The Hook - Naval Aviation Key to Iraqi Freedom - Winter 2003

Cover: Twilight for the Sea Control Community. With the retirement of the S-3, beginning in April 2004 with the deactivation of VS-29 and VS-38, the Navy's VS squadrons will be a thing of the past by 2009. Here, a VS-29 S-3B banks away into the sunset loaded out with a refueling pod and an AGM-65 Maverick missile while on a Dec '02 flight from NAS Fallon.
photo by CDR Chris Buhlmann, USNR

Table of Contents

BRIEF

• Naval Aviation Key to Iraqi Freedom Victory
  VADM Timothy J. Keating, USN
  Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Central Command
  Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet
• Where are the Carriers?
• Operation Iraqi Freedom: The Payoff
  RADM Mark Fitzgerald, USN
  Director, Air Warfare (N78)
• U.S. Navy Tactical and Tactical Support Squadrons
  LCDR Rick Burgess, USN(Ret)
• Naval Aviation: The Best Never Rest
  CAPT Don Quinn, USN
  Navy Personnel Command (Pers 43)
• Executive Director's Report
  CAPT J.R. Davis, USN(Ret)

TAILHOOK EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

FROM THE CATWALK

• From the Catwalk
  conducted by CAPT Hook
• The Further Adventures of Youthly Puresome: Jolly, Jolly Good!
  CDR Jack D. Woodul, USNR(Ret), artwork by Carl Snow
• Where Are They Now? Mugs McKeown
  Barrett Tillman

LAUNCH

• Flying the Vigilante
  CDR R.R. "Boom" Powell, USN(Ret)
• Tailhook Aircraft From Mr. Grumman's Iron Works: Part Four 1953-1959
  Bob Lawson

AT MARSHAL

• Command Changes
• Air Wing and Squadron Reports

RECOVERY

• Washington Report: Military Planners Examine Future of Naval Warfare
  Sandra I. Erwin
• Navy Sets Transition Plan for New Helicopters
  LCDR Richard R. Burgess, USN(Ret)
• Sundown for the War Hoover
  CDR Chris Buhlmann, USNR

IN REVIEW

RESPOT

• USS Midway Museum Grand Opening Nears

WAVEOFFS & BOLTERS

• What Is It?
  Steve Millikin and Hal Andrews
• Hook Index, 2003

IBC PATCH PAGE

• RA-5C Vigilante Squadrons and Home Stations

Articles and news items are welcomed. Submit material for The Hook to: Editorial Offices, The Hook, 9696 Businesspark Ave., San Diego, CA 92131-1643. (858) 689-9227 or (800) 322-HOOK, Fax: (858) 578-8839

EDITOR
CAPT Steve Millikin, USN(Ret)
MANAGING EDITOR
CDR Jan C. Jacobs, USNR(Ret)
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
CAPT Wynn F. Foster, USN(Ret)
Barrett Tillman
Carmelle Carter
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Hal Andrews
Margaret Bone
CDR Doug Siegfried, USN(Ret)
Mike Weeks
CDR Jack D. Woodul, USNR(Ret)
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ted Carlson
Rick Llinares
Jose M. Ramos
CDR Chris Buhlmann, USNR
Printing by Neyenesch Printers
San Diego, Calif.
THE HOOK, Winter 2003
Air Plan s
VOLUME 31 NUMBER 4 WINTER 2003 ©2003, all rights reserved ISSN: 0736-9220

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