Best Moment The Portcalls -
Ft Lauderdale, FL - befriended an older man that took Skipper Roberson and several squadron buddies out on his boat running the intercoastal waterway all day.
St Thomas VI - Festival and Skipper Teagues pool party where I showed with two cute stewardesses.
Port Louis, Mauritius - befriending a family who gave me a wonderful tour of the island and culture
Nassau, Bahamas - befriending a family who gave me a wonderful tour of NYC prior to going on cruise.
Perth, Australia - dancing at The Underground and toga party
20 Jan 1981 - Release of American hostages held in Tehran since Nov 1979 allowing us to proceed to our first port call, Perth, Australia.
Chain of Command Indian Ocean / Med Cruise (Nov 1980 - June 1981)
Carrier Group Eight (CCG 8) - RADM James E. "Snake" Service
CCG 8 N2: CDR W.D. Poellnitz & LT R.E. Marshall (Asst)
USS Independence (CV-62) - CAPT Thomas E. Shannahan
CVIC - CDR J.E. Davis, LCDR J.E. Newman, LT J.D. Stewart, ENS R.A. Bozo
Airwing Six (CVW 6) - CDR T.W. Wright (CAG), LT Larry Danforth (CVW IO)
- Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 122 (VAW-122) - CDR "Rock" B. Teague
- Squadrons: 2x VF F4, 1x VA A6, 2x A7, VAQ EA6, VS S3,VFP RF8, VQ EA3, HS SH3
- Cruisebook http://www.navybuddies.com/cruisebooks/cv62-81/212.htm
July 1980 - NAS Key West Det - Provided AEW for USS Lexington conducting carrier quals for newly winged aviators out of Pensacola. The "threat" was MIGs out of Cuba. Drove down from NAS Norfolk so I'd have transportation over the two-week period. Stood in the back of the O'club one night listening to instructor "pep talk" to aviators before their first carrier landings the next day. Watched the "green flash" at sunset after with the town after drinks at Sloppy Joe's (Earnest Hemmingway) and enjoyed a day of snorkeling with squadron mates. The barracuda were 3-4 feet long!
Med Cruise (June - Dec 1982)
CCG 8 - RADM Jerry Tuttle, LCDR Bob Marshall (Asst N2)
Independence - CAPT Jerry Breast (CO)
CVIC - CDR E.M. Wied, LCDR C.T. Mauro, ENS Larry Ash, ENS Bill Ullman
CVW 6 - CDR Lair (CAG), LT Tom Curfs (CVW IO)
VAW 122 - CDR Bart Gohmann (CO)
Squadrons: 2x VF F14, 1x VA A6, 2x VFA FA18, VAQ EA6, VS S3, VQ EA3, HS SH3
Cruisebook http://www.navybuddies.com/cruisebooks/cv62-82/index_033.htm
Other Memories Just prior to my first carrier catapult launch in an E-2C Hawkeye (Hummer). I was in the far aft seat (ACO position) just underneath the escape (ditching) hatch. It would be my responsibility to open the hatch should the emergency bell sound. My commanding officer, CDR "Rock" Teague, was in the seat in front of me and as we were taxing on the flight deck to hook into the catapult he turned to me and screemed to me over the ICS (radio) "Lenny, you just heard three bells sound, what do you do?" I replied "Open the hatch" reaching up and attempting to do just that; it wouldn't budge. I was mortified. "Rock" gave me this huge laugh while turning forward and yelling "We're good! Launch'em" A split second later I was pinned back in my seat due to the G's of the launch while hearing Rock and three other crew screaming "We're all gonna die!" as we careened down the deck. Another second later the Gs were gone, it was quiet and we were airborne. Lenny had just "lost his cherry." The cherry is a small metal device that holds the launching aircraft in place ("in tension") as full power is applied to the aircraft engines. When the pilot completes his final safety check and salutes the deck launch officer the cherry is broken allowing the catapult to "pull" (launch) the aircraft down the deck
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