VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateVAH-2 ShipmatesShipmate

ASH, Tom tomcat@whidbey.net "...Served with VP-29 from 1953 through 1955. Stoud down VP-29 and reformed as VAH-2 . I then transfered to VP-4 and then to VP-2. After completing my only tour of shore duty I was transfered to VAH-4..." [03MAY98]


CARAWAY, AEC Tom Retired trbltom@earthlink.net "...I was an AEAN in ATU-10 in 1948, then to FASRON-114 in 49-AE3. Transfered to FASRON-112 in 50. Made AE2 and was one of 26 regulars transfered with Cheif Fred Murcray to VP-812 to help them get checked out in P2Vs in 52. The squadron was redesignated VP-29. We deployed to NAS Atsugi, Japan where I made AE1. Upon return to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington I am told I was the first AE to be made Plane Captain on P2Vs. January 1954 we deployed to Kwajalien as Crew 8, Lt. Bob Hubenette was PPC, Ed Meyers Copilot, R. D. Butler AT1, W. R. Miller ALC, R. D. Day AT3, McMahon AD3 and Joe Teague. We participated in Operation Castle out of Entawetok. Went back to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington trained and deployed to Okinawa as Crew 5, LCDR Gene Lane PPC, Stan Onderdonk Copilot, Ens Graves Navigator, Zalenski AT3, Donahue AD3, J. S. McDonald AL1, Henrey Arrends AT3, and Phil Rossi AO1. We flew the Straits of Formosa. Upon arrival back at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington on 16 Oct 54, VP-29 was disbanded and redesignated VAH-2 home ported at NAS North Island, San Diego, California. I went thru the training for Plane Captain on A3Ds but went to B school. Made AEC in 1955. Shore duty and to AIRBOSSRON 2 at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii in 1959. Flew as ECC and Chief Cook on SH 12 over a year. The squadron combined with the VWs to become AEWBarRonPac. Started teaching in BLDG 109 and set up a leadership program. I made E8. Capt John Mishan named me Leading Chief until shorevey got me in 1963 - to shore duty. In 1966 back to sea duty with VP-19 in NAS Iwakuni, Japan completed the deployment and back to NAS Moffett Field, California to retire October 1967. I have lots of memories, photos, and still remain in contact with several of my "old" Shipmates. Give me a call!..." [27JAN2001]


FORBES, CAPTAIN Donald. K. (Deke) Retired http://www.anawhidbey.org/forbesbio.htm "...Deke Forbes enlisted in the U.S. Navy in July1944. He attended Boot Camp at Farragut, Idaho. Prior to his assignment to the pre-commissioning crew of he USS PROVIDENCE, CL-82, he attended Fire Control Operator's School at Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was subsequently ordered to the Naval Academy Prep School, Bainbridge, MD in September 1945. He was admitted to the U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY on a Fleet Appointment in June 1946. Graduating with Distinction from the Naval Academy in June 1950, he reported for flight training at Pensacola, FL in September 1950, earning his wings in February 1952. He then attended All-weather Flight School at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and Jet Transitional Training at NAS Kingsville, Texas prior to reporting to VF-61, the "Jolly Rogers", based at Oceana, VA. While attached to VF-61 he made two extended deployments to the Mediterranean and several shorter deployments. While in VF-61 he flew the F9F-2, F9F-5, F9F-6, F9F-7 and F9F-8. In July 1955, he reported to the U.S. NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, Monterey, CA., earning his BS, Aeronautical Engineering in June 1957. The following year he was awarded an MS, Aeronautical Engineering form the University of Michigan. After completing his postgraduate education, he was ordered to VX-4 at Point Mugu, CA., where he participated in air-to-ground missile projects and the APG-53A Terrain Clearance and Ryan Doppler Radar Navigator project. While in VX-4 he flew the A4A, A4B, F9F-8T, FJ-4B and the F3D-2, as well as the squadron "Bugsmasher"--SNB. Deke was assigned to the Command and Staff Course, NAVAL WAR COLLEGE, as a student in August 1960. After completing that course, he and several other NWC fighter/attack classmates were ordered to VAH-123, NAS Whidbey Island, Washington for A-3 training. Upon completion of VAH-123 training he was ordered to VAH-4 where he became the Officer-in-Charge, VAH4-DETACHMENT GOLF, part of CVG-16 in USS ORISKANY, CVA-34. He completed an extended WESTPAC cruise in ORISKANY in December 1962, while flying the A3B-2. Leaving VAH-4 in February, 1964, he reported to USS CORAL SEA, CVA-43 as Nuclear Weapons Officer. He deployed with CORAL SEA in December 1964, returning to CONUS in November 1965. While deployed, he was heavily involved in Strike Planning for air operations against North Vietnam from carrier decks in the Tonkin Gulf. While in CORAL SEA he qualified as OOD and CDO Underway(Task Force Steaming). He also flew the C1A, T-33B and A3B while attached to CORAL SEA. He was ordered to VAH-2 as XO in November 1965. He became Officer-in Charge of VAH-2 DETACHMENT FOXTROT, joining them on USS RANGER,CVA-61 in the Tonkin Gulf in January 1966. Completing the USS RANGER cruise in August 1966, he became C.O. VAH-2 in January 1967. In December 1967 he was ordered to report to the NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, Washington, DC where he became the Assistant Project Manager, Logistics for the VFX(F-14) and VSX(S-3A). One year later he was ordered back to NAS Whidbey Island, Washington to serve as C.O. VAH-123. In January 1970, he was detached as C.O. VAH-123 and reported to COMCARDIV TWO as Operations Officer, serving in that role until August 1971. He was then ordered to the INDUSTRIAL COLLEGE of the ARMED FORCES(ICAF), Washington, DC for a course of study. Graduating with Distinction from ICAF in June 1972, he then reported to NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island as Commanding Officer. A year later he reported to the Superintendent, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY as the 65th Commandant of Midshipmen. Upon being relieved as Commandant, USNA in July 1976 he reported to OPNAV to become Head, OP-602. Captain Forbes chose to retire in June 1977, after 27 years of Commissioned service and 33 years of continuous naval service. He immediately joined Dean Witter Reynolds as an Account Executive and 18 months later joined Booz, Allen & Hamilton, subsequently becoming a Principal in the company and Project Manager of the multibillion Saudi Naval Expansion Program He retired from Booz,Allen in 1986 and has since spent his time relaxing at golf and travel. Forbes is a former member, SOCIETY of EXPERIMENTAL TEST PILOTS, and a current TRUSTEE, U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY FOUNDATION..." [14JUL2003]


HIATT, AEM2 Blaine ltc.hiatt@yahoo.com "...I served with VAH-2 (AEM2 Gunner/Navigator) from 1956 to 1959..." [01APR2010]

HORNE, Seldon Jay "Chuck" thorne@optidynamic.com "...I served with VP-16, VP-28, VAH-8 and VAH-2. I am looking for Micheal Rafferty, Selfe and Lord from Florida..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 23AUG2006 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 24JAN2000 | 16MAR99]


NICHOLS, ABGAN Kenneth Lee karenjean_connielynn@yahoo.com "...I spent 6 months in a A3D Squadron, I think it was called VAH-2, we were out of NAS Whidbey Island, Washington in 1958. I was on 3 carriers. The "Big T" and the Ranger. After that I spent the rest of my 4 years on the USS Pine Island (AV-12). I was a Coxswain on the #2 boswer boat from 1958 to 1960. Refueled many PBY's..." [BIO Updated 03JUN2006 | 20FEB2006]


OWEN, AMSAN Melvin L. melo1943@msn.com "...I served with VAH-2 aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) from 1963 to 1965. I worked as a aircraft mechanic in the Air Frame Shop. However, like every one else, I did my duty in the mess deck and compartment cleaning. I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [15FEB2009]


PENDARVIS, AO3(T) Paul lpencow@bellsouth.net "...I served VAH-2 (1956-1957) at NAS North Island, San Diego, California and VP-4 (1957-1959) with a deployment to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan as crew aboard the P2 and VX-5 (1959-1960) at NAS China Lake, California. While serving with VP-4 - we traded planes with VAHM-10 on their way back to US. Our flights stayed overnight in Formosa with patrol back to NAF Naha, Okinawa, Japan the next morning..." [06JAN2013]


SERING, Darwin "Charlie" dub@charter.net "...I was in VP-29 from 1953 - 1956 and was stationed at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington and later at NAS North Island, San Diego, California when the squadron was changed to VAH-2. I would like to hear from anybody that was in VP-29 during those years. Also I would like to hear of any upcoming Reunions for this squadron. It seems like it is next to impossible to trace any of my Shipmates in VP-29. I was an Ordnanceman in the squadron and remember alot of my buddies names but have no way of contacting them. I can only hope that they visit this site and recognize my name..." [BIO/E-Mail Updated 02AUG2001 | 28OCT99]


WADE, Danny uh34dusn@aol.com "...I was in Navy from 1967 to 1971. I served with VAW-13, VAH-2, VRC-40, and White Hat Airlines http://www.homestead.com/aircofat/aircofat.html..." [18MAR2001]


Return
"VAH-2 Summary Page"