People planes places.

Awards

Three former members of the Naval Aviation community received the 2004 Elder Statesman Aviation Award from the National Aeronautic Association. Stanley J. Green, a former Naval Flight Officer; Jackie Jackson, a Naval Aviator in the Vietnam War; and Andrew Pitas, a WW II Navy air traffic controller, were recognized for their contributions to aeronautics.

The 2004 U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association Distinguished Graduate Award recipients include two Naval Aviators, VAdm. Gerald E. Miller '42 (Ret.) and RAdm. Ronald F. Marryott '57 (Ret.). This award recognizes alumni who have provided a lifetime of service to the nation or armed forces, made significant and distinguished public service contributions to the nation, and demonstrated strong support of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Naval Academy.

ETCS(SW) Rulon Rose of Nimitz (CVN 68) earned the Bronze Star for his help in building and training the Iraqi army during a six-month tour with the Coalition Provisional Authority. The Bronze Star is awarded for heroic or meritorious service, not involving aerial flight, in connection with operations against an opposing armed force.

Lt. Col. Kevin Gross was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association's 2004 James Maguire Award. The annual award recognizes the most significant professional contribution made to enhance Marine aviation by either an individual or a squadron.

Three members of VAW-123 received awards for outstanding leadership and performance during the Hawkeye-Greyhound Ball. Lt. Scott Wastak was selected as the COMAEWWINGLANT Hawkeye NFO of the Year (Sea) for outstanding efforts in the tactical development and evaluation program. CWO3 Willie Dallas received the wing's Lloyd Barker Memorial Award as the maintenance officer who made the most significant contribution to aircraft readiness through innovation and leadership in maintenance management. Cdr. Ken Klothe, CO of VAW-123, received the COMNAVAIRLANT Navy and Marine Corps Association Award for inspirational leadership.

The 2003 SECNAV Energy Conservation Award aviation winners in the large ship category are Peleliu (LHA 5) and Essex (LHD 2). The award recognizes outstanding execution of energy conservation measures and consistent reduction in energy consumption.

Records

An HC-2 UH-3H Sea King (BuNo 149702) surpassed 17,000 flight hours with over 42 years of service in August 2004.

Scan Pattern

HC-85, NAS North Island, Calif., performed an aerial firefighting demonstration in August 2004 as part of a cooperative effort between the Navy and the California Department of Forestry and Firefighting (CDF). After a series of destructive wildfires in 2003, city, state, and federal agencies began working to coordinate southern California's firefighting assets. HC-85 trained with the CDF to ensure that they are able to work alongside their civilian counterparts in a firefighting emergency. When HC-85's assistance is required, Commander, Naval Air Forces Reserve, will allow Navy Region Southwest to direct the squadron in the firefighting, control, containment, and extinguishment mission.

The VP-16 War Eagles supported four drug seizures totaling more than $2 billion in late 2004. Several VP-16 P-3C Orion crews and a reserve crew from VP-65 are credited with detecting and monitoring several suspicious fishing vessels near the Galapagos Islands. After several days of aerial surveillance, Curts (FFG 38) intercepted one of the boats, and the frigate's embarked Coast Guard boarding team found about 14.5 tons of cocaine. The following week, a VP-16 P-3C vectored Crommelin (FFG 37) to intercept another fishing boat, where a Coast Guard team found 13 tons of cocaine aboard. Shortly after that, a U.S. Customs Department aircraft spotted a third boat southwest of Manta, Ecuador. A VP-16 P-3C Orion crew relieved the Customs plane and maintained contact until the Coast Guard arrived. The Coast Guard boarded and found more than 14 tons of cocaine. A War Eagles crew also witnessed the crew of a go-fast vessel throwing contraband overboard, and marked the area with smoke markers until the Coast Guard cutter Jarvis (WHEC 725) arrived to recover 80 bales of cocaine worth more than $40 million.

Edited by JO3 Brandy Lewis