Aviation Electronics Technician |
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TWS Ribbon Bar |
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Service Details |
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Current Service Status
USN Veteran
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Current/Last Rank
Petty Officer Third Class
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Current/Last Primary NEC
8215-Helicopter Rescue Aircrewman
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Current/Last Rating/NEC Group
Aviation Electronics Technician
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Primary Unit
1969-1972, AT-8215, HC-1 Pacific Fleet Angels
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Previously Held NEC
ATR-0000-Aviation Electronics Technician Radar and Radar Navigation Equipment
AT-8215-Helicopter Rescue Aircrewman
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Service Years
1968 - 1972
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Reflections on PO3 Weber's
US Navy Service
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PLEASE DESCRIBE WHO OR WHAT INFLUENCED YOUR DECISION TO JOIN THE NAVY.
I'm from a Navy family. My father, Grandfather, and Uncle Ray joined together in WW II. My Uncle died with the entire crew of the USS Bonefish (SS-223). Growing up, I was proud of their willingness to commit and serve together and counted it an honor to follow in their footsteps. Today, my son is an active-duty sailor.
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WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BOOT CAMP AND WHAT UNITS, BASES, SHIPS OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
Bootcamp; NAS Memphis, completing AT "A" school; NAS Whidbey Island with VA-145, Westpac aboard CVAN 65; NAB Coronado; NAS Imperial Beach, CA with HC1-Det 4, completed aircrew and SAR schools, Westpac aboard CVAN 65.
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IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
| Glover�??s Vultures |
‘71-‘72 WestPac with HC-1 Det 4 aboard (Big E) Enterprise. Supported combat flight operations as a SAR swimmer. Had two rescues during that deployment.
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DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
While attached to Task Force 71, one night, during a monsoon, we had to lift off for a possible man overboard. As a second crewman, I sat in the door ready to jump into a trough of 20’ waves where a lighted marker buoy could be seen. I remember thinking to myself, ‘Once I jump, I’m a dead man, they’ll never find me again’!
Just then, Rob Cheeseman, who was the first crewman, told the pilot he was not going to allow me to jump unless he had a victim in sight. The pilot ordered that. Shortly after that, we got the all-clear with a full headcount on all vessels.
My wife, my kids, and I are still grateful to my ol’ shipmate Rob Cheeseman!
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OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My most memorable assignment was to fly with two SH-3s from Imperial Beach, CA to Norfolk, VA to accompany the USS Enterprise around the Horn of South America back to San Francisco, CA. This was due to USS Enterprise being unable to transit the Panama Canal. We spent 10 days in Rio de Janeiro, which was a great port of call. Flying air ops while transiting around Cape Horn was breathtaking. I observed the aftermath of a pack of killer whales attacking a whale pod. The water temperature there was below freezing.
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FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
The privilege of participating in one of the most important acts a man can do - that of saving the life of another.
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WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
My Navy combat SAR wings of gold!
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OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?
Obviously, my graduation from Rescue Swimmer School, and my Gold Wings. Completing SERE school, and JEST school at Cubi Point.
I also received a personal citation from Vice Admiral W. P. Mack for “outstanding duty as Rescue Air-crewman..” displaying outstanding leadership in organizing and maintaining a highly effective and well-trained aircrew division”. Also, a letter outlining the successful rescue of an A-7 crew. This is most meaningful to me because I did my duty for which I was trained when called upon.
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WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
LCDR J. Glover of "Glover's Vultures" because of his integrity and humility, was an extremely effective leader.
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CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
While strapping the Assistant Secretary of the Navy into a seat in our chopper, en route to USS Enterprise to review flight operations, I inadvertently threw his suit jacket on the floor while helping him with the shoulder straps. I heard my pilot say over the ICS "Weber I can't believe you just threw the SEC NAVS coat on the floor." Ha Ha!
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WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
Firefighter/EMT. Currently actively employed.
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WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?
Veterans of Foreign Wars and Navy Helicopter Alumni Association. Connecting with fellow veterans.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
The discipline and ability to work effectively with a crew, and our motto, ‘So others may live’ prepared me for my career as a firefighter/EMT in serving others in time of need. Above all, I treasure most the lifelong bond of brotherhood with those whom I served.
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BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE NAVY?
Cherish the time and relationships. You will miss them when you're retired.
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IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.
Hopefully to connect with individuals I still consider shipmates after these many years!
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CJH
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