The Tailhook Association is offering the following incentives for New Active Duty members from today through the reunion.

• Nuggets (first tour JO's): 1 year complementary membership ($45 off 3 year and 5 year membership) + Tailhook T-Shirt
• New Active Duty members: $20 off 1, 3, 5 yr. membership ($25, $100, $190 respectively) + T-Shirt
• Life Membership ($45 off initial down payment)
  • Total cost $750, payable over 4 years (five payments of $150)
• If you are an active duty member and wish to convert to life membership NOW is the time - become a life member and take advantage of this discount.

HOWGOZIT by Rear Admiral David “Deke” Philman, Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N88)

Hello and welcome to the first of what will be a series of regular communications from myself and YOUR OPNAV/N88 Naval Aviation team! Let me begin by thanking ANA for allowing me to address the membership through this column. It is great to be here and I am honored and privileged to serve Naval Aviation in my capacity as the Director, Air Warfare. I intend to use this column in the coming months to inform and share with you our plans for the future of Naval Aviation as we deal with the challenges posed by a budget constrained environment, while concurrently contributing heavily to our ongoing operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

First, let me extend my since thanks and appreciation to my two predecessors, RADM “Mad Al” Myers and RADM “Pink” Floyd for their outstanding leadership in guiding Naval Aviation for the past two years here in DC. Both Mad Al and Pink are longtime friends and I am honored to follow them in this important work, and appreciate the good organization they have turned over to me.

Before I talk about what’s going on here in the Pentagon, let’s take a quick look at what YOUR Naval Aviation force is up to. We continue to be fully engaged in both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW-8 just returned from a successful deployment where they were fully tasked in support of ground forces throughout the region. They were relieved by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower/CVW-7 who are now on point in Middle East operations. At the same time in WESTPAC, USS John C. Stennis/CVW-9 were participating in several joint exercises with our allies in the Pacific as well as conducting several successful diplomatic port visits to Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Japan. They are now underway for Alaska to participate in Exercise Northern Edge 2009. In the maritime patrol community, YOUR Naval Aviation force currently has 24 P-3s forward deployed around the globe, providing essential maritime domain awareness and time-critical ISR to every Combatant Commander. A P-3 arrived FIRST on scene to provide real-time surveillance and remained on station for the duration of the Maersk Alabama piracy incident. One aircraft and two aircrews detached to Brazil within hours of the Air France tragedy and provided over 32 hours in support of search and recovery efforts. YOUR rotary wing force is also hard at work, forward deployed in all theaters both ashore and afloat on carriers and surface ships…lotsa pirate patrol opportunities for our helo communties!

Back here in the Pentagon, YOUR N88 Naval Aviation team is fully engaged in the POM-10/PR-11 budget process as well as the ongoing Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR). I hope that you have all had a chance to review our revised and updated Naval Aviation Vision document, which was published last year and contains the latest information on our many airplane and weapons programs, taking a look as far out as 2030. While it is certainly possible that future events will force us to constantly consider the aircraft and weapons build plans between now and 2030, as described in the Vision, it is still the essential foundation upon which “our strategic, operational, and fiscal decisions are anchored” (to quote directly from the document). As you read the Vision document, notice that our necking down strategy of reducing Type/Model/Series will continue. So far, the reduction in aircraft types has markedly improved logistics support and readiness at all levels of aviation from the training command to air wings, and will only continue to do so. Also note the increase in unmanned forces as we move forward in this growth area of aviation. Currently, unmanned tactical aviation is at the very early stages of operational development and employment. However, it is safe to say that this will be an increased focus area for years to come and we can expect to see unmanned aerial vehicles play an increasing role in our operations. I invite and encourage you to view the entire Naval Aviation Vision document at the following link:

Naval Aviation Vision

Finally, a hearty thanks all the members of ANA for their tremendous support of our Naval Aviation force. The ANA team is a very important in keeping the public aware of the accomplishments of Naval Aviation and the vital role it plays in defending America. I ask you all to KEEP IT UP and press! Attend local squadron events and don’t hesitate to ask folks to join you in supporting YOUR Naval Aviation team. I am heartened by the resurgence of our local DC ANA squadron and I am looking forward to additional events with them. It fills me with confidence and pride to know that I can count on the continued support of the ANA membership as we prepare Naval Aviation for our “second” 100 years. Speaking of which, the 100th anniversary of Naval Aviation is fast approaching and I strongly encourage all of you to actively participate in the many events and celebrations that will take place during our upcoming centennial. VADM Kilcline, our Air Boss, has been tasked by CNO as the lead on this year-long celebration of the tremendous legacy and bright future of YOUR Naval Aviation force. Additional gouge can be found on the Commander, Naval Air Forces website: http://www.cnaf.navy.mil/centennial/

That’s it from me for this issue, take care and keep the ball in the middle!

Editor's note: Rear Admiral Philman has asked for space in the Hook magazine for future updates.

Thursday, 10 September 2009

• 0900-2100 Registration/Exhibits - Pavilion A-E/Store Open – Pavilion A Foyer
  
• 1300-1600 THA BOD Meeting, Southern Pacific E & F
  
• 1800-2100 Welcome to Reunion Groups Reception (no host) – Pavilions A through E
  

Friday, 11 September 2009

• 0730-1200 Golf Tournament – Wildcreek G.C., Sparks, NV - Overflow to the Top Gun reunion golf tournament. Buses depart from the Nugget main entrance at 0600 and 0645. Breakfast available at the golf courses. Shotgun start at 0730 (lunch included).
  
• 0800-1200 Round Robin Tennis Tournament – Reno Tennis Center. Bus departs from the Nugget main entrance at 0715
  
• 0830-1530 Blue Angels Show NAS Fallon – Buses depart from Nugget Hotel East Exit, Bus Transportation Area
  
• 0830-1330 Lake Tahoe Tour (lunch included) – Bus departs from Nugget Hotel East Exit, Bus Transportation Area
  
• 0930-1400 Tahoe Ridge Winery Tour (lunch included)
  
• 0900-2100 Registration/Store Open/Exhibits Open

SYMPOSIUM - Rose A Ballroom

• 0930-1015 Naval Aviation Safety Update – CAPT “Clyde” Langford.
• 1030-1200 Future Capabilities for Carrier Aviation - JSF Program Update and Capabilities Brief.
• 1400-1500 BUPERS UPDATE – CAPT Mike “Magwai” White, PERS43.
• 1515-1630 Warfighter Panel – Moderator - CAPT Kevin “Komrade” Kovacich; Panelists – (TBD).
• 1630-1700 Membership Meeting – Rose A Ballroom
  
• 1800-2100 Bug Roach Mixer, Pavilions A through E and Rose B Ballroom. Casual Attire, Flight suits encouraged.
  

Saturday, 12 September 2009

• 0530-1200 Balloon Race Shuttle
  
• 0830-1500 Registration/Store/Exhibits Open – Pavilion A Foyer
  
• 0930-1100 Special Event – “Cabaret Behind the Scenes” Celebrity Showroom
  

SYMPOSIUM- Rose A Ballroom

• 0900-1015 N880 Plans for the Future
  
• 1030-1145 Tailhook Aviation on the Edge of the Envelope - Moderator: CAPT Lonny “Eagle” McClung
  • Blues: CAPT Gil Rud, Kevin O’Mara, Current CO
  • Topgun: Monroe Smith, CAPT Rolland “Dawg” Thompson, CAPT (sel) Dan “Undra” Cheever.
• 1200-1330 RADM “Jig Dog” Ramage Recognition Luncheon, Rose B Ballroom
  
• 1400-1545 Aviation Flag Panel hosted by – VADM Tom “Killer” Kilcline, CNAF
  
• 1500 Exhibits Close – Dismantle and Pack Up
  
• 1800-1930 Tailhook Pre-Banquet Reception (no host) – Rose A and B Foyer
• 1930-2200 Tailhook Banquet, Semi-Formal (Jacket and tie for men, Cocktail dress for women), Rose A and B Ballroom, Guest Speaker, Admiral Pat “Sponge” Walsh, USN
  

Sunday 13 September 2009

Breakfast available at the General Store, the Farm House or the Rotisserie on the Nugget’s main floor.

• Friday, September 11th 2009 - 0830-1200
• Reno Tennis Center
• Space available for 32 players
• $15/player
• Prizes for everyone
  Sign up today!
  
  Sponsored by
  
  Northrup Grumman & Raytheon

John Ascuaga’s Nugget – (800) 648-1177

The Silver Legacy – (800) 687-8733

090617-F-5677R-038 AFGHANISTAN (June 17, 2009) A U.S. Navy F/A-18C strike fighter receives fuel from the aerial refueling drone of an Air Force KC-10 Extender aircraft assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron during combat operations over Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Robertson/Released)

If you have included the Educational Foundation in your will, trust or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, please notify us of your gift. We would like to thank you and find out how you would like it used.

Get the Thermometer Rising!!! HELP US TOP IT OFF

The Tailhook Educational Foundation is sponsoring a scholarship campaign for this reunion with the theme of "Naval Aviator’s Wives’ Memorial Scholarship"

"The toughest job in the Navy" In memory of dedicated wives who have departed the pattern before their spouses.

Founded by:

• Dan Rainey; In Memory of Georgia Rainey
• Jay Yakeley; In Memory of Cathy Yakeley
• Gil Rud; In Memory of Barbara Rud
• Phil Anselmo; In Memory of Arlene Anselmo

The Scholarship fund currently has $21,000.  The objective is to raise the total fund to $60,000 in order to award an annual grant of $3.000. The campaign will conclude during this 2009 Convention as we celebrate the 53rd anniversary of The Tailhook Association and the Tailhook Educational Foundation. If donating through the web site, please put Navy Wives in the country code.

• Thursday, August 20th, 7:05pm
  
• San Diego Padres vs St. Louis Cardinals
  
• Fundraiser Sponsored by The Tailhook Educational Foundation
  
• Board of Directors and Volunteers
  
• Ticket Option - $34 Field Reserved Section 122 ~ Tailhook Price $22 You Save $12
  

Join the Foundation for an exciting Major League Baseball game when the San Diego Padres take on the visiting Saint Louis Cardinals as the Padres honor The Tailhook Educational Foundation during the Pre-Game Ceremony.

Your ticket purchases will also assist the Foundation to support our ongoing scholarship program. More than 700 educational scholarships at a total value of more than $1,000,000 have been awarded to children and grandchildren of present and former United States Navy carrier aviation personnel since the foundations creation in 1992. (87 Scholarships were awarded in 2009, ranging from $1,500 to $15,000 for a total value of $193,000)

For more information, contact Marc Ostertag, Tailhook Educational Foundation at (858) 689-9223

Tickets are also available online at: www.padres.com/grouppromo

Enter Promotion Code: TAILHOOK