Pierside – Black Lions, Episode 2: Safety Wire Pliers

The celebration of the Navy’s 250th birthday continues as the odyssey continues! My skills and qualifications to maintain F-14 Tomcat develop to near-perfection with the help and guidance of my fellow Black Lions. Come aboard for a look at the tools we used to keep this magnificent aircraft flying, the certifications we had to obtain … Continue reading Pierside – Black Lions, Episode 2: Safety Wire Pliers

Coming this September!

This September you are cordially invited to step aboard the flight deck of a United States aircraft carrier! Share in the danger, excitement, and adventure of the airdales who wielded the mighty F-14 Tomcat against those who threatened America’s shores. This September, walk in the footsteps of the fearsome and legendary world-famous fighting Black Lions! … Continue reading Coming this September!

On the Waterfront – Sailing Into History: Dolphins in the Midst

On the Waterfront – Sailing Into History: Dolphins in the Midst (Pensacola, Florida; April 26, 2022) – The ex-USS Ponce (LPD 15) has arrived at her final berth in Texas at the scrapper’s yard. So, it’s time for another ‘On the Waterfront’ sea story about the Proud Lion and the adventures of her intrepid crew, … Continue reading On the Waterfront – Sailing Into History: Dolphins in the Midst

Veteran Talk – Twenty Years Later

(Niceville, Florida; 11 September 2021) – Twenty years ago today I was standing on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as we spun up the Tomcats of VF-213 for a routine day of flying over the Arabian Sea. One of our civilian tech reps had a small camera and waved to me, … Continue reading Veteran Talk – Twenty Years Later

Travel Log: Wings of Gold, Part 2

(Niceville, Florida; June 19, 2021) – The United States Navy is attracted by the same warm, sun-washed weather and smooth beaches of Florida that lures tourists to the Sunshine State every year. These environmental conditions led Naval Air Station Pensacola to become the center of naval aviation training, boasting not only a first-rate facility for … Continue reading Travel Log: Wings of Gold, Part 2

On the Waterfront – A Tale of a Great Enterprise

(Silverdale, Washington; Oct. 15, 2020) – The retired aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) had a profound affect on my time at sea, and her deactivation in 2012 foretold my own retirement from the Navy in 2017. Pretty heavy stuff, especially considering I never once set foot aboard her! I joined the Navy to go … Continue reading On the Waterfront – A Tale of a Great Enterprise

Photo Finish – Military Aviation

Today's Photo Finish is a look at ten of my favorite captures of military aviation that I shot during my Navy career. My first five years in the Navy were spent directly in naval aviation as part of two squadrons. Later changes to various career paths took me off the flight deck, but I still … Continue reading Photo Finish – Military Aviation

Travel Log: The Lions Have Met

(Nov. 22, 2017) The Lions have Met. From 2000 – 2012 I was on operational sea duty orders for the first time. I was attached to the Black Lions of VF-213 working on reconnaissance cameras and laser targeting systems aboard the F-14D Tomcat. Years later I reported to my second operational assignment: sea duty aboard … Continue reading Travel Log: The Lions Have Met