Tailhook Association July 2008 Newsletter
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Tailhook Association Reunion and Symposium

FREE — PBS CARRIER DVD AVAILABLE AT HOOK ’08 — FREE

A PBS film crew embarked in USS Nimitz (CVN-68) for her entire ’05 Persian Gulf deployment. A high-definition (HD) video resulted in a 10-part (one-hour each) series that aired in April, June and July 2008. This character-driven immersion into Nimitz’s ship’s company and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) follows a core group as they deal with the day to day challenges of their demanding duties, vis-a-vis family separation and real-world scenarios.

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) will provide a free DVD of the HD video to all who register and attend Hook ’08 in September in Reno. Visit the CSC booth with the certificate found in your registration bag.
The Tailhook Piggyback Reunion Groups
Tailhook Association Reunion Commemorative Shirts

Shirts-Outer Banks - 100% Egyptian cotton polo with high stitch density for a smoother feel. 50/2 ply yarn. No-curl collar. Dyed-to-match twill tape in neck and side. Natural color locker patch. Three-button placket.

Both men's and women's shirts in Maize and Navy Blue

Men: Med-XXL - 38.95 plus tax and shipping

Women: Small-XL - 38.95 plus tax and shipping

click here to order today
Admin Notes
New Wine Labels Take Flight!

Recently, Garretson Wine Company signed on as a corporate sponsor of The Tailhook Association. Founded in 1956, Tailhook has been recognized internationally as the premier organization for the support of carrier and sea-based aviation. Mat originally became a member of the association back in 1981, and recently wanted to find some way in which the winery could help to support their worthy efforts. After discussing this possibility with the staff and directors of Tailhook, it was decided that we would create a series of wine labels entitled, "Great Aircraft of Naval Aviation".

Each year Mat will release four new labels, each paying tribute to an historically-important aircraft. Each label will be available on both the Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot he produces under the Francis Berwyn Wineworks label (If you're unfamiliar with Francis Berwyn, click here). This year's releases feature the following aircraft:

F6F "HELLCAT" - S-3 "VIKING"

F-14 "TOMCAT" - A-4 "SKYHAWK"

$1 from the sale of each bottle will be donated to The Tailhook Educational Foundation. A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity, the Tailhook Educational Foundation provides educational scholarships to children and grandchildren of both present and former United States Navy carrier aviation personnel.

We hope that you will join us in supporting this very worthy cause. To order these wines, please go to the GWC Shopping Cart. And click on The Tailhook Association to learn more about their efforts!
Naval Order D-Day Monument Dedication

Fellow Companions, if you have not already made your reservations for the Naval Order D-Day Monument Dedication on 27 September, request your favorable consideration in making the trip. For the past three years, this project has taken "center stage" and now is the time to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Dedication planning continues and the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Honorable Gordon England, has the date circled on his calendar. Historic Tours, Inc has put together a great program for us starting on the 24th in Paris. Full details on the tour and other information is available on our National Web-site www.navalorder.org. Just go to the top right side on click on the D-Day Monument icon for all the details and reservations forms. See you in Paris!

A-4 TAILHOOKS FOR SALE

The Most Collectible Piece of Aviation Memorabilia in the World. It sure beats that wooden imitation propeller. Brand New - Museum Quality. It's the Real McCoy, NOT a replica. Add it to your "I Love Me Wall," Hang it over your mantle, use it as a foot-rail for your bar or conversation piece for your office . Tell your wife you want it for Christmas.

  • Original Gov't purchase price $5342 - Discount Price $1999
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  • Phone: (212) 737-1224
  • Email: waynemolnar@attg.net
Naval Aviation News Update

080708-N-1974P-001 PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (July 08, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) departs Pearl Harbor to participate in Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2008. RIMPAC is the world's largest multinational exercise and is scheduled biennially by the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Participants include the United States, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Walter Pels (Released)
080628-N-7883G-064 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 28, 2008) Adm. Timothy J. Keating, right, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, acts as a landing signal officer (LSO) on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). LSOs are naval aviators who observe landing aircraft and communicate with the pilots to help safely land the aircraft. Kitty Hawk will be taking part in the 'Rim of the Pacific' exercise off Hawaii in July with units from Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. This will be Kitty Hawk's last exercise before returning to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau (Released)
080628-N-7883G-093 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 28, 2008) Adm. Timothy J. Keating, head of the U.S. Pacific Command, acts as a landing signal officer (LSO) as a Strike Fighter Squadron 192 F/A-18C Hornet lands on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). LSOs are naval aviators who observe landing aircraft and communicate with the pilots to help safely land the aircraft. Keating and 20 other guests toured the ship. Kitty Hawk will be taking part in the 'Rim of the Pacific' exercise off Hawaii in July with units from Australia, Chile, Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, South Korea, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. This will be Kitty Hawk's last exercise before returning to the U.S. mainland for decommissioning in early 2009. Kitty Hawk will be replaced by USS George Washington (CVN 73) this summer as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier operating from Japan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kyle D. Gahlau (Released)
080630-N-5961C-002 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) steams off the coast of the Philippine Island of Panay preparing to launch helicopters assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 to deliver food and water to remote locations hardest hit by Typhoon Fengshen. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call (Released)
The Tailhook Educational Foundation Scholarship Grant Awardees
Headquarters Contacts

Executive Director: JR Davis - Phone (858) 229-6389, e-mail: jrdavis@tailhook.net

The Hook Magazine: Phone (858) 689-9227, e-mail: thookassn@aol.com

  • Editor: Dennis Irelan
  • Managing Editor: Jan Jacobs
  • Archivist: Doug Siegfried

Hook Reunion Coordinator (Marc Ostertag): tag@tailhook.net, (800) 322-4665

The Tailhook Educational Foundation (CFC #10251): (800) 269-8267

The Tailhook Ship’s Store: (800) 322-4665

Tailhook Web site: http://www.tailhook.org or http://www.tailhook.net