YellowSheetWinter2023 : simplebooklet.com

4 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgWINTER 2023 | VOLUME LXVIThe 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 ﬂight 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, ﬂight time, instrument time, number of takeoffs and landings, type of ﬂight, passengers, and other assorted information. At the end of a ﬂight, a pilot always walked into the “line shack” and reached for the yellow sheet. And that’s why the MCAA named this publication The Yellow Sheet.28 A CALL FOR CALL SIGNS 32 DIY ICE CREAM IN WARTIME by Zach Rosenberg, from Air & Space Magazine 34 A REQUEST, IF POSSIBLE... 38 VMGR-153 ON STATION by James BonnerTOP: De Havilland 1918BOTTOM: 2nd Lt. J. Kendrick Nobel – Pilot “C” Squadron 1stv MAF. France 1918.Raid on Thielt by James ButcherGIFT OF BRITISH AEROSPACE INC. TO COMMEMORATE THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARINE CORPS AVIATION, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE MARINE CORPS, TRIANGLE, VIRGINIA.

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 7Lieutenant General Thomas L. “Stash” Conant, USMC (Retired) National CommanderLeadership & Board of Directors NATIONAL COMMANDER LtGen Thomas L. Conant, USMC (Ret)PRESIDENT, MCAACSLtGen Robert S. Walsh, USMC (Ret)DEPUTY CMDR, WESTLtGen Terry Robling, USMC (Ret)DEPUTY CMDR, EAST MajGen Jon Gallinetti, USMC (Ret) TREASURER Col Chris Boniface (Ret)ADJUTANT Col Paul Fortunato, USMC (Ret) SERGEANT MAJOR SgtMaj Bill Oldenburg, USMC (Ret)LEGAL COUNSEL Col Art White, USMC (Ret)PREVIOUS NAT’L CMDRS LtGen Keith Stalder, USMC (Ret)LtGen Jon Davis, USMC (Ret)Gen William Nyland, USMC (Ret)WEST DISTRICT LEAD Col Earl Wederbrook, USMC (Ret)SOUTH DISTRICT LEAD Col Chris Seymour, USMC (Ret)SOUTHEAST DISTRICT LEAD Col John Gumbel, USMC (Ret)DISTRICT LEAD Col Laura Sampsel, USMC (Ret)GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE LEAD Col Paul Croisetiere, USMC (Ret)MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE LEAD Col Michael Orr, USMC (Ret) STRATEGY COMMITTEE LEADBGen Kevin Killea, USMC (Ret)AUDIT COMMITTEE LEAD Col Al Sullivan, USMC (Ret) AT-LARGECol Ben Mathews, USMC (Ret)Col John Ostrowski, USMC (Ret)MCAA StaffEXECUTIVE DIRECTORCol John Rader, USMC (Ret)EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH Kelly Rupp EDITOR AND PUBLIC OUTREACH Kristina Bitancurt FINANCIAL AND MEMBERSHIP SERVICES Debbie Martin «MARINE CORPS AVIATION ASSOCIATION«HEADQUARTERS 715 Broadway Street Quantico, VA 22134703–630–1903Members, as we usher in 2023 we say goodbye to 2022 where we celebrated our 50th Anniversary as an Association. It is always worthy to take time to reect on our legacy and all we have experienced in our 50 years of existence. e MCAA Sta, with my concurrence and full support, established our theme of “looking back, leaning forward” to highlight our time. e intent of this Yellow Sheet is to show some highlights from past Yellow Sheets and bring some new emphasis into what the future portends for our beloved Marine Naval Aviation Community. We’ve witnessed many changes in 50 years; we went from ‘breaking starch’ to numerous redesigns of regulation “cammies,” gone from iron bombsights to detailed helmet-mounted displays in our airplanes, seen massive increases in aircraft capabilities from thrust to lifting power, range and endurance. Our command-and-control changes have been revolutionary, along with our weapons systems, maintenance practices, safety records, and on and on. One could bet that most folks in Operations don’t know anything about grease pencils and plexiglass T&R wall charts. Pick any Aviation MOS, and you’ll nd dramatic changes in how Marines do business these days. For that matter, soon, Marines will wonder what we mean by the term “Yellow Sheet,” as ight recording systems go digital.It should not go without mention that the United States Marine Corps now has the youngest eet of Type Model Series aircraft across the Force. is is the result of visionaries who served as our Deputy Commandants of Aviation, supported by numerous Commandants, who were driven to bring the Corps into the 21st Century with a wide range of upgraded Tactical Aircraft, Helicopters, Tilt-Rotors, KC-130S, Unmanned Aerial Systems, Weapons, Maintenance Procedures, and last of all Operational Excellence as evident in over 20 years of combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. ere was also a steady state of routine support for our MEUs, MAWTS-1, and numerous individual deployments, training and experimentation support to our MEF Commanding Generals.e 4th Marine Aircraft Wing contributed as much as anyone to help our 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wings keep the pace of never-ending deployments and new missions. Behind all of this was remarkable work by our Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) to keep up with provisioning the force with outstanding training products in both Ocer and Enlisted ranks that then joined the Operational Forces. Not to be outdone the myriad number of Training Command Schools that contributed to the initial MOS training of those we could simply not do without…our Enlisted Maintainers and Suppliers or simply our Aviation Logistics community. ere is a raging debate on the future of the Marine Corps going on and that is an indication of a healthy professional institution. As your National Commander I will say what I was always taught since day one of my Marine Corps existence; we have one Commandant and one Commandant only. Others have the right to state their opinions, but that is simply what they are…opinions. We have gone through such events numerous times in our 247 years of existence. I will state this as a personal observation from attending numerous Birthday Balls this season and visiting with some Operational Units; this generation of Marines are not afraid, nor do they fear change and the challenges that come with that endeavor. When you see one or talk to one give them a hard slap on the back and encourage them to continue to excel to help solve the problems that still need to be solved.What has not changed is the driving force behind all these capabilities: Our Marines. is Professional Association is always mindful of their contribution to a history that is without peer. Our bond with our predecessors and successors has remained for over 50 years and will continue to do so into our future. Marine Aviation has always been, and will always be, an intractable part of our Marine Air Ground Task Force and this Association was established to give our Members opportunities to remember, reect, and honor those who have gone before us. So, as you read through this issue, I’d ask that you do so within the context of how much has changed, yet how much has remained the same. It is such a paradox that bonds us as Marines and Aviation Marines. Semper Fidelis and may 2023 nd you healthy, safe and successful.COMMANDER’Scall

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8 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgAs we move into the new year, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as your new Yellow Sheet Editor. is year brings about changes, as we welcome new members to the MCAA sta we also say goodbye to our incredible Senior Editor Roxanne Kaufman who has handed over the reins of the Yellow Sheet Magazine. While the core of the Yellow Sheet will remain the same, you may notice slight changes or updates as we nd our battle rhythm with a new crew. at being said, we are excited for the journey to come! e theme of this year’s publications will be “looking back, leaning forward” with emphasis on the inclusion of all ranks and every MOS in Marine Corps aviation. We will spend time not only looking forward but also continuing the tradition of honoring aviation history and heritage. We hope you will welcome the changes to come, and are thankful you are here reading now! Cheers, Kristina Bitancurt Editor As always, feel free to contact us here on Broadway Street: Phone: 703-630-1903Email: kbitancurt@ymcaa.orgAddress: 715 Broadway StreetP.O. Box 296Quantico, VA 22134NOTES FROMbroadwayErrataColonel Harlod William “Indian Joe” or “coach” Bauer, USMC, MOH (Posthumous) 1908-1942 (Page 38, Yellow Sheet Winter 2022).e photograph of the Medal of Honor included with the article was erroneous. e correct image to accompany that story is shown at right. We regret the error.US Navy Medal of Honor

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10 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgSQUADRONnews & viewsDONALD E. DAVIS MCAA SQUADRONReunion 2022, Aviation Logistics Marinese Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) Don E. Davis Squadron held its annual reunion from 10 –13 March at the Crown Reef Resort in Myrtle Beach after a three-year gap due to the Covid Pandemic. e blustery weather couldn’t dampen the spirits where 125 members and guests were ready to party and enjoy memories and renew old friendships. is reunion was one of the highest attended Marine Aviation Logistics Reunions ever held and included numerous rst-time participants. After checking in with Gale and Jim Rodgers at the ready room, guests walked over to the Welcome Aboard reception that evening with heavy hors d’oeuvres and loaded tall tales from the past. On Friday, a portion of the group went to the Top Golf Driving Range venue including lunch and another group sampled local craft brews at the Grand Strand Brewery. It is highly debatable as to who had more fun. at evening, buses brought guests to the Medieval Times where goblets were raised for the jousting competition to protect the throne.On Saturday, the squadron held its annual business meeting with plenty of issues addressed. First, Kevin “Klutch” McCutcheon assumed the squadron command from Laura Sampsel after six years of her leadership. We thank Laura for her service to the AvLog Squadron and rest assured that we haven’t seen the last of Laura! Additionally, a new Squadron Executive Ocer, LtCol (Ret) Bill Slack and Adjutant, LtCol (Ret) Brent Meeker were installed. Bylaws are being updated and an initial nancial summary was provided by Gale Rodgers assuring all in attendance of the robust

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 11SQUADRON news & viewsnancial health of the Squadron. Also, it was proposed and unanimously approved to name one of the Marine of the Year (MOY) awards after LtCol M.C. “Skip” Skipper who had a long and illustrious career as an AMO. ere is also an updated Facebook group (MCAADonDavisSquadron) for all to stay in touch and to view more details of the squadron success. To round out the business meeting, the venue nominating committee was given a list of ve future recommended AvLog Reunion sites to choose from. It has been decided that the next AvLog Reunion will be held at Beaufort SC.Our squadron was fortunate to again host an Executive Roundtable with notable Marines of distinction to include the MCAA Commander LtGen omas “Stash” Conant reminding us that Marines of today may no longer “Fairy Dust” logistics. It must be inherent in our operational planning for the future. e MAG 31 Commander, Col Shawn “Spaz” Basko gave a passionate brieng about the nature of Warghting Today. He, MCAA’s National Commander and retired Col (Now SES) ADCA Russ Blauw took us down a path to a better understanding where our Corps is headed, particularly the evolving roles and missions of Marine Aviation. Russ Blauw assured all that as Marines rst, our Aviation Logistics professionals will be mobile, agile and ready to adjust to new battle scenarios.is reunion still had plenty to oer at Saturday night’s evening formal banquet. Having spent the entire weekend with the “Loggies”, LtGen (Stash) Conant was the guest of honor where he regaled the crowd. Ask him about the Warrant Ocer at the end of the O’Club bar who really taught the Lt how to y the Cobra. Remember our roots. A wonderful dinner was prepared and the squadron awarded Marine of the Year Honors to CWO2 Odell Williams (MALS 29) and Cpl Autumn Howard (MALS 31). Two of this year’s scholarship recipients were present for recognition and thanks to our very generous members and industry donations and sponsorships, we were able to fully restore our Freeman Scholarship program for 2022. Our many sponsors appear on our website — avlogmarine.org. A spirited silent auction raised further funds for the next year. e Don Davis AvLog Squadron continues to inspire future leaders of the logistics community while remembering those who helped forge the way. Semper Fi.Brent Meeker

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 13SQUADRON news & viewsMarines, Family and Friends,It is our extreme pleasure to announce the recipients of the Pete Freeman Memorial Scholarship Award. There were 24 applicants and all 24 are receiving a portion of the scholarship money which totaled $30,000! Thank you, to ALL of you and our corporate sponsors who have given so very generously in order for this to happen! ASI (Andromeda Systems Inc.), Bell, Boeing, PKL Services and Vertex Aerospace!2022 Pete Freeman Memorial Scholarship RecipientsIt has been our honor and privilege to award Pete Freeman Memorial Scholarships each year to worthy recipients based on their past scholastic accomplishments, and their desire to further excel in academics. Our scholarship program is open to Sspouses, children, and grandchildren of any active duty or retired Aviation Logistician. Congratulations to all.Due to our very generous members and corporate sponsors we are able to award $30,000 to these recipients:Calbough, Anthony J.Chipman, TylerConsford, SyennaDriver, CarolineFlatau, AlexandraFlatau, PaigeGoulette, MeghanGoulette, JensenHamilton, William TylerHarper, RebeccaJohnson, ReeceKirby, CarolineLyons, ZoeMacLaird, NoelleMcGee, VictoriaOakley, CurtissPayton, RobinRazo, BiancaSeigh, ArianaSlack, IsabelleStitcher, KaralynVanMeter, TaylorWheeler, CarolWhiddon, MeaganJames CalboughDonald C. ChipmanBarton Consford Sr.Timothy E. DriverRich FlatauLaura HamiltonClarence Thomas Harper IIIMichael JohnsonWilliam S. DoyalAnthony C. LyonsRichard L. OwenRalph HudsonJonathan A. OakleyGina PaytonEugenio A. RazoChristopher R SeighBill SlackMichael StitcherCharles WheelerLeonard WilsonSemper Fidelis,Kevin McCutcheon, CO (Col, Ret)Scholarship Board Members:Bill Slack, XO (LtCol, Ret)Steve Franklin (Col, Ret) Dan Gillan (Col, Ret)Roger Kraft (LtCol, Ret)Rob McCutcheon (MGySgt, Ret)Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 13

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14 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orge John R. Dailey, aka Zorro Squadron, held its Board of Directors meeting on 6 Dec. 2022 — the rst in over two Covid interrupted years. e squadron looks to get things going in 2023. ere was a mini-reunion that ran concurrently with the VMAQ Monument Foundation’s statuary commemoration 11-14 Nov. 2022 at NAS Pensacola. Twenty-ve attendees from the VMAQ 2 Det era also enjoyed the Blue Angels In Every Clime and Place Dedicated in PensacolaBY ANDREA QUALKINBUSHVMAQ MONUMENT FOUNDATION, PUBLIC RELATIONSTHE JOHN R. DAILEY, AKA ZORRO SQUADRONHomecoming Air Show that weekend. A second mini-reunion is on tap for April 2023, exact dates and times TBD. It will be an East Coast gathering (either Quantico, Va., or Washington D.C.). ere is strong interest from VMCJ era, EA6A and RF4B Marines. POC is Davis (Doc) Schwarts. cpidave90@gmail.com.Locally arranged mini-reunions seem to be trending. ey are less complex and less costly. Under the banner of the Zorro Squadron, we’re thinking of doing something late summer, early fall on the East Coast, potentially at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. Keep an eye out. We’ll be trying to start a quarterly Zorro Squadron Newsletter — rst one potentially in February. e squadron has a Facebook page and updates are posted there, also at the VMAQ 5 Facebook page and Prowler Association website.The Marines have landed! The VMAQ Monument Foundation is thrilled to announce the dedication of its three-ﬁgure bronze monument “In Every Clime and Place” at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Fla., honoring those who served in the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons. e non-prot foundation commissioned renowned sculptor Sandra Van Zandt from Owasso, Okla., to create three bronze statues representative of the people who served in the now-retired Marine EA-6B Prowler squadrons: a pilot, an Electronic Counter Measures Ocer (ECMO) and an aviation maintenance Marine as they prepare to launch a ight. e ECMO depicted is a female Marine, making “In Every Clime and Place” the rst bronze statue depicting a female Marine Corps aviator in the country. With this art piece, Van Zandt continues the timeline she began with “e Spirit of Naval Aviation” in the atrium of the museum. e monument stands approximately 12 feet tall and 15 feet wide, displayed on an etched granite base. e nine feet tall, 700-pound, bronze gures were modeled after air crew from VMAQ-2 on the nal EA-6B deployment to Qatar in support of combat operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria in 2018.

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16 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orge foundation was formed in June 2018 and raised more than $400,000 to complete this monumental project – and did so despite the pandemic! e fundraising was a grassroots eort and supported by many who are closely tied to the VMAQ community, including former Assistant Commandant to the Marine Corps, General John R. Dailey (Ret). “e Marines, of all ranks in the VMC, VMCJ and VMAQ community have never ceased to impress me, no amaze, is a better word, as to what you can do as a team when you decide to take on a challenge. e monument tells the story about an outt that most have never heard of, even though their lives may have depended on it. Bronze has a long shelf life even in a salt air environment, so it will be around to tell the story of a gang who knew how to get the job done.” Dailey was also the director of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, making him a truly unique partner in the foundation’s eorts. e completed monument is a sight to behold, both for its historical signicance and as a towering piece of art. While viewing “In Every Clime and Place,” visitors to the Museum can also examine an EA-6B Prowler, a Martin Baker ejection seat, an

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20 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orge Marine Corps CH-53 community held their 2022 Rendezvous (Reunion) in southern Maryland from 9-11 Sept., 2022. Over the three-day event participants had the opportunity to participate in a mixer, a golf tournament, a dinner, and a static display aboard NAS Patuxent River that included both the CH-53E and CH-53K helicopters. Colonel Kate Fleeger, the CH-53 Program Manager (PMA-261), also provided a broad overview of the CH-53K program, highlighting the signicant accomplishments of the program to date, and the outstanding THE JOHN GLENN SQUADRONThe 2022 CH-53 Rendezvous — Long Live the King!performance of the CH-53K during its operational evaluation (OpEval).Event participants also included Marines from both HMH-464 and HMH-461 (the Marine Corps’ rst CH-53K Squadron). e aircraft that HMH-464 brought to the Rendezvous was aircraft BuNo 162001, which was the aircraft then Captain Scott O’Grady, USAF was rescued with during the daring mission conducted by the 24th MEU on 8 June 1995. e 2023 Rendezvous is currently scheduled from 8-10 Dec., 2023 at MCAS New River. Participants will have the opportunity to participate in the Sundown of the Marine Corps’ rst CH-53E helicopter squadron, the HMH-464 Condors. If you are interested in receiving information about this event, please contact event organizers at h53rendezvous@gmail.com so you can be put on our distribution list. e CH-53 Rendezvous Facebook Page will also provide updated information on the event.Finally, thank you to the Marines of HMH-461 and HMH-464 who participated in the 2022 Rendezvous. ey were great representatives of their squadrons and the CH-53 community!The Marines from HMH-461.The Marines from HMH-464.2022 CCH-53 Rendezvous

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22 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orge 2022 CH-53 Rendezvous provided an opportunity to celebrate one of the iconic missions executed by the Marine Corps — the daring Captain Scott O’Grady rescue conducted by the 24th MEU on 8 June 1995. Present at the event were the aircraft used to rescue Scott O’Grady, CH-53E BuNo 162001, and two of the aircrew on the aircraft duing that mission; then Captain Paul Fotunato — Aircraft Commander, and then Sergeant Scott Pster, the aircraft crewchief.O’Grady (in the orange vest) stepping off CH-53E BuNo 162001 and on to the USS Kearsarge on 8 June 1995.PHOTO CREDIT: WARHISTORYONLINE.COMIn this 1995 photo, then-Capt. Paul Fortunato, left, and Capt. Jim Wright, share a moment of victory in front of the CH-53 helicopter they ﬂew to rescue Air Force Capt. Scott O’Grady who had been shot down by a Serbian missile while ﬂying over Bosnia.PHOTO CREDIT: ASSOCIATED PRESSThen Sergeant Scott Pﬁster (left) was the CH-53E crew chief who pulled Captain Scott O’Grady into the cabin of CH-53E BuNo 162001 during the TRAP mission executed on 8 June 1995 by the 24th MEU. Scott is now the President/CEO of Precise Systems, Inc. Paul Fortunato (right) was the aircraft commander on that ﬂight.

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28 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgU.S. Marine Corps Sgt. William Norman, a maintainer with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 115, checks the cockpit of an F/A-18 Hornet aircraft 2 October 2013, after landing at Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal.PHOTO CREDIT: GUIDO MELO, PUBLIC DOMAIN FROM DEFENSEIMAGERY.MIL.A Call for Call Signs“ A CALL SIGN IS NEVER SELECTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL NAVAL AVIATOR, BUT BY A CONSENSUS OF HIS PEERS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF A READY ROOM NORMALLY GIVEN DURING A KANGAROO COURT (HMA-269 COBRA COURT IN MY CASE) AND SO GIVEN AND ANNOUNCED BY THE OVERSIGHT OF THE COURT BY A SENIOR OFFICER (IN MY CASE THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF HMA-269). ONE KNOWS THEY HAVE TRULY ARRIVED AS A REAL MEMBER OF THE SQUADRON WHEN THAT OCCURS”Starting with this issue of the Yellow Sheet, we will relate the stories behind how our fellow Marine Aviation professionals got their call signs. A Marine Aviator’s call sign is signicant throughout one’s career; many of us will know someone for years by their call sign and have to think long and hard before remembering an actual rst name. A quick look at history shows that individual call signs did not become popular until around the late 1960s, during the Vietnam war. ere were some famous call signs prior to that— “e Red Baron” Von Richthofen (actually: Der Rote Kampieger) and “Pappy” Boynton come to mind—Even into the 1970s, not all communities had adopted personal call signs as part of the Squadron ‘esprit.’ Today, it is a rare aviator who has not been ‘branded’ with one.Unlike other services (and Hollywood), where call signs were used to intimidate by implying a tough-guy persona, a Marine Corps call sign is born from either a day of misspent adventures, a play on names, physical features, personality, pop culture, or sheer stupidity. It is not uncommon for one to have more than one call sign throughout a career; but in general, the more humbling the call sign, the harder it is to shed. As you will note from the below, call signs indicate a manner of acceptance of a new inductee into the team of Marine Aviators, the bonds of which should not be underestimated. Our MCAA Commander, LtGen Conant best describes the call sign experience:

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 29Below, we celebrate the origins of the famous, infamous, and obscure.Yes, someone said, I am sure it was one of the Maintenance Ocers, Captain Bart Deforrest (who would later become Aide De Camp to our 29th Commandant, General Al Gray). We can’t put “Mustache Man” on his ight suit name tag…it has to be shorter…Bauca…Stash!!!All voted yes and I tried to tell the XO that name is Polish for Stanley and I am not Polish!!! XO, you don’t know that…your lineage is questionable Stash as all of ours are…so let it be said, so let it be written…slam…done deal.I was then ordered to report to the Adjutant Monday morning to have my call sign entered in the ocial log and my ocial HMA-269 coee mug ordered…and paid for!!!ank you for making me recall this memorable period or moment in my life as a very young Cobra Driver…Stash has stuck with me all my life in both my Marine Corps and personal life.LtGen Tom “Stash” ConantHooverWhen I was a youngster, I checked into my rst eet squadron in Cherry Point. As luck would have it, the “roll em” movie for that evening was Animal House. I’m a dead ringer for the strait-laced fraternity president, Robert Hoover. Despite many acts of buoonery that may have earned me a dierent callsign, or even the eld grade upgrade to a much cooler callsign, “Hoover” has stuck with me throughout the years.Col Mike “Hoover” OrrSAS — Stands for “Spits and Swallows”I got airsick ying a (F/A-18) Hornet. I threw up in my mask then dumped it in my helmet bag. I thought I was good, dry heaved a few more times, then vomited a second time; but I closed my mouth before I did, hurling into a closed mouth. Realized the only thing to do was gut it to keep the microphone free of vomit. First ight in the eet.LtCol Sean “SAS” WoltermanStromboWhen I checked aboard VMFAT-102 (A-4M’s) in 1986 in Yuma, Ariz., I was invited to a wetting down at a well-known establishment o base frequented by Marine pilots…the place was called “Jacks”. Shortly after I arrived, they started playing a game at one of the large round tables. About seven guys were sitting around the table holding empty long-neck bottles of beer…supposedly empty. e game started with an “ammo check” where everyone had to hold their bottle StashMy Cobra Court was conducted during my initial training in the HMA-269 Training Element (we did not have an HMA FRS during that time.) e call sign event usually occurred once the AH-1J Cobra Pilot Under Training was almost half way through gaining his basic T&R qualications in the training syllabus outlined in the HMA-269 Training Manual.I don’t recall the exact date, but I seem to remember it was around the spring of 1978 and denitely prior to my rst deployment, which would occur with MEF 1-79 in January 1979.I was brought before the Court by the XO, Darth Vader who then opened the oor to suggestions. To my surprise, I think it was rigged. One of my fellow newly minted AH-1J Pilots (First Lieutenant John “Bauca” Pagel) shouted…”Mustache Man!”Darth told the Ocer to explain himself… “Look sir…he has no hair and never will, yet he has an outstanding mustache trimmed to regulations…barely.”en all hell broke loose…Mustache this, Mustache that, and with all questionable qualiers attached to Mustache terrible for me…XO “Anyone have a serious recommendation I can use?”LtGen Tom “Stash” Conant Col Robert “Strombo” Deforge

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30 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgupside down over their head to see if it was empty…sometimes they were not completely empty and a knucklehead would get wet. Just then someone would shout “How does every hard ying, skirt chasing, bleep, bleep, bleep start a song?” At that point they would all simultaneously slam the bottles to the table and start singing a chant while passing the bottles to the right in unison. If you missed a pass or grabbed the bottle to your left too early, you were called out and removed from the game. At that point you were obliged to do an “Otis” which was a model of a KC-130 refueling tube and basket that held two full beers… yes, you chugged it! e game continued until there was only one person left. e rst time I played I was the last person out. And every successive time I played I was the last person out until they forbid me from playing anymore. How did I do it? I never told them, until later when I was asked how I was able to play so well, that I was a semi-pro musician and I could easily do coordinated things with my hands while singing (I’d played guitar for years). Btw – the name of the game was “Strombo” and because of the way I played the game they changed my callsign to Strombo… it stuck all these years!Col Robert “Strombo” DeforgeSmokeI was given the call sign “Smoke” while in the training command, due to a skit that we performed in front of our ight instructors in Meridian, Miss., in the mid-1970s. I was satirizing one of the Navy instructors, whom we (the ight students) thought was acting well beyond his actual talents as a Naval Aviator. I played the role of “Smokey Topaz,” in his self-image. I checked into my rst gun squadron, VMA-331, trying very hard to “y under the radar,” lest my call sign be redesignated. I was a boot Lieutenant among a host of Vietnam veterans who thought that my call sign was way-too macho, and were itching to saddle me with something more appropriate. A few years later, while serving at MAWTS-1 as an A-4 Instructor, while on deployment, I botched an order of wine for the squadron table with the restaurant sommelier and then the next day was caught drinking a cocktail with an umbrella garnish at a beer party. I was then hauled to justice and anointed the call sign: “Cosmo” (short for cosmopolitan, apparently), no thanks to Bill “Bison” Powers, Dave “Dip” Goold, and Steve “Easy” Fris, my peer instructors. Ironically, soon thereafter, I had to eject from a burning TA-4J late at night just outside of Yuma; the crash into an empty eld was witnessed by many and apparently was the highlight of the night. e headlines in the local paper the next day read: “Smoke and Flames Seen For Miles.” No one liked the idea of calling anyone “Flame;” so, thankfully, I was granted a reprieve and re-anointed as “Smoke,” to which I still respond today.Col John “Smoke” RaderBanditMy call sign “Bandit” came from my OCS Platoon Sergeant (SSgt Covey) on the very rst day of OCS in 1971. When I got to my rst squadron (HMA-269) at MCAS New River in February 1973, I was the only rookie among several seasoned Vietnam Veteranstransitioning from A-4s or H-34s to the AH-1J — so no one changed my call sign. Six months later, HMA-269 had 6 rookies check in over a month period, and they all got call signs through the AOM (All Ocers Meeting) nomination process either in the ready room or at the O’Club. Col Larry “Bandit” OutlawCol John “Smoke” Rader Col Larry “Bandit” Outlaw

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 3133.5 hours and 3,600 statute miles; beginning from Long Island, N.Y. and landing in Paris, France. Lindbergh, the ‘Lone Eagle’, is a legacy member of e Distinguished Flying Cross Society. e Distinguished Flying Cross Society itself (DFCS) was founded in 1994, as a 501(c) (19) nonprot organization, headquartered in San Diego, Calif., and is made up of those men and women who were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and their relatives. e Society currently has more than 6,000 members and was founded on the fraternity and fellowship among military iers. It seeks to preserve the rich heritage and historical narratives of those who are recipients of the DFC and to educate the general public, especially the youth of America, on the values of courage, patriotism and character; those very characteristics upon which America was founded. By doing so, it elevates the awareness of the award itself and demonstrates to the public that The DFC has been awarded to pilots and air crew in all ve of our services (United States Army, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, United States Air Force and the United States Coast Guard). Recipients represent a diversity of backgrounds, ethnicity, rank and gender whose aerial achievements were chronicled from the chaos of combat, to epic rescues, out to the very edges of space. e Distinguished Flying Cross medal was established by an Act of Congress on 2 July, 1926, to recognize the heroism of World War I pilots. However, the rst Distinguished Flying Cross citations were presented to civilian Pan American Flight crews on 2 May, 1927, by President Calvin Coolidge, for their ve ship, 22,000 mile ight. President Coolidge presented the rst Distinguished Flying Cross medal, on 11 June, 1927, to then Captain Charles A. Lindbergh of the Army Air Corps Reserve, for his solo ight of a very small cross section of ordinary Americans can and have accomplished extraordinary things under extremely dicult conditions while in ight. e Character Development Program (CDP), produced by the Medal of Honor Foundation as an educational outreach, has recently been recognized by the DFCS as an extremely worthy cause and eorts are underway to lend the support of our membership toward that eort. An active scholarship program exists for the descendents of DFCS members. If you are a DFC recipient and would like to see the historical narrative of your award preserved to serve as an inspiration for future generations, go to the DFCS website at (www.dfcsociety.org) for information and requirements for joining our ranks. Families of a deceased DFC recipient are also encouraged to enroll their loved one posthumously and become an Associate member. For additional information, call our toll-free number at 1- 866-332-6332.The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) is our nation’s highest award for aerial achievement. As a valor decoration, it ranks fourth in order of precedence, and is awarded to recipients for heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial ﬂight. Call to Action All DFC Marines!

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 33By late September 1944, the men of U.S. Marine ghter squadron VMF-122 were stuck on Peleliu and bored. eir F4U Corsairs were only 10 minutes’ ight time from Japanese-held islands, but the enemy, cut o from their supply lines, posed no aerial threat. As squadron commander J. Hunter Reinburg recounted in his autobiography Combat Aerial Escapades: A Pilot’s Logbook, he told a reporter, “is dive-bombing and strang just isn’t as exciting as dogghting, but the damn Japs won’t come up and ght.”Reinburg, determined to raise morale on a humid tropical island with no fresh food and no refrigeration, had a plan. His maintenance crew cut the ends o an old belly-mounted drop tank, strung wire at both ends, and mounted an access panel to the side. Into this panel, secured by the wires, went a waterproof can that ordinarily stored .50-caliber bullets. And into that, the mess sergeant poured a mixture of canned milk and cocoa powder. Reinburg planned to ascend to high altitudes, where temperatures are well below freezing, and return with a gift for his men: Five gallons of homemade chocolate ice cream.After lifting o on what he logged as an “oxygen system test,” Reinburg circled at 33,000 feet over Japanese-held Palau, watching anti-aircraft batteries—useless over 28,000 feet—waste irreplaceable ammunition trying to hit him. After 35 minutes of reworks, he returned to Peleliu with a disappointing cargo. e mixture was cold but not frozen (the squadron scarfed it anyway), a failure the crew chalked up to its proximity to the hot engine.For the next attempt (a “supercharger test ight”), they bolted ammo cans to the underside of a removable maintenance panel on each wing, well away from the engine—doubling their yield to 10 gallons, enough for 100 men. is time the mixture froze. After lifting o on what he logged as an “oxygen system test,” Reinburg circled at 33,000 feet over Japanese-held Palau, watching anti-aircraft batteries—useless over 28,000 feet—waste irreplaceable ammunition trying to hit him. e squadron again devoured it immediately. But the ice cream was too aky for Reinburg’s taste, so his crew modied the ammo cans with small propellers: e wind turned the propellers, which drove a screw inside the can, churning the mixture. e result, nally, was a smooth, creamy chocolate ice cream.Operation Freeze ights soon became routine, rotated between the squadron’s pilots and airplanes. ey went o without a hitch, wrote Reinburg, until his boss, group operations ocer Colonel Caleb Bailey, called to make clear that he didn’t buy the “test ight” ruse. “Listen, goddammit, you guys aren’t fooling me,” Bailey told a VMF-122 ocer. “I’ve got spies. You tell [Reinburg] I’m coming over there tomorrow and get my ration.”Reinburg’s Marines were not the only ice cream-makers of the war. B-17 crews in Europe brought ice cream mixtures along on operational bombing raids, according to a 1943 New York Times article, and at least one unit used its P-47s to create a real delicacy, vanilla ice cream mixed with canned fruit.Copyright 2018 Smithsonian Institution. Reprinted with permission from Smithsonian Enterprises. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any medium is strictly prohibited without permission from Smithsonian magazine.

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34 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgA Request, If Possible…“ I’m writing to you with a request; at the same time, I realize there may be diculties involved that make it impossible to follow through. Please be comfortable with telling me so if that is the case.”In 1998 Je Mangel donated his father’s WWII and Korean War diaries to the Marine Corps Aviation Association in hopes that the association would keep them safe in their archives as well as appreciate their historical signicance. Two decades later, after the family had lost all their family’s photos, Je reached back out to MCAA to see if the last pieces of his father’s memory could be located. “If it’s too great a task to pour through your archives, I’ll understand, but as far as I know it would be the only opportunity to recover anything worth passing on.” Luckily, after weeks of searching the team at MCAA located the missing journals!Being that the journals were an amazing time capsule of history, we asked Je if we could share some of the entries with our readers. e journal chronicles the adventures of Rolland Mangel who his men called “Pappy,” (speculated as a homage to Pappy Boyington) and his time ghting in WWII. Je Mangel remembers hearing stories as a kid that the Black Sheep were encamped with his father’s squadron on Bougainville. “Dad used to joke about carrying Pappy to his tent, dead drunk, at 02:00, with Boyington getting up 3 hours later to go on missions. Evidently sobering up during the long runs en route to target zones was a common practice in those days. I’m sure you’re familiar with Billy Mitchell’s eorts to launch Corsairs with full napalm tanks from carriers, to the point he personally proved it could be done; he had no doubt the F4Us could Rolland Mangel with his F4U “Pretty Peg”

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 37failure on a mission and couldn’t make it back. I don’t know whether or not he had the option of bailing, but he chose to put the plane down in the water instead. He had no conscious memory of the landing — a total blank from the landing approach to waking up in his life raft before being picked up by an American sub — but he agreed to be put under Sodium Pentothal, and evidently recalled enough that they were able to iron out the problems that had killed pilots on other attempts. So, one for the home team anyway.He was careful not to give away plans, locations, etc. should the diaries ever be taken by the Japanese or by the censors who were responsible for so many letters home arriving in shreds. He had to smuggle his diaries back to the U.S. because they were against the regs and would have been conscated if they’d been found in his belongings. at’s why I felt they might nd a welcome home with the MCAA, where their signicance wouldn’t go unnoticed. I’m sure other diaries were smuggled home by others as well, and hopefully they’ll be helpful someday in rounding out the story of those days.”We are thankful for the opportunity to breathe life into the journal Mangel so carefully preserved!

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40 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgIn his comments to Marines and guests, Brigadier General Rowell, highlighted that it is no coincidence that VMGR-153 should once again nd duty in the Indo-Pacic region. “Born, matured, and tested in the Pacic,” the history of VMGR-153 reaches back to 1942, as a Marine Utility Squadron (VMJ-153) and later redesignated as a Marine Transport Squadron (VMR-153) before being decommissioned in 1959. During these early years the squadron performed numerous logistic, humanitarian, and evacuation operations in China and neighboring countries within the Indo-Pacic region. BGen Rowell, expressed his feeling of pride at the “tangible, visual manifestation of Force Design 2030,” and for the personnel of VMGR-153 making the “…impossible possible and the dicult easy” as the complex task of reactivating the squadron was accomplished.A KC-130J aircraft attached to Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 is displayed during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. CHANDLER STACYU.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 stand in formation during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. BRANDON AULTMAN

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 41e Marine Air Group 24 commander, Colonel Manlee J. Harrington acknowledged, “on this glorious and beautiful day,” the aggressive reactivation timeline and highlighted the responsibility to take great care for Hawaii and the local community as the mission of VMGR-153 begins to unfold, their training requirements accomplished, and new personnel are welcomed to the Aloha State. Col. Harrington promised VMGR-153 will meet the changing character of war by training hard to ght and win wars on America’s behalf, inuence economic prosperity, and full America’s responsibility in the Indo-Pacic region; matching the values expressed in the lineage of the squadron’s historic operations. Quoting the writer, George Santayana, Col Harrington noted, “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” erefore, preparing for war must be a means to maintain peace through strength. In preparing for war, it is the mission of MAG-24 to provide the important air support capabilities that project the national defense strategy, which will inuence the operational environment by projecting readiness and strength, all the while seeking opportunities to work with others toward common purpose. A necessary component of Indo-Pacic presence and operational capability, VMGR-153 has begun its important mission to support Marine warghters, their allies and partners with modern logistics and warghting capabilities utilizing state of the art technology and weapons systems with their KC-130J aircraft and personnel. After three years of dicult work and transition processes, VMGR-153 commanding ocer, LtCol Andrew D. Myers, has assumed that responsibility. LtCol Myers acknowledged the squadron’s historical accomplishments, noting that it was among the last Marine U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Adam Church, maintenance chief, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, prepares to unveil the squadron’s colors during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. BRANDON AULTMANU.S. Marines with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153 stand in formation during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. BRANDON AULTMAN

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42 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgCorps aviation elements to leave China in 1949. Promising to honor the sacrice of those who came before, by supporting freedom and opportunity as his purpose, LtCol Myers challenged his Marines to excellence, “e will to win is important, but the will to prepare is vital.” With the KC-130J as his logistics and weapons delivery system, LtCol Myers and the personnel of VMGR-153 will train and deploy to meet the challenges of war by preparing the battlespace, creating uncertainty in our foes, supporting warghters, developing condence in our allies and partners, and themselves creating a history of glorious service to American values and liberty.U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. George Rowell, left, assistant wing commander, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Col. Manlee Harrington, commanding ofﬁcer, Marine Aircraft Group 24, and Lt. Col. Andrew Myers, commanding ofﬁcer, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, stand at attention during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. BRANDON AULTMANU.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Andrew Myers, commanding ofﬁcer, Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 153, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Adam Church, maintenance chief, VMGR-153, salute the national ensign and squadron colors during an activation ceremony, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Jan. 13, 2023. During the ceremony, VMGR-153 was formally activated as a KC-130 squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY CPL. BRANDON AULTMAN

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44 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgLast World War 2 Marine Flying Ace Dies, Leaves Legacy of ServicePublished in The Marine Corps TimesBY ZAMONE PEREZ Dean Caswell, 100, the last living U.S. Marine Corps ghter ace of World War II, died Sept. 21 at his home in Austin, Texas. e ghter ace joined the Marine Corps at the age of 20 in September 1942. He has been credited for shooting down seven enemy aircraft in aerial combat. In his career he ew 10,000 hours and 110 combat missions, according to his obituary. He also ew with the Blue Angels. During World War II, Caswell was assigned to the Marine Fighting Squadron 221 and the Vought F4U Corsair, where he launched strikes against Japanese airelds from the Essex -class aircraft carrier Bunker Hill, according to the American Fighter Aces Association. While on a combat patrol, Caswell’s patrol came across 25 Mitsubishi A6M Zeros headed to attack land installations at Okinawa, Japan. In the ensuing dogght, Caswell was credited with shooting down three A6M Zeros.After World War II, Caswell continued to serve in the armed forces. He ew two tours during the Korean War, ying night-ghter F7Fs and F4Us, according to the American Fighter Aces Association.He retired from the Marine Corps in 1968 as deputy chief of sta for Marine Air Group 32, having attained the rank of colonel, according to his obituary. Caswell received numerous medals for his service in the armed forces, including a Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses with three gold stars, an Air Medal with four gold stars and a Congressional Gold Medal.No bullet holes had ever been found in Caswell’s aircraft, suggesting he never had been hit by enemy re, according to his obituary. Over the next 40 years of his life, he made a career as an agent and adviser for New York Life, according to his obituary. During his post-military years, he also served four years as president of the American Fighter Aces Association. e former pilot would also author several books about his life and experiences, particularly in the service.He is preceded in death by his rst wife, Audrey, who passed away 16 years ago. He was survived by his wife, Mary Donahue, his 12 children, 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.e local Austin American-Statesman reported that he loved Grey Goose vodka martinis full of olives.U.S. Marine Corps Vought F4U-1 Corsair aircraft of Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-321 “Hells Angels”, 4th Marine Air Wing, on Iwo Jima. PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. NAVY, PUBLIC DOMAIN, VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONSRetired United States Marine Corps Col. Dean Caswell, 2016 Gathering of Eagles honoree, shares his experiences as a ﬁghter pilot during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, during the Air Command and Staff College’s 2016 Gathering of Eagles Event, May 31, 2016, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. PHOTO CREDIT MELANIE RODGERS COX/U.S. AIR FORCE

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 47In his 2002 statement the Marine expeditionary force (MEF) commander was describing the success of the high-speed vessel (HSV), although he might have accurately been describing the overall self-deployment capability demonstrated by the MEF over the past two years. is article focuses on the self-deployment capabilities developed and used by III MEF and their possible impact on future Marine Corps operations in the region. Our Marine Corps ethos is centered on our expeditionary nature and ability to conduct amphibious operations, but as the vision of maneuver warfare evolves, we remain a maritime force largely anchor chained to amphibious shipping. Current operations have demonstrated the viability of the Marine expeditionary brigade (MEB) during operations from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa, but the lack of amphibious shipping continues to limit the future of MEB operations. Existing amphibious shipping capabilities can transport only two and one-half MEBs. e timely transport of Marines and equipment quickly into theaters of operations competes with the other Services’ demand on limited strategic lift. is competition for sealift and airlift will only increase with the deployment operational tempo required to support the war on terrorism.In order to remain in “the rst to ght,” the Marine Corps must seek alternatives to both amphibious shipping and strategic airlift by examining the self-deployment capabilities of our Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF). An organic self-deployment capability will not replace amphibious ready group/Marine expeditionary unit (ARG/MEU) deployments but will act as a force multiplier and provide options for the MEF commander and the regional combatant commander (RCC).The Challengee ability to project III MEF’s rotary wing aircraft and Marines is completely reliant upon amphibious shipping and strategic airlift. Since the 1993 Department of Defense Bottom-Up Review’s analysis of the amphibious shipping required to support two nearly simultaneous regional conicts, ARG composition has dropped from a ve to the current three-ship makeup. e introduction or the LPD 17 may reduce ARG composition further to two ships. is ARG reduction not only decreases a MEB’s available lift but also reduces available deck space for aviation operations. In future operations ARG shipping—traditionally the exclusive domain of the aviation combat element (ACE)—may have to be shared with U.S. Special Forces. is was most recently demonstrated during the initial phases of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, when U.S. Special Forces’ helicopters conducted limited operations from ARG and carrier battle group assets.53E taking off from MCAS FutenmaCH-53s on deck at Baliktan, Philippines

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48 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orge disadvantage of deploying helicopters via strategic airlift is the down-time and maintenance required. A CH-53 must be broken down (partially disassembled) to t into the C-5 or C-17. Breakdown and reassembly can require 2 to 3 days of maintenance at both the aerial ports of embarkation and debarkation, not to mention the time waiting for Air Mobility Command (AMC) airlift and post maintenance functional check ights once the helicopter is reassembled. Maintenance time is a major readiness detractor, and routine delays have a major impact on the supported unit’s combat eectiveness. Concept Development and ValidationIn the past two years III MEF has made great advances in achieving the tenets of our expeditionary maneuver warfare concept. A series of three exercises, conducted from April 2001 to May 2002, demonstrated the validity of self-deploying a MAGTF from Okinawa throughout Southeast Asia. During these exercises III MEF deployed robust forces from Okinawa throughout Southeast Asia, a distance of thousands of miles, independent from Navy shipping and U.S. Air Force strategic airlift. e experimentation included organic self-deployments of an integrated ACE(1) ying the Southeast Asia air bridge (SAAB) and deployment of units aboard the HSV known as the WestPac [Western Pacic] Express. ese exercises demonstrated the agility, versatility, and exibility of Okinawa-based Marines.e rst exercise, FISHHOOK 2001,(2) included the rst self-deployment of MEF rotary-wing aircraft from Okinawa to ailand. e second and third exercises repeated the success of FISHHOOK by conducting the rst intratheater deployments of III MEF rotary-wing aircraft and the HSV to Guam, Tinian, and Saipan in support of Exercise KOA THUNDER/GOLD.The SAABDuring April and May 2001, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW) ew Exercise FISHHOOK which was the rst time that CH-53Es ew from Okinawa to ailand. Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36) was assigned as the command element, and task organized as an integrated ACE with four CH-53Es from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 (HMH-361), four KC-130s from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, four F/ A-18Ds from Marine Fighter/Attack Squadron 242, along with support personnel from Marine Wing Support Group 17 and Marine Air Control Group 18. is ight not only tested the ability of 1st MAW assets to self-deploy over great distances but also illustrated III MEF’s self-deployment capability within its area of responsibility (AOR). Exercise FISHHOOK, a ve-day ight, was conducted without the support of any amphibious shipping or strategic airlift. e route of ight, that resembles CH-53s en route to Iwo JimaKC-130F and CH-53 assault support, heavy-lift team

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 49a shhook, was from Okinawa through the Philippines, across Malaysian Borneo, through Singapore, and up the Malaysian Peninsula to Hat Yai, ailand —a round trip distance of over 5,600 miles. In conjunction with this self-deployment exercise the ACE participated in Exercise BALIKATAN in the Philippines and landing force cooperation aoat readiness and training (LF CARAT) missions in Indonesia. (See Map.)In June 2001 Exercise KOA THUNDER built on the success of FISHHOOK and saw the rst aerial deployment of CH-53Es from Okinawa to Guam, a distance of 2,500 miles. During the four-day ight, this northern route took the CH-53s and KC-130s from Okinawa to Iwakuni, then to Atsugi, Japan and south along the Mariana Island chain to Iwo Jima and on to Guam. e route was selected to limit the longest of overwater legs to less than 780 miles with emergency landings possible on islands along the route. On Guam, HMH- 361 turned the helicopters over to HMH-465(3) who then took part in III MEF’s ground-air integrated training (GAIT) program.During GAIT, III MEF exercised its alert contingency MAGTF (ACM) by conducting training on the islands of Tinian and Peleliu. e Marines and equipment, including AH-1W helicopters, were all deployed using the HSV. As a historical note, this was the rst time since 1944 that Marines had landed on Peleliu. With the conclusion of KOA THUNDER, HMH-465 closed the air bridge by ying a 1,400-mile southern route from Guam to Palau Island, then to Cebu in the Philippines before returning to Okinawa. Later in their deployment HMH-465 ew the 1,400-mile central route from Okinawa directly to Iwo Jima and then to Guam, redeploying on the same route.e MEF repeated the success of the air bridge during Exercise KOA GOLD in the spring of 2002(4). At this time HMH-462 ew the northern route to Guam for MAGTF training and returned to Okinawa via the Philippines. e squadron also repeated the FISHHOOK route to ailand for Exercise COBRA COLD and Indonesia for LF CARAT.The HSV WestPac ExpressIII MEF continued to develop deployment options by experimenting with the WestPac Express. e HSV is a high-speed (35 knots when loaded), hybrid catamaran, roll-on/ roll-o passenger ferry/cargo vessel. e vessel is 101 meters long, has a passenger capacity of 970, and is capable of stowing up to 30,000 square feet of equipment and vehicles in its well deck. e HSV allows III MEF to move a Marine infantry battalion with gear in a single mission. (See Table 1.) e same deployment using AMC aircraft would require 14 to 17 C-l7s over a 14- to 17-day period(5).Ill MEF tested the HSV from June 2001 to February 2002. During the trials it transported over 10,000 Marines CH-53E on the ground at Balikatan, kickoff point for FISHHOOK 2001Refueling en route to Guam

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50 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.organd 15.4 million pounds of cargo from Okinawa to various destinations including mainland Japan, Korea, and Guam. e WestPac Express’ versatility was highlighted while carrying nearly every piece of equipment in the Marine Corps inventory including xed-wing aircraft, CH-46 and AH-1 W helicopters, and other heavy equipment, such as the logistics vehicle system and light armored vehicle. Another positive aspect of the HSV is the transportation cost savings. During the trials the MEF saved over $1.9 million compared to the previous year’s AMC deployments(6). e success of the HSV was overwhelming. During February 2002, then-Secretary or the Navy, Gordon R. England designated III MEF’s HSV as a “Service-unique, theater assigned transportation asset” when he signed a policy that took only two days to approve(7). e Secretary’s approval cleared the way for the Military Sealift Command to sign a $31 million 3-year lease with the owner/ operator, Austal Ships Limited of Australia, allowing III MEF to continue HSV operations out of the Naha Military Port.In the past the MEF had to depend on AMC to move its operational forces. e diminished passenger capacity of the C-17 and low airlift priority for MEF requests will present signicant challenges. e ongoing global war on terrorism will undoubtedly exacerbate the limitation, further degrading III MEF operational readiness. e viability of the SAAB, complemented by HSV operations, provides III MEF a solution for the critical shortfall in strategic lift.III MEF Objectivese primary objective of the intratheater deployments to ailand and the Mariana Islands was to reinvigorate the III MEF’s ACM and validate the ACM’s potential by demonstrating the self-deployment capabilities(8). ese objectives were achieved using the SAAB concept and the HSV. e air bridge concept and HSV exploit the unique archipelagic geography of the WestPac rim to facilitate the operational maneuverability and increase expeditionary reach of the MEF. e exercises were successful in validating the SAAB and HSV operations and demonstrated a means that III MEF’s assets can use to self-deploy on long-range power projection missions throughout Southeast Asia.A secondary objective of the deployments was to support the MEF’s theater engagement plan, now known as theater security cooperation (TSC). TSC missions support a broader strategic initiative to move segments of Marine Corps training away from Okinawa while building mutually benecial relationships with selected theater air facilities and regional communities. Building positive regional relationships will increase the possibility of using these facilities as intermediate staging bases (ISBs) thereby expanding Marine Corps transit and training opportunities. ese activities also solidify host-nation support for future contingencies. In this way the Marine Corps can improve operational exibility access in Southeast Asia, and expand theater-wide operations without the need for permanent facilities or establishing new bases.e routes own during FISHHOOK were planned with several refueling stops. e refueling stops provided time to identify enroute aireld capabilities Southeast Asia

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 51and limitations. Utilizing these refueling stops conrmed that the MEF’s rotary-wing aircraft, such as the CH-46E, CH-53 D, and AH-1W, would be capable of ying from Okinawa to ailand using host-nation contract fuel or rapid ground refueling (RGR)(9) in the event that aerial refueling strategic lift is unavailable.ImplicationsAs III MEF lengthens its expeditionary legs via the SAAB and WestPac Express, the scale of participation from all Okinawa-based MAGTF elements will increase. Periodic ights and exercises in the region will normalize access and provide the opportunity to use host-nation facilities as ISBs. is will grow in importance as the United States expands the war on terrorism and the possibility of increases in regional contingency operations. As the 32nd Commandant, Gen James L. Jones, cautioned, “Virtual presence is actual absence.” In this region “actual absence” equates to mission failure. Only rapidly deployable and employable forces will satisfy the requirement for theater security cooperation missions and immediate contingency response.e MEF’s actions support the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review objectives by improving the operational exibility and access in Asia without establishing new bases. Although the Marine Corps has bases in Japan, our access into Southeast Asia has been limited to ARG/MEU forward presence or forces deployed on opportune shipping.e concept of complementary use of SAAB and HSV operations also supports the MEF and U.S. Pacic Command in other important ways. First, it moves training away from Okinawa and into areas that provide a broader scope of training while supporting theater security cooperation activities and regional security. Second, it expands the MEF’s expeditionary reach from Northeast Asia into Southeast Asia by demonstrating the capability to self-deploy a MEB (forward), ACM, or a WestPac Express (T-HSV-4676) commonly known as a High Speed Connector (HSC)PHOTO CREDIT: WWW.DEFENSEINDUSTRYDAILY.COMWestPac Express pier sideU.S. Marine Corps (USMC) personnel look on, as the chartered High Speed Vessel (HSV) termed WestPac Express deploys its docking ramp at the Kin Red loading dock, Okinawa, Japan (JPN)

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52 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgspecial purpose MAGTF. e movement to FISHHOOK and KOA THUNDER/GOLD also demonstrated a viable alternative for III MEF to relocate forces during an MEF buildup in support of operations throughout the South China Sea region and into the U.S. Central Command (CentCom) AOR. When additional heavy-lift rotary-wing assets are required, 1st MAW CH-53Es could y to Singapore or ailand and join a MEU (special operations capable (SOC)) ACE operating in the South China Sea or within the CentCom AOR(10). is technique could be put to use in an East Timor-type regional contingency.Future ConsiderationsIII MEF’s advances in self-deployment will create a fundamental change in the way we view Okinawa and the unit deployment program (UDP). In past years most UDP battalions and squadrons considered Okinawa as a nal destination in WestPac where they were to be island-bound for 6 months. For units not assigned to the 31st MEU(SOC), there appeared to be limited opportunity to get o of the “Rock.” e current world situation and the MEF’s expanded expeditionary reach change things. Marines in the UDP cycle should anticipate moving through Okinawa and then on to other missions supporting the MEF and RCC objectives. Okinawa will be seen as the gateway to WestPac, not the nal destination.As 1st MAW transitions to the MV-22, III MEF will indeed have an assault support asset that is truly capable of self-deploying at the operational or tactical level either with or without limited support from KC-130s. e MV-22 will be able to deploy quickly at higher airspeeds and at increased distances throughout III MEF’s AOR; its operational legs are dramatically lengthened by KC-130 aerial refueling operations. III MEF will be able to employ MV-22s and UDP Marines from Okinawa or deploy an assault support package of KC-130Js, MV-22s, and elements of 3d Marines from Hawaii to Guam and then into Southeast Asia.ConclusionIII MEF’s self-deployment is an operational success and represents a tremendous operational advancement. e III MEF validation of the SAAB and HSV employment concepts extended MEF reach and mobility, expanded the opportunity for bilateral training, and opened doors for future operations throughout Southeast Asia. e Corps needs to capitalize on the momentum generated by these concepts and continue to demonstrate our ability to support our regional partners without establishing additional permanent facilities. As the United States continues to prosecute the global war on terror, we should anticipate a growing military role in Southeast Asia. e region is an area susceptible to military competition and terrorist activity and is of vital importance to the United States. Some experts believe this area accounts for one-fth of the al-Qaeda network’s members.Regional partners have regretfully witnessed a reduction of U.S. visibility since the fall of Saigon and the U.S. departure from the Philippines. In the aftermath of the attacks of 11 Sept., 2001, the United States can no longer aord to neglect the region. With the increased mobility and expeditionary reach demonstrated by the SAAB and the WestPac Express, III MEF stands ready to self-deploy when called.Notes1. As envisaged by 1st MAW, the integrated ACE would be tasked to organize from III MEF’s non-MEU(SOC) assets. e integrated ACE would t somewhere between the traditional MEU ACE to that of composite MEB ACE, but mission specic based on the task. e number of aviation assets available to 1st MAW at any time would be four or ve KC-130s, six or seven CH-53Es, two or three UH-1Ns, and four to six AH-1Ws, in addition to six or more F/A-18s. e integrated ACE could form around heavy assault support or strike/ghter support as required for the specic mission. e KC-130s would deploy the command clement, its security force, and ordnance. e CH-53Es would follow in trace of the KC-130s with infantry and combat service support Marines. e airow would proceed so that the rst wave of Hercules would link up with the rotary-wing package for support as required. e integrated ACE could easily act as the lead clement or a MEB (forward) command clement with all elements of the MAGTF represented until the MEB main body arrives in force.2. For a detailed description of Exercise FISHHOOK. sec L1- Col Fred Wenger and Maj Alan D. Broughton, “Marines Can Self’-Deploy in Southeast Asia,” Naval Institute proceedings, VOL. 128/11/1,197, November 2002, PP. 40-43. Vol. 128/ 11/ I,l m, November 2002, pp. ‘10-4’1.3. Winters, Lt Col Tony, Operations Ocer, HMH-465 during KOA THUNDER 2001, discussions with the author, February 2003.4. Schmidt, LtCol, Richard, A., Commanding Ocer, HMH-462 during FISHHOOK/KOA GOLD 2002, discussions with the author, December 2002. 5. Author unknown, “Ill MEF High Speed Vessel Initiative,” brieng presented al III MEF headquarters, 22 July 2002.6. Niman, Sgt Katesha, “High Speed Vessel Improves III MEF’s Mobile Prociency,” Marine Corps news at www.usmc.mil/marinelink, accessed 22 May 2002. 7. Ibid.8. Damren, LICol Paul L, Operations Ocer, MAG-36, “Exercise Fishhook, Alert Contingency MAGTF ACE Self-Deployment Proof of Concept” brieng presented at 1st MAW headquarters, Camp Foster, Okinawa, 13 May 2001. 9. Broughton, Maj Alan, D., “Amphibious Lift Options for the Pacic Rim,” unpublished monograph, Marine Corps Command and Sta College, April 2002.10. Author unknown, “III MEF High Speed Vessel Initiative,” brieng presented at III MEF headquarters, 22 July 2002.

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 55Great Park encompasses almost a third of what once was MCAS El Toro, and is intended to encompass a diverse collection of attractions with a focus on sports, agriculture and the arts. Ironically, El Toro was the original home of the FLAM when it opened in 1989 and operated until the base closure. In May 2022 the Marine Corps, the City of Irvine and the FLHF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlined a plan for displaying the FLAM aircraft and artifact collection in Hangar 296 once the city refurbished and restored both the hangar and the surrounding complex. e planned opening of the new museum was originally set for August of 2023; owing to the size and complexity of the eort, the opening was delayed until the rst quarter of 2024. Late last summer, the city informed FLHF that they would be unable to proceed with the restoration of hangar 296, but were anxious to discuss an interim alternative for the museum. e FLHF is now working with the city planners to nalize a location in the vicinity of the hangars that will accommodate an interim facility to house the FLAM collection. Cost estimates are in development and will be presented to the City Council later in February 2023 for approval. Contingent upon an acceptable building cost estimate, the City Council is willing to approve funding for the transportation and storage of the collection at Great Park in Hangar 297 (adjacent to Hangar 296) for maintenance and conservation of artifacts while waiting for completion of the interim museum facility. e FLHF is working with the City of Irvine toward an eventual plan to house the FLAM in Hangar 296 or 297 at a future date that has yet to be determined. e pending approval to relocate artifacts to Irvine is an important achievement. e FLHF is intent on preserving its one-of-a-kind collection of aircraft and other artifacts that tell the history and legacy of Marine Corps Aviation, honoring those that have served, and inspiring an appreciation of America’s freedoms and values in future generations. To learn more about the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum’s original home at MCAS El Toro and monitor their progress toward relocating the Museum, visit www.yingleathernecks.org.Artist Concept of Hangar 296/297 in Great ParkMCAS El Toro FLAM Hangar 244 circa 1992

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56 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgDONATIONSWing Level: $1,000 & AboveLtCol Patrick FinneranCol Todd KemperCol Ron McFarlandMaj “T. Bone” MooreCol John RaderGroup Level: $500 – $999Col Eric HastingsCol Edward KufeldtCol Bud LewisLtCol Elwin ReichertLtGen Keith StalderMajGen Larry TaylorSquadron Level: $100 – $499BGen Tom AdamsLtCol Michael AlboCol Jay AndersonLtCol Lawrence AstykMaj Richard BagleySgt John BaileyCol Robert BalchLtCol Michael BarringtonLtGen Harold BlotMr. Robert BohachCol Karen BrannenCol William BridghamCol Eric BuerCol Glen ButlerLtCol Kevin CampbellCol John CarlLtCol John CarrollLtCol William CarrollCpl Richard CarterCol Michael CatheyCapt John CaussinCol Stanley CollinsLtCol Ken CollyerLtCol John CressCol Curtis CrewsCol Paul CroisetiereCol Dan CrowlCol Alan DavisCol Claude DeeringCol Mel DeMarsMr. Joseph DentzSgt John DonovanCapt Stuart DutcherCol Warren FoxCapt Bill FranklinCol Pierre GarantLtCol James GarrettCol Jerald GartmanLtCol Dana GemmingenCol Terrance GouldMaj Austin GreenLtGen Chip GregsonMajGen Richard GustafsonCol Curtis HaberboschLtCol William HaleMr. Bobby HallGen Richard HearneyCapt Edmond HinkleCol Glenn HoppeMr. James HurleyCol Dennis JacksonMaj John JoinerMr. Christopher KernCAPT Joseph KerwinLtCol F. Terry KremianCol James KuzmickCol Scott LeitchMaj J.F. LicariMaj Leonard LinkesCapt Charles LoveCol David LumsdenCapt Kevin MacDonnellCapt John ManzMr. Gordon McKelveyMr. William McRobertsMajGen omas MooreCol James MutterCapt Paul NickCol Joseph PeritoCol Gary PriceMs. Patricia PriceLtCol Henry ProkopGySgt John PrusaCapt Michael QuielloMaj Jose RamirezCol Tom ReathLtGen John RhodesCol Joseph RichardsCol H. Gary RoserLtCol Colin RuthvenCol Laura SampselCol Joseph SchvimmerMr. John SharkeyCol James StalnakerCol Merlin StatzerMr. Lloyd StimsonCol Keith StiversCol Marion StoneCol Alan SullivanCol Bronson SweeneyMr. David TimmsLtGen George TrautmanMSgt Tobias Van EsselstynLtCol John ViglioneCpl Douglas WinslowMr. David WoodMaj Eddie WrightLtCol William YatesDivision Level: $25 – $99LtCol Wm. AllansonMaj James ArdaioloMs. Marjoire BeanMr. Julian BoothLtCol Michael ByrnesMaj Francis ChesneyLtCol Scott CliftonCapt Jose Cocco ValdezMr. Richard CousinsCol Patrick CurtisGen John DaileyDr. Mary Amanda DewLtCol David EchternachCol Lewis FerrettiLtCol Barry FetzerLtCol Donald FinchamCpl Gordon FoutsMaj Stanley FrostMr. Michael GianettiMr. Kenneth GossCol Ryan GouletteLtCol James HaskellCapt Patrick HealyMaj Richard HedinMr. Roger HenryMaj Todd HolderMr. Raymond HolmesCol J. Bruce HulickCol Robert HullMaj Clay JacksonCol G.O. JensonSgtMaj George JohnsonLtCol Patrick KelleherCol Michael KennedyMrs. Marion KerwinMaj Harry KlingGySgt Alfred LaekeLtCol Walter LoboMr. Kenneth MartinMGySgt Kenneth MaschekMaj Geore MatoianMr. Alphonse MauroMr. John McGonagleMSgt Steven MercierCapt Larry MiniumMGySgt Robert MohlerMr. Robert MoranMr. David NoitheniusMr. omas PapineauMr. Andrew ParkerCol Rabun PatrickDr. Roger PetersonMr. David PowersLtCol George PrattCol Richard RayeldCol Manfred RietschCol Jon RobsonLtCol Hugh RonaldsDr. Robert RyanMs. Linda ShiehMrs. Mary SloneCol Michael SoniakCol Eric SteidlLtCol John StolleryMr. Skip StoreyMr. Andrew SwaskoLtCol David TeichmanMaj Philip VaughnCol Kenneth WatersLtCol Donald WaunchCapt Ronald ZobenicaSection Level (up to $24)CWO-4 Richard BasaraCWO-3 Jerey ClaypoolSSgt Raymond A. CobbMr. Ronald CurtisLtCol Raymond DuvallCol Leonard FuchsLtCol Gerald HammesCol Terry MetlerMaj Alfred NardineSgt David QuijadaLtCol Munson SnedekerCol Daniel Ventre

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 57Donations in Memory ofLtCol Wm. Allanson IMO Maj J.C. ArchboldCol Jay Anderson IMO LtCol Marc HohleCol Robert Balch IMO Beverly BalchLtCol Michael Barrington IMO Col John SuhyCol Karen Brannen IMO Garth FullerCol Eric Buer IMO Maj John RuoccoLtCol Kevin Campbell IMO Taj SareenCol John Carl IMO 1stLt Anay FirstLtCol Wilmer Carroll IMO LtCol Pierre GollerCpl Richard Carter IMO Deceased Members of VMF-232Col Michael Cathey IMO MajGen Dick CookeMaj Francis Chesney IMO All Who Were MarinesCapt Jose Cocco Valdez IMO CWO J.W. FrederikCol Stanley Collins IMO Col Walter Lee “Bud” SandersLtCol John Cress IMO GYSgt D.R. DwyerCol Alan Davis IMO LtCol Michael “Mini” MottGen John Dailey IMO Col J.P. MonroeMr. Joseph Dentz IMO Paul NoelCapt Stuart Dutcher IMO Maj Frank QuadriniLtCol Raymond Duvall IMO Maj William GoodsellCpl Gordon Fouts IMO Col Richard FranciscoCol Warren Fox IMO Maj Bill “Flounder” RichMaj Stanley Frost IMO 1stLt Doug PawlingCol Jerald Gartman IMO Maj William SewardCol Terrance Gould IMO “Rip” Van WinkleMajGen Richard Gustafson IMO 1stLt Joe AndreLtCol William Hale IMO Sgt W.B. HaleCapt Patrick Healy IMO Patrick Healy, IIIMaj Todd Holder IMO 1stLt Joseph FandryCol J. Bruce Hulick IMO Karen HulickCol Dennis Jackson IMO Capt John W. ConsolvoCol G.O. Jenson IMO Capt Dick KaneLtCol Patrick Kelleher IMO Kylie KelleherCol Michael Kennedy IMO Maj Leonard RobertsonMrs. Marion Kerwin IMO Gen Keith McCutcheonMaj Harry Kling IMO James McGarveyCol Scott Leitch IMO Col Harry SpiesMaj J.F. Licari IMO Capt Steven T. AndrewsMaj Leonard Linkes IMO Col Norman HammLtCol Walter Lobo IMO Capt Don TroyCapt Charles Love IMO LtCol Robert SweginnisCol David Lumsden IMO LtCol “Lou” LumsdenCapt Kevn MacDonnell IMO Col Charles DockeryMr. Gordon McKelvey IMO Albert GrafMr. William McRoberts IMO LtCol Charles HousemanMr. Kenneth Martin IMO Billy W. MartinMGySgt Kenneth Maschek IMO Maj T. HeidcampMaj George Matoian IMO Col Gary HintzMr. Alphonse Mauro IMO Dominic MauroMaj “T.Bone” Moore IMO David VestMajGen omas Moore IMO LtGen Emerson GardnerMr. David Nolthenius IMO LtCol Andy HomanCol Rabun Patrick IMO Col J.P. MonroeDr. Roger Peterson IMO Col Stanley CarpenterMr. David Powers IMO Marlin PowersMs. Patricia Price IMO Col William Price Sgt David Quijada IMO CMSgt Robert E. QuijadaMaj Jose Ramirez IMO LtCol Jack HarrisLtCol Elwin Reichert IMO Col Henry “Hank” SteadmanLtCol Hugh Ronalds IMO Col Karl SmithCol H. Gary Roser IMO Col Dave PeelerDr. Robert Ryan IMO Gene CoxMrs. Mary Slone IMO Adonn SloneCol Michael Soniak IMO Cpl Michael SoniakCol James Stalnaker IMO LtCol Ken “Cheyenne” BodeCol Keith Stivers IMO Col Joseph Della-CorteLtCol John Stollery IMO Capt Charles SimpsonMajGen Larry Taylor IMO LtCol Joe ChapmanMr. David Timms IMO PFC Alvin WachlinMaj Philip Vaughn IMO CAPT R.E. VaughnCapt Ronald Zobenica IMO Capt Gary Hoglund

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58 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgMajor Oliver Jack “Big Dad” Kaneft Jr., USMC (RET), Age 93, Columbia, S.C. Jack often said: “Without God’s guidance, my family, friends, and Marine Corps brothers, I would have never made it. God’s mighty acts in my life have been awesome.” A guiding principle of his has been: “Seek to please God and let the matter of pleasing the world take care of itself. “Jack and Betty spent their lives together in Melrose Heights until the early Spring of 2022. Jack delivered e State Newspaper in this neighborhood as a high school student. He was born in St. Louis on June 14, 1929. His parents were Oliver Jack Kaneft and Alice Delgar. He lived in Chicago, Illinois and Tuscaloosa, Alabama before moving to Columbia, S.C. where he attended Dreher High School and e University of South Carolina on an athletic scholarship in 1947. He graduated from the Naval Aviation Flight Training Command in 1951. He was designated a Naval Aviator and commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Korean War as an attack pilot and forward air controller. He was awarded a Letter of Commendation with combat V by the First Marine Division. He tested and evaluated the rst canted deck carrier in naval aviation history and served on the USS Antietam and USS Bennington aircraft carriers. He retired as Major after 20 years of active and reserve duty.Jack was predeceased by his wife, Mary Anne (“Cap”) Cappelmann to whom he was devoted for 54 years and also by his son, Oliver Jack Kaneft III. ey were the parents of three sons and one daughter: Oliver Jack Kaneft III (Valery), Edward Richard Kaneft, (Laurel), William Cappelmann Kaneft (Jan) and his “one and only daughter,” Helen Cary (Timothy) Walden. Jack is also survived by eight grandchildren: Oliver Jack IV (Ginnie) and Lauren Kaneft, Kristen (Todd) Joyner, Beau Kaneft (Alle’), Brent Kaneft (Jess); Madison, Brandon, and Hampton Walden and eight great grandchildren: Addie Joyner, Henry, Finley, and Anne Collins Kaneft; Kate Austen, Emerson, Hadley, and Scarlett Kaneft. Jack is also survived by his beloved sister, Alice Marilyn Minick. Other family members who are dear to him are: Linda Kaneft, mother of Kristen. Two half brothers, Arthur Freyman (Patty) and Wesley Freyman (Billie) also many nieces, nephews, and cousins in Columbia, Oklahoma, Georgia, and Texas. Jack is also survived by his wife Betty Lane Kornegay and the Kornegay children, Van, Lee Ann, and Lori (Peter Knight) and four grandchildren: Kellane Kornegay, Soren (Emma) Kornegay, Sydney Kornegay, Dylan (John) Peters. Also ve great grandchildren: Malcolm and eo Kornegay, Ellie Joy, Brinley, and John omas Peters.Jack spent 33 years in the automobile business, retired, and then joined his son in his business, Colonial Packaging, Inc., which began in Bill’s garage 35 years ago. One of his favorite and most rewarding experiences was his second career working in the family business for 20+ years.Jack was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder. His interests included daily workouts TAPSsome gave all

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 59including riding his stationary bike nine miles a day to age 92, growing Bonzai, reading the Bible, tutoring youngsters, playing chess, baking bread, and painting. He enjoyed years of sailing on Lake Murray, playing tennis, and wrote two weekly automobile columns, “e Auto Desk” for e State and e Charlotte Observer. He also wrote articles for automobile industry magazines. He held memberships in e Lettermen’s Association, Carolina Alumni Association, Marine Corps Aviation Association, e Columbia Sailing Club, and Fort Jackson Ocer’s Club.He was a member of the Columbia Sertoma Club, the Quadrille Club, board member of the Columbia Urban League, the Boys Club of Columbia, and a member of University Associates, and the Columbia Automobile Dealers Association. He also served on the Board of Richland-Lexington Technical Education.COL Donald Wayne Anderson, USMC (RET), AGE 93, Pensacola, Fla. Donald was raised in a small Montana town. He worked on a family cattle ranch until he enlisted in 1948 at age 18. His father was a WWI ghter pilot who barnstormed around Montana in his Jenny, which helped inspire Donald to be a military aviator.Donald entered ight training as a naval aviation cadet in late 1949. He trained as a ghter pilot and when he got his 2nd Lt. Commission in 1951, the Korean War had broken out and he joined a ghter attack squadron in Korea. When he completed ying combat missions, he volunteered to become a forward air controller with a Marine Battalion on the front lines during the 1953 Winter Oensive. During the Vietnam War, he ew combat missions during two tours, endingup as a Fighter Squadron Commander. As a senior ocer, he was Director of Marine Aviation Training in D.C., and was chosen for a DOD Team to go to Israel after the Yom Kippur War as a “Lessons Learned” mission. He ended his career as Chief-of-Sta of a Marine Corps Air Wing. Donald graduated from the USAF Aerospace University and NSA’s National War College and had a BAEMS. He always said he was a “C” student who led an “A” life.LTCOL Donald Steve Waunch, USMC (RET), AGE 90, Camarillo Calif.Donald Steve Waunch passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on 18 Sept., 2022 in Camarillo, Calif. after a long illness. He and Katie, his wife of 42 years, have lived in Camarillo since 1986. Don was born in Salem, Oreg. on 23 July, 1932 and was raised in Hayward, Calif. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii and entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1958. As a decorated Marine Corps aviator, Don retired as a lieutenant colonel following 21 years of military service. During his military career Don received the Purple Heart twice and the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism, while serving with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 163. e President of the United States also presented the Air Medal to Lt. Col. Donald S. Waunch for meritorious achievement in aerial ight with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 262. Other decorations were also awarded for serving combat support missions in Vietnam, with the First Marine Aircraft Wing, where he contributed to the success of his units. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of hazardous ying conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U. S. Marine Corps. Following retirement from the Marine Corps, Don served in Washington D. C. as a congressional aide to U. S. Representative Jim Lloyd, a member of the House Armed Services and Science and Technology Committees. In 1981 Don began yet another career with the Northrop Grumman Corp. as a Business Development Director and Proposal Manager. Don retired from Northrop Grumman in 1994. In November 2000 Don was elected to the Camarillo City Council, serving as councilman for 12 years including the position of Mayor. Under his direction the City of Camarillo made great strides in updating the city’s disaster plan. Prior to his election to City Council, Don served four years as a city of Camarillo Planning Commissioner. Don and his wife Katie were active in numerous civic and service organizations. Following retirement, Don was a substitute teacher for the Pleasant Valley School District and served as a counselor in the Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Summer Youth Employment Training Program. Don was preceded in death by his son Colin. He is survived by his wife Katie (née Kathleen Sullivan); his daughter Susan Larsen (husband J.R.) and grandchildren Tyler and Cody; his brother Robert Waunch (wife Marcia) and their children Tina and Tare. LTCOL Charles Arthur Houseman, USMC (RET), Age 91, West Columbia, S.C. Charles Arthur Houseman, 91, passed away peacefully Monday, 21 Nov., 2022 at Still Hopes Episcopal Retirement Community in Columbia, S.C.Chuck was born in Media, Pennsylvania on 16 Dec., 1930, son of the late Christian Arthur and Blanche Muller Houseman. Raised in Vienna, Va., he is a graduate of Fairfax High School and George Washington University.Chuck is survived by his loving and loyal wife of 62 years, Wallis Carter Houseman; daughters Trace Ballou (Mehrdad Vejdani) and Sloane Molloy; and grandsons Noah Ballou, Ellery Ballou, and Christian Molloy. He is survived by brothers-in-law Vince Weaver, Fletcher Carter, Michael Carter, and Ashley Carter. He is predeceased by parents-in-law Woodrow and Mamie Carter, sister-in-law Bailey Weaver, and brother-in-law Henry Carter.Chuck’s rst career began when he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at age 17. He served duty in the early days of the Korean War before completing ight school and being commissioned as an ocer. He served three tours in the Vietnam conict as a reconnaissance pilot and retired in 1972 as a Lieutenant Colonel with 24 years of service.Chuck’s military career and honors were matched by his success as a Realtor on South Carolina’s Waccamaw Neck. He was a broker for the Litcheld Company for 46 years, beginning in 1973, receiving honors such as 1992 Realtor of the Year and 1989 Distinguished Service Award, both by the South Carolina Association of Realtors. Chuck was active in local, state, and national realtor association

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60 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.orgcommittees, and served as President of SCAR and Director of the National Association of Realtors.Chuck and Wallis made their home in South Litcheld Beach and DeBordieu Colony before retiring to Still Hopes in 2019. Known aectionately as “Chuckles” to friends and “Pop Pop” to his grandsons, he loved bike rides, reading, reunions with his Marine buddies, and loving on his many canine and feline companions.His kind nature and dignied manner served him well both professionally and in his personal life.e family asks that memorials be made to the Marine Corps Aviation Association, 715 Broadway St., P.O.Box 296, Quantico, VA 22134 orymcaa.org, or to a charity of one’s choice.LTCOL Peter Kaiser Davis, USMC (RET), AGE 81, Newington, N.H. Peter Kaiser Davis, 81, of Newington, N.H., passed away following a brief illness on ursday, 22 Sept., 2022 at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, surrounded by his family.He was born on 21 May, 1941 in Brockton, Mass., to Stanton and Elisabeth (Kaiser) Davis, the youngest of three children.Peter graduated from Brockton High School and attended Dartmouth College. He ultimately earned a degree in business from the University of New Hampshire. In 1963, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He was commissioned as an ocer and served as an aviator until 1984, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He bravely fought for his country during two active tours of duty in the Vietnam War. Following his service in the military, Peter worked briey in the development division of Shaw’s Supermarkets. He then served on the Board of Trustees for the Davis Educational Foundation, based in Yarmouth, Maine, continuing this philanthropic work until the end of his life.He was an avid outdoorsman with a fervent enthusiasm for skiing, hiking, and sailing. He spent much of his life enjoying and exploring the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where he accomplished the feat of summiting all of New Hampshire’s 4000 ft peaks in winter. He shared his love of the outdoors with his family members and friends, inspiring many of them to embark on similar pursuits.Peter is predeceased by his parents and by his older sister, Joan (Davis) Wheeler.He is survived by his wife, Linda (Burney) Davis of Newington, his son Christopher Davis of Louisville, Colorado, his son Marc Davis of Barrington, Rhode Island, his granddaughter Penelope, his three grandsons Matthew, Ian, and Harrison, his sister Ann (Davis) Peterson of Jackson, New Hampshire, his niece Margaret of Ketchum, Idaho, and nephews Wayne Peterson of Intervale, N.H., Ben Wheeler of Bodega Bay, Calif., William Wheeler of San Francisco, and daughters-in-law Jennifer (Duncan) Davis and Melissa (Fiebelkorn) Davis.COL ROBERT HICKERSON, USMC (RET), AGE 78, Fredericksburg, Texas Robert Hickerson passed away Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 in Fredericksburg, Texas. He was born on Jan. 17, 1944 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to Jack and Ovelle Hickerson. Bob had a sister, Jackie.After WWII, the family moved to Longview, Texas, where Bob attended elementary school. After a move to Illinois, Bob graduated from Riverside/Brookeld HS. en Bob made his way west to attend the University of California/Berkeley on a Navy ROTC scholarship. As part of his NROTC training, Bob was given ying lessons. at was the beginning of his lifelong passion. After graduation, Bob was commissioned a 2nd LT in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following Basic Training, he was assigned to Naval Flight School training and ultimately was assigned to y the A-4 Skyhawk jet. Bob spent the next 27 years ying and loved every minute of it. He also ew the KingAir, CH 53 helicopters, and the Cessna 182.In 1967, Bob married Judy Martin. e whole town of Rusk, Texas turned out to watch the traditional military sword arch as the young couple left their wedding. e couple welcomed a daughter, Jennifer, in 1971. Bob rose to the rank of Colonel in the Marine Corps and retired after 28 years of service. He then began a second career working for the Department of the Navy and Texas A&M at Galveston to establish a program for high school dropouts that would allow them to graduate from high school and also enter the military. is program became known as Seaborne Conservation Corps and the program was widely used in many states. Following that, Bob moved to Austin and became the Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Volunteerism. He worked closely with Laura Bush while she was the First Lady of Texas. From there, he moved to Fredericksburg to help Texas Tech University establish osite programs in Junction, Fredericksburg and Marble Falls. He also helped TTU with several other site developments. He continued his involvement with the program in Fredericksburg until his retirement. He also was very involved with Systems Go Rocket program.Bob spent many years as a Rotarian and served as President of the Junction Rotary. He also helped the Fredericksburg Morning Rotary to establish the Kraut Run which is held during Oktoberfest.Bob was also an active member of the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church. He served on the nancial board and also on the Congregation Care Committee. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughter, Jennifer and her husband, Joe Fraley, and a niece and nephew, Tracy Meyer and Mark Velco.

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Winter 2023 | Yellow Sheet | 61ARIZONAYuma Tom Miller SquadronCO - Col Chad Vaughnchad.vaughn@usmc.milXO - Col Billy McMillin, USMC (Ret)928-580-3131colusmcret@hotmail.comCALIFORNIACamp Pendleton – Mike Yunck SquadronCO - Col William Bartolomea XO - Col Patrick Gough, USMC (Ret)858-679-1755 ext 212pgough3775@aol.com San Diego—Marion Carl SquadronCO - Col Shannon Brown XO - Col Greg Goodman, USMC (Ret)858-361-9437gregory.l.goodman2@boeing.comPOC - Col Earl Wederbrook, USMC (Ret)858-577-1211earl@earlwederbrook.com COLORADORocky Mountain ChapterCO - Col Gary King, USMC (Ret)850-377-4703gakling18@gmail.comFLORIDAPensacola, Roy S. Geiger SquadronCO - Vacant XO - Col Joe Richards, USMC (Ret)850-516-2550jprichard46@gmail.comOrlando, John F. Bolt SquadronLtCol Tim Hill, USMC (Ret)407-356-7190timhillforida@gmail.comXO - Col Rick Packard, USMC (Ret)407-463-6479richard.j.packard@lmco.comGEORGIAAtlanta - Henry T. Elrod SquadronCO - MSgt John Newport, USMC (Ret)mclwoodstock@hotmail.comXO - Drea Garciadreagarcia6@gmail.comHAWAIIKaneohe Bay Bruce Matheson SquadronCO - VacantMARYLANDPax River – John Glenn SquadronWebsite -mcaajgs.orgCO - Col Justin Eggstaffaero.eggs@gmail.comXO - Col Hank VanderborghtVanderborght22@gmail.comMASSACHUSETTSBostonCO - Col Joe Mahoney, USMC (Ret)617-786-0832jhmahoney@verizon.net POC - GySgt John Margie, USMC (Ret)508-690-1682jomargie@comcast.netNORTH CAROLINACherry Point – A. A. Cunningham SquadronCO - LtCol Anthony Ciseroanthony.cesaro@usmc.milNew River – Keith McCutcheon SquadronCO - Col Curtis Ebitz, Jr.curtis.ebitz@usmc.milOKINAWAMCAS Futenma - Joe FossCO - Col Brett Allison XO - Col Phil VanEtten, USMC (Ret)sumobuff@hotmail.comAT-LARGE SQUADRONSDevastate Charlie – Marine Air C2 SquadronCO - Col David Joseforskydavid.joseforsky@usmc.mil XO - Col Rey Masinsin, USMC (Ret)813-810-3271Rey.Masinsin@gd-ms.com POC - Col Curt Ames, USMC (Ret)540-295-5959Curtis.Ames@ngc.com 531 Gray Ghosts Squadron531 Gray Ghosts SquadronCO – Richard Elliotthrntphxr57@outlook.comSecretary - Roman Makuchn2uck@yahoo.com Treasurer – Rich Richardson ahr-amarine@md.metrocast.net Donald E. Davis– Marine Aviation LogisticsCO - Col Laura Sampsel, USMC (Ret)808-375-4172laura.j.sampsel@lmco.com POC - Col Kevin McCutcheon, USMC (Ret)828-443-1560kevinmccutcheon76@gmail.comJohn R. Dailey SquadronWebsite-mcara.usCO - LtCol Jeff Buchanan, USMC (Ret)770-778-6576jbuch002@gmail.com XO - Jim Brubaker407-325-4518burbakerjr@earthlink.netRobert “Guy” Robinson SquadronCO - MSgt Kevin Bonner, USMC (Ret)808-551-7701jkbonner@sbcglobal.netSOUTH CAROLINABeaufort – The Great Santini Squadronthegreatsantinisquadron@gmail.comCO - LtCol Allen E. Szczepek, Jr. allen.szczepek@gmail.comXO - 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 -VacantXO - Col Mike Soniak, USMC (Ret)757-574-3717msoniak@cox.netQuantico – Nighthawk SquadronCO—Kevin Wild, USMC (Ret)Khw7562@gmail.comXO—Damien MarshDamienmarsh@ﬂymarines.usWASHINGTONSeattle– Richard C. Mangrum SquadronLtCol Art Crowe, USMC (Ret)425-284-1455mangrumsquadron@gmail.comWASHINGTON, DCWashington, DC – Bransom-Capital SquadronCO - Col James Bardojames.bardo@usmc.milSQUADRONcontacts

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NEWmembersMaj Joseph AdamsLtCol Andrew AllenMr. Edgar ApolloCapt William BarkleyMaj Brian Bayley1stLt Jacob BrookinsLtCol Jesus Chapa-GarciaMaj Daniel ConnollyLt Robert CroninMr. Christopher CunningRyan CurryCapt Eric DavisCapt Jonathan DavisCapt Andrew Dolvin1stLt Justin DraperCWO-4 Robert EasterMr. Doug EngelMr. Kevin FindleyLtCol David FitzsimmonsMaj Kevin FleischerLtCol Mike FreseCol Pat GarrettMaj Justin GatesCol Douglas GlasgowCapt Nicholas HamiltonSgt David HardmanLtCol Aaron HarrellCol Jeremie HesterMr. Marcus HollingMaj Ryan Homire2ndLt Sebastian HoukSgt Adolfo IrachetaCol Scott Jensen1stLt Caleb JohnsonCol Carl JohnsonCapt Charles JordanMike KellermanMr. Richard KlesserMr. Frank LaemmleMaj Neal LangstonMr. Larry LassiseLtCol Gary LobergCapt Samuel Logan1stLt Christopher MarkeyMr. omas MatthewsMaj Joseph MistrettaMrs. E. T. MitchellMr. Keith MooreMaj William MoralesCapt Patrick NajmulskiMaj Guy Nelson1stLt Benjamin NoltCapt Benjamin PearceMGySgt Joshua PowellCapt Jonathan PutneyCWO-3 Edward RajeckiSSgt Dave RoofMr. Joseph RosatiLtCol Mike RountreeSSgt John RoweWelcome New MembersRead & Initial531 Gray Ghosts Squadron (VMF(N)-531, VMF(AW)-531, VMFA-531) Reunion: 13-16 June 2023 at Courtyard Pensacola West, 3200 West Nine Mile Road, Pensacola, FL 32534. e reunion is open to anyone who served with us at any time (WWII forward) as well as family members and friends. e current plans include visiting the National Aviation Museum (that is expected to include attending a Blue Angels practice session), going on a Dolphin Cruise, and/or Pensacola City tour (depending upon interest). As we approach the reunion date, you will nd more detailed information on our Facebook page @ “VMFA-531 Gray Ghosts” or our webpage at: 531grayghostsquadron.org. We will also be sending out important information in the next issue of the Ghostlore, our squadron newsletter. We are looking forward to a great turnout! See you there!! Direct any questions or comments to Rich Elliott hrntphxr57@outlook.com.Marine Corp Aviation Association 2023 Symposium & MAROS 15-18 May 2023, Dallas, TexasVisit www.ﬂymcaa.org for more details Don Davis Squadron (Aviation Logistics Marines) Reunion 23-26 March, Beaufort, S.C.Aviation C3 Symposium 24-25 March, Yuma, Ariz.HMM-261 Marines of Operation URGENT FURYOctober 13-15, 2023, Quantico, Va.LtGen Steven RudderCapt Robert SchillaciMr. Daniel SchnickLtCol Craig ScottLtCol Scott Shadforth Patrick ShortsleeveLtCol Charles StrongMaj Alan ornhillMr. James TruxelMaj Steven ViningMaj Mark WaldCapt Robert WaltonCapt Linda Joy WatsonLtCol Vincent WelchCapt Kyle Westman Brooke WhittakerLtCol Luther WigginsLtCol Paul WrightLtCol William Yates62 | Yellow Sheet | www.ymcaa.org

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Although first 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. Join TodayMembership is Open to Military and Civilians703.630.1903 | www.flymcaa.orgThe Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) is a non-profit 501(c)19 Veteran’s Organization.715 Broadway Street, Quantico VAwww.ymcaa.orgCelebrating 75 Years of HMX-1 | A Fight to the Death | Operation Iraqi Freedom Part 3 e Magazine of Marine AviationFall 2021JournalJournalwww.ymcaa.orgHonoring Excellence in Marine Aviation2022Marine Corps Aviation AssociationHappy “50th” MCAA | The Rose Garden | The 2022 Aviation Awardswww.ymcaa.org Mayday: VMF-422 “The Lost Squadron” | Iron Horse is Now Flying the King Stallion! | Suborbital Cargo Transportatione Magazine of Marine AviationWinter 2022www.ymcaa.org A Call for Call Signs | DIY Ice Cream in Wartime | Growing Expeditionary Legs...e Magazine of Marine AviationWinter 2023