Does anyone remember?

I caught a Facebook post by a friend about the Mohammed Ali versus Ken Norton fight in Zaire today. It seems that today is the 40th anniversary of this "significant" event.

Forty years ago, I was serving aboard USS Independence CV-62 on my first overseas deployment to the Mediterranean Sea/Sixth Fleet.

On 8 September 1974, TWA Flight 841 went down in the Ionian Sea to the West of Greece. The entire Task Force was directed to assist in the Search and Recovery.........................I was three days shy of turning 20 at the time. We had already covered the evacuation of the US Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. Does anyone remember?

Seems that the PLO or some other terrorist organization had put a bomb aboard TWA 841 and it went in. The speculation continues to this day about who is actually responsible.

We did as we were supposed to do.................
About 36 hours mostly dead in the water..................the ship held position into the wind for helicopter operations.....................

I was in line at the forward chow hall/bomb assembly area when a bomb elevator came down...............................on it were two Stokes Stretchers with body bags....................
Impact. It is still with me to this day.
The one had a child's toy on it........................

Today, I say Shepard Smith on Fox News and one of Mohammed Ali's daughters having a love fest about how awesome the draft dodging scum bag was.........................

I still remember when Ali refused to show after receiving his draft notice and making it a big deal because of who he was................................
I remember the Vietnam War from TV news and the fact that I had a Draft Lottery Number in the last draft.......................................I still enlisted in the Navy.

I have done more in a single fucking day than Mohammed Ali and his entire family have done in their collective lives for this country that I love.

The fucker gets a pass? Jeebus! I am sorry that he has Parkinson's. My Great Aunt Serina had it as well. She still loved good Canadian Whiskey and taught school for many years.

Oh Yeah. My lottery number in the 1973 Draft was 334, if memory serves. I still enlisted.

Mohammed Ali and the rest of his enablers and entourage can go to hell....................Just sayin.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TWA_Flight_841_(1974)

Piper Olivia-Halloween Costume

Just in from the Youngest Daughter!
Pictures of the Youngest Granddaughter in her Halloween Costume!

Update: Plane Crash at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport-Close to Home

I received a text from the Youngest Daughter this AM.
A plane, a Beechcraft King Air, crashed into the Flight Safety Facility at the Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kansas. She is about 1/4 mile from the accident site. I used to work at Bombardier-Learjet to the West of Flight Safety.
I will simply link to Wichita TV stations. They will have continuing coverage on this available.
So far there are 2 dead and 5 injured according to KAKE 10, 2 dead, 4 injured and 5 missing according to KWCH 12.
http://www.kake.com/home/headlines/Mid-Continent-plane-crash-280929562.html

http://www.kwch.com/news/national/report-plane-hits-building-at-kansas-airport/29430118

The Youngest Daughter just called. She and her co workers watched the King Air go in.
After the ATAC Hawker Hunter going in at Point Mugu...............................I guess the bad stuff comes in bunches.
Update to the story.
KSN TV has some pictures of the accident at the following link:
http://interactives.ksn.com/photomojo/gallery/14945/277871/plane-crashes-at-wichita-airport/seen-from-the-air/
This is the first photo from the above link.

USS Gerald R. Ford CVN-78. Life on a Carrier has changed..........................A lot.

The times have definitely changed.

The Old Retired Petty Officer would gladly go to sea on a ship such as this, even at my slightly advanced age................

I did six deployments on Independence, Ranger and Kitty Hawk. I also made a long work up on Nimitz and The Shakedown of George Washington, the last was just over 22 years ago.

Creature comforts were not a major consideration in those days. Not by a long shot.

Cold Showers that left one smelling like jet fuel. Long chow lines(until I made PO1). There were times when the Standard Navy Box Lunch was a main meal when working the Flight Deck. 

Yes, I would go to sea on this fine ship.................Give me a fast ship, a star to steer her by and send her in Harm's Way..........................

The Sea was my home and always will be.

Thanks to Blog Bud Arthur Barie for the link and the story. Damn, he did good.

Launched in November 2013, the ship is coming to life. The crew had accepted 675 of 2,700 spaces from shipbuilders, as of the end of September, a tally that grows by about 25 a week. Sailors are scheduled to start moving aboard in 2015, with sea trials a year later.

Navy Times recently spent a day with the Ford’s builders, leaders and crew to get their thoughts on life aboard the next-generation flattop. While the Ford still has many hurdles to surpass before its 2016 sea trials, the crew gave their ship high marks, with some saying the smaller berthings and shorter chow lines meant that sailors could live more like chiefs

http://www.navytimes.com/interactive/article/20141013/NEWS04/310130026/Crew-s-ship-Sailors-comfort-centerpiece-new-supercarrier-Ford

Friday night unwind

I have to work tomorrow. Show time is 0800.
Already Showered and Shaved.
I am trying the Beck's Sapphire for the first time.
I like it.
It has a nice almost spicy hint with no bite.
The Garcia and Vega is quite nice as well.

Strange and Funny News: 44,000 Lbs. Of Miller High Life Beer Stolen In Florida

This one is a laugh.
I do confess that at one time, I did drink Miller High Life.............
Stone.
Firestone Walker.
Mendocino.
Sierra Nevada.
Oceanside Ale Works.
Ballast Point.
Mammoth.
These I would cry great big crocodile tears over..............
But it is a funny article anyway.
44,000 Lbs. Of Miller High Life Beer Stolen In Florida « LIVE 105

Good Bye, Old Friend

Seems that another part of my life as it were, is now gone to the history books....................
The Most Venerable and Dependable LTV A-7 Corsair II is no longer in service.
The Hellenic Air Force today retired the last of The Corsairs.............
Yes, I did get a bit teary eyed.
Agreed, my tour in the Argonauts of Attack Squadron One Four Seven was fairly short..............I was still a Corsair Maintainer. That can never be taken away from me.
Not ever.
To all of us who turned the wrenches, chased the wires and hung the bombs..................
Clay Donaldson, Mike Williams, Tim Lobretto, Curtis Cain..........................and the others I knew.....That piece of our lives is gone.

The New Argonauts

New Flavor

Another surprise from the folks at Sierra Nevada Brewing.
This is very tasty!

The Ten Best KOSHER Delis in North America

My Facebook Friend, Melissa out of Chicago had this one up today. It is a slow day as there was some digestive issues and such this morning very early. It is nice that today is a paid holiday for federal employees................................
Only one of them is close and it is in Los Angeles. Two hours or so to LA..................I may have to check out the Pico Kosher Deli!



Deli: Pico Kosher Deli

City: Los Angeles

If you’re looking for one of the best chicken Matzo ball soups in Los Angeles, or have a hankering for an incredible turkey club, then you better check out the Pico Kosher Deli in sunny Los Angeles. The first kosher deli in the city, and around since 1968, Pico’s offers excellent food is made with care that’s been perfected over years.
Dang! That Pastrami Sandwich looks so Delicious!

Mazeltov!

French Air Force celebrates 50th Anniversary of Strategic Air Forces with three stunning special colors

This was at the Aviationist. The colours on these jets are awesome!



French Air Force celebrates 50th Anniversary of Strategic Air Forces with three stunning special colors

Friday night - Saturday morning cigar and beer.

Sam Adams Rebel IPA in a Stella Artois Chalice. A Tuscany from the Vineyard on MCB Camp Pendleton.
Yep. Time to unwind.

Beer and a Good Cigar on the Verandah at Casa de Sharon y Glenn

Found a new Craft Brewery in Temecula.
Garage Brewing Company.
The Pizza is great as well!
Bucket Seat Blonde and a dynamite Maduro.

MCAS Miramar Air Show 2014

It was hot at the Show.
Really Hot. I spent a ton of money on bottled water.
Got three cool T Shirts, a raffle ticket for Royal Enfield Military Motorcycle, A set of cool dog tags with my name and the usual for Missus ORPO.
It was a good day.......I even hung around for the Blue Angels. I haven't watched them fly since I was still in the Navy at NAS Whidbey Island WA.
Without further ado, here are some pictures of the day..............