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Let us never forget the
men and women and their families who defend
our freedom. 

 

 

 

Heavy Attack Squadron Two

"I WAS A SAILOR ONCE.
I WAS PART OF THE NAVY;
THE NAVY WILL ALWAYS BE PART OF ME."

 

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HEAVY ATTACK SQUADRON TWO

READY ROOM

 

The Glory days of the Skywarrior

Sent in by Bill Stearns

 

2012 Reunion  

The consensus at the final breakfast meeting of Reunion 2010 at Monterey  was; we should consider the East Coast as the venue for Reunion 2012.  To that end Team East headed up by Des and Tibby Coffee and assisted by Matt and Judy Gardner and Bill and Irene Sterns is taking shape and is beginning the process of exploring options.  Given the fact that Des and Tibby reside in New Hampshire and Matt and Judy live in Maine , New England is being given top consideration.  Thanks to our high tech world Bill and Irene are integral members of the team and will have no problem supporting the effort from their Maryland home.

 

Some preliminary thoughts for the reunion itself:

 

Ř      Time Frame:  Late September or early October so those interested in combining the reunion with a little leaf peeping can do so.  The color starts in the north about mid September and the line is normally down to mid New Hampshire , Vermont and Maine by the second week of October. 

 

Ř      Possible locations:  Portsmouth , NH ; Concord , MA ; and Boston .  All three areas have associated military facilities, are rich in history and abound in things to keep us occupied. 

 

So pencil in your calendars, work up an appetite for lobster and clam chowder and stay tuned form more information as it becomes available.  And if you have any thoughts or inputs, they will be most welcome.  Just forward them to me at 2shotlatte@comcast.net.

 

Des Coffee

MONTEREY CALIFORNIA REUNION

Pictures are posted - Check out Monterey Reunion. (Click Here) 
 

Whidbey Whalers,

 

Monetary News:

Congratulations Whidbey!  You have surpassed the $50,000 mark and essentially have the money to prep an A-3 for flight, pay for the fuel and crew, and pay for the de-mil at Whidbey (depending on the aircraft condition).  Attached are the donations and expenses to date.  We had a huge donation from “Island Thrift” of $10,000 and an additional $15,000 from Whalers that served at Whidbey.  I’ve got to say that I’m very impressed with the Heavy organization in coming together so quickly to display a Whale at Whidbey Island NAS.  You have surpassed the VQ guys who raised $40,000 to move 146457 from Rota to Yorktown. 

 There is a lot of work being done by Ralph Estes, Bill Burklow, Jim VanderHeok, Bill Young, Jim Vannice, Lanny Kee and Digger O'Dell, and the other board members.  I can’t understate the amount of work and energy these guys have expended to make this happen.  They have expanded the original goal from $50 K to $100K with the understanding that you have to get the Whale there and then you have to prep the grounds, restore the bird, and display her.

 Aircraft Selection:

Still too early to tell what aircraft will be made available for Whidbey.  However, the end of A-3 flights are upon us and the drawdown of spare A-3’s has begun.  Last month there were (4) A-3’s at Mojave and today there are none, the parts warehouse there was also emptied and scrapped.  One jet was picked up by Castle and reportedly (1) nose section was sent to Pensacola.  Remaining are (4) flyers and (4) non-fliers at Van Nuys, CA.  It is just a theory but  I assume that there will be a decision on what critical flight testing remains; some A-3’s would be set aside to fill that role, the other fliers would be allocated to a museum and the non-fliers will be scrapped (essential parts retained to support fliers).  The one thing we do know at this time is that NMNA has Whidbey at the top of the list when an A-3 becomes available.

Other news:

Please take care of our corporate donors.

·         Island Thrift – Donated $10K – I’m not sure what they sell but please make a point to stop in, shop, and say thanks

·         Flyer’s Brew Pub – You have to stop there and have one of their "Whale Golden Ale" beers!

·         Corey Propane – Not sure if they fill regular backyard grills but if they do, that’s where I’d get my propane 

Web Sites:

http://a3skywarriorforwhidbey.ning.com/

http://www.a3skywarrior.com/

As Ralph says… If you have received this note in error, I apologize, send money anyways.

Mark Swisher

4225 Inspiration Dr

Benbrook, TX 76126

A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation

The return of the “Whale” to Whidbey Island is about to happen.  My name is Bill Burklow and I am the Public Relations representative for the A-3 Skywarrior Whidbey Memorial Foundation.  We are looking for volunteers to help us achieve this historic event for all those who flew and maintained these aircraft.  We are planning a static display and memorial walkway from the Chief’s Club parking lot down to the static display site (corner of Langley Blvd and Ault Field Rd, the old Red Cross Bldg site).  We plan to honor those past squadrons who flew the whale and who they are now currently at NAS Whidbey Island.  We are just now in the planning and fund raising stages.  We would appreciate any input and help we can get from your organization.  We are to be assigned one of the last remaining flyable aircraft from Raytheon thru the Naval Museum in Pensacola, Fl perhaps as early as June 2010.  Our goal is to have this plane fly in, placed on display and dedicated by the 100th birthday of Naval Aviation in 2011.  I am attaching a couple of press releases.  All fund donations are being accepted through the A-3 Skywarrior Association at their website, www.a3skywarrior.com just click on “Whidbey Project”.  Below are the foundation’s current members.  Want to help, please contact us for more information and join us in the fun.

 

Ralph Estes, Chairman                           d7sus4@msn.com
Bill Burklow , Public Relations                 bburklow@ix.netcom.com
Bill Young, Advisor                                 capthawk@whidbey.net
Jim VanderHoek, Advisor                       Ferret@whidbey.net
Jim Vannice, Advisor                             jimme22@verizon.net
Al Archer Committee                              a3dskywarrior7@gmail.com
Lanny Kee, Committee                           minimech@pioneernet.net
Digger O’Dell, Committee                       diggero@dishmail.net
 
Best Regards,
Bill Burklow
360-240-1994
360-969-0445 (cell)
Notes from the Foundation

"Whidbey Whalers,  

Congratulations!  You have raised over $25,000 so far, we were just $157 shy so I kicked in $200 on behalf of the A-3 association to get us over that milestone.  However, the guy that took us over the $20,000 mark was  Capt William Young who chipped in five grand and then the hardwork, presentation efforts, and charter member pitch brought an additional five grand in from all around Whidbey.  I’ve got to say that I’m very impressed with the Heavy organization in coming together so quickly to display a Whale at Whidbey Island NAS.  You are right on the tail of the VQ guys who raised $36,000 to move 146457 from Rota to Yorktown. 

 Unfortunately, the cost target is shifting slightly with the news that the NavAir/Raytheon bailment agreement is up in May 2010.  This means we have just two months to have funds for fuel, maintenance, crew costs and etc for a one time flight to NAS Whidbey.  It appears that we now have the money for fuel and crew costs covered, depending on the aircraft selected by NMNA/NAVAIR/NAVICP for Whidbey will determine how much more is needed for flight prep.  Our estimate is that we would need up to $50,000 to cover all of the prep and transportation expenses…Hopefully we get a current flier like 144865 and costs would be lower.

There is a lot of work being done by Ralph Estes, Bill Burklow, Jim VanderHeok, Bill Young, Jim Vannice, Lanny Kee and Digger O'Dell, and the other board members as the date draws nearer so please support (again in 2010) to help make this dream come true.

 

PRESS RELEASE 

Oak Harbor , Washington                         12 October 2009  

NAS Whidbey Island has requested an A3 Skywarrior for public display.  In  support of this project the local Whidbey Island A3 Skywarrior Memorial Foundation is developing plans to successfully obtain, refurbish and display the aircraft.

The Memorial Foundation is heading a fund drive in support of the Skywarrior

acquisition and display.  The A3 Skywarrior Association is accepting tax-free donations in support of this project.  The donation form can be found at the A3 Skywarrior Association web site at www.A3SkywarriorAssociation.com  under “Whidbey Project”.  Forms are also available at the NAS Whidbey Island Command Display at Bldg 12 on the Sea Plane base.

The Douglas Skywarrior was the primary nuclear delivery aircraft in the late 50’s and 60’s, and was the largest aircraft to operate from Navy Carriers.  Aircraft from Whidbey Island supported the Pacific Fleet as the mission expanded to include aerial refueling and electronic warfare.  Other versions of the Skywarrior provided Electronic Surveillance, Electronic Countermeasures and Photo Reconnaissance missions worldwide.

The addition of a Skywarrior display would fill an important chapter in the history of the Naval Air Station.  This aircraft provided the emphasis to keep the air station open as a key part of the Pacific Fleet support when they were first assigned here in the mid 1950’s.  The foundation is formed to see that the aircraft on display is a memorial to the men and women who served in the support of Navy Skywarrior missions worldwide.

Local information can be obtained at the NAS Whidbey Island Command Display

or contact:

Ralph Estes at d7sus4@msn.com

Jim VanderHoek at Ferret@whidbey.net

 

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