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

ShipmateVAW-120 ShipmatesShipmate

DiCENSO, AECS Douglas R. Retired aecsd@hotmail.com "...I served with VP-8 (04/1970-05/1973), NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, VAW-124 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, VAW-121 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. NATTC NAS Memphis, Tennessee, HM-14 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, VAW-120 and retired after 23 years..." [25JUN2013]


FOUST, PR2 Ike mbks@att.net "...I served with VAW-120 (1983-1988) as a Parachute Rigger. I designed the squadron logo and it was used for 5 years. CAPTAIN L. N. Oden was a great CO..." Personal WebSite: http://www.montanasbestkeptsecrets.com/ [URL Added 29OCT2010 | 26OCT2010]


GEOGHEGAN, Hope McEntire imhopetoo@gmail.com "...I served with VAW-120 (1983-1987). I would like to hear from former Shipmates..." [03JUN2013]


HANKS, John E. portage@uwyo.edu "...Those who know me generally like me, even though we might have radically different political or religious opinions. Some people do have a black hatred of me, but I don't like them either.   I have a good sense of ironical and satirical humor and I love clever practical jokes, especially when I'm the victim. I am a stalwart friend, although I love to point out my friends faults (especially imaginary ones) in front of other people.   I am considered an eccentric, but most of my eccentricities are simply novel ways of solving a problem - like wearing loud reading glasses so I don't lose them all the time, or wearing an engineer hat (to promote railroads), as opposed to wearing the usual farmer hat.   I can develop the most avid interests in the strangest of things, like the color of old rust versus the color of new rust, but I find sports to be unutterably boring, like watching some tedious card game. Maybe it's the rules that make them so dull . Who knows? I like to eat ball park hotdogs though.   I love to speculate and think "outside of the box", pretending that apples are oranges after all. I don't mind appearing the fool, if it promotes something worthwhile, like standing up to authority or annoying some hypocritical Republican.   Most of the books that I love were never assigned in school. I was usually drawn to them because of recommendations or some sort of affinity. Most important were the writings of Paul Goodman, Thorstein Veblen, Paul Fussell, Bertrand Russell, Gore Vidal, Bertrand Russell, H. L. Mencken, Ambrose Bierce, Pearl Buck, Jane Austen, Jessamyn West, Mark Twain, Mari Sandoz, James T. Farrell, and many others.   My brother and I were born in Chicago in the late 1940's while my father was at the U. of Chicago School of Social Work. Afterwards we grew up in several small towns near Lansing, Michigan, and we had the typical high school experience (bad). I went on to Earlham College for less than a year (kicked out for drinking beer), and then I enlisted in the navy from 1965 to 1968. Served with VP-5 from January 1966 through June 1967 and RVAW-120 (Training Squadron for E2-A Carrier Early Warning A/C) from July 1967 through October 1968 (bored, anti-war, and disliked the military chickenshit).   Upon discharge I entered Antioch College in Ohio and developed a love-hate relationship with a quasi-mentor history professor (who triggered the mixed blessing of an intellectual awakening). I married a French woman named Martine who I met in England. It ended in divorce in 1979 (She is now a French professor in Florida). Some years later I married my second wife Saralyn Laughlin in 1984, and we divorced amicably in 1997. (She lives in Ft. Collins and we are still friends - without the fire.) I went on to get advanced degrees in Adult Education, American Studies, and a B.A. in Elementary Education. I wasn't a professional student, but just someone on the wrong path, trying to use academia to find my way.   I've held a lot of different jobs over the years, farm worker, store manager, secretary, yeoman, clerk, railroad timekeeper, parking ticket clerk, sheet metal worker, recreation director, graduate student, adult education director, 4th grade teacher, derrick climber, and now an archivist.   I was rescued by a University literature professor (who I hardly knew) when he pulled some strings to find a job for me in The American Heritage Center Archives. Archive processing has worked ideally for me because I am in a congenial intellectual atmosphere, even though most of my colleagues are highly introverted and their silence and bureaucratic timidity can be extremely irritating at times.   I subscribe to Progressive, Church and State, Harpers, New Yorker, and sometimes other magazines like The Nation. I read the Casper Star Tribune and I regularly read liberal web sites, but also a couple that are are far right (just to keep up with their lies.) I find George Bush, Bill O 'Reilly and Limbaugh to be so utterly dishonest that I just can't listen to them, though I do listen critically to NPR (National Propaganda Radio). I also like to argue with locals on the E-Laramie web site under the name "Patriot".   After 50 it is largely "patch, patch, patch", but my health is still pretty good. I have to use an oxygen mask at night for Sleep Apnea, and I have been taking lithium for many years for manic depression (sounds terrible - but it isn't - at least in my case so far). I used to do Aikido and run Marathons, but those days are over. At this point I want to lose weight to improve my breathing - not so much my appearance.   Like a lot of men I am interested in military history because it really is the story of the modern world from public relations to gulf war syndrome. My father was a conscientious objector. My first father in law flew an attack plane in the French-Algerian War and my second father-in-law was a liaison officer with Gen. Stilwell in Burma. I am still occaisionally trying to research a battle at Phnum Ga in Burma that my second father in law described to me in tears, because half of his unit was wiped out. I know an enormous amount of stuff about military history, but this battle continues to stump me because there are many different versions and accounts, including his.   A very close friend is a retired bomber pilot and airplane modeler and we get together every Sunday to compare our model work (his work is museum perfect), and we watch war movies (very critically). Right-wingers are often horrified to discover left wingers llike me who know more than they do about military subjects.   I have maybe 400 airplane models, 100 ship models, 100 armor models, and a model railroad which fills half of my basement. The railroad is centered around Milwaukee harbor's steel industry and it includes many bridges, steel mills, refineries, coke plants, scrap yards, and a blast furnace. There is a lot of political satire and humor. I've modeled friends and I poke political fun at the demons of our political system. My living room has been converted into a workshop with fish tank, stereo and TV. It is not a typical bachelor pad. You won't find pinups and beer bottles. I prefer Hornsby's cider, display models and bookcases. It is as disorderd as any other pad though.   I cancelled cable TV after the OJ fiasco, and I feel a lot better for it. I'm now convinced that the main purpose of TV is to promote a low grade fear and anxiety in order to sell products, keep up false illusions, and elect criminals. So I'm better without it. I do miss out on some things though.   I think it is accurate to describe myself as a left-wing radical and more or less a pacifist when it comes to militarism. Vietnam was the turning point. It was then I realized that the people who matter in this country could care less about the rest of us - so much so that we were truly expendable throw aways.   To my mind 911 was a repeat of Hitler's Reichstag Fire. It was not terrorism, but treason - an inside job followed by a protection racket to make us blindly loyal to the Bush regime. I also believe that the anthrax attacks were the same thing. The Wellstone family plane crash proved it further. Since 911, I have felt an almost constant low grade nausea when it comes to how easy it is for useless rich criminals to control this country.   I try to stay as politically active as I can in a Republican state that makes it impossible for opposition parties to get on the ballot. I am part of several liberal support groups so that we can support one another in the midst of the machobation life style that is Wyoming.   You now have a fairly good idea of what I'm like from this description. To my mind intellect and the play of ideas is more important than intelligence. (My French wife was an intelligent part-time advertising model, but not intellectual. My second wife was very intelligent, but not very intellectual.) Both marriages were successful at 8 years and 13 years, though they ended in divorce.   P.S. I have tabby cat named Woody (After the Cheers actor) and a prissy white cat named Heidi (Who hides, but sleeps on top of me at night) Woody is usually getting between me and the computer..." [BIO Updated 13SEP2003 | 20SEP99]

HERRERA, Mario E. mario7_7@hotmail.com "...I served in VXN-8 from June 1986 thru August 1989 from there I transfered to NRL and was there until 1992. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to get back to VXN-8 and was there until we decomissioned in 1993. Afterwards I went back to NRL for one more year then was transfered to VRC-40 and flew CODS up to 1998 then transfered to VAW-120 where I performed C-2 Crewchief instructor duties until I retired in July of 1999. I went back to NAS Patuxent River, Maryland to work for NRL as a DynCorp emplyee, still doing the Mech thing. Now I am no longer with Dyn and presently working for Qualtech..." [13SEP2001]

HOFFMAN, ATCS Gail Supertweet@aol.com "...I served with VP-9 from 1989-1991, VP-31 from 1991-1993, VP-47 from 1993-1997, and am currently stationed at VX-1...I picked up ATCS in 2001 and I'm currently serving in tailhooks of all things. I'm now with VFA-15 out of Oceana. I definitely miss the VP life. I'm now stationed with VAW-120 NAS Norfolk, Virginia..." [BIO Updated 10MAR2004 | BIO Updated 03MAY2002 | 18NOV98]


KARPATHAKIS, Anthony "Greek" akarpteach@aol.com "...I served with VAW-110 and VAW-120 (1982-1987)..." [24SEP2012]


MOLONEY, LCDR R. T. "Tim" Retired jmoloney@cox.net "...Enlisted in Sept. "60, Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill., RATCC, NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida (Dec. 60-Sept. 61); received Training and Certification utilizing ECM to guide Aircraft, with no compass/NavAids, to NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida for landing. AE "A" School, NATTC NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Sept. 61-Feb.62); Class Leader and Honorman. Advanced to AE3 upon completion of AE"A" School. VT-3 NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida (Feb 62-Sept. 63); Qualified as Plane Captain and Post Maintenance Test Aircrewman in T-28 B/C Aircraft and advanced to AE2. AE "B" School, NATTC NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Sept. 63-Sept. 64); completed 17 of 32 week school and was hospitalized for 4 months. During my visit to the Hospital, the curriculum was changed to include Computers, so when I returned, I got to start over again with the new curriculum. Received orders to VP-5 upon completion of AE"B" School. Enroute training at NAMTD NAS Norfolk, Virginia ASW Training (Sept. 64-Dec. 64), VP-30 Air Crew Training ( Dec.64-Jan.65) VP-5 NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Jan65-Aug68). Reported to VP-5 and assigned to Crew 4;as Julie/ECM Operator and Crew Electrician, deploying to NAS Sigonella, Sicily 5 days after reporting. Plane Commander R.J. Kurth, Plane Captain "Willie" Forrest Sutton, 1st Tech. "Andy" Anderson. Operated out of Malta, NAS Souda Bay, Crete, Greece and NAS Sigonella, Sicily when the barracks were 21 miles from the airfield. During one "Ready Alert" launch; prosecuted an ECM contact that we converted to obtain the 1st Jez Gram of a single operating Russian "Foxtrot" Submarine. The entire crew was awarded a weeks "Basket Leave" in Germany for obtaining this signature. Transistioned to P-3A "Orion" at NAMTD, NAS Patuxent River, Maryland where I was advanced to AE1, met my Bride to be Jo Ellen, and was assigned to Crew 8; Plane Commander Bob May, Flight Engineer "Willie" Forrest Sutton, and 1st Tech "Andy" Anderson. The following year, we deployed to NS Sangley Point, Philippines as the "Advance Crew ", and trained with VP-16 on Theater Operations. At the end of the deployment, we were "selected" to do the Turnover Training to our relieving squadron VP-26 causing us to fly enough Yankee Station Patrols to become the 1st VP Crew awarded the Air Medal for Viet Nam Service. Selected to Warrant Officer (WO1) in April 1968 breaking up an Enlisted Combat Ready Aircrew that had been together for over 3 years. Sutton and Anderson were selected to Chief Petty Officer at the same time as my advancement to WO1. VP-5 deployed to NS Rota, Spain and NAF Lajes, Azores, Portugal and I was left behind as the O-in-C of Det. NAS Jacksonville, Florida, until my departure in August 68. Warrent Officer School, NAS Pensacola, Florida (Aug68-Oct68) AIMD NAS Moffett Field, California (Nov.68-Nov.71) GSE and MMCO Billets. High light of this tour was my Collateral Duty assignment as Casualty Assistance Calls Officer. Ringing the door bells was tough, but providing all of the assistance to the families was really gratifying nowing that if something happened to me-my Bride would be taken care of. Advanced to CWO2 and Lt(jg) during the NAS Moffett Field, California tour. USS Wasp CVS NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island (Nov71-Feb72). The day I reported aboard as the Aircraft Division Officer, the ship received the message ordering Wasp's Decommissioning. Within one week I was the AMDO as the rest of the Officers detached with orders. With the help, Leadership and Guidance of the Chiefs we were able to turnover 120 spaces (out of 120 assigned spaces) to the INSURV Team on the first day of the INSURV Inspection. All of the AIMD "Kakhi" left the ship the following day. HS-11 NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island / NAS Jacksonville, Florida (Feb 72-Dec 74) embarked on USS Intrepid CV11. My first relationship with Helicopters. Deployed as the MCO in the only 16 Helicopter (SH-3) to the North Atlantic. During that cruise, we went further North and further East than any US Navy ships had done since WWII. We went to the ASW Dreamland where the Russians trained and tested all of their subs before deploying. The Sun never set and we worked 3-5 Russian Submarine around the clock for weeks. It was so busy that the S-2's and the ASWOC couldn't keep up. With my VP-5 experience, I built 3 ARR-53. Receiver racks and was able to install them into the SH-3 enabling our squadron to drop sonobouys and relay the information to the S-2's and Intrepid. Later on we were able to put a Jez recorder into the rack and train our AW's as Jez Operators. AIMD/OMD NS Roosevelt Roads, PR (Feb 75-Aug 76) OMD Officer for 2 each S-2's, 4 each H-3's, and 3 each C-131 Aircraft. Advanced to LT VC-8, NS Roosevelt Roads, PR. MCO for 4 each DP-2E (P2V-5), 4 each DP-2H (P2V-7), 1 each NP-2, last built P2V but never configured for ASW, 4 each H-3's and 6 each A4's. An exciting tour Launching, controlling and towing various Drones and Targets for Fleet Gunnery exercises. AIMD USS Guadalcanal LPH-7 (May 78-May 80), Qualified as OOD Underway and lost my LDO Designation. As AMDO, we won 3 consecutive Battle Efficiency "E"'s. In May 1980 I had a Heart Attack and although I was returned to "Full Duty" I was no longer eligible for additional shipboard duty. Advanced to LCDR during this tour. AMO RVAW-120 NAS Norfolk, Virginia (May 80-Jun 81) responsible for 11 E2A aircraft Training Replacement Aircrew and Maintenance personnel for Fleet Squadrons. During this period (Dec. 80-June 8) assigned TEMDU at ComNavSurfLant setting up Code N8, Aviation Maintenace Support Team to provide support and standarization to 40 fleet ships with embarked Aviation assets. Began Terminal Leave on 19 May 1981. In retrospect I can not think of a "Bad" Day while I was in the Navy. However, the days and hours spent as part of VP-5 Crews 4 and 8 are sitting at the top of the pedestal. Willie Sutton Gerry "Andy" Anderson, LCDR's Kurth and May along with the many many "Ground Pounders"; Lawrence, Drake, Martin, Cochran, Harper and so many more are names that are forever on my personal Wall-of-Heros. Thanks to all of you for your patience, guidance, razing, and support..." [22APR2009]

MARGESON, CDR http://www.navy.mil/homepages/vrc30/XO.htm "...Commander Margeson graduated from the University of Washington in 1985. He was commissioned through the Naval Aviation Officer Commisioning Program in Pensacola, Florida and designated a Naval Aviator in April 1987. After completion of flight training and initial fleet replacement training in the P-3B Orion, CDR Margeson reported aboard VP-6, the "World Famous Blue Sharks" in Barbers Point, Hawaii. While attached to VP-6, he served as Schedules Officer, Nuclear Safety Officer and Pilot Training Officer completing two NORPAC deployments to NAS Adak, Alaska and one WESTPAC deployment operating from NAS Cubi Point, Philippines and NSF Diego Garcia. After completion of his first sea tour, CDR Margeson reported to VP-31 for FRS Instructor Pilot duty where he earned a transition to the E-2C Hawkeye. Immediately following initial carrier qualification aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) he reported to VAW-110 for fleet replacement training in the E-2C Hawkeye followed by fleet duty attached to the "World Famous Hormel Hawgs" of VAW-114. While attached to VAW-114 he served as Pilot Training Officer, Assistant Operations Officer, and Assistant Maintenance Officer completing two WESTPAC deployments based aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Following CDR Margeson's second sea tour and fifth sea service deployment, he reported for shore duty as a "Red Knight" Primary Flight Instructor attached to VT-3 based at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Florida. While at VT-3 he served as Administrative Officer and Operations Officer and received his second fleet transition, this time to the C-2A Greyhound. Following a quick fleet transition training cycle at VAW-120 in NAS Norfolk, Virginia, CDR Margeson reported to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron THREE ZERO. He assumed the duties as Detachment TWO Officer-in-Charge based aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) completing a RIMPAC exercise and WESTPAC deployment in support of Operations DESERT FOX and SOUTHERN WATCH. He completed his tour as the Squadron Operations Officer overseeing one of the most successful and safest operational years in VRC-30 history. Following his tour in VRC-30, CDR Margeson volunteered for a second straight C-2A Officer-in-Charge sea duty assignment transferring to the Navy's only forward deployed C-2A detachment, VRC-30 Detachment FIVE based in NAS Atsugi, Japan. As the Det FIVE OIC, CDR Margeson led the Detachment during three at-sea periods based aboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63) and prior to his departure successfully prepared the Detachment for their role in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. CDR Margeson's most recent assignment was a Chief Staff Officer to Commander, Airborne Early Warning Wing, Pacific..." [11JUL2003]

MUNGO, John jmungo@pirnie.com "...Served with RVAW-120 in Hawkeye Country, NAS Norfolk, Virginia '79-'80. Introduced to VP community during '81 @ AIMD NAS Keflavik, Iceland. VP-23 1/82 - 8/83 as AZ2 in Maintenance Control / Logs @ Records. Made NS Rota, Spain/ NAF Lajes Field, Azores, Portugal '82 & NAS Bermuda '83 detachments. Many great memories during my tour...When VP-23 was decommisioned 2/95, where did all the Seahawk LJ's go ? 160666, 160767-769, 161000, 161002-161005. Best to all my old Shipmates. Happy New Year to all..." [02JAN98]


NUYEN, AT1 (AW/NAC) Jim jnuyen@ptd.net "...I served with VR-1 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, RVAW 120 at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, VP-24 (1980-1986) and flew with CAC-9, NADC (Warminister) Johnsville, Pennsylvania, VP-11 at NAS Brunswick, Maine and flew with CAC-6 and CPRW-5. I currently teach NJROTC at Passaic High School in Passaic, NJ. Live in the Pocono's in Broadheadsville, PA..." [E-Mail Updated 13MAR2015 | 17JAN98] [ICQ# 6775847]


PHILLIPS, CDR http://www.navy.mil/homepages/vrc30/home_page_1.htm "...Commander Phillips received his commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School in March 1986. Following initial pilot training and carrier qualifications onboard USS LEXINGTON (AVT 16), Commander Phillips was designated a Naval Aviator in August 1987. He then reported to VAW-110 at NAS Miramar, California for E-2C Fleet Readiness Training. In July 1988, he reported to the Black Eagles of VAW-113, where he served as First Lieutenant, Quality Assurance Officer, Assistant Administrative and Personnel Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. During his tour with the Black Eagles and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen he completed two Western Pacific deployments. The first in 1988 and 1989 aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) and the second aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) in 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield. In July 1991 Commander Phillips reported to VT-4 at NAS Pensacola, Florida as an instructor pilot training future E-2 and C-2 replacement pilots. While assigned to VT-4 Commander Phillips served as Aviation Safety Officer, Formation and Out-of-Control Flight Phase Head and Standardization Officer. In January 1995 Commander Phillips received orders to the VAW-120 Greyhawks for initial C-2A training and in April of that year reported to the Rawhides of VRC-40. As Officer-in-Charge of Detachment One, he deployed in January 1996 with the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) Battle Group completing a Mediterranean and Persian Gulf deployment. After returning from deployment in July 1996, he assumed the duties of Operations Officer until detaching from the Rawhides in July 1997. Commander Phillips then reported to the Naval War College, Newport Rhode Island where he completed the Naval Command and Staff Course receiving a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies. Upon graduation from War College in June 1998, Commander Phillips was assigned to the Joint Information Operations Center, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. There, he served within the Operations Directorate as both Deputy and Team Chief of the Pacific Command Support Team. Based on his experience at the Joint Information Operations Center, Commander Phillips earned an Operations Subspecialty in Information Warfare. In May of 2001, Commander Phillips reported back to the Greyhawks of VAW-120 to undergo C-2A refresher training and in October 2001 reported to the Providers of VRC-30 as the Executive Officer..." [11JUL2003]


RISBON, AZC(AW/SW) Bobbie A. "Lester/Yoakem" Retired byoakem@verizon.net "...I served with VP-24 (1984-1987), VFA-106 (1988-1992), VPU-1 (1992-1995), FASO Det NAS Brunswick, Maine (1995-1998), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) (1998-2001), VAW-120 (2001-2004) and the USS George Washington (CVN-73) (2004-2007)..." [02SEP2011]


SCHIEBER, AE2 William J. william_schieber@msn.com "...Served in VAW-124 1974-1976 before getting sent off to Millington then RVAW-120. Was AE2 at time of departure. Still in aviation after all of these years, now work as avionics engineer for Honeywell Aerospace. You can visit my website at http://www.billschieber.com..." [21OCT2007]


TATE, AMCM(NAC) William "Bill" Retired willtatejr@yahoo.com "...Joined the Navy at NAS Atlanta, Georgia (1962), AEWTULANT (1963), VW-11 (1963-1966) as a CIC Operator, VP-671 at NAS Atlanta, Georgia (1966-1969) SELRES, VP-64 (1973-1978) as a TAR-IFT, VP-62 (1978-1982) IFT on P-3B, RVAW-110 and VAW-120 (1982-1983) IFT Training, VAW-78 (1983-1986) South Flordia Task Force, HM-18 (1986-1991) AMCM-NAC. Retired NORVA 1992 and live in Pensacola, Florida the Cradle of Naval Aviation at present..." [E-Mail/BIO Updated 25APR2010 | E-Mail/BIO Updated 29APR2003 | 28MAR2001]


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