Comments

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  Barbara Sprunger June 27, 2015 at 9:52am

  Anyone remember the XO's name for the 84/85 Sig Deployment?  Was my first one with the squadron.  Then moved over to DP (isn't that a golden oldie) and on to Ft. Meade... 
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  GERALD DUFRESNE January 1, 2015 at 3:13pm

  SHOOT! I have waited a long time to here of a 49 reunion! And I missed it! I will follow this board to see if there is another.
  Served in a few other places at different times in my life. But the best was VP49. If I would have known how cool VP duty was, I would have gone into the VP Navy back in 67 instead of the Army. You would have had to blast me out of it. I was med boarded out in 85 after a long battle, I lost. But I can't tell you how many young people I have tried to direct into the VP Navy, IF I thought they were sharp and felt they had something to offer. You have no idea until you serve there.
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  Art Patton November 12, 2013 at 6:31am

  Best squadron ever...I miss those days.
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  Ronnie "Harpo" Marks January 5, 2013 at 6:34pm

  I was in VS-22 before I came to VP-49.  I went on two Med cruises with them on the USS Saratoga.  I flew on and off the ship a few times in an S3A and on the COD, and in a helicopter.  For a Personnelman, that is just way too cool.  But flying back from Sigonella with VP-49, and partyin' all the way, in Rota, Lajes, and Rosey Roads (took a week!) and then being a part of that flyover was even better.  Jim Kotoff is right, making the Commodore unhappy was the best part.
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  James W. Kotoff January 5, 2013 at 5:40pm

  Hey Skipper, that fly over was a trip. Looking out the windows and being able to not only recognize other crewman, but being able to read notes posted in the window. I remember word got out about the Commodor had to say about us flying over, it only made it SWEETER! It was the single coolest flying act I had in my career.

   
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  Ronnie "Harpo" Marks January 5, 2013 at 4:58pm

  Hello Skipper!!  I remember you well and enjoyed serving under your command.  Who was the C.O. before you?  As many times as I typed all of your names, you would think that I would remember.  I remember you and Minderlein.  Hope you are well, sir.
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  Jim Dvorak January 5, 2013 at 4:42pm

  I was the incoming XO during the 9 plane flyover.  Standing next to CWP-11, Capt Frank Gallo, he said, "you're looking at a caboose". e.g., it will never happen again.  My 29 months with the Woodpeckers was the absolute highlight of my 26 year career.  Never served with a better group of professional
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  James W. Kotoff January 5, 2013 at 3:35pm

  I know what you mean, we werent much more than kids back then. But we sure made our share of fun and wild experiences. I did 20 in 3 different sqaudrons and a tour with the Pacific Missile Test Center before being grounded and going to sea for my last five years. Only old sailors believe the things we have done. I am contact with few people from the Wood Peckers. AOC Green lives a couple of hours from me, Dom Giacopo, Steve Temple and Steve Allen and several othere are friends on FB

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  Ronnie "Harpo" Marks January 5, 2013 at 3:01pm

  I remember the 9 plane flyover......I was in one of those planes as well.  One of the aircrew taught me how to use the radar, which was pretty cool considering I was a PN.  I think his name was Paul Shields (AT1?).   After VP-49, I returned to Michigan, went to college for a couple years.  Worked as a mechanic for awhile, installed artificial turf for awhile, now work as a sound/lighting tech (concerts) and I have a scanning/video business in my hometown now.  I make enough to keep on partyin' and enjoy my friends and family.  I met the greatest people in VP49, and Navy in general, and had a good time.  It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I deeply appreciate having.  How many people get to do what we did?  I tell my sea stories to my friends, and they laugh and are amazed, and they tell me how lucky I am to have these memories.  I am blessed, and it is awesome to reconnect with some of my shipmates.
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  James W. Kotoff January 4, 2013 at 4:33pm

  I have seen pics of other squadrons in formation, but we set the standard. Particulary the first home coming from Sig when we did the low altitude, high speed fly by. I doubt that has been done again, at least by USN P3's