Naval Aviation

For Moms with Aviators or anyone interested
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  • Helomom

    Good morning everyone! Today helo son and family arrive for summer vacation. This is the best part of his current assignment as student at the War College, he has most of the summer off. They will be here for three weeks! Our local grandsons are soooo excited to see their cousins. It's been a little over a year since everyone was together. Next weekend we have my husband's family arriving for a family reunion. Going to be a fun time here on Puget Sound. Right now the weather forecast is perfect. Summer weather started yesterday as usual.
  • JudyM

    Husband and I are watching a mini series on the Military Channel called At Sea. It really goes in depth on all types of ships and aircraft. I have learned something.

  • AH

    My DS was to do a flyover at the All Star Home Run Derby in KC this evening.  ESPN didn't show it.  Don't they know what is important?  He didn't find out about it until yesterday afternoon.  I got a photo from the field this morning with a message, "Guess who is doing a flyover tonight?"  Darn, I thought I would get to see him.  Oh well.

     

  • lou2949

    AH......I saw the flyover on Fox News about 45 min. ago. It was awesome.....gave me chills.....what an experience an honor....congrats to your son and your family!
  • AH

    Double Darn.   I'll try Fox News adn see if they show it again. 

  • AH

    Suzie, Thank you for the photo. Better than not getting to see anything at all. I'll check on YouTube and see if I can find anything in a few days.

  • TennMom

    DS was out on the Stennis doing CQ's last week, they finished July 3rd.  Had July 4th off, back in sims the 5th and got orders to be in Japan before July 19th.  I was hoping to get to California to see him before he goes.  Well, as usual with the Navy he found out yesterday that his flight is TODAY.  He doesn't even have time to do his pack out.  Hopefully one of his roommates can get it done for him. I am so upset that I cant see him before he goes (we haven't seen him since Christmas).  These pilots train for 3 years with no time off and cant even take leave at the end of training.  Wow, I am one sad, disappointed Mom.

    So, here is my question....when is a good time to travel to Japan?

  • gonavymom

    TNnavymom:  My mom was born & raised in Japan and I still have all of her family there so I have visited often.  The summer months can be uncomfortably hot & humid, esp. in Okinawa or on Kyushu where Sasebo is located and the winters can be bitterly cold at times.  I was there in March and it was very cold.  Spring and fall are the best times to visit.  My mom always loved visiting in October the best.  The maple leaves are beautiful and the weather is very comfortable.  Regardless of when you decide to go, you will not find gentler, humbler or more hospitable people anywhere on the planet.  I think it is the safest place in the world to visit.

    I just returned from a visit to DS in Kingsville.  I met many of the Navy wives who came over to help his fiancee assemble their wedding invitations.  Two of them brought over their babies including a beautiful 2 mo old girl that I got to "grandma" all evening. I loved to see how they support & help each other. I wonder if any of them are related to any of you?  DS had a XC and flew a T-45 to a private terminal at the San Antonio airport & we got to watch him bring it in. His fabulous instructor let me climb aboard & check out the cockpit-so much fun!

  • CheriH

    Congrats pedsdoc on the wedding...so glad it was beautiful and fun.  The reception spot sounds fantastic!  We just got the professional photos back from our son's wedding and it was such fun to re-live it through the pics.  The day goes by so fast you can hardly take it all in.  

  • ulua

    Hello! I am new to the group, DS in CC a few months.  Its great to find moms to relate to.  I am a northern CA mom, hope to find other aviation moms in the area.

  • ulua

    Thanks nancy! My DS finished API and is a few months into primary at CC.  I appreciate the links, great info on the progression of training.  plus its nice to expand my view,  see what the future may hold. Congrats on your son's accomplishments, wow!  Does anyone have any tips/suggestions for keeping your LOs spirits up? I've sent a couple of care packages but I'm sure there are much more creative moms out there. Thanks for the warm welcome!

     

     

     

  • Paymaster

    Welcome uluasunset!  Just sent you a friend request.  Just live the next county over. There are a couple of us Aviation Mom's close to you.

     

    We are having a working get together on July 28th to make pillowcases for the Wound Warrior project, please join us.  You don't have to sew to come.  Lots of the mom's don't sew, but come and help out or just come and cheer us on. 

     

    Look forward to hearing from you:)

  • Dawn

    Uluaset do you remember e name of the book you are talking about on naval aviation? My son graduates from OCS in two weeks and that would be a great additional present to get him.
  • Dawn

    Chris I am from Iowa, come to Mineapolis frequently for work! My son is just ready to finish OCS
  • lou2949

    Welcome to all the new members on this site.....I haven't posted much for a while either.....been a very busy time for a while but am so happy for all the wingings, weddings, etc......so much is always going on with our LO's......my DS recently deployed for a long one....longest in a decade so they say. Made a port call and was robbed while he nd his friends were all sleeping...hesitate to say where this happened but a few rooms were robbed the same night...the gutsy thieves came through from the roof onto their balcony into their rooms....iPads, wallets, cameras were stolen. My son had his iPad taken which was in the bottom of his bag near his bed so they rifled through the bag to find it....very creepy.....James Bond style of robbery......his wallet and camera were in his pockets so they were safe.....doors were locked so who would have thought this would happen....On a brighter note, DS is going to propose to his girlfriend when he returns from deployment and after he asks her dad for his blessing.....we are thrilled to say the least....I so love reading about everyone's accomplishments and the good and not so good in the lives of the families who have raised these amazing young men and women...I feel so blessed....
  • lou2949

    Dawn....where in Iowa are you.....my daughter, son in law and 2 grandsons are in the DES Moines area......they are both Iowa State graduates..we are in the Chicago area....
  • Dawn

    Lou. Iowa City area
  • lou2949

    I drive through there very often on the way to visit daughter and her family.....maybe we can meet for lunch sometime......
  • ulua

    Hi Dawn, the posting re: the book and model planes came from Nancy W.  I agree, sounds like a great gift. Hope to find out where to shop for them!

    It is a little surreal to be here, among you amazing moms, reading your stories.  Thanks again for the kind welcome.  I am in the beginning phase, post OCS excitement, homesick for my kid in primary, on the first climb of that 'rollercoaster' ride that is the Navy.  So glad you are here!

     

  • Paymaster

    ulussunset.....One of my favorite things to do is buy a puzzle of a subject that I know my pilot likes (about 300 pieces).  Take it out of the box and send it to him.  It makes it a bigger challenge to have to put it together the puzzle when you don't have the picture to guide you. 

  • Dawn

    Lou that sounds like a good idea
  • Dawn

    http://www.flynavybook.com/

    This may be the book
  • AH

    Hey Moma.  Just asking for a couple of prayers for our horse, Jose'.  Waited all day for the vet to get there, but it seems like he may have a crack in one of the bones in his leg.  He's in a bunch of pain right now.  We are waiting for the vet to review the x-rays on his computer to know if he will have to have a cast.  We are hoping for ligament torqueing which still may need a cast, but better than a fracture.  Let DS know and even though he hasn't been around on a regular basis for almost 7 years, but I know that he still loves the big guy, even though he is actually his Dad's horse, but such a character that you can't but love him. 

     

    Suzie, I uploaded the photo you sent me to my phone on DS's flyover at the Home Run Derby and showed it to the Vet who has following DS's exploits since he was 16.  Thank you so much for finding it. 

  • Paymaster

    Welcome navym46

  • JudyM

    uluasunset, sorry I am late with the welcome, we were out of town. My DS is at Kingsville and he has said that CC was the greatest amount of studying. It really takes family support.  All the N4M members are here to help and listen. They are an awesome group.

  • ulua

    thankyou JudyM!

    We are lucky to be heading down to CC to visit next weekend, flying in & out San Antonio, way cheaper for some reason.  Thanks all for the postings on what to do when visiting, Anyone with last minute advice?  I know DS schedule will be unpredictable so we'll get in all the visiting we can without detracting from his studies.

    Chris- did your DS & SIL-to-be ever meet up in San Diego? I hope all goes well next month.  Kind of puts arguing over how to cut the pickles at the reception in perspective! (really...that happened, the couple eloped to Lake Tahoe)

    AH- hope your horse is better!

  • ulua

    oops sorry Chris, I meant DD, still learning the acronyms

  • ulua

    So glad its working out, they will have a wonderful reunion today.  The wedding sounds fabulous..  Chex mix and a roasted pig, what a fun party!  Thanks for the restaurant tip, we will look for Docs

  • AH

    Well the news wasn't great.  He does have a fracture/crack and is now in a cast.  Not a happy camper.  He is a pasture horse but now has to be in a enclosure with little area to move on.  They are hoping that he will make a good recovery, if he'll settle down.  After the tranquilizer wore off, he sort of freaked and step down hard on both of my DH's feet.  We are now hoping that none of his toes of feet bones are broken. 

     

    Thank you for all your prayers.  We still need them coming.

  • CheriH

    Chris, so glad that your DD and SIL2B get to spend at least some time together.  It's nice to know that there are COs that go out of their way to encourage family time. I hope your last few weeks of prep time are fun and go smoothly! 

  • AH

  • AH

    The horse is doing better in his enclosure.  No swelling around the cast.  Husband doesn't have any broken bones according to the Dr.  So we are doing better.

     

    Eventually things will be slowing down for me.  I have an insurance adjuster coming tomorrow to assess some damages to our floor from water damages.  Fun and games. 

     

    Chris, so glad that your DS and future SIL got to spend some time together and they have some understanding CO's.

  • Barb

    TNNavy Mom, I read your post last week and it brought tears to my eyes...understood.  Hoping that an overseas family reunion is in your near future!  Here's a virtual hug!

    AH, wonderful picture, what a thrill to know that that is your son up there.  My son is at the beginning stage of Primary at Vance in OK.  We hope that he'll have opportunities like that one day!

    Suzie, YIKES!  Doggone birds.  I'm glad that all went well.  Can't wait to hear about your trip to Enid.  It is surprisingly expensive to get there from here.  Apparently flights to Wichita KS are more reasonable and within the same driving distance as Tulsa or OK City airports.  It's an 18 hour drive so we'd need to take at least two or three days off work to go over a weekend, I think, and that's just not possible for the husband right now.  :(  Enjoy your visit and fill me in!!

  • Helomom

    Happy Tuesday, Moms! We are having a wonderful time with Heloson and his family. I can't believe that next week they go back to Rhode Island, the time is going to fast. We hosted my husband's cousins from Illinois, Nebraska, Alberta, and California for a three day reunion over this past weekend. We grilled a big Pacific Northwest salmon dinner on Friday for everyone (20 of us), our daughter and her husband hosted a big 'ol Armenian BBQ on Saturday night (for 22), and we had everyone to our house for brunch on Sunday (again the 22). Yesterday I drove up to Anacortes with Heloson, our daughter, and the 4 grandkids to visit my parents, Dad is 92 and Mother is 88. We stayed about 5 hours and totally wore them out. I'm back at work today for three days and then we are all, (Heloson and family (4) plus daughter and family (4), going to Lake Chelan in eastern Washington for an extra-long weekend on the lake at our timeshare. Heloson and family head back east next Thursday. FINALLY by having evening access to conversations with Heloson and listening when he talks to everyone, I'm learning what he has been doing and what is coming up. Needed three weeks of daily exposure... They don't share much by nature, I think.
  • CheriH

    Navy wife:  I've been to Texas Aggie football games where they always have a flyover of some sort and there have been several helo flyovers.  They are pretty cool when they do them!  They get to fly lower and you get a better look at them than the jets! So maybe someday you'll get to see one!

  • Paymaster

    Well we got the best news this morning.  Son got SD for 3 years!!!  Driving west as we speak.

  • CheriH

    Congrats Paymaster!  I just love SD.  Hopefully my DS will be there someday.

  • Helomom

    Awesome news, Paymaster! Ours will be there next year for almost 4 yrs. Maybe we will cross paths.
  • ulua

    So happy for you paymaster! Very fun place to be and so close.

    Thanks everyone for the interesting posts & photos, you have such exciting lives, I'm a little boring!  We have a paint contracting business in the university town we live in, painting mostly student housing.  so its work, work, work these next couple of months.  I am excited to go to texas this weekend to see DS. We have one night in San Antonio before we drive down to CC.  I'm hoping to find a great glass of sangria somewhere on the riverwalk.

  • Paymaster

    ulua....the riverwalk is a great place to just hang out.  But it will be hot.

     

    Looking forward to you joining us on the 28th to sew for the Wound Warrior project.  You will get to meet Judy at this gathering also.  Not very often you get three aviation mom's together in the same place without doing a ton of driving.

  • Barb

    Hi Suzie, 

    Just called my son...he said that they didn't even tell some people first, they got home and had a roommate!  He suggested ahrn.com and Craig's List.  Maybe that will give you a head start!  I'll let you know if he gives me any additional info.  He said the AF housing guy on base was NOT very helpful...suggested they try the internet!

  • CheriH

    Praying for them!

  • Barb

    Me too!

  • JudyM

    Me also. When anyone has more info, please post it.

  • Barb

    Kathy B, what a difficult time for everyone.  The squadron, crew and their families are in our thoughts and prayers.  Hang in there.

  • JudyM

    Leslie, great news. Hopefully all will come off smoothly.

  • Paymaster

    I have never seen my son fly either, and more than likely never will.

  • AH

    I erased the post that I was going to post. There have been so many things that have happened this week from horses - yes plural, having problems huubby's feet,  my best friend that has problems, and a  co-worker who passed away.res.  And even with all of this, I know that what I am blessed.  I have a son who is safely in the US right now.  My prayers go out to the families of those in the helicopter crash in Oman.  I also live in Colorado and have seen movies at the theatre where the mass shooting took place.  We had a 6 year old killed by a deranged person.  2 active duty servicemen, 1 Navy and 1 Air Force were killed.  1 former Navy person was killed as well as an AF person (female).  I did not realize it until today, but apparently where my best friend lives, you can hear Revely, Retreat and Taps from Buckley.  This is a big military community that needs our prayers.

     

    And I am asking for more prayers for my best friends daughter, son-in-law and grandson.  Eric is getting ready for deployment to Afghanistan in about a month.  While he has been deployed to Iraq before, little Jordan is now of the age that he knows what could happen to his dad.  A little boy in his 1st grade class this year lost his father and he realizes that his dad is going to a dangerous place.  While he has always been affectionate, when I went over to see him today, he crawled up into my lap and laid his head on my shoulder. He did this several times during the visit.  It just tore at my heart.  It is sometimes so much more difficult for those left behind. 

     

    I hope all of you have a good week.  I also hope that those hoping to see their DS or DD fly get to.  I can honestly say that it is the most exciting thing that I have ever experienced.  I can honestly say that I've teared up each time that I have seen him.    

     

     

  • ulua

    Hello all!

    Rose- wish you safe travels and happy winging!

    Just got back from CC last night. Great to see DS.  Worked in as much visiting as possible between his study hours.  Highlights were Jason's deli (highly rec), open air church for Sunday service on padre island, academy sports store (great workout clothes), and watching the trainers fly from the base entrance on Ocean Ave past Texas A & M.  Tried to get into Doc's restaurant but no go, CC very crowded with vacationers!

    Suzie- worth your drive to go!

    I send my prayers out to help us with our challenges, so many sometimes overwhelming.  All I can conclude is to keep on praying and try to live each day with some measure of purpose and joy, no matter how small.

    thankyou for your friendship!

     

  • ulua

    Chris- those clips always bring tears to my eyes.  I loved the end when they are both smiling into the camera.  They are a beautiful couple.