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.

[g'nad]

I'll lay a wager I can still knock the fuzz off a gnats ass at 200 yards through that peep sight.

I believe you COB... I've made some amazing shots with an M-1 and M-14...doesn't mean I wasn't just plain lucky...

[SpookBrat]

Thanks guys. I've been lucky lately. Sometimes I can't find anything good.

(I'm thinking....."heck...I just want THE Navy". Just kidding...I'm a married woman. ROFL! Hope he isn't lurking today) oooops....hehehe

[SAMWolf]

What is an American?

An American is not delineated by a particular skin color or way of life. He is a person from many places, with many shades of skin; of different sizes and varied energies. He has a Master’s Degree, or he may never have finished high school. He may drive an expensive automobile, or perhaps he relies on two mules to carve his living out of the earth. But, regardless of what he is, lacing the different physical features together is a bond of strength in tradition which exemplifies the American way; a way which opens the doors of opportunity to all peoples who may knock upon them.

An American has a spirit which was born when the bells tolled of independence, and which has released the adrenalin of his nation time and time again when it’s existence was threatened by an aggressor. An American does not view armed conflict as a means of getting what he wants, but rather as a means of protecting what he has. He is one who loves the very concept of Peace for all nations, but will not hesitate to fight on the shores of others to protect his own.

An American sees the knowledge of experience in his past, feels pride in the accomplishments of the present, and has hope for the future of the world, even when others would view the days to come with dismay. But a realistic American finds no guarantee of freedom or security in the future solely because he has always had it in the past.

An American recognizes the faults of his system and seeks to correct them through a process unknown to many nations. A process which does not promise absolute perfection, but one which allows for peaceful change, if change is needed. That process is democracy, and an American holds that word so dear, that he stands ready at a moment’s notice to lay down his life for its perpetuation.

An American finds nothing at all unusual about getting cold chills when his flag passes in review, for his flag has always been a source of inspiration; when the smoke cleared over Fort McHenry, when its sheen was reflected on the sands of Iwo Jima, and when the colors glistened on the side of the craft which took the first man to the moon. An American sees nothing strange about getting a lump in his throat when the National Anthem is played, or weeping unashamed when taps is played for one who paid the ultimate price for his freedom. He realizes that the only thing that exceeds that price is the freedom itself. An American never forgets the indebtedness he has because of that sacrifice, for without it, his freedom would only be an unreachable concept in some philosopher’s mind.

A true American is the essence of pride in a way of life. What is an American, you say?

he is fortunate.

–Michael Brown

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"What is an American, you say?"

Look in the mirror Brother and you will see one.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks Tonk.

[Mr_Magoo]

your letter to the President is top shelf stuff

I was not completly satisfied with the letter. I don't often write a letter, when I do I want them to be a hum-dinger. This one was only a dilly. . .

[SpookBrat]

Thanks.....isn't love a beautiful thing? I love those pictures. Bless their hearts. They give up so much for our FReedom. Bless military wives and husbands.

[PsyOp]

Independence Day Quotations link.
http://www.freerepublic.com/fo cus/news/709308/posts
Have a Happy 4th of July all.

[COB1]

I can visualize me and NoMoreDemoFacists going to the range together:

"Uh.....you go ahead and shoot and I'll spot for you."
"Naw, you go first!"
"Well, if you insist......
Uh......the sun's in my eyes. Is that the target wayyyyy down there?"
"Uh......it's overcast and that's not the target. That's a white cow. You're facing the wrong direction."
"Okay, smart ass! You shoot first!"
"Okay, but I'm going to use this bench rest. Now if I remember right, you shove this clip down in this hole......EOOOOOWWWWWWW!"

End of shooting practice.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"I was not completly satisfied with the letter"

I was! Thank You!

[MeekOneGOP]

Acronym Soup: From Alan Abelson's column in Barron's and other's notes circulating the Internet (so we must keep this circulating, then, lol):

EBT: Earnings Before Tricks
EBIT: Earnings Before Irregularities and Tampering
EBDITA: Earnings Before I Tricked the Accountants
NBT: New and Bigger Tricks
EVA: Earnings Valued by Andersen
NAV: Normal Andersen Valuation
CEO: Chief Embezzlement Officer
CFO: Chief Fraud Officer
EPS: Eventual Prison Sentence

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

ROFL......perfect......I take it you've met my husband then..........

[Mr_Magoo]

Florida Man Free To Fly Flag - Judge Removes Restrictions On Flags

[Excerpt]
He's paid a high price for his patriotism, but a Jupiter man won his three-year battle Tuesday to fly the American flag.

After thousands of dollars in fines, dozens of public protests and a lien on his home George Andres walked out of court a winner Tuesday.

A judge ruled that Anders could continue to fly his American flag, despite the fact that the way he flies it is against his neighborhood association's regulations.

[COB1]

"I take it you've met my husband then.........."

No, but I'd love to!
He and I think alike.
Another reason for y'all to move back to Texas!

[Pippin]

My brother was in the Marines in the early eighties. He left in 1983. But is he still a Marine? Like you sais, Once a Marine, always a Marine! SEMPER FI!

[SpookBrat]

<-----cuz I love ya

[Pippin]

Howdy,Cob! I'm back!

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

My husband was in at the same time as your brother........he was in 2/6.......do you know what unit (is that the right word?) your brother was in?

[Jen]

THANK YOU my sweet FRiend! You are a treasure. Jen

[Pippin]

Howdy, Spookie!