After working as the courseware lead for the VH-71 (Presidential Replacement Helicopter) program for over a year, their funding was cut and I became the Lead Subject Matter Expert for the Republic of Singapore Air Force Basic Wings Course, I had previously helped develop the Rotary Wing flight syllabus for the RSAF. I am also assisting with LM's pursuit of the UK-SAR Helicopter program providing SME support.
Would enjoy getting together with former squadron/ship/class mates and former flight students.
Other Comments:
I remarried in 2006 to Pattie Higgins. I was medically retired (TDRL) from the Reserves in October 2006 for vertigo caused by Meniere's Disease which occured while I was mobilized as a helicopter flight instructor for HT-18 (in October 2003). I was permanently retired in October 2008. I am unable to fly these days, but stay active in aviation with my current position at Lockheed Martin. Pattie and I now live in the Orlando area.
CLASS - SPRUANCEÂ As Built.
Displacement 7800 Tons (Full), Dimensions, 563' (oa) x 55' x 20' 6" (Max)
Armament 2 x 5"/54 RF (2x1), 1 Sea Sparrow SAM (1x8) ASROC ASW (1x8),
6 x 12.75" Mk 32 ASW TT (2x3). 1 Helicopter.
Machinery, 80,000 SHP; 4 LM 2500 Gas Turbines, 2 screws
Speed, 30 Knots, Range 6000 NM@ 20 Knots, Crew 296. Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Litton Ingalls, Pascagoula Miss. June 24 1977.
Launched September 25 1978 and commissioned December 15 1979.
Decommissioned August 19 2005. Fate:Â Sunk as a part of SINKEX 2008 on October 6 2008.
Best Moment Running into Mike Mercer my former Department Head from COMINEWARCOM. He was on the staff running a mine neutralization exercise from the O'Bannon.
Being diverted to the Kauffman for fuel. We were given a green deck to land with no flight deck crew. We confirmed we were cleared to land and landed unassisted. Then the flight deck crew came out of the hangar with no chocks or chains. The ship started to turn, so we took back off. On our next landing we finally got chocks and chains.
After we were fueled, the flight deck crew pulled the chocks and chains and went back in the hangar. I looked at Chris and he looked at me and said where's the LSE? I said, I guess since we didn't need one to land, we don't need one to launch. We lifted and slid over the deck before the LSE came back out. We just waved at him and kept going.
Meeting the new Captain Stretch Phillips in the head when we were both getting ready to take showers. He turned on the faucet and the water just dribbled out. He pulled off the faucet head and found the CHENG had installed a rubber stop with a small hole. He removed it and started his shower. I found the same device on my shower and removed it. The CHENG heard the showers and yelled into the head, "Who's taking a HOLLYWOOD?!!". Stretch looked over the top of the shower installation and said, I am, do you have a problem with that? The CHENG left with his tail between his legs and we enjoyed showers with water pressure.
Worst Moment Being grounded for a head cold and missing out on flight time. When I recovered, I pulled a longer than expected flight with Chris Hyder.
Watching the EOD diver washing the puke out of his fin. Poor guy had been drinking the night before and didn't realize Chris was going to challenge me by having me fly and land hydraulics off that day. That was a hot, squirrelly ride!
