My dad’s (David “Barrel” McRae) first tour of duty as a Naval aviator was with Fighter Squadron 213 on the U.S.S Kittyhawk off the coast of Vietnam. He died in ‘91 and seeing this story is bittersweet...
The Kitty Halk and her sister ship the Connie were based in San Diego when they were commissioned around 25 yrs or more.
San Diego has the Ronald Reagan, the Nimitz and will also have the Carl Vinson
God bless your father for serving and may he be smiling down to see that wonderful ship sail home.
Hello from a long time ago! -213 was my first F-4 assignment also! I flew two tours in F-8 Crusader (VF-111) before being transferred to the Black Lions spring of ‘65.
Also, your dad, shared an assignment with me at BuWepsRepStLouis where we performed FCF and other checks on all the new F-4 production. This was after he shot down the An-2. I was supposed to fly with him that day but had a head cold and no flight duties ;-)
I’m sorry to see that he passed in ‘91. Kitty Hawk was my first boat when I went to the fleeet in ‘63 and it seems hard to believe that she is now decomm’d.
I live/retired in southern California. I would like to connect with you some day if you wish. You dad was a mighty fine aviator and taught me a lot on the F-4!
Cheers,
Val Valentine