Welcome from NE Ohio, guess by the 'pen name' you be "X" Navy, good for you and thank you , got two who were on carriers, my BIL Rich, USS Enterprise two tours off Vietnam, and my son Joe served on the USS Nimitz ,Gulf War 1..........
Thank you
Yes I am a Navy Veteran. I was in the Ordnance community. When assigned Squadron level I was with a F14 command (VF21) and we deployed on two carriers USS Constellation and USS Independence. This was prior to Gulf War 1 (Desert Storm). However, we were the first to provide protective escort to Kuwaiti tankers in the Straight of Hormuz into Persian Gulf when Reagan allowed them to fly the American Flag (Operation Earnest Will).
During the Desert Shield build up and throughout Desert Storm I was assigned to Weapons Department NAS Miramar Range/Armory Division as a Small Arm Instructor. Shield was constant 7 days a week getting thousands of mostly reservists qualified before deployment. Storm was mostly getting aircrew qualed on whatever sidearm their command issued Pilots/RIOs. Usually S&W M39 9MM, S&W M36 38spl, 1911 45acp, and even a few Rugers now and then usually Speed Six. We also came across Rugers when training Security Depts. Security Six and Speed Six. However the 1911 was most commonly issued.
I'm also a plank owner (original crew/Weaps Dept) of carrier USS George Washington.
Interesting note about my fist command. I arrived at NAS Miramar AIMD Armament Division MAR of 1985. That summer they filmed Top Gun. We painted launchers black for the F5 "Bogies", and I assisted configuring a F14 weapons rail to accept the white camera pod you see briefly in some scenes.
It was my honor to serve. Proud of my youngest who will be graduating Navy Boot Camp soon. Please thank your BIL and Son for their service.
Go Navy! Beat Army!
IYAOYAS!
R/
Dan
