Posted by Al Lieberman on November 13, 2008 at 3:34pm
What prompted me to start this discussion was an inquiry as to where the location was of a picture I posted. The picture was of Dave (Bosco), Red and Chow Dog, taken at the bus stop at Siginella Field, Sicily during the ’78 Med Cruise. As I studied that picture, I slowly began remembering little snippets of what I did or what wild activities went on at that time.First, I recalled our gathering for a cook out as depicted in a few other pictures I posted. It was a good time enjoyed by all. Another thought I remembered was how we used the fins of drop tanks to communicate with shop personnel aboard the FID. And as the thought continued, I remembered heading out to the ramp, removing a tail cone and stuffing it with a plastic bag containing preferred refreshments, reassembling the tail cone and marking the appropriate fin containing the booty for the guys back on the ship. At the time I was told that the containers would be nice and cold by the time the plane is secured on deck aboard the FID. Can anyone attest to that theory?We had some good times and unfortunately a lot has been forgotten. The intent of this discussion is to encourage those of you to share your experiences. Although you may have forgotten something, someone else may recall what you left out or expand the thought by adding details and hopefully bridge the gap.I think we’ll find that as this discussion grows, it will become a valuable source of information, a treasure-trove of sea stories, and most likely an enjoyable and interesting read.
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Hey Al Im figuring this site out the more I search around it Im still learning the computer world as life goes on life would have been much easeier back then if we had computers.Mitch
Better late than never. I want to express my sincere thanks to Rick Cearley for saving my life. It was recently that Rick and I have been corresponding about accidents aboard the FID. It all started from that video originating from the F-18 cable break. I remembered a similar incident aboard the Forrestal when that happened but I guess that's another story in itself.
From our discussions, it was determined that Rick was assisting/supervising me on my first launch. Obviously being new to the environment and focusing on leaks and launch procedures, I wasn't paying much attention to where I was when I exited the nose wheel well. When I got out and stood up, fortunately Rick grabbed me by my vest and prevented me going down the port intake. I recall that moment vividly because my goggles were about to be sucked away. I'll never forget that experience. That launch occurred at either number 3 or 4 cat. It was the cat the was farthest aft and nearest the port side. After the plane launched, I immediately went downstairs, shaking like a leaf. Shep heard what had happened and told me to stay below until the recovery was complete. I didn't mind.
For so many years, I couldn't remember who it was that saved me from what could've been tragic. Again, thank you Rick. Like you said, " I believe whoever I pulled away, had it been you, may not have been writing me today. As for the shaking? Not sure if you noticed but I did my share that day as well."
I remember the F4. We were at a heavy sea state. I had just been in my rack just for a short while and heard it hit. Fire, fire on the flight deck, plane in the water. I jumped out of my rack, ran to the rear port quarter sponson and was there just to see it settle in the water. The A7 crash happened during a respot on the deck for the next launch, and I lost a yellow shirt friend that was to transfer in two weeks.
Charlie Beshaw was a happy go lucky guy that enjoyed life,,,,,,,,,but he the gods of chance did not smile on him, I think they used him as entertainment.
The ship collision was with an AOE the Seattle
Steve Downes > Eric Kent VinesApril 25, 2009 at 6:48am
I remember both, the F4 did leave a large gash in the round down, the sea state was 5 and watching the deck Plat camera the aircraft would come into view and then out of view because the fantail was raising and falling so much. As I recall the accident investigation determined that the ship came up and hit the aircraft on a large wave. The A7 crash was very memorable for me, I was in the bird cage of one of our birds on the foul line just forward of the number 4 wire. I heard a "whoomf" sound and then the inside of the birdcage lite up. The bird I was in didn't get touched, I really don't know why. I knew that wasn't a good sound and then there was the explosion sounds and I crawled out of the birdcage just in time to parts of airplanes falling on the deck. It was not a very pretty time or sight the rest of the night. The yellow shirt I remember who was to leave in a couple of weeks first name was "Jessie", he was a really good guy. I think the time frame was in Sept-Oct on workups. Does anyone remember the A7 "cold cat" shot in the Med during the '78 cruise?
I recently had some correspondance with William "Larry" Powell. He refreshed my memory of the A-7 crash aboard Forrestal. I recall it was a devastating accident and unfortunately, a blue shirt lost his life. Obviously it was a real wake up call for me personally. Larry referenced an article on the following website for more information of the accident. Go to Wikepedia and type in USS Forrestal and go under 1975-1980 and the story is in there)
Does anyone remember that incident?
Remember it, I still feel the rivets hitting my pants as I was warming up a hydraulic jenny on elev 4 with AMS1 Allen. We had a plane with hydraulic failure and needed to trap him last. The A-7 was practicing approaches, and for some unknown reason he wasn't waved off. Boy your memory fades (I can't imagine why), it seems we were still in launch mode as there were planes still on the fantail waiting to taxi fwd for launch. All of a sudden I see this burning airplane sliding down the flight deck and parts flying everywhere. I wasn't a T/S for very long when that hapened, it was a rude awakening to the flight deck. I don't remmeber if only one peson died, but Mr. Downs is correct it was a yellow shirt...he was a pretty cool dude.
james wood > Al LiebermanJanuary 1, 2009 at 10:07pm
Al,I remember that night,luckily I was TAD to the master at arms.Either one of us could have been on the flightdeck when it happened.Do you remember an f-4 crashing into the rounddown in heavy seas during carrier quals?Flight operations on an aircraft carrier is considered to be one of the most dangerous jobs there are.What we witnessed during our service would attest to that.Remembering their sacrifice honors the commitment they made to their country.
My friend, let me tell you, I have had the 3 most dangerous jobs in the world. High steel worker, under ground tunnel blaster, and flight deck at nite. Believe me when I tell you, flight ops at nite are the only thing I ever did that on more than one occasion I knew I might not see my happy home again.
Do any of you remember the F-4 ADJ that survived being sucked down the intake during a high power on the angle deck at nite? He went nuts when his feet hit the deck!!
I am AE3 "Michael P" Walsh. I remember that F-4 crash I was standing in the aft starboard catwalk, waiting for the trap to be over to go do some D+Ts. Scared dosen=t describe it!
Replies
From our discussions, it was determined that Rick was assisting/supervising me on my first launch. Obviously being new to the environment and focusing on leaks and launch procedures, I wasn't paying much attention to where I was when I exited the nose wheel well. When I got out and stood up, fortunately Rick grabbed me by my vest and prevented me going down the port intake. I recall that moment vividly because my goggles were about to be sucked away. I'll never forget that experience. That launch occurred at either number 3 or 4 cat. It was the cat the was farthest aft and nearest the port side. After the plane launched, I immediately went downstairs, shaking like a leaf. Shep heard what had happened and told me to stay below until the recovery was complete. I didn't mind.
For so many years, I couldn't remember who it was that saved me from what could've been tragic. Again, thank you Rick. Like you said, " I believe whoever I pulled away, had it been you, may not have been writing me today. As for the shaking? Not sure if you noticed but I did my share that day as well."
Charlie Beshaw was a happy go lucky guy that enjoyed life,,,,,,,,,but he the gods of chance did not smile on him, I think they used him as entertainment.
The ship collision was with an AOE the Seattle
Does anyone remember that incident?
Do any of you remember the F-4 ADJ that survived being sucked down the intake during a high power on the angle deck at nite? He went nuts when his feet hit the deck!!
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