USO Canteen FReeper Style....Aviation Ordnancemen Thank You.......July 3,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

Aviation Ordnancemen (AOs) are aircraft armament (weapons) specialists. They are in charge of storing, servicing, inspecting, and handling all types of weapons and ammunition carried on Naval and Marine aircraft.

Ordnance Attitude Adjustment Tools

What Aviation Ordnancemen do...

Inspect, maintain and repair aircraft mechanical and electrical armament/ordnance systems.

Service aircraft guns and accessories.

Stow, assemble, and load aviation ammunition including aerial mines and torpedoes.

Service releasing and launching devices.

Load supplementary munitions.

Assemble, test, and maintain air-launched guided missiles.

Supervise operation of aviation ordnance shops, armories and stowage facilities.

Possibly function as air crewmen in various types of aircraft.

When training is completed, aviation ordnancemen may be assigned to Navy ships carrying aircraft, air stations, squadrons deployed to aircraft carriers or other aviation facilities in the U.S. or overseas.

The Arabian Gulf, Aug. 12, 2000 — Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Alejandro Montalvo of Mocha, Puerto Rico, and Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Chris Tucker of Ocala, Fla., prepare a 2000 pound, MK-84 JDAM GPS Guided Weapon for loading on an F/A-18 Hornet on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and her air wing are operating in the Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. [000812-N-1407C-004] Aug. 12, 2000.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002 — An Aviation Ordnanceman supervises the "bomb farm" on the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). From the "bomb farm," ordnance is moved out onto the flight deck and onto the aircraft. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alta I. Cutler.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002 — An Aviation Ordnanceman aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) installs an FMU-139BB "electric tail fuse" on a 500-pound BLU-111 penetrating bomb while working in one of the carrier's weapon magazines. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James A. Farrally II

Aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Marine Corps ordnance handlers move 500-pound GBU-12 MK 83 laser guided bombs towards an F/A-18 Hornet in preparation for loading. The Hornet strike fighter is assigned to the "Black Knights" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Three One Four (VMFA-314). Marine aviation, flying from Navy carriers and amphibious ships, demonstrates the close integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word.

Aboard USS Carl Vinson- an Aviation Ordnanceman directs forklift operator while moving bombs in the ships hanger bay.

Steam from the catapult surrounds an aviation ordnanceman as he gives a thumbs up after checking a Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) attached to an F/A-18C Hornet before launching from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Aug. 22, 1999. The Hornet will be releasing the JDAM at the Okinawa, Japan Range Area in the first fleet squadron drop of the newly developed weapon. JDAM uses a global positioning system aided inertial navigation system to guide its 2,000 or 1,000 pound warhead to the target with a high degree of accuracy.

The Legend of Saint Barbara

"The Patron Saint of Cannoneers and Ordnancemen"

Saint Barbara was born in the year 218 A.D., in Nicomedia, a city of northern Asia Minor. Her father, Dioscorus, was a tyrannical Roman. During his absence from home, the girl embraced the teaching of Origen, the great Christian doctor. Dioscorus on his return ordered a new house built for Barbara, who was very beautiful, where she might entertain her suitors.

To symbolize her faith, the maiden induced the builder to put three windows in her bedroom to typify the Trinity, instead of the two windows her father had ordered.

When Dioscorus discovered the third, most significant window and questioned her, Barbara admitted she had become a Christian. Not only did she insist upon clinging to the new religion, but she rejected the suitor whom her father had selected as her husband. She was tried on her father's indictment, found guilty and sentenced to death. Dioscorus called the prefect, "Give me the sword; she shall die at my own hands."

And so did Barbara die at the hands of her own father. Even as the sword fell, lightening fell upon this cruel father and consumed him as he stood.

Because lightening appeared to revenge the death of Barbara, she became the protectress against lightening and thunder. Ordnancemen, regardless of the flags under which they served through the centuries, have claimed Barbara as their patron saint.

[COB1]

"You wouldn't hesitat to pick up your gun and go..."

In a heartbeat!
Thanks for recognizing that.

[Pippin]

Great letter. I wonder if it was this leter among others that has influenced President Bush in a lot of his decisions?

[Mr_Magoo]

I hope it was.

[Pippin]

You're welcome. BTW: I wouldn't hesitate to go either!

[Diver Dave]

Rocky Wins - A Hero's Story

Click Here for the post:

[Pippin]

I thought I was sentimental......sniff!

[Mr_Magoo]

Gotta run. Be back later.

[Pippin]

So do I. BBL!

[SAMWolf]

[g'nad]

We ain't mean enough!

Amen brother! Like the song says...

Blood makes the grass grow,
KILL! KILL! KILL!!!

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy! Finally back. Been playin' with my 'puter since this morning and not one glitch so far, thank goodness!

I'm hoping to be back with a ping list, etc. in not too distant future! (And my graphics, including "Winky", my MSN Wink Smile character).

[SAMWolf]

LIBERAL SCHOOL BANS MILITARY RECRUITERS

Only the best soldiers become recruiters.

It's the Army way. And I suspect it's the same for the Navy, Air Force and Marines.

Only the best become recruiters.

Because when a member of the armed forces walks down an American street, or into a family home, and speaks to young people about the service, that person has to be an example. Not just of the military, but of the best of this country. That person has to be worthy of the uniform.

And all the ones I've ever known have been.

They've been good people. Good enough to fight for our freedom, but not, apparently, good enough for the Rochester City School District. Last week, on the night before Flag Day, the Rochester school board scuttled a plan that would have allowed, after more than a decade, armed forces recruiters to come to the school. For more than a decade, military recruiters have been banned from the many campuses of the Rochester City School District.

They couldn't speak to students, they couldn't address assemblies, they could not participate in career days. They simply weren't welcome.

And the district last week turned down a chance to change that. It's supposed to be out of solidarity with the gay community. Homosexuals protested forever ago to the school district that the armed forces violated its anti-discrimination policy. Gay people weren't welcome in the military, and so the military wasn't welcom in the schools.

That's a pretty good example of how screwed up America has become.

But that was mostly lip service anyway. Just an excuse. Because, on a deeper level, the ultra liberals who have dominated the district for a generation hate the military. They hate what it stands for. Mostly, they hate America.

And that's unfortuate. Because their prejudice has kept class after class of Rochester graduates from learning about an option that could offer hope and opportunity to lives which seem to lack either. For untold young people -- in inner cities and rural towns -- the military has been a way up and out, a chance at life which might otherwise be lost.

Many young people come through high school with everything against them. No way to afford college, economies that don't offer work, communities laced with drugs and troubles. Everything seems designed to keep them in poverty or worse, and many slip into difficulties which will forever scar their lives.

The despair and hopelessness are palpable.

And the service is an escape.

It was for me.

It was work when I needed it. It was direction, job training, responsibility, insurance benefits, pride and a future. It taught me lessons that still benefit my life every day. The importance of hard work, of being on time, of paying attention to details, of taking direction, of taking charge. Of being confident. Of believing in myself and knowing that I'm going to come out on top.

The service taught me that, and it can teach anyone that.

I also learned in the Army that the very best soldiers were often the ones who came from situations like those in the worst neighborhoods served by the Rochester schools. Time after time, the most squared away sergeants and captains were just a few years away from crime-riddled, drug-plagued streets. Each of them said their salvation was getting away from those streets, and from learning about their own abilities and potential. Each of them, in one generation, went from abject poverty to the successful middle class.

And the Rochester City School District denies its students the chance to learn about that opportunity.

The district is in crisis, in the main office and in the classroom. The number of B-average graduating "Black Scholars" is falling to alarming rates, a recent audit shows the district has chronically under-reported its dropout rate, and the city has the 11th-highest child-poverty rate in the nation.

And these freaks won't let recruiters on campus. They won't let the armed forces offer young Rochesterians an escape.

Which is not only unpatriotic.

It's immoral.


- by Bob Lonsberry © 2002

[SpookBrat]

Thank you for your great posts. So glad you have you with us. Please stay or at least come back as often as you can. I thank you so much for the most excellent service you have given to this great country of ours. God bless.

<----Click on the Hero.

[SAMWolf]

[HiJinx]

Good morning, oWf!!! Your post about Eric was just as good the second time around as it was the first!

I think we're almost as proud of him as you are...almost!!!

Keep up the reports, it's great to hear how he is doing, both as a trainee and as a witness.

HJ

[SpookBrat]

Hey y'all. I love this picture. I wish it wasn't so dark, but isn't it great?

<-----Click on the hero

[HiJinx]

Thank you, Sir, for all you do!
I know, "don't call me sir, I work for a living" used to be my motto, too. Now that I'm out, I recognize it as a way to show someone respect!