The Year 2007 in retrospect:
Cape Fear Seahawk Squadron
of Wilmington, North Carolina topped off a year
of outstanding programs with a Christmas Party hosting Marine
aviator veterans of Iraq, including guest speaker MGen (sel)
“Boomer” Milstead, Jr, LtCol Chris Seymour, Maj. Scott Atwood,
Maj. (sel) Pete Herrmann, and their wives.
January 2007 started off
Squadron monthly meetings with hairy tales from a former Army
Special Forces officer who operated behind the lines in Iraq in
the ‘90s. February had the members listening to WWII and Korean
exploits of Navy Aerophotographer Bob Brannigan. The following
month, Col John Rahn, USMC from 2nd MAW Cherry Point,
a Harrier pilot, spoke about the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the
Harrier variant, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The annual Squadron BBQ at
Fraser & Rogene Perry’s beautiful Wrightsville Beach home in May
was well attended, hosting several active duty Marine and Coast
Guard couples. June found us getting updated on local and
national aspects of the Air Traffic Control System from ILM’s
FAA Supervisor John Sideris, a former Navy man.
Active duty Coast Guard
officers from two area commands provided back to back humorous
and impressive briefings in August & September. Capt Robert Dean
IV, CO of the Special Missions Training Center at Camp LeJeune
NC described the unique operational training and deployment
capabilities of his command, with it’s cadre of USCG, USMC and
USN personnel. The following month, CDR Doug Fears, CO of Coast
Guard Cutter DILIGENCE showed us a fascinating & funny
DVD created by his crewmembers, depicting their recent
deployment to the Caribbean, including drug/alien interdiction,
SAR, fisheries enforcement & homeland security ops.
VMM-266 provided us with an
October update on V-22 squadron ops in Iraq. In November the
Army closed out our year’s luncheons with Col. Joe Rogers USA
(ret) and his colorful description of aviation combat
experiences in Vietnam, along with explaining present and
probable future roles of Army aviation. These good times and
photos can be seen on our Squadron website –
www.seahawksquadron.org , courtesy of our gifted Marine
webmaster,” LCol. Steve“Webasoris” Hornberger.
Deese Thompson Squadron PAO
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Wings of Gold Article
Winter 2007-2008 |
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