Frustration and Happiness

Over a year ago, I put in a request with the Naval Air Forces West people to do a Carrier Qual, basically asking to be onboard during Flight Operations for a story. The first PAO officer I spoke to said "No Problem:, and then got transferred. The current PAO, has been a little difficult, but finally gave me some dates for my embarkation onboard the USS Nimitz. She would be conducting Carrier Quals for anyone of the Navy and Marine pilots who needed the training off of the coast of San Diego, before she departed back home to Washington State.

On September 9th, I find myself at Naval Air Station North Island at 0830 hrs., and ready to go. We would walk onto the ship, but the next day fly off onboard a C-2a Greyhound. Being launched from a carrier would be a new experience for me.

The PAO came up to me, and stated the ship was leaving late, and flight ops would not be conducted until night time, when I really can't get any great shots. I said, well there's tomorrow, and he said my plane would be the first to leave, so I'd miss those flights also. He was still willing to let go, but I declined, and he promised to get me onboard another Carrier in the near future. AARRGGHH!!

For some better days. September 23rd found me at March Air Reserve Base. After a simple briefing by the Base's Commanding Officer, and the briefing with the flight crew. I boarded a KC-135R Tanker, and we took off toward the south.

 

 

 

After flying over Mount Palmar, we turned to the west and out over the ocean, To our south was US Navy owned San Clemente  Island. The most southern of the California Channel Islands.

 

We were soon joined by a C-17III while flying over Catalina Island, and we headed for the coastline going north. The entire time to towards Monterey Bay, the two planes practiced connecting and disconnecting with one another to refuel, and flying in formation.

 

A great experience and photo op.