Immediately went to work for Kitsap County in 1992 following military retirement. Presently the Maintenance Supervisor here at the Kitsap County Fair and Events Center. Retired November 13 2009.
Worst Moment An A-7 Corsair II from VA-81 crashed on the flight deck, killing two deck crewmen and injuring 10 others. The pilot was operating without communication gear due to an onboard malfunction, and as he was making his approach, he saw that the "ball" was lit, a signal that indicates it is permissible to land. The pilot ejected safely after seeing that the deck was covered with parked and moving aircraft, by which time it was impossible to pull up. He was recovered, suffering only minor injuries. The plane crashed as the pilot attempted to land while the aft portion of the flight deck was crowded with aircraft and when a plane was being "respotted" (moved) to another portion of the ship's deck. The Corsair struck a parked A-7 and an EA-6B before careering across the deck in a ball of flames. A small fire on the aft portion of the deck, caused by fuel spilled during the crash, was extinguished within seconds.
Chain of Command CDR B. B. Bremner CO CDR Ronald J. Zalatoper CO/XO CDR Daniel A. Wright XO LCDR Gill H. Baron MMCO AFCM Arron C. Reynolds
Other Memories Mediterranean April 4, 1978----October26, 1978 USS Forrestal CV-59/VA-85/AOC
Mediterranean, North Atlantic, Arctic Circle, November 27, 1979----May 7, 1980 USS Forrestal CV-59/VA-85/AOCS
