A couple people seem confused about A7's and JFK. In 83-84 CVW3 opted to take 2 A6 squadrons. VA-85 had just returned from deployment on Forrestal and all its A/C had the new DRS sets and B/Ns were up to speed. VA-75 was the other A-6 SQ scheduled also. I was told by Johnny Miller the Grumman Tech REp the Navy felt the DRS systems were important and two Medium Attack squadrons could work well in Multi National Peace keeping forces. A7's were still very much part of the CVW-17 and CVW-3 long after that cruise. You can go look at the cruise books online. A7's of va-66 were on the next JFK cruise of 1986 etc...etc.... The F-14's at that time were using pretty new TARPS pods and that with A6's DRS Infra red camera were used a lot on that deployment. Deemed important at the time. And yes, we all know Intruder was the prettiest A/C ever deployed. No slight intended to the SLUF....it is what it is.
I was never on the Kennedy, but I remember loading up on the Independence sitting right next to her in 1983 at Naval base Norfolk. I was with VA-176 and later with VA-85. This video brings back some damn good memories. To all of you who served abroad these massive ships, God Bless. Fair winds and following seas! AQ2 Alan Yancey.
I was a AE with VA 34 A6 intruders. on the JFK between 1975 and 1976. Never thought the A6 would be used in combat again after Vietnam I was lucky to be in when there wasn't much going on at the time. Thanks to all the piilots and Navy personnel that were on the JFK and took part of the conflicts after I got out.
This really brings back memories. I was in VA-46 during this deployment and still remember it very well. Particularly the first night of desert storm. We launched a lot of aircraft in record time and sent our A-7’s with HARM missiles to take out the Iraqi SAM sites. Thanks for posting this and I enjoyed watching it.
I was an plane captain aboard USS Enterprise 1976-1980 the A7E was my aircraft we had Tomcats aboard I would stay top side just to see them take off they were awesome I sure miss the flight deck that's where all the action was at : no regrets joining the U.S. NAVY *****
Just a matter of fact - Big John flew more sorties, and dropped more ordinance during desert storm than any other bird farm the navy had. It was the first carrier to have the F14’s on it during a deployment. It was also the first carrier to have over 10 thousand arresting gear landings in a six month deployment. It was also the last conventional powered carrier built and when everyone was worried about the y2k bug and the nukes were parked she was steaming. Now this ship that means so much to so many thousand that called it home and has served this country so well was sold as scrap for a penny and will be cut up and probably end up in some junk yard rusting away as old washing machines or car bodies. I hope our politicians are proud of themselves.
Vf-14 tophatters airframe troubleshooter/ final checker in white vest with checkerboard. Near the twin flames, 1 hand low with thumb up, other hand with thumb up rising higher with each of the 5 engine stages during the cat shots. Only difference is that I was a tophatter during 82-84 on the Indy(cv-62 ). Boring bagel station off Lebanon as part of MNP Force,op urgent fury in Grenada, nato war games in arctic circle, dets to Sigonella and Rota was fun. But the adrenaline rush during flight ops on flight deck, 40 years later, nothing in life compares to it. I can still remember our company commander in boot camp claiming that flight deck ops is 2nd only navy seals as to most dangerous and hazardous job environment in navy. I had my doubts and still do. Yeah, flight deck kind of dangerous, especially at night but nothing compared to EOD,UDT and deep sea diving,
I worked on the A-7 avionics - as an engineer. Glad to see all the systems worked well. A-7 was one of the first to be designed so the avionics could be serviced by crewmen standing on the deck, not on ladders or workstands. Most boxes could be changed out quickly with few tools. Testing from the deck was also a new design, made for quick turnaround. Thanks for the video.
No need to be, I still no my gen orders, have my boo sockets and salute better then some of these current sailors, and I said some, no response needed, I will delete it quick
@@thomascochran8669 no, you don't no your general orders. If you knew them, you'd obey and follow them. Captain's mast for those that no their general orders 😆
I was out years before DS but the flight deck always brings back good memories. Plank Owner VA-34 Apr 1970. An old ordie. Did the 70-71 Med cruise on the JFK.
The new Hornets (and the now coming on line F-35s) are obviously better planes than all of these. But theres still an obvious romance factor here. The "good old days" of specialized aircraft, with loud logos and identities. Great era for airplane nerds like me
@@keithherzberg9948 we were a bit busy in CIC for snapshots. All bullshit aside, I appreciate your vid & service... and how dangerous that flight deck is. Just poking a lil fun, from the Radio Shack.
I don't know if you're a Dad , but I share vids like yours in hopes of inspiring my 17yo (87 on his ASVAB) so he'll see better horizons in the USN/USAF. But he's stuck on a USMC enlistment.... It's a tough conversation.
72 and 46 were the last 2 A7 squadrons, called back into action as Desert Shield was starting up. As far as 72 is concerned (my dad was CO) a lot of the squadron had to be recalled/reconstituted as they were already transitioning to F/A-18 - after the war both 72 and 46 were decommissioned instead of transitioning to hornets.
How did you do that? I’d love to wander the O3 level to see my old berthing quarters and the airframe shop. Was with VAW 126 and did two cruises in the early 80’s.
@@davidmarvez9790 I worked as a contractor. It's dirty, rusty, moldy, asbestos and lots of lead. The one place I wanted to visit was the brig but couldn't find it.
