If you enjoyed this edition of Voices - please forward to others who may be interested.
SERVICE REFLECTIONS
OF A Navy VETERAN
Mar 2018

Thompson, James Brian AC3

Status Service Years
USN Veteran 1966 - 1969
NEC
AC-0000-AC-Air Controlman
Primary Unit
1967-1969, AC-0000, NAS Miramar

Record Your own Service Memories

By Completing Your Reflections!

Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Profile Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life.

 
 

Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Navy?

 
Boot Camp

In the fall of 1965, I started college at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. High school graduation was in the spring and I had been an average student at best. I knew that going to a 4-year university would be a challenge for me at that time and so it was. It wasn't long before I knew that I was not yet ready for college. I spent lots of evenings and nights playing Canasta with friends rather than attend to my school work. I simply was not ready for college. The escalating war in Vietnam was on everybody's mind and I was no different. I made a decision to save my parents some money and join the service.

During the Christmas break in 1966, I went home to Twin Falls, Idaho, spent some time with family and friends, and went skiing at Sun Valley for what proved to be the last time. In January 1966, before the end of the semester, I dropped out of college and enlisted in the Navy. An enlistment would give me time to mature while also providing an opportunity to "see the world" and learn skills that would eventually provide me with a variety of life-changing opportunities.

 

Whether you were in the service for several years or as a career, please describe the direction or path you took. What was your reason for leaving?

 
Ion the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC)

When still in college I researched military options with recruiters in Tacoma. The Marine recruiter told me that I could be an Air Traffic Controller, "Not a problem!" It was pretty much a guarantee! With all due respect to the Marines, I thought his promise was a bit too good to be true. The Navy recruiter told me that there weren't any openings in that rate. How was I to know the truth of what either of them said? Eventually, I signed with the Navy, with no guarantees except military service. I shipped my belongings home to Idaho and was bused from Tacoma to the induction center in Seattle and then flew to San Diego for 12 weeks of Boot Camp beginning January 18, 1966. I was determined to be an Air Traffic Controller in the Navy by working hard to achieve the goal myself.

At boot camp, I was initially in Company 056, but during the first few days we were notified that the Recruit Training Command Drum and Bugle Corps was holding auditions.

Considering my background in band and orchestra from junior and high schools, I auditioned and was accepted. The drum and bugle corps company was 4006.

Upon graduating boot camp my first command was the USS Constellation CVA-64. I was a Seaman Apprentice. When I reported aboard the ship at the North Island carrier wall in San Diego, the ship was just days away from the 1966 WestPac deployment. As a non-rated SA, I hadn't any particular skills and was assigned to Weapons Department, 2nd Division. The Connie departed San Diego on March 12, 1969, for the Western Pacific and the Vietnam War.

It looked like I was destined to be a Boatswain's Mate! My time was devoted to polishing brass, sweeping, swabbing and buffing decks, chipping tile, laying tile, chipping paint and painting bulkheads. This was not my cup of tea, but I had no choice and attempted to make the best of it. The other sailors in 2nd Division were a great and varied bunch of guys. My older division mates were extremely talented with "marlinspike seamanship" (knots) and had the necessary skills to safely conduct underway replenishments (UNREPs), and high-line transfers of personnel from ship to ship at sea. They maintained and operated the winch machinery used during the UNREPs.

I soon learned that we had additional responsibilities as well while at sea when I was assigned to my first bridge watch. The watch crew consisted of five sailors, a petty officer to supervise, and four others to rotate between the Engine Order Telegraph, Engine Room Talker, Helmsman, and a lucky sailor on break. As a result, I learned how to steer a huge aircraft carrier in the open sea and during combat operations in the Tonkin Gulf.

On route to the gulf we stopped in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Yokosuka, Japan; and Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. In between deployments to the Gulf, we returned to Subic Bay many times and visited Hong Kong twice for a week each time.

But I hadn't forgotten about becoming an Air Traffic Controller (ATC). I studied and passed the test for Airman and received a change of rate from Seaman Apprentice to Airman Apprentice, then a promotion to Airman. I had many talks with my Division Commander about my goals and as I proved to be a hardworking, consciences sailor he eventually arraigned for my transfer to Operations Department, OC Division. Exactly where I wanted to be. The actual transfer took place after we left Hong Kong the second time and were preparing to steam back to Japan and then the states.

I still lacked the training to be an ATC. During flight operations my job was to keep the aircraft status board in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) up to date. The Plexiglas status board contained information on aircraft in flight such as aircraft type, pilot name, departure time, estimated time of arrival back at the ship, fuel state, the number of attempted traps aboard the ship, and other critical information. To keep the board up to date I quickly learned how to write backward on the Plexiglas with a grease pen. At the same time I would talk, via sound-powered telephone to the Captain's Orderly on the bridge. The orderly, who was a Marine, kept a similar but smaller board synchronized with mine. His was adjacent to the Captain's Chair.

During the latter part of the WestPac cruise I applied for AC-A School, which at the time was located NAS, Glenco, Brunswick, Georgia, and settled into my new division and routine.

On the way over we relieved the USS Kitty Hawk, CVA-63 in Yokosuka, Japan. On the way back to the states we were in turn relieved by the Kitty Hawk also in Yokosuka. We finally arrived back in San Diego on December 3, 1966, after surviving a typhoon somewhere northeast of Midway Island.

Just because we were back in our home port didn't mean that everybody took a break. The ship would go to sea for a few days at a time to participate in training exercises and conduct Carrier Qualifications, when Naval Aviators would practice and become certified for aircraft carrier launches and landings. For a week or two, I was assigned to the US Navy Shipboard Firefighting School in San Diego. I was very happy to get that extra training as I was already on a firehose team.

At sea one day I contracted a severe case of appendicitis. When I went to sickbay the on-duty doctor sent me back to my quarters with some aspirin powder and cough syrup. I lay in my bunk in agony for hours, but eventually found the strength to get up and return to sickbay. By then the ship was already back in port and the doctors were all ashore. Sickbay was staffed by a corpsman who, fortunately, diagnosed my condition correctly but he was not able to call immediately for shore-based medical transportation because the land-lines for telephone were not hooked up yet. So, I waited. Finally, able to call the North Island Dispensary, he arranged for transportation to retrieve me. It was a pickup truck that took me to the dispensary where I sat, alone, in the waiting room for over an hour. An ambulance then arrived and transported me to Balboa US Naval Hospital where I was in surgery within an hour of my arrival. That was too close to a ruptured appendix for my taste.

The Connie steamed out of San Diego again for WestPac on April 29, 1967, and I had still not heard regarding my expected orders to AC A School. Out of curiosity I wandered to the personnel office and asked to see my personnel record. There, inside the folder, were my orders all but forgotten. I still had time to make it to Georgia for the training. I left the ship at Pearl Harbor, spent one night at Hickam AFB, and flew out on a MAC flight to Travis AFB, Fairfield, California. I arrived in Brunswick, Georgia, on May 26, checked into the base on May 27, and was assigned to Class 720 to learn how to be an Air Traffic Controller.

Training at NAS Glynco was extremely interesting, challenging and fun. The classrooms were roofed structures built within the huge blimp hangars that were left over from the World War II era. They contained so much volume of space that it was said they could generate their own weather systems on the inside.

In late July 1967, the class was nearing graduation. I passed all of the Navy tests and the FAA examination with an average score of about 92%. Not too bad for a college dropout. When the time came I submitted my dream sheet of desired assignments. Regardless of what was on my list I was assigned, in the best interest of the Navy, to the Operations Department, NAS Miramar, San Diego, California. I considered Fightertown USA a great command!

I arrived at NAS Miramar on September 11,1967. My first few months would be devoted to working in the Operations Office handling teletype communications and assisting pilots with their flight plans and weather briefings. It was just another stepping stone to my eventual goal and was part of my education. Occasionally I would get to talk to carriers at sea on the Raspberry Network, including the Connie (call sign Warchief). I was also able to interact with personnel from all of the services and civilians too. Miramar was the primary divert field for commercial traffic into Lindbergh Field when the airport was fogged in. It was common during winter months to see large airliners form Western Airlines, PSA and others on the ground at Miramar. Anybody from that era would know what a privilege it was to interact with the stewardesses (ok, flight attendants) from Pacific Southwest Airlines!

Eventually, the call came for me to report to the tower to start the training that would lead to my certification in that facility. I started out a Clearance Delivery, then went on to Ground Control, and finally to Local Control. After passing all of the facility tests, including hands-on at all tower positions, and successfully drawing a detailed map of the entire base and all flight hazards within a 5nm radius, I was certified as an Air Traffic Controller in the Tower at NAS Miramar.

I loved my job. Especially the evening shifts during the week because they were almost always busy. Miramar was an advanced fighter training base and the home to all of the Pacific Fleet fighter squadrons between deployments. When I was there the typical aircraft in the training squadrons were A4 Skyhawks that were used to train aviators in instrument flight techniques; F8 Crusaders and F4 Phantoms for those ready for the advanced training program. All of the fleet squadrons were flying Phantoms. The flying schedules were so vigorous that pilot training would often begin near dawn and continue until 2 am the next morning. Air traffic could include IFR and VFR arrivals and departures. The Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) pattern using the left runway was almost always active. While on the "A" Stand, or Local Control, I remember non-stop talking to aircraft for two hours with an occasional quick break to sip from my coffee cup. One rarely did this job sitting down. It was very rewarding personally to know that I could do this job and do it safely. Those busy hours went by really fast. Weekends were slow with little or no training, only an occasional cross-country flight arriving or departing. We worked a strenuous schedule: 2-day shifts; 2 evening shifts; and 2 graveyard shifts with 3 days off. I always looked forward to going back up the steps to the tower so that I could get back to work.

As my 4-year enlistment was drawing to a close I had to think of my future. As I saw it I had three choices: 1. Stay in the Navy as an ATC, transfer to another shore facility or back to sea duty. 2. Apply for a better paying job with the FAA. 3. And another option that I considered often since arriving at Miramar, the California Highway Patrol.

I eventually chose a future that would be more secure financially than a career in the Navy and applied with the FAA and the CHP. As it turns out the CHP came through first. I was offered a position in an Academy class starting in November 1969. A 90-day early out was granted and 3 weeks before my reporting date in Sacramento I was released by the Navy.

 

If you participated in any military operations, including combat, humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, please describe those which were the most significant to you and, if life-changing, in what way.

 
The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club

Upon arriving in the Tonkin Gulf in the spring of 1966, the USS Constellation, with embarked air wing, was assigned to Dixie Station where combat flight operations were conducted against the Viet Cong and NVA within the country of South Vietnam. Subsequently, the Connie steamed north to Yankee Station where combat flight operations were conducted within North Vietnam.

The official periods during which the Connie and CAG-15 conducted combat operations were:

1. Counteroffensive

2. Counteroffensive Phase II

3. Counteroffensive Phase III

 

Was there a particular incident during your service when you believed you were in a situation you might not survive? Please describe what happened and what was the outcome.

 
USS Oriskany CVA-34 Fire

I don't have any recollections of a feeling of immanent death while in the Navy, however, accidents on the ship were common and occasionally caused death. We were close to the USS Oriskany CVA-34 on October 26, 1966, when a series of explosions rocked the Oriskany. The explosions killed 44 and injured a further 156. The Connie was involved in the evacuation of wounded and assisted the Oriskany in many other ways. I vividly recall standing in the hanger bay while watching the smoke billowing from the Oriskany as helicopters shuttled personnel and wounded from ship to ship. Combined with the losses suffered by aircrew in training and during combat missions I was constantly reminded that life aboard a naval vessel was always at risk.

 

Of all your duty stations or assignments, which one do you have fondest memories of and why? Which one was your least favorite?

 

I truly loved working in the control tower at NAS Miramar. The job was challenging, extremely satisfying to know that I achieved exactly what I had set out to do when I joined the Navy. There were tragic moments too, but they come with dealing with aircraft on a daily basis and being in any military service. In later years I had the honor of knowing that I worked in the control tower at what was to become the Navy's "Top Gun" school. Whenever I think of the Tom Cruise film of the same name I take pleasure in complaining about the inaccuracies that the movie projects about the tower operations, and other aspects of Naval Aviation with which I was very familiar.

I can't really say that I had a least favorite assignment. My time in 2nd Division on the Connie came with lots of menial tasks, but the rewards of serving on UNREP and bridge watch crews balanced the scale.

 

From your entire service, including combat, describe the personal memories which have impacted you most?

 
In a Hong Kong Taylor Shop With Beer In Hand

I always remember the friends I had while in the Navy. They were a varied bunch from all over the country, and even some who were from other countries. In many cases, I can say that I learned much from them. We always found the time to have fun and enjoy life.

Each time I was moved to a new division or duty station I made new friends and had to learn the positives and negatives of new supervisors and officers and adjust my outlook accordingly. This skill helped me interact with people throughout the rest of my life.

I was able to visit a few other countries while in the Navy and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to do so in the service of my country.

 

What achievement(s) are you most proud of from your military career? If you received any medals, awards, formal presentations or qualification badges for significant achievement or valor, please describe how these were earned.

 

I am proud that I was able to serve my country during the Vietnam War and like to think that I contributed, if even in a small way to the success of the command wherever I was stationed.

 

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations and qualification badges you received, or any other memorabilia, please describe those which are the most meaningful to you and why?

 

My USS Constellation Qualified Helmsman card and my Air Traffic Controller FAA Certificate for NAS Miramar are both something with which I take great pride. Both are for achievements relatively few others have accomplished. The FAA certificate especially confirmed to a degree that I was capable of doing things out of the ordinary.

 

Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having the most positive impact on you and why?

 
Ens. Seafoss Has The Con.

There were two individuals who I can thank for the ultimate direction of my time in the Navy and therefore my life after the Navy. There was the unknown official form the RTC San Diego Drum & Bugle Corps who approved of my audition and accepted me into the corps. Had I stayed in the original company I would have graduated a week earlier, and my next duty station would likely have been completely different. Then there was my Division Commander, Ensign T. L. Seafoss. He ultimately arranged for my transfer from 2nd to OC Division. From there I went to AC-A School and then to Miramar and then to the California Highway Patrol. The entire chain created as a result of their support had a profound impact on the rest of my life.

 

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?

 
BM's Just Back From Liberty

Of the five incidents below, three can be considered as somewhat funny because they ended well. But all three could have ended tragically.

While I had the helm in the crowded waters of the Tonkin Gulf, I watched the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA-42 cross our bow dangerous close (at least I thought so), and the FDR's plane guard destroyer make a quick 180 degree turn to stay out of our way. The Connie had the right-of-way as we were launching and recovering aircraft. The Captain guided the officer at con through the ordeal.

We had some wild parties in Yokosuka, Subic Bay, and Hong Kong. Everybody was a hoot. I even ended up back on the ship a couple of times with no memory of what had transpired. I think that I used up my most of life's quota of drinking binges while on WestPac 1966, and was not inclined to drink excessively after I got out of the Navy.

Having a classmate at AC-A School who had already served in the Army and the Air Force before enlisting in the Navy. He also had a nice set of false teeth (in his mouth). After a few pitchers of beer at the Enlisted Club, he took his teeth out, tossed them into a full pitcher and challenged everybody to have a beer. It is amazing how one loses one's good judgment after consuming a few beers with good friends.

I watched a funny looking FG-8 Crusader take off at NAS Miramar one day. It looked odd because the pilot forgot to lower his wings. He flew it around the pattern and landed causing only structural damage to the airplane. I had totally forgotten about this incident but was recently reading old letters that I wrote to my parents while I was in the Navy (over 50 years ago). I mentioned this incident in one of the letters.

Clearing an F-4 Phantom for takeoff on the pilot's FAM-1 flight (first actual flight in the aircraft type and his instructor in the back seat did not have any flight controls). As the F-4 gained speed on the 12,000-foot runway the pilot over-rotated, pulling back on his stick before he has sufficient speed to take off. In the nose high position, the F-4 began to rock left and right repeatedly, the wingtips almost touching the runway each time. Apparently, the instructor pilot had enough because he ejected at ground level and came down safely on the runway. Meanwhile, the student pilot regained control of the airplane, took off and circled in the pattern sans the instructor until the obstruction on the runway was removed. He then landed after his short flight.

 

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?

 
My Grandkids

Separated from the Navy in October 1969, I reported to the California Highway Patrol Academy, Sacramento, on November 17 of the same year. The training lasted about 16 weeks. Prior to graduation, I volunteered for an assignment in Barstow, a town in the Mojave Desert between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The purpose of my assignment there was to fill one of two resident post openings in Amboy, which is located on Route 66 halfway between Barstow and Needles. A classmate and friend volunteered for the other opening in Amboy. We reported to Barstow in March 1970, completed our 30-working day break-in period with a training officer, and were then sent to Amboy; just the two of us. Two rookies up to 80 miles or more from backups and sergeants. We were in a position where we had to learn real fast how to function independent of direct supervision, how to handle the dangerous situations without backup or how to stabilize scenes until help did arrive. We had a very nervous Captain back in Barstow. But we did it very successfully! After a bit more than a year, the resident post was closed, and we were brought back into town to work out of the area office.

I spent 24 years working in the desert. Much of my time was on road patrol, but in 1980 I joined the newly formed helicopter aviation unit based there and for four years I crewed a Hughes 500D as Flight Officer and EMT. We had the best of pilots as the majority of them were Vietnam vets with combat experience. I also served in the office at various staff positions during those years.

In 1994 I transferred to CHP headquarters in Sacramento where I stayed for six years until I retired as a sergeant in 2001.

I went back to college in 1971-72, attending a community college and earning an AS degree in the Administration of Justice with a certificate in Management.

I don't want to forget to mention that I met Kathy, my soon to be wife in Barstow in 1971. Married in 1972 we successfully raised two great children who have provided us with three wonderful grandchildren!

My post-retirement activities include a second AS degree, this time for Mill Cabinet. I built much of the furniture in our house. I had a boat for several years and enjoyed fishing all over northern California. I am currently operating a home-based business taking and selling railroad and fine art photography.

 

What military associations are you a member of, if any? What specific benefits do you derive from your memberships?

 

The only military organization that I joined is the USS Constellation CVA/CV-64 Association. I have potential access to former shipmates, the newsletter, and the annual reunions. I hope that one day I will be able to attend a reunion.

 

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your life and your career?

 
Nine Months After the Navy in the Midst of the Mojave Desert on Route 66...

I touched on this topic in previous paragraphs, but my Navy service helped teach me that I could achieve important, life-changing goals. It taught me confidence in myself and helped me deal with the inevitable problems of adult life. The confidence gained in the Navy and the knack for making quick, correct decisions certainly helped my cope in my lifelong career with the California Highway Patrol.

 

Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give to those who have recently joined the Navy?

 

My recommendation to the new or potential recruit would be to your best in whatever you are assigned, make a good impression with your superiors, and study hard and take the tests for promotion to the rate of your choosing. If you stand out as someone who is intelligent, motivated, skilled and hardworking you should be able to look forward to an extremely rewarding career.

 

In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with.

 
TWS and the US Navy

TWS membership has made it possible for me to document my military career in one place; research in my past has brought back many forgotten memories of my time in the Navy. My children and grandchildren can always look to see what their dad and grandpa did with his life. And, I am able to easily look for and reconnect shipmates who are also members.

 
 
 

Get Started On Together We Served

Watch our video and see what TWS is all about
 

 

Connect with TWS On: