Naval Aviation

Just received an email from DS who is on the Reagan doing CQs. He qualled!!!! So excited for him. I am a proud Navy Mom!

I guess DS will find out in the next week or two what he will be doing next. They just had an offer accepted for a house in Anacortes, so it would be nice if he was still at Whidbey.

DS flies the EA-18 growler.

Remembering the sacrifices, especially those in our Naval Aviation community over the past year, this Memorial Day. Thanks to all our service members and their families, may you feel honored & blessed today.  Suzie, I couldn't agree with you more, it is shameful that a large segment of society doesn't really know or care.  We can all be a part of helping to educate the public about the true meaning of Memorial Day.  JudyM-congrats to your DS on making his quals.  We all know that it isn't just luck but countless hours of hard work, training, focus, teamwork and a huge dose of courage. My DS says that maintenance has really slowed down the training at Lemoore and his CQs may be bumped back to December!  He wishes he could come to Brazil with his wife and I, leaving tonight to watch my youngest play for the US National DIII college women in a pre World Cup goodwill tour of Brazil.  We will be meeting Capt. Barbosa (seriously) of the Brazilian Navy on Wed. in Sao Paolo then next week will get a tour of the Brazilian Navy base in Rio.  Tchau!

Today is the day I remember my father explaining why we fly our flag. I don't think I understood until I was much older the reason's he was so passionate about it.  I gave our children the same talk.  Look where that got them:)  Happy Memorial Day to all.  God Bless our Nation. 

Good luck with the move Nancy.  Let us know if you hear anything about the fund for the Marine's family.  I'm sure it was a hard weekend for them.  

We've been working on our house, getting it ready for a daughter's wedding.  My greenroom is overflowing with plants I started early so they might be flowering by solstice.   She wants a garden wedding three weeks after the last frost date.  So we're going for it.  Luckily the sun is out about eighteen hours now.  I just wish my son could come.  I did get a call from him this weekend when they made a port call.  

Welcome Marian (Frank's Mom).  Let us know if you have any questions.  These ladies are a wealth of information and support.  

We were blessed to see our DS and his sweet wife for Memorial Day.  I was quite surprised when he drove up and had a mustache!  He is bouncing for his carrier quals and he told us it is tradition to grow a mustache until after qualification.  I'm glad they have some fun with it!

Welcome ashleighj!  Let us know if there is something we can help you with?  I am only a couple hours away from you is Sacramento. 

Any moms in Houston area?

I live in The Woodlands!    

Well said Suzie.  It is absolutely appalling.  My heart goes out to the families that lost their LOs in the search.

I agree...well said Suzie.  I am still grateful that he is out of harm's way and that his family can have some relief from the constant worry.  I too feel so sorry for those that were impacted by his actions and the decisions made by our authorities.  I know that I don't have all the details and shouldn't judge.  I can only pray for all involved.

On another note...DS leaves today for carrier quals.  Talked to him last night.  He really sounded rather calm about it and is just ready to do it.  He was more worried about the truck engine problems that he is dealing with.  

He laughed about the fact that the Navy didn't tell him til yesterday that he was flying a jet out and so he didn't get to pack out his stuff on the container beforehand.  So, they attach a container (I can't remember the acronym) but he says it's the equivalent of putting the car top carrier on your car.  The IPs joked that you have to be careful when landing so that your underwear isnt strewn about the end of the runway.  I will be biting my nails until I hear that he is finished.  

CheriH, agreed.  

Good luck with carrier quals, such an exciting and nerve-wracking time!  That was one of the best calls from DS ever!!  The Navy is funny with all their last minute notices, pack or don't pack, etc.  LOL on the undies comment!

My DS is still doing sims with no F-18s in sight.  A long waiting list ahead of him on the west coast, they keep saying more jets will be available soon.  We'll see.  This is a beautiful part of the country though and, other than the delays, it has been a far better assignment than we all thought it would be.  

As D-Day approaches hugs and warm thoughts to all the service men and women and their families for the important work they do and the love and support that awaits back home!

Just got the text:  "Safe on deck in Jax.  Carrier Qualified!"  This Momma is breathing again. 

CheriH,

Congratulations!!  Best day!!

CheriH....Its good news.  I know your day will be a good one.

Cheri, I really know the feeling. Mine did his CQs over Memorial Day. I was nervous until I heard from him.

Good evening ladies.  My DS called today to tell me my favorite poem:  "Hi Mom, I'm safe and sound and on the ground!"  Needless to say I was thrilled (as usual) to hear both from him and the poem.  He's in training on the F18 and had his first flight this week.  When I told him I was surprised he didn't call right after the flight, he said there was a small issue that delayed him.  Seems he g-locked for during the flight, but he was with an instructor so it was all fine.  His g-suit wasn't hooked up properly. Needless to say my heart first jumped to my throat, rapidly followed with a prayer thanking God he wasn't alone. If he hadn't been the one telling me that, I think I would have fainted.
Just like the ups and downs of ocean waves, the Navy guarantees many ups and downs during this journey, and as moms of pilots we all pray for safety both ways!  Have a great day ladies!

He's at Oceana, Suzie. And I am endlessly grateful he wasn't alone!

NOAM, Glad to hear he's "safe and sound."  My son also had his first F-18 flight yesterday at Oceana; needless to say we were all excited it went well.

Judi.....Yes, it is indeed a small world.

Ok...question.  What is a 4 ship night flight and what is NATOPS?  

Heard all about the carrier quals from DS yesterday.  Absolutely amazing to hear him describe trapping and catapulting.  Best part was he loved it and wanted to do it again!  Next up Basic Fighter Maneuvers.  And then winging!!!

JudyM...love the D-Day Growler/LSO story.  

And it is wonderful to hear all of your news and LO's accomplishments.  Love reading all of it!

Thanks ladies!

Soft winging today; ceremony next Friday for our NFO! 

Yet another ending/beginning.on his incredible journey with the Navy.  :-)

Congratulations, Whitney. It's nice that you won't have to move for the next round. Good luck to your husband with helos, too.

Rose, enjoy the winging. It's an incredible time after all their hard work. Where  is your NFO headed? What type of plane? My DS called from Hong Kong last night. It's hard to believe his three years in Japan are almost up.

He'll be headed to Nevada next; official orders just came through although we knew that's where he was going. He'll be a specialist instructor at the Naval Air Warfare center (i.e., Top Gun), but I don't quite get what his "specialty" will be. Upside is that he says it's a dream job; downside is that he's already been at TG twice and knows that Fallon is pretty desolate. Anyone have someone who's been stationed there?

I'm just looking forward to having him in the States! Best of all, he'll be home for Christmas. It will sure beat forward deployment.

Congrats Whitney!  Milton is a nice base.  

We got the official winging invite!  Really gonna happen.  Anybody have any clues when they find out about their next assignment?  Is it before winging?

Thanks for your greetings.  Today our NFO found out his selection: NAS Oceana (so, Super Hornets).  Exactly what he (and the rest of us) had hoped for his FRS assignment. 

:::: happy dance ::::

Congrats Rose!  Our DS had is first super hornet solo today.  He sent us a picture and his smile is as wide as his helmet! :-)

Nancy - hate when we miss those texts or calls; timing is everything for sure.  Best of luck these next few weeks - sounds like your plate is loaded.

Congrats Whitney!  Always nice to have a little more time in one location.  Our DS knows he won't stay where he is after his training, so he hopes to experience some military stability in a few months.

Have a great weekend ladies!

Thanks, Suzie.  He is heading to NAS Oceana, probably by the end of July.  But, we all know about Navy time... better not to plan until orders are in hand.  And even then, still expect changes!  ;-)

Soooo happy for you Sheila!  What a great way to start the 4th of July weekend!

Suzie...love the display!  What a great idea.  And sounds like you had a great time!  

We're coming up on winging.  He's finishing up BFM flights.  He was supposed to come this next weekend for my mom's 80th birthday.  But they've been delayed due to weather, etc, so they are sending them to El Centro with the WEPS det because all the IPs are going.  So, no b-day.  Hope they make it back in time for winging!

How is everyone in Kadena?  We are worried about the typhoon.  Any news?