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.

[Victoria Delsoul]

LOL!!! You guys are jealous of my beautiful weather, hehehe.

[MistyCA]

LOLOL! Yes, do send Attila after Dr. Pepper! I have been using them for target practice!

[Pippin]

Oops! Tomkow6 Would've been my choice of a sacrifice for Pike's Peak! LOL

Yes, I remember Mr Bill and Sluggo. I used to watch Saterday Night Live when I was younger.

[Victoria Delsoul]

We pledge our allegiance to the idea of America and the people who make that idea work.

I agree with you.

[Mr_Magoo]

One day Three FReepers were walking along and came upon a raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do it.

SAMWolf prayed to GOD saying, "Please GOD, give me the strength to cross this river." POOF!! GOD gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across the river in about 3 hours.

Seeing this, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub prayed to GOD saying, "Please GOD, give me the strength to and ability to cross this river. POOF!! GOD gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about one hour.

Snow Bunny had seen how this worked out for the other two, so she prayed to GOD saying, "Please GOD, give me the strength, ability, and intelligence to cross this river."

POOF!!

GOD put a map in her hands. She looked at the map, walked upstream a little way and walked across the bridge.

[MistyCA]

I am glad to know you are working on behalf of Jeb! I hope he makes mincedmeat out of his challengers!

[Pippin]

Congratulations on getting Billy back and on your daughter's gettong that job. I'll keep praying that she gets full custody of Billy.

[MistyCA]

Well, duh! Just have Fallguy carry your little car in his pocket for you! :)))

[habs4ever]

Happy 4th to you both, and to all the regulars on the Canteeen, from your neighbours up north.We Canucks may not always tell you how much we like the Good 'olde USA, and some of us get pretty snotty about it, but this Canadjun sure loves you great country and wishes you all the best and hopes your 4th is as special tomorrow as any you can remember.

I am so damn glad to live besides the USA and nowhere else :-)

[Pippin]

Jealous?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Great many thanks for the beautiful flowers, Tonk.

[summer]

Thanks, MistyCA - I am not with his official campaign, but I try to post about him here and bump others' posts about him on FR. This is a recent one:
Poll Shows Jeb Way Ahead

PS Hi Tatie Bug! Lots of CA people here on FR! :)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much for your post, Habs! Love ya!

[Victoria Delsoul]

A little? or a lot? LOL!

[Aquamarine]

That's a really nice post (The Pledge of Allegiance), Victoria!

[Pippin]

I'm not jealous!

[Victoria Delsoul]

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.

Big bump!!!

[LadyX]

Victoria, either this is a very old graphic, or someone used Whiteout on Under God - - - -

[Snow Bunny]

This is so awesome Victoria!!!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Hahahaha, I love it! What a great graphic. Thanks Cob.