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About
Location
Palmdale, CA
Birthday:
July 17
Activity Feed
"The Rota MMF night shift chief was AOC John (Frenchy) LeBlanc. He is on this site, but did not respond to my contact. Not sure if he is still going or not."
"I have been traveling for the past few weeks and wanted to update you on Palmdale, CA.
Palmdale slowed down a lot on the defense contractor side in the early 2000s when the B-2 bomber production run was cut short. The B-1 bomber had been finished…"
Palmdale slowed down a lot on the defense contractor side in the early 2000s when the B-2 bomber production run was cut short. The B-1 bomber had been finished…"
"Welcome aboard Mrs. Wilster. I had the privilege of serving under the Captain when he was XO of RVAH-9 on the 1970 Med Cruise and then in 1971 when he was CO of the squadron when we deployed to Rota, Spain to set up the MMF there for the wing. I…"
"Captain Wilster passed away this past Sunday. Tom Brem sent an email and did not indicate where the Captain passed away at."
"Tom Brem sent out an email today that Captain G.F. Wilster passed away this past Sunday evening in Tenn.
The Captain was the RVAH-9 1970 Med cruise when I met him and you.
Don Stoffel"
The Captain was the RVAH-9 1970 Med cruise when I met him and you.
Don Stoffel"
"You will find Norman "Donnie" Hammock and Michael "Ski" Dombrowski who worked on the night shift in the module repair van are on this website under the Hoot Owl logo. You have to attach yourself to a group on your page to show up under the…"
"Welcome to the group Wes. I will assume you were AQ 3 W B Thompson with RVAH-9 that set up the mobile maintenance facility in Rota, Spain in 1971. The 1971 Hooter newsletter is on the site along with a picture of the van with the guys name on it. …"
"Welcome aboard to a former Hoot Owl. When were you with RVAH-9. We are looking for the Hooter News during the 72-73 deployment in Rota, Spain. If you were with the squadron on the 71 deployment to Rota there is a Hooters Newsletter under postings."
"William:
Welcome aboard to the website. What years did you serve in RVAH-9? I was in the squadron from June 70 to May 73. I did not notice you photos in any of the cruise books that I have that covers those years.
We have been looking for the…"
Welcome aboard to the website. What years did you serve in RVAH-9? I was in the squadron from June 70 to May 73. I did not notice you photos in any of the cruise books that I have that covers those years.
We have been looking for the…"
"David were you an AQB in the squadron on the 70 and 71Med cruises? Welcome aboard."
"Welcome and enjoy the site with other old squadron mates."
"Welcome to the site and enjoy the videos and photos and related comments."
"Not only one of the best Naval officers that I served under, but also one of the finest men that I ever have met. Always enjoyed the time with him when he would explain the various things about Naval aviation to me as a young enlisted guy."
"Welcome to the group and enjoy the photos, comments and the monthly newsletter."
"Welcome to the group and enjoy the old photos, comments and monthly newsletters."
"Welcome to the website and glad you figured out how to attach the hoot owl. We need to get all the old Hoot Owls to joint the RVAH-9 group.
What deployments did you make with the squadron?"
What deployments did you make with the squadron?"
Comments
Mr. Stoffel,
Thanks for the memories of a great squadron and some really great men who made RVAH-9 so significant for me. I enjoyed hearing from you.
The North American ejection seat was not a zero-zero seat; as I recall it needed at leat 100 kts, 100 ft and wouldn't have time if the negative sink rate was too high. It was meant to be a high-speed, high altitude system. The RAN could initiate ejection for himself, but if the Pilot elected to eject, the RAN's seat would go first, and then the Pilot's seat would fire. There was a delay in firing the Pilot's seat, since both seats were rocket-propelled (not a mortar-type charge like the Martin Baker seat) and the delay ensured that the Pilot's rocket didn't burn the RAN.
Glad to see your comments and congratulations on your continued interest in aviation-related subjects. I envy your chance to see the Blue Angels; living in Colorado Springs means we see the Thunderbirds annually, and the Blue Angels never.
Cheers,
Rich
WOW , Three of us swabbies scuba dove at a bay in Mallorca in 65 when the fleet pulled in for ship change of the fleet at the time ! [had fun ] Also was back to a Greek island Kafalonia in 95 for 10 days was great !
Hi Don. It was great to hear from you. I haven't kept with our guys from IMA very well. Last I heard from Joe Ruff was probably 20 years ago and they were living somewhere in PA. I just made contact with Donnie (Norman) Hammock a few months ago and he is Florida. I attended the RVAH reunion in 2003 at Sanford. Got to talk with Chief Hatten and several other older guys. None of the otherguys from the Rota Van Project were there.
You either have a great memory or you kept a diary while we were in Rota. I had forgotten most of the incidents (snafus) that you mentioned. It was frustrating but rewarding.
Hi Don , I lived & worked in Palmdale in early 70's for Lockheed ! Never did find Edwards Airbase , even though the signs pointed to it ? And welcome aboard !!
Welcome Aboard Don!
Terry RVAH-14
Hi Don,
Welcome aboard.
Hoot Hoot
John VAH-9
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