Tailhook in Colorado!

On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending a Tailhook Association get together at the Wings Over the Rockies Museum here at the former Lowery Air Force Base.

Some of my readers are intimately familiar with Tailhook (many are members themselves) others are somewhat familiar with Tailhook, and yes there are a few whose only knowledge of Tailhook comes from the much maligned, extremely overstated, out-of-hand Tailhook Annual Symposium in 1991 and the ensuing witch hunt.  (and that's all I'm gunna say about that!)

Today's Tailhook Association is alive and well!  It is a well organized professional and historical association for all things Tactical Naval Aviation.  Members of this association are primarily focused on educating those unfamiliar with the History, Pride and Professionalism of Carrier Based naval aviation and encouraging those quite familiar with it... the Aviators, Naval Flight Officers, Air Crew, and yes many civilians like myself with a passion for NAVAIR.

So... Friday's meeting.  Regional chapters in the Tailhook Association are referred to as Ready Rooms, a reference to the briefing rooms on aircraft carriers used by squadron members to prepare for missions, and debrief afterward.  They also serve as the "Administrative" gathering location for the business of the squadron.

The Colorado Ready Room is run by two very nice folks, Kathy and Hans Schmoldt, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time at Friday's meeting.  Very Dedicated! I met some 40 other "very nice folk" on Friday at the Wings Over the Rockies, most who are "Regular Members"  (meaning they have full voting privileges in the association because... They've trapped onboard an Aircraft Carrier in a manner that required the use of a TAILHOOK!  Helicopters do not apply!) I despite being an Associate Member (read potential interloper) and civilian to boot!  Was welcomed with friendly cheer, beer, alligator tail, frog legs, and a good many "There I Was..." tales.  Fun was had by all!

There was one specific conversation had that day, that captured the attention of many of us.  One lady in attendance produced two framed photographs, one of the USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) circa 1948(?) and the other of a early Navy Electronic Warfare Aircraft.  [the aircraft in question turned out to be a Grumman AF Guardian...HT Ken] It turns out she had a box full of memorabilia, all from her deceased husband.  Items ranged from more snapshots of a bygone era, to actual flight headphones, his sword belt and his shoulder epaulettes for all (but his lieutenant) ranks, from Ensign to Captain.  She was unfamiliar with his background, but was now very anxious to learn all she could.  I assisted by explaining how the ranks laid out and what they meant.  Another gentleman assisted in identifying a number of photographs of TBM-3w's and explaining it's mission.  Combined, five or six of us, provided Diane a number of answers she was seeking.  And for many questions which we did not have ready answers for, many of us volunteered to conduct a bit of research and reconnect with her when we learned the answers. 

To me this really exemplified the purpose of Tailhook, helping keep the history of Naval Aviation alive.  So if you've ever had an interest in Naval Aviation and would like to learn more from those who have actually "been there done that" as well as help support good Naval Aviation causes (like the Educational Foundation), I highly recommend you look into joining... Civilians welcomed!  Then if you are in Colorado, come join us at one of the many events put on by the Colorado Ready Room.

Update:  In the comments below, Ken Schoeni alluded to a photo.  Due to Typepad settings he is unable to post it in the comment, so I am posting it here:

Thanks Ken...