Winged current/former Navy bubbas

[guppygoshawk]

Hello all, I'm new here (obviously), been a lurker for awhile now. Just curious ho many Naval Avaitors there are around these parts (former and current). And more specifically, tailhookers. I'm a current F/A-18F guy (can't do it without help from the back!!!) I noticed Bjammin and SIG600 have Navy indicated. Anyone else? SIG, what do you fly? I noticed the nice crester in your avatar. I hope you've already qual'd or that's some serious bad ju-ju for you.

 

[skiddriver]

So do you want Navy aviators or Naval Aviators?

 

[Future SNA]

Anal Naviators? Ah crud now I'm confused<-----------see's through it.

 

[guppygoshawk]

Naval Aviators of all kinds of course. Gold wings are Gold wings. Didn't mean to sound tailhook of Navy specific. Just curious as to how many come around here. Thanks for replying, Skid.

 

[SIG600]

I noticed the nice crester in your avatar. I hope you've already qual'd or that's some serious bad ju-ju for you.

I just clipped that from a picture I found. CQ is right around the corner, however my fclp grades were nothing but (OK) and NG's.... I couldn't buy an oak to save my life. Even had a period of 6 straight on-on passes (and the hud tape to prove it!) and got faired every pass. Our LSO was brutal and has some dang good eyes cuz he saw stuff I never felt or could see. You know what they say, paddles is always right!

 

[guppygoshawk]

As long as you've got more (OK) than --, you'll be fine in the T-45! You guys do midstage bounces now in the -45 I've heard? We did it at the end in T-2s and again at the end of -45s.

 

[SIG600]

Ya the (OK) and the B (with a decent boarding rate) will get your qualled! TS is now all -45's. The last T-2 stud finished last summer. Ironically there was a solo T-45 eject that same day, gotta love the ground handeling of the -45. The only T-2 we have left is a lawn ornament. You east or west supers?

 

[Phrogboy]

Guppy, seen quite a few mixed up all over this board, and always good to have more. Gotta love the Wings o' Gold. I switched over to the Blue (reserves), but I still proudly wear my Navy Wings along with my AF Wings. It gets noticed.

 

[holmie]

I'm curious about wearing the old golden leg spreaders with my new Army wings. Is there a reg or reference that allows you to do it? No one in my Guard unit has any experience with former squids like me.

 

[SIG600]

Guppy, seen quite a few mixed up all over this board, and always good to have more. Gotta love the Wings o' Gold. I switched over to the Blue (reserves), but I still proudly wear my Navy Wings along with my AF Wings. It gets noticed.

Can you wear the gold pilot on your blue uniform, or did they make you convert to the silver? I had a buddy that went to the dark side (er, blue side) that was a prior USN Aircrewman, and wore his gold AC wings on his blues... sure looked different seeing gold on someone in blue.

 

[gcsass]

That's a great question, I am former USMC now flying ANG and would love to wear the gold again if it's possible. Also have several USMC/USN dudes in our unit....probably all feel the same! Guess it's time to hit the reg's and find out......unless someone has an instant answer!

 

[Phrogboy]

I would love to say exactly which reg it was, but I heard it second hand from another Marine in my unit who had looked it up. He only wears it on his jackets, but I opted for the flight suit patch. No problems at all, as the Air Force Wings go above the Navy Wings. I figure it is no different than someone with multiple designations. I do know in talking with the awards and decs guys that all service ribbons can be worn when you transfer over, so I do not think it is any different with wings.

If you find out otherwise, don't tell me. Ignorance is bliss.

Phrogboy

 

[mmase7]

Sig,

Looks a ball high to me...

 

[guppygoshawk]

Sig,

Looks a ball high to me...

It's not his, though! He's stealing traps from someone else's picture, kind of like NFOs w/ trap patches I keed, I keed!!!!!

 

[aeronautic1]

Decorations

You may find it in DoD Publication 1348.33 Awards and Decorations.

I believe I heard years ago that because it is not an "award" that it is up to the descretion of the comanding officer.

 

[SIG600]

It's not his, though!

Ya but thats what mine look like, as they transit the lens from one extreme to the other. Ugh. How's it go, always lead a low ball, and center that high ball in close? Could be my problem.

 

[NavyGuy]

GCSASS,

I wear both sets of wings as a former navy guy now in the guard. Like previously posted I wear the AF wings over the navy ones. However because I was an NFO the AF considered it a different warfare specialty and allowed me to wear both sets of designators. I can't say with the utmost confidence that pilot to pilot is authorized. Although I have seen many a former Naval Aviator wearing the wings of gold on their AF bus driver uniform. But then again what do I know I wore trap patches as a FO.

 

[guppygoshawk]

But then again what do I know I wore trap patches as a FO.

Yeah, but you were in one HELL of an A/C!! You were a vital part of the crew for those traps. I know I'd want all the help I could get in a non-HUD A/C. Its really just the E-2 tubers that make me scratch my head.

I've always thought that A-6's (Though I see you were Prowlers) would have been great to fly, but honestly probably a LOT more work than the fly-by-wire jazz I'm used to. The computer won't let me do anything stupid no matter how hard I try. And I try hard.

 

[SIG600]

If A-6's still exsisted.. I'd be all over that.. my roommate was a Tomcat RIO and sports his Centurion trap patch, guppy you want me to throw some crap his way? We already give him crap about going bald.

 

[Occam's Razor]

If A-6's still exsisted.. I'd be all over that.. my roommate was a Tomcat RIO and sports his Centurion trap patch, guppy you want me to throw some crap his way?

My F-4 RIO wore his patches too. Anybody who can ride through 100 traps with a Marine killing snakes in the front seat with the stick, behind a small-deck CV, has earned their patch.

Even if you subtract the times his phantom power call(s) put us in the bolter pattern...he still earned it.