsMaj Arthur TozziMSgt Tobias Van Esselstyn Col Henry VanderborghtLtCol John ViglioneCol Earl WederbrookCol Fred WengerLtCol Stuart WeinerthCapt Bill WhiteCol Kenneth WilcoxCol George ZamkaSgt John DonovanSgt Ralph W. DuttweilerLtCol David EchternachMSgt Ed EmanuelLtCol Myron H. EngelMaj Robert FaltLtCol Frederick L. FarrellMaj Joseph Francis X. FeatherstonLtCol Donald FinchamCol Paul FortunatoCpl Gordon FoutsMr. Michael GianettiMr. L. Randall HackMaj Richard HedinCol Ross HiebMaj Philip JohnSgtMaj George JohnsonLtCol Patrick KelleherCol Michael KennedyMr. Marion M. KerwinMaj Harry KlingCWO-4 Frederic Krebs LtCol William KullMr. Leonard KullasGySgt Alfred LasekeCol Martin LenziniLtCol Walter LoboCol Thomas LucianoMr. John MaltbyCol Robert MartinezMr. Scott McGrathMajGen Royal N. MooreLtCol Jon MorrowMs. Eve K. NickersonLtCol Mark O’ConnorCWO-4 Walter OldhamLtCol Merton OssMr. Thomas PapineauCol Rabun PatrickCol Jerry PattersonKenneth PipkinCol John QuattlebaumMGySgt Danny RadishBGen Robert RaischLtCol William ReverCol Robert RiceCWO-5 Alfred RomeLtCol Ron RuescherCol Laura SampselCol James SandbergCol Bruce SchwandaLtCol Ron SchwenklerMr. Charles SehlkeGordon ShullCol Archie D. SimpsonMaj John SimpsonCapt Stanley SkalskiCol John SledgeCol Richard StearnsMr. Skip StoreyCWO-3 Samuel TeaseLtCol David Teichmann Mr. Warren ThompsonCapt William ThompsonReuben TorresCol Daniel VentreCol Kenneth WatersCol James WellonsCol Charles WestcottSgtMaj Earl WestwickMr. Craig WheelCol Lynn WilliamsLtCol Stanley WilliamsMaj Richard WoodrowSgtMaj Michael ZackerCapt Ronald M. ZobenicaCWO-4 Richard BasaraGySgt Greg BassarasMr. Robert BlankmanMr. Carl B. BliesenerLtCol James BrownCWO-3 Jeffrey ClaypoolSSgt Raymond CobbCol Leonard FuchsMr. Charles KerberCapt James P. Lattimer CWO-4 John Lyons Maj Alfred NardineSgt David QuijadaCol Frederick ShafferMaj Darrell ShelorSgtMaj Robert SingerCol Eric J. Steidl LtCol Tom WellmanMr. Robert “Woody” WoodburyBGen Tom AdamsLtCol Mark E. AlbrittonLtCol William A. AllansonMaj Fred Harold AllisonMaj Bill P. ArnoldSgt John BaileyLtCol Michael BarringtonMr. William BaumCapt Harry BedrossianCapt Al C. BerglundMr. Julian BoothCol Kenneth J. BrownMGySgt Anthony A. BubeCWO-4 Ray CarlsonMaj Francis Chesney Mr. Eugene ChudyMr. Richard CousinsLtCol Daniel P. CreightonLtCol John CressCol Robert Deforge Mr. Thomas DentonDr. Mary Amanda DewLtCol Douglas Dexter Col Alexander Dickerson

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62 | yellowsheet | www.ﬂymcaa.orgCapt Robert Abrajano in memory of John C. HurstBGen W. Adamsin memory of LtGen John HudsonLtCol Mark Albrittonin honor of MGySgt P.C. AlbrittonLtCol William Allansonin memory ofLtCol L. F. Childers, USMCMaj Fred Allisonin memory ofJames “Jim Bob” BourneBGen John Arickin memory ofLtGen William R. Maloney, USMC (Ret)GySgt Greg Bassarasin honor ofAll Marines who have served and are serving in and around the world todayCapt Harry Bedrossianin memory ofMaj Richard A. HuckleCapt Al Berglundin memory ofJohn KramerMr. Carl Bliesenerin memory ofhis father, Arthur BliesenerBGen William Bloomerin memory ofLtGen William R. Maloney, USMC (Ret), and LtGen John Hudson, USMC (Ret)Sgt Richard E. Boycein memory ofDonald A. Harper for his daughter, Julie UlrichCol William Bridghamin memory ofLtCol Ray SpringeldCol Kenneth Brownin memory ofCapt George H. BrownMGySgt Anthony Bubein memory ofBGen Jay HubbardCol Raymond Burnsin memory ofCol Marv Pixton, Col Dick Poore, LtCol Chuck “No Neck” Dixon, Col Charlie “Vulture” Carr, LtCol Ray Springeld, and BGen Bill ForneyCol Ernest Buschhausin memory ofCol William D. “Charlie” CarrLtCol John Carrollin memory ofCol Carl Bergstrom, USMC (Ret)Mr. Sydney Carterin honor ofCol Bob PeeblesCol Michael R. Catheyin memory ofLtGen William “Bill” Maloney—a great leader!Mr. Eugene Chudyin honor ofCapt Charles MastersCol Arthur Colbertin memory ofJean F. ColbertCol James Collinsin memory ofMaj Timothy M. Curry, USMC, “Semper Lancer”Mr. Richard Cousinsin memory ofDavid L. Cousins, Jr. LtCol Daniel Creightonin memory ofCapt Matthew ThomasLtCol John Cressin memory ofCapt Vincent Smith, USMCLtCol Charles Danielsin memory ofMaj Bob DanielsMaj Charles Davisin memory of The Fallen1stSgt Harold De Amelioin memory ofEleanor De AmelioCol Claude Deeringin memory of “Poncho”Col Mel DeMarsin memory ofCapt Pat Giguere, 1stLt Jeb Seagle, and 1stLt Jeff ScharverDr. Mary Amanda Dewin memory ofCol Elkin S. Dew, USMC (Ret)LtCol David Dowling, USMC (Ret)in honor/memory ofDavid DowlingCapt Stuart Dutcherin memory ofCol Leon Utter, USMCSgt Ralph Duttweilerin memory ofSgt Fred DalmLtCol Stephen Dryoffin memory ofLtCol Toy “Icebear” Caraway, USMC (Ret), Douglas D. “Guns” Wyatt, and MajGen Tom and Betty BenesMaj Merle Egletin memory ofCol Richard FranciscoLtCol Buzz Elliottin memory ofLtCol David G. Vest, USMCLtCol John Elwell in memory ofCapt Robert J. JoslynLtCol Myron Engelin honor ofAll MarinesLtCol Frederick Farrellin memory ofCapt Leo CullumMaj Joseph Feathersonin memory ofMajGen Jed Pearson, LtGen Duane Wills, Capt John Lavoo, Capt Robert Holt, and Col Henry VitaliCpl Gordon Foutsin memory ofCol Richard FranciscoCol Steven Franklinin memory ofCapt Jim B. Franklin, USMCCol Fred Freelandin memory ofH.J. WeilandMaj Stanley Frostin memory of1stLt Doug PawlingCol John Gagenin memory ofLtGen John I. HudsonCol Larry Grovesin memory ofCol Steve FisherL. Randall Hackin honor ofVMF-513 “Flying Nightmares”LtCol William Halein memory ofSgt W. B. HaleCol Richard Herringtonin memory ofCol Jerry CadickCol Ross Hiebin memory ofCol William D. Carr, USMC (Ret)Donations In MemoryMaj Eugene Homerin memory ofCol Jack MaasCol Glenn Hoppein memory ofCapt Raymond “Razor” McKayCol Dennis Jacksonin memory ofCapt Jack ConsolvoCol Thomas Johnsonin memory ofBetty S. JohnsonCol Patrick Jonesin memory ofCapt Thomas L. Carter, USMCMr. Christopher Kernin memory ofCol William D. CarrMr. Marion Kerwinin memory ofGen Keith B. McCutcheonMaj Harry Klingin memory ofLtCol Ray SpringeldCapt William Kretzschmarin memory ofLtCol Ray “Razor” SpringeldLtCol Ronald Kronin memory of Col Bob SchulteCol Edward Kufeldtin memory ofLtGen William R. MaloneyLtCol William Kullin memory ofSarah Miller KullGySgt Paul Kurasin memory ofCapt John E. Moody, USMCMr. Charles Leairdin memory ofCapt Bobby Beale, A-4 pilot, KIA 1967Col Scott Leitchin honor of “Shadow”Col Fleet Lentzin memory ofCol Hank IvyCol Martin Lenziniin memory ofCol Charlie CarrCol Andrew Leyin honor ofMarine SkyhawkersLtCol Gordon Limbin memory ofLtCol Chris “Otis” Raible

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WINTER 2019 | yellowsheet | 63Donations In MemoryLtCol Michael Linehanin memory ofMaj Dud Urban and MGySgt Ira B. Baker, IIICol Thomas Lucianoin memory ofCapt W. P. SmithCol Darwin D. Lundberg, USMC (Ret)in memory ofCol Tom Sinnott, USMC Capt Kevin Mac Donnellin memory ofCol Charles “Buzzard” Dockery, USMCMr. John Maltbyin memory ofPat MallenCol Kevin McCutcheonin honor ofChris McCutcheonCol Lawrence McDonaldin memory ofCol David McEvoyMaj Patrick McGinnin memory ofCol James A. McGinnMr. Gordon McKelveyin memory ofWilliam RyanMr. William McRobertsin honor ofLtCol Chas HousemanMr. Anthony Melitain honor ofThe MarinesCol Jonathan Mendesin memory of Col John GlennCapt Robert Meyerin memory ofCol Charles LuddenCol Robert Molyneuxin memory ofCol John MohrMajGen Royal Moorein memory ofCol Charlie CarrMr. Robert Moranin memory ofFrank YoungLtCol Jon Morrowin memory ofWarren GormanCol J. Stewart Mosbeyin memory ofCpl A. P. ClarkCol Michael Needhamin memory ofCol James Gordon and LtCol Conrad “Spud” HeinzerlingMr. Richard Newellin memory ofWalter E. Lindber, USMC, KIA Korea, 9 July 1953Eve K. Nickersonin memory ofCapt William A. NickersonCol Thomas O’Harain memory ofBGen Harry “Coach” Ward, USMCR, and LtCol Bill “Ahmed” Haines, USMCR, Marines of HMH-769CWO-4 Walter Oldhamin memory ofDon SwartzCol James Orrin memory ofCol W. D. “Charlie” CarrCol David Percyin memory ofCol Tom Williams, LtCol Jean Gruhler, and LtCol John KotteCAPT Kenneth Pipkinin honor ofCapt Kenneth L. PipkinPatricia Pricein memory ofCol William G. PriceSgt David Quijadain memory ofRobert QuijadaLtCol Elwin Reichertin memory ofCol Jerry Goebel and Col Hank SteadmanCol Robert Ricein memory ofCapt Mike “Caspar” Shannon, VMO-2 killed in mishap in the P.I., 1990LtCol Hugh Ronalds in memory ofCol John ShinnickLtCol Douglas Sasso in memory ofLtCol Tim BlunckCol David Schnackin memory of Capt Mike MaherCol Bruce Schwandain honor ofRon ZaczakLtCol Ron Schwenklerin memory ofLtCol Hank LevyCol Frederick Shafferin honor ofCol John WarrenderMaj Darrell Shelorin memory ofPFC Pete CrawfordCapt Allan Sherwinin memory ofCapt John HurstGordon Shullin memory ofKathleen ShullLtGen Philip Shutlerin memory ofLtGen Tom MillenMGySgt Sheldon Simonovichin memory ofMSgt Franklin E. Blackburn and MajGen Donald E. P. MillerCol Archie Simpsonin honor ofHelen M. SimpsonMaj John Simpsonin memory ofMaj Lonnie PolingSgtMaj David Simpsonin memory ofMaj J. F. SimpsonThe Estate of Col Robert Sinclairin memory ofCol Robert SinclairSgtMaj Robert Singerin memory ofBGen Jay HubbardCol Charles Smilliein memory ofBGen Harry T. and Gret HagamanCol Michael Soniakin memory ofCpl Mike Soniak, USALtGen Keith Stalderin memory ofCol Harry Spiese, MajGen Jed Pearson, and LtCol Mike MarriottCol James Stalnakerin honor ofKen BodeCol Richard Stearnsin memory ofSam HueyMr. Lloyd Stimsonin memory ofArnold A. Lund and Maj Robert BairdMr. Skip Storeyin honor ofC. D. GoddardLtCol Russell Strombergin memory ofCapt Matt StrombergCapt John Sullivanin memory ofCol John D. ShinnickCapt David Swaney in memory ofCol Robert H. SchultzCol Bronson Sweeneyin honor ofCol John ShinnickCol Bronson Sweeneyin memory ofLtCol Rich Dinkel, USMCMajGen Larry Taylorin memory of“Yankee 72” MarinesCWO-3 Samuel Teasein honor ofCol J. Frank Cole, USMC (Ret)Mr. Warren Thompsonin honor ofWarren Thompson IIIMr. David Timmsin memory ofAlvin F. WachlinMaj Arthur Tozziin memory ofLtGen Andy O’Donnell and Col John “Shindog” ShinnickCol Henry Vanderborghtin memory of1stLt Joseph Fandrey, USMCCol Robert Warrenin memory ofBGen Jay HubbardCol Kenneth Watersin memory ofLtGen Bill MaloneyCol Fred Wengerin memory ofBenjamin M. WengerSgtMaj Earl Westwickin memory ofSgtMaj Daniel FlynnSgtMaj Michael Zackerin honor ofMGySgt Willie SprouleCapt Ronald Zobenicain memory ofCapt Gary Hoglund

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Although ﬁ rst chartered in 1972, the genesis of the organization dates back to World War I with the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans. As a result, sharing the legacy and heritage of Marine aviation and bringing aviation Marines, both active duty and retired together is at the core of our mission.MCAA promotes and recognizes professional excellence in Marine aviation, supports the fraternal bond of its membership, preserves Marine aviation heritage, and safeguards the future of Marine aviation through awards programs, events and publications.MCAA currently has 53 corporate members. A large part of our membership comes from the aerospace industry. Through our corporate membership and generous donations, we support numerous awards, scholarship programs and the Semper Fi fund. MCAA also supports aviation memorials and aircraft museum restorations. Although ﬁ rst chartered in 1972, the genesis of the organization dates back to World War I with the First Marine Aviation Force Veterans. As a result, sharing the legacy and heritage of Marine aviation and bringing aviation Marines, both active duty and retired together is at the core of our mission.MCAA promotes and recognizes professional excellence in Marine aviation, supports the fraternal bond of its membership, preserves Marine aviation heritage, and safeguards the future of Marine aviation through awards programs, events and publications.MCAA currently has 53 corporate members. A large part of our membership comes from the aerospace industry. Through our corporate membership and generous donations, we support numerous awards, scholarship programs and the Semper Fi fund. MCAA also supports aviation memorials and aircraft museum restorations. 715 Broadway Street, Quantico VA703–630–1903In This Issue The 75th Anniversary of MACCSReadiness in Reserve: 4th MAWThreading the Needle: Air Support for Operation PHANTOM FURYWinter 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgTheMarine Corps aviation assoCiationwww.ymcaa.orgHONORING THE BEST OF THE BEST IN MARINE AVIATIONIn This IssueThe 2018 Aviation Award Winners75 Years of MACCS (Part Two)The Battle for the City of the DeadMay 2018In This IssueLieutenant Karl S. Day, WWI Marine Bomber PilotThe 2018 MCAA Symposium RecapMoonlighters Reunite and Recount Their LegacySummer 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgTheIn This IssueMarine Night Fighters in OkinawaThe “Flying Nightmares” in AfghanistanSkyhawkers ReuniteFall 2018The Magazine of Marine Aviationwww.ymcaa.orgThe