[MilCom] GOODBYE TO VFA-203

[A. Glen Childress]

Andy Mills and I went out to the VFA-203 CEREMONIAL LAST FLIGHT yesterday.
As usual the time changed on us a little.  DOLPHIN 21 was suppose to take
off around 1:00 PM as a single ship and was going to kick some Vermont ANG
guys tail flying in a F-16.  Well as luck would have it Toolman had brought
the 2 seater in from Key West with the CAG on board and the maintenance guys
found a few things they needed to fix which delayed the flight for Buzz.  I
don't think he ever made the fight but he might have.  When he came in he
buzzed the hanger then went around and did a carrier break and landed.  As
he taxied in the Fire Dept. was there waiting to shoot their water cannons
over his jet as he went under.  He taxied through that then parked his jet
where his wife and kids gave him a hose down with water guns and a fire hose
as well.  From there Buzz walked toward the hangar where he was again
attacked with trash cans of water by various Navy personnel.  From there we
went to the ready room for the cake that read VFA-203 gone but not forgotten
as well as other refreshments.  I had to leave and head back to SC so I did
not get to talk to Buzz much after he landed.  I will speak with him this
week I hope.  That was he last ever flight in a F-18 and one of the last
ones for the DOLPHINS.  There is still suppose to be a flight or two out
next week.  I know of one jet going to VFC-12.  VFC-12 had a bird down there
yesterday and I believe will not leave until Monday.  He was picking up
extra fuel tanks.  There were two other flyable F-18's from 203 there and
one not so flyable.  I have a few pictures I will share this weekend if
anyone wants to see them.  We should have many on a website in the near
future.  So that is about all I have on 203.  The only thing left for them
is to get the jets to the right places and the golf tournament and cocktail
party in June.

Good bye WORLD FAMOUS BLUE DOLPHINS,

A. Glen "Glennie" Childress
Anderson, SC
http://www.av8rstuff.com/ great source of military patches.
http://www.robertlundquist.com great aviation art work
http://www.baddude.com great aviation shirts.


----- Original Message -----
From: "A. Glen Childress" <glenniec at bellsouth.net>
To: "MILCOM" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 8:47 PM
Subject: Re: [MilCom] GOODBYE TO VFA-203


> Unless something changed form about 2:30 PM today the flight out tomorrow
to
> CA by the single DOLPHIN has been postponed until Thursday or Friday.
Seems
> they are doing a little work on it before it leaves and they were not
going
> to finished in time for tomorrows flight.  I will check back in with the
> guys tomorrow and will post something more on the flight when I find out
> about it.
>
> A. Glen "Glennie" Childress
> Anderson, SC
> http://www.av8rstuff.com/ great source of military patches.
> http://www.robertlundquist.com great aviation art work
> http://www.baddude.com great aviation shirts.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "A. Glen Childress" <glenniec at bellsouth.net>
> To: "MILCOM" <milcom at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, April 19, 2004 9:30 PM
> Subject: [MilCom] GOODBYE TO VFA-203
>
>
> > Talked to three different guys today at and about VFA-203.  They are
down
> to
> > 3 F-18's.  One leaves either Wednesday or Thursday this week (AM)
> probably.
> > It is headed for Point Mugu Air Station (90% sure on the destination).
I
> am
> > not sure if the jet is going to be used as a static or what.  Anyhow you
> > guys that live west of us listen out for him.  That will leave 2.  One
> next
> > week is being wheeled over to VMFA-142 and will become a USMC GATOR.
The
> > last one flies out, not sure on the destination either next Wednesday or
> > Thursday.  I hope to go out either this week or next week and be on the
at
> > the hanger when one of the two fly out.  I should have a more exact time
> and
> > day for this week tomorrow.  So for the most part it is over and done
for
> > the BLUE DOLPHINS (KILLER TUNAS).  I will miss them.  Lastly the
> > decommissioning golf tournament is JUNE 25th so wish me and my team
luck.
> >
> > Take care,
> >
> > A. Glen "Glennie" Childress or as I am called at 203 GROUPIE
> >
> > Anderson, SC
> > http://www.av8rstuff.com/ great source of military patches.
> > http://www.robertlundquist.com great aviation art work
> > http://www.baddude.com great aviation shirts.
> >
> >
> >
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