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Two HSL-31 student aircrewmen. (L) unk., (R) Wild Bill Martinie.
Martinie completed a tour at HSL-33 and got out but quickly returned to active duty. Killed by sharks following an accident on an SH-2F similar to the one he is leaning on here. Wonderful guy with a great sense of humor, sadly missed within our small community.
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AW1 (AW) Randy Frasier, last H-2 Aircrew Rep at CASWWP, with the LAMPS Mk 1 memorial plaque during its dedication at NAS Pensacola in 1999.
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The plaque lists only crewmen who perished while flying in the SH-2. 77 names, 77 airmen, 77 friends that will not be forgotten.
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Aircrew wings were not easily earned and many crewmen had "blood wings" (metal insignias actually "pounded" into place on their chests by friends). These marks are often little divots - I had mine covered up with a tattoo. |
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People have asked how close Hinds came to us. Close enough for us to hear over the sound of our own rotors/engines. Although this is a photo taken from our ship at long focal length, it still gives a good feeling for the type of games we used to engage in. |
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My favorite horse, Camel, at NAS Memphis. Story should be on the website someplace. |
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SH-2F overflies a Romeo SS submarine (either Russian or North Korean) transiting down the Sea of Japan in April 1985. Crewman was AW3 Danny Davis, now a El Paso police officer. |
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The "pointy end" of a nuclear aircraft carrier, as seen from the "angle-deck" (portion of the flight deck that is not aligned with the keel of the ship - it goes off at about a 10-degree angle, hence its name). This is USS Eisenhower CVN-69, my first ship, somewhere at sea in 1979 or 1980. |
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Typical Navy haircut and attitude - - 1979, aboard "Ike". At this time, I served as a Plane Captain in VS-31 "Topcats", maintaining S-3A Viking jets. |
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This is why I joined the Navy. Saw Bridges at Toko Ri" (the 1960s version of "Top Gun") when I was ten years old and told my mom I was going to be a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer when I grew up, like a guy in that movie. Loved every minute of it.
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This was taken on the day the Space Shuttle "Challenger" exploded. We were on a training flight over the San Diego / Mexico border.
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