Copyright
            A-3 Skywarrior
              Association
              1998-2007
   


         WHALE LANDINGS
      Hit Counter

 

 

 

 

 

Whale Photos pg. 16
Take a look at photos from A-3 Skywarrior Association activities at Tailhook 2001, Reno, Nev., during the recent convention Aug. 16-19. (Next time I won't use one of those throw-away cameras.) If any one can correct any of the photo IDs, please do so! Contact Al Rankin at tanker@a3skywarrior.com.

Click on thumbnail image to view larger version

hook_2.jpg (53598 bytes) "The Booth"

A-3 Skywarrior Association exhibit at Tailhook 2001. Seated behind the table is Gil Bouffard. Credit him for the setup and display. Standing and talking "Whales" Harlan "Mike" Dinger is Frank Cogdell, assn. secretary. Both are former Heavy 4 "Fourrunners".

hook_1.jpg (69555 bytes) "Ready for NewMembers"

Current assn. president, Al Rankin, completes final check.

hook_4.jpg (94162 bytes) "Exhibitors"

Tailhook staff  member (former Whaler, sorry missed the name), Mark Swisher, A-3 treasurer; Jack Taylor, A-3 vice president;and Frank Cogdell , A-3 secretary (l-r), pose in front of booth. Backdrop contains history board,  photos, patches, and decals. Table features one of Mark Swisher's custom wood A-3 models, and a continuous loop video of A-3 squadron patches and inflight footage of A-3s in action, put together by Gil Bouffard.

hook_5.jpg (92100 bytes) "New Member"

Seated at the table, Andy Niemyer, A-3 asst.treasurer, and Jack Taylor, signing in new A-3 Skywarrior Assn. members. 

hook_12.jpg (79372 bytes) "Flight Suit Mixer"

Jack Taylor, Mark Swisher, and Andy Niemyer (l-r) showing their stuff during the "Bug" Roach Flight Deck Mixer Friday evening.

hook_8.jpg (97807 bytes)
hook_9.jpg (100128 bytes)
hook_13.jpg (80272 bytes)
"Hunting Up Old Whalers"

Top...Andy Niemyer visits with a museum representative interested in an A-3 for display.

Middle...Jack Taylor visits with passers-by.

Bottom...Mark Swisher gets acquainted with Kurt Osterholm, VAW-13 Spad driver from pre-Whale days.

hook_11.jpg (68596 bytes) "Good Deal, Sailor!"

"You fly whale? Give me twenty bucks." Chief recruiter Andy Niemyer signs up new generation naval aviator, Katrina "Rollergirl" Hickman,VAQ-130, currently on active duty flying Prowlers. (Note "Zapper" patch on her flight suit.)

 

hook_17.jpg (69024 bytes) "Zappers Reunited--Spads, Whales, and Prowlers"

Past and current members of VAW-13/VAQ-130 "Zappers' get together: John Cheney, Al Rankin, Renee "Scout" Finch, William Reisa, Katrina "Rollergirl" Hickman, Kurt Osterholm, Phil Owens, Chuck Reite, and John Marlin (l-r). John and Al represent the Whale era; the two ladies, Prowlers; and the other five gents, Spads.

hook_14.jpg (92665 bytes) "Zapper Hospitality Room"

VAQ-130 crew invites Spad and Whale old-timers in for a visit.

hook_18.jpg (72658 bytes)
hook_19.jpg (32591 bytes)
hook_20.jpg (64238 bytes)
"Old Whalers at the Banquet"

Closing night finds two tables of Whalers enjoying the festivities. (I didn't get a shot of a third group.)

Top (l-r):  Harlan Dinger, Bill "Woodie" Woodward, Jim Whitfield, Larry Kaiser, Lou Hettinger, and Andy Niemyer.

Middle (foreground, l-r):  Larry Kaiser, Jim Whitfield, and Bill "Woodie" Woodward; (background l-r) Lou Hettinger, Andy Niemyer, Mark Swisher, Frank Cogdell, Jack Taylor, and Al Rankin.

Bottom (l-r): Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bovey (?), Jim Ostergren, Mr. and Mrs. Tad Bingham, and Mr. and Mrs. Preston Reynolds (?).

 

 BACK - NEXT