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

ShipmateVR-53 ShipmatesShipmate

BIRCH, ADR3 (AC) Gene C. gummer@prodigy.net "...I joined the navy in 1960. After boot camp at Great Lakes (Company 435) I got orders to VS-36 NAS Norfolk, Virginia and the USS Randolph. I then went to VRC-40. In 1965 I was ordered to VX-1 NAS Key West. I was assigned FCPC on the last P2V7 if any one recalls the (fiberglass props). I was FCPC till it went to the bone yard. I refused to change rate to ADJ so Capt Lanny got me orders to VS-37 USS Hornet West packing in Vietnam. I took an early out in April 1970. I went USNR-TAR in 1972. I went to C118 Flight Simmulator at NAS Glenview, Illinois. I was ordered to VR-52 NAS Memphis, Tennessee and attended AMH A school in 1976. I was ordered to VR-54 NAS Atlanta, Ga in 1978. I was ordered to VR-53 NAF Detroit, Michigan. I was assinged Flight Engineer for Unitas XX. I sent the last C118 to the bone yard. I went TAD to VR-58 NAS Jacksonville, Florida. I could see no challange to flying the C-9 so I retired in 1982..." [07JAN2001]


EGGERT, AVCM(AW) Ron eggsplant@aol.com "...I'm on my 7th different platform now and enjoy running into old folks like myself who "remember the day...". I Did my first tour from 86-89 in VR-61 at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington...they still flew the DC-9/31's so we never got to det anywhere. My next move was to VP-67 in NAS Memphis, Tennessee from 89-93 where I had too much fun to elaborate on. After NAS Memphis, Tennessee I did a short tour with VF-302 at NAS Miramar, California (93-94) until CAG-30 decommisioned, then I transfered to VFA-203 at NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida for a tour with the Blue Dolphins. In 1996 we made the move to NAS Atlanta, Georgia, I made Chief in 1997 then transfered to VR-53 at NAF Washington, D.C. in February of 1998. After an awesome tour in the herc community I took orders to VAQ-209 (also at NAF Andrews, Maryland) in January of 2002 where I picked up 8 and 9. I'm currently the CMC at VR-1 (yup, NAF Andrews, Maryland) and would love hearing from any old friends I used to run with during the wild times..." [28JUL2005]


GRZYBOWSKI, CW02 Scott scott_grzybowski@usiva.com "...I served with VP-68 during 1991-1993 as a Flight Engineer with Crew 8. I am now a C-130T Flight Engineer with VR-53. It is not as good as a P-3, but it works..." [Updated BIO 01APR99 | 11MAR98]


JONES, AD2(AW) Donald "Jonesy" djones1313@live.com "...I served with VP-67 (1991-1994), VP-64 (1994-1999) at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, 2 years with AIMD at NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Base Police (2000-2005), VR-53 for 3 years and NOSC NAS Willow Grove, Pennsylvania where just closed to doors to that building. Some of you might remember the building 140A (old RATCEN). I am finishing my last couple months on the Base before I retire in January. I was wondering if anyone has an extra rocker I could get from someone or know where I could get one for my Shadow Box - VP-67 is the only one I dont have. Hope to hear from some of you guys..." [01OCT2010]


KING, PO1 Rusty Retired grking007@sbcglobal.net "...I served aboard FASU/NSA DaNang, Republic of Vietnam (07/1968-08/1969) and VQ-2 (08/1969-06/1971) at NS Rota, Spain, left the Navy for 6 years, VP-94 at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana, VR-53 at NAS Memphis, Tennessee, Naval Reserve Center at NAS Dallas, Texas, Naval Intelligence at NAS North Island, San Diego, California and Naval Intelligence at NAS Dallas, Texas. After having 3 back operations I retired on a medical. I would love to hear from former Shipmates..." [03JUN2014]

KLIGIS, ABECS John "Boats" Retired mbjk1212@aol.com "...VP-90 1980-86' SAU VP-0106 & VP-0172 Command CPO 86-90. VP-90 SELRES Maint. SCPO 1990 till the hunt was over. VR-53 Maint. SCPO 94 til 97. Retired Feb 1997. This a great page really enjoy reading about former Shipmates, keep in touch for next Reunion!..." [17JUN99]


MAY, AT1 Oscar Grouch_II@msn.com "...Original member at standup of VP-94 OCT 71-JUL 73. I was an ADR at that time. VR-53, Memphis '73-'76, VR-54 '76-'80. Changed Rate to AT in 1980. HS-85 '80-'83, VP-66 83'-'84. I then spent four great years in VP-60 '84-'88 with the likes of Lew Brown, Dave Moyers, Bob Poynter, Les Dixon, Rob Mahool, Bear Bryant, Mike Walsh, Stacy Parker, & a whole lot of other great Shipmates. (How's tricks guys)'. From there I went on to VFA-303 '88-'92, VR-60 '92-'93, where I retired in July 1993. I now work as a Casino Dealer in Tunica, Mississippi. It would be great to hear from any old Shipmates..." [15MAR2001]


OSTROFF, Jeff Retired jeffostroff@embarqmail.com "...I served with VP-31 in October 1974, VP-6 (IFT on Crew 3) from January 1975 through December 1976, VP-23 NAS Brunswick, Maine (Flying P-3Bs as an IFT and Radio Operator), and VX-1 NAS Patuxent River, Maryland (Flew an EP-3A as IFT). I went civilian and got a job flying specially modified P-3As for General Offshoe Corp. out of St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Re-entered acive duty in 1984 as a P-3C IFT student at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, VP-40 at NAS Moffett Field, California from 1985 to 1998, TAR with VP-62 NAS Jacksonville, Florida from 1988 to 1992, VP-68 NAF Washington, D.C. from 1992 to 1996, and VR-53 NAF Washington, D.C. until I retired October. I would like to hear from any former Shipmates. Thanx!..." [E-Mail Updated 11JUL2007 | E-Mail Updated 11JUN2006 | E-Mail Updated 21JAN2004 | E-Mail Updated 08JUL2001 | 16AUG98]


SIMMONS, AFCM(AW) Carl Jr. navycarl@comcast.net "...I reported aboard VP-18 in December of 1963 right out of "A" School. In January 1964 I volunteered to fly as a crewmember aboard the P2V-7 and was assigned to LG3 as second mechanic. In the summer of 1964 we transferred from NAS Jacksonville, Florida to NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. At NS Roosevelt Roads, PR I participated in the Dominican Republic Crisis, one NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Detachment and two Unitas Detachments. In March of 1967 my tour was over and I separated from active duty. I stayed as a drilling reservist at NAS New Orleans, Louisiana from 1967 to 1971. In 1971 I affiliated with VP-94 NAS New Orleans, Louisiana as an In-flight Plane Captain. In 1972 to 1973 we decommissioned the last P2V-7's and commissioned the first P-3A's. With VP-94 I made three NS Rota, Spain deployments and was unfortunate enough to be involved in the last accident on the P2V. I was on the jumpseat during take off on a detachment to NS Rota, Spain when the 2P pulled up the Landing Gear Handle during the takeoff roll. We ended up nose landing on the runway. Fortunately we all walked away unharmed except for a minor arm injury. In July of 1976 I rejoined the Navy as a TAR and eventually retired in the VR Program serving as Flight Engineer, NATOPS Instructor, and Wing Evaluator on the C-118 with VR-52, NAS Glenview, Illinois and CFLSW. In VR-62 NAF Detroit, Michigan I served as Maintenance and Leading Chief, in VR-54, VR-48, VR-53 and VR-46. I retired in November of 1999 as the Command Master Chief of VR-46 NAS Atlanta, Georgia. My military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (1 award), Navy Achievement Medal (3 awards), Good Conduct Medal (7 awards), National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal. I am presently Department Chair of the Avionics/Aviation Department at Atlanta Technical College. I make my home in Dallas, Georgia with my wife Catherine, Granddaughter Brittany, Chelsea our Cocker and Gracie our Cat. I will never forget the good times, great friends and life long Shipmates in VP-18..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 22JUN2005 | E-Mail Updated 24JAN2004 | E-Mail Updated 04FEB99 | E-Mail Updated 01DEC98 | 11OCT98]


WALLACE, Jack jnkswall@comcast.net"...I served with VP-40 from March 1986 until August 1989. Was PPC of Crew 9 and deployed to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan and NAF Misawa, Japan. From VP-40 transferred to NAS Corpus Christi, Texas and VT-31 as an multi-engine Instructor pilot flying T-44A Kingair turboprops. After two years became a TAR and was assigned to VP-68 at NAF Andrews, Maryland (Andrews AFB, Maryland). From VP-68 I transitioned to VR and flew the Navy C-130T Hercules with VR-53 while remaining at NAF Andrews, Maryland. Left active duty after 14 years but drilled with the Naval Reserve and initially served in the Navy Command Center at the Pentagon for almost two years. Got command of Navy Central Command detachment 0861 at Navy & Marine Corps Reserve center West Palm Beach, Florida. Retired out of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) in 2012. Logged over 3600 Navy pilot hours! Live in Annapolis and am a captain with Delta Air Lines..." [BIO Updated 03NOV2020 | 07NOV2003]


Return
"VR-53 Summary Page"