1. I'm Ken Jack, PH2 and the technical sponsor (vfp62.com webmaster). I served with VFP-62 during 1960-63 and made cruises on the USS Shangri La (1960-61) and USS Forrestal (1962-63), where I was the lead photomate. Back from detachments, I worked with Chief Frank Wolle and Frank Johnson, AT in the photo maintenance shop in the hangar.
One of the great thrills was to be flown out to meet my detachment on the Forrestal. The carrier landing was a thrill of a lifetime.
I believe it is important for the general public, former VFP-62 shipmates, and Naval Aviation enthusiasts to have access to a site dedicated to this spectacular plane and squadron.
As a newly graduated photographer from the Navy Photo School assigned to VFP-62, I couldn't comprehend what was in store for me. It proved to be the most exciting experience of my life. The RF-8A was the most beautiful man-made object that I ever saw and it was a great thrill to watch it take off and land. It was especially exciting to watch LCDR Norman Youngblood make a supersonic pass off the carrier on his way home after deployment.
My experiences with VFP-62 helped to shape my life, as I know it did for other young men. The Navy shaped teenagers into men, with important responsibilities, and gave us faith in ourselves to go into the world with confidence. Thanks to all of the officers and men who helped me. I'd enjoy hearing from any former shipmate.
After the navy, I earned degrees at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh. I taught high school math for thirteen years and then joined Westinghouse Electric Corporation as a computer software engineer. I developed reactor safety code until my retirement in 2002. My wife and I built our home in northern Pennsylvania where I enjoy reading, fishing, and enjoying the wildlife.
I have co-authored with the late Captain William B. Ecker, a book on VFP-62 and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It has been accepted for publication by Osprey Publishers, U.K. and will be on the market by the summer of 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the Cuban crisis.
2. [Webmaster's Note: Pete is the financial supporter of vfp62.com] Hi Ken, It is good to hear from you. Great web site! I was a member of VFP-62 from 1961-64. Deployed on the Enterprise "Detachment 65". It was the Enterprise's 1st Med cruise in the late summer of 1962. (3 months) -ed.) Several days back from the Med we redeployed in mid October 1962 for the Cuban Missile Crisis. My last deployment was in 1963 for a 6 month Med cruise again on the Enterprise with “Newby’s Nukes”. Also had some short deployments on the Independence and then made the Constellation shakedown cruise. The last year of my enlistment was at NAS Brunswick Georgia. We maintained the T39 Saberliner used for the training of RIO's for the F4 Phantom. My rating was ADJ 2when I was discharged in 1965.
What is amazing is I am starting to launch a web site VFP62.COM. (Pete is the co-sponsor for this site and pays the bills for the domain space. He & I started VFP-62 sites simultaneously and I have merged mine with his -webmaster.)
I had a chance contact, after my discharge, with George Gaughran (LTJG in 1962.) George was flying for American Airlines but is now retired. I met him at the airport (SFO) by chance in the mid 80's. Another person was Captain Coffee who was in VFP-62 in 1962 and later a POW. He was a guest speaker at a convention I attended in Hawaii. His speech was on survival and his experience as a POW in Vietnam was very moving and inspirational.
After seeing the movie 13 days it motivated me to do some research. I made contact with Commander Ecker he is retired in Florida. He sent me a nice note and a copy of the JFK Unit Citation photo. While on a visit to Boston I was at the Kennedy library and they have some interesting detail and photos taken in November 1962 when President Kennedy presented to the squadron the [Navy] Unit Commendation.
The PH’s and PT’s in DET 65 for the 1963 cruise: Orsulak J.J. PH1 /, Kissa, PT3 / Sees J. A. PH3 / Newby W.T PH2/ I recall Sees and Newby but the others the memory lacks a little.
Presently I live in San Jose, California and have been in the hardware and tool business since the late 60’s traveling around the world selling and importing tools and safety related products.
I would like to make contact with more VFP-62 members if possible. I have started a file of information and checked some web sites on the squadron. Most of what I have found is about the Missile Crisis and how the RF8s played a big role in Vietnam.
Let’s stay in contact. The squadron has a very rich history and some of the pilots like Ecker, Kelt and Curry as well as other members have a real treasure with some good stories. It would be great to get them and other squadron members talking.
3. Please add me to your data base and allow others to email me, Thanks for doing the VFP-62 site. We will all enjoy it.There are many of us who knew the F8U-1P and F8U-2P as it proceeded the RF-8 desigination.
I was in VFP-62 from 59 -61, being discharged in Aug of '61 when I headed to Atlanta and soon afterwards began my pursuit of an electrical engineering degree from Georgia Tech. I did electrical engineering until my retirement in 2000. It was a fun career and I did many, many jobs for the military with a lot of them being for the Navy. I made several Cuban cruises and 2 Med cruises (Forrestal and Roosevelt).
W. W. (Bill) Best AT2
[Webmaster's Note: I was sadly notified that Bill died in 2007. Details are being requested for the "In Memoriam" Page, this site:]
4. Thanks a lot, Ken. This is a wonderful site. I hope you choose to include me in your fine site. The Crusader was a wonderful aircraft. All that flew her or maintained her have a special place in their hearts for this great aircraft.
I served in VFP-63 at NAS Miramar from 68 to 70. made two cruises, aboard the Tico and the Shang. Onboard the Tico, we had two old VFP-62 types, Terry Greg, and Buzzy Isabella. They worked with me in the airframes shop. I would love to get in touch with either or both of them again. I'm in contact with several old shipmates from both cruises. Both pilots and enlisted alike.
Gary Capps
Contact me at : Gary (Andy ) Capps, 5513 Grover St. , Boise, Idaho 83705, (208) 338-0752 or email me at [email protected] or [email protected].
5. Looks great! If only someone made an RF-8 model for sale. Best I could find was to purchase a gunship, take down the guns and paint on photo windows. Ha. Too much work! If you know of any photo bird models, let me know.
Cheers,
Bob Couey [email protected]
PH3 VFP-63, Det #1 (NAS Miramar/USS Hancock/Constellation)
Active 1973 - 1977
Currently:
Visual Services Manager
SeaWorld San Diego
6. I'M FRANK BUESING - USNR - STEVENSVILLE, MICHIGAN. I SERVED WITH VFP-62 FROM DEC/1963 TO MAR/1965. I WAS ON THE USS FORRESTAL (DET 59) DURING "OPERATION SPRINGBOARD" - FEB/1964. (Webmaster's Note: Frank's photo was taken at the "Hanoi Hilton" in front of U.S. POW pictures. Picture was signed by Sen. John McCain, top row of POW's. Frank contributed pictures to this site) [email protected]
Click to see VFP-62 photo of : Frank (right)
7. Hi Ken. It is great to see VFP-62 have its own site. My father, Arthur W. Scarborough, was a Chief Photomate with that squadron from July 1962 to July1967 when he retired from the navy. He was responsible for the photolab as well as running the photo flight line operations, and was on the Saratoga DET 60 in 1963.
I remember going to the base with him when I was a kid (to keep me out of my mothers hair during the summer) and spent time in that old hot wooden photo shack next to the tie down area. Later the squadron moved into that large hanger that it shared with VF/VA-174.
The day my dad retired, there were only 4 RF-8s left. Pretty sad end for a decorated unit. Cecil was a great place for a young boy to experience. Lot of activity there. Anyway, please put the old Chief on your shipmate log.
He can be reached through me at [email protected]. I have been trying to get him to get a computer so he can get in touch with people he knew but he seems to be uneasy with these electronic contraptions. Keep up the good work.
Scott Scarborough.
[Webmaster: Unfortunately, Art is deceased. See "In Memoriam" for his memorial and "Faces of VFP-62" and "Scarborough Pictures"]
8. I was in the squadron from November 60 until September 63. The first two years I was on the Flight line, and the third in the Airframes shop. I have a cruise book from the Saratoga Med deployment, and will scan and send any pics I find.
I have a few pics from various internet sources that I will send also.
VFP-62 was only my first duty station, I spent a total of 24 years and retired in 1983 in Millington, TN. If there is a source of plaques, I'd like to see if one from the squadron is available.
I made my first Med Cruise in 61, spent Christmas in Cannes. OinC was LCDR T. T. Riley, LT Gerald Coffee (www.jerrycoffee.com -ed.)was "my" pilot, his name was on my plane. ADJ2 John Shatto was on the Det aboard Saratoga with me, and we crossed paths for years after that. One of our metalsmiths was K.B. Deering. He stayed on me almost constantly. Once he trooped the whole shop across my airplane, minutes after I finished cleaning it.
It would be nice to contact some of the old shipmates. Maybe someday a reunion???
Somewhere I have a photo of my F-8 on the flight deck of Saratoga, and Gerry Coffee's name is on the side below the canopy. I will try to find it...
9. My name is Bill Hile and I was with VFP-62 1960-63. I made one med cruise on the Shangri La and several short cruises. I for the life of me can't remember who our O-in_C was but 2 of our pilots were LTjg Chance and Hewitt. One of them had a canopy implode on him and he still brought the plane home.
Although I was a PT, I was trying to change my rate to PH and worked on the photo line for quite a while. I also had the privilege of working as a PH with the detachment sent to Key West during the Cuban crisis. I do remember Chief Scarborough. I never did get to change my rate and made PT2 while with VFP-62 and later made chief while serving with VFP-63.
[Updated 9/2/12]: I liked working on the photo line so much I got a year extension at VFP-62. From there I went to FICPACFAC in the Philippines and then to Fleet Intelligence Center in Norfolk. From there to VFP-63 where I made chief. VFP-63 was decommissioned and I was sent to FAW-6 in Iwakuni, Japan. FAW-6 was decommissioned and I wound up on the USS Blue Ridge. From the Blue Ridge back to the Intelligence Center in Norfolk and finally to the Nimitz.
I started off my career as a PT working as a PH (because of the Cuban crisis Bupers wouldn't let me change rate) and ended up working as a PH. I didn't get along with the boss in IOIC on the Nimitz and the photo lab needed a chief so I got the job. I worked for a mustang, Ltjg Dodson, and it really made for a great final assignment as I had a really great crew and Mr. Dodson a great boss.
After retiring from the Navy I went back to school and got a degree in electronics. I wound up retiring as a Field Service Engineer for Mitel Telecommunications.
Those are years of my life I really would like to remember better but age is creeping up on me. You have the makings of a great site and I wish you lots of luck with it.
Bill [email protected]
10. My father (Ed.: George Winslow) was involved with VFP 62 (CO of the squadron prior to the Cuban missile crisis) from, I believe, 1960 till 1962 ( I was born in 1960). Unfortunately my father passed away in 1996. Another pilot who was with VFP 62 - CMDR Stephen Shea just passed away recently. I appreciate your efforts to coordinate this website and am interested in this period of my father's career. If I can retrieve some photos of interest from the many we have - I will get them to you.
Sincerely,
George Winslow III
11. I was in VFP-62 1960-64 and made PH2 in 1961. I remember someone that deployed on the Shang, Bob Russell. I remember Art [ Scarborough]. He was the line CPO after Max Marbut. There was a couple of PH2's that I seem to remember, but cannot remember their names. Maybe something like Buell. I was the lead 2nd class and I worked the line always. I was the night film runner when Kennedy was shot and moved to the early morning preflight crew at the end of my tour. I made several build ups to the Caribbean and was flown out to the Enterprise durning the blockade due to a PH2 Williams lung collapsed. After returning to Cecil Field started the build up for Enterprise 63 cruise with PH2 Sees and PH1 John Orslack and another PH, I cannot remember his name. PT Peter Kissa was the PT and Ltjg Satterlee the AI officer. LCDR Kelt was the OinC. AM2 Peter Wallace and I pulled many a liberty together. 1964 I went to Photo School as and instructor then on to 10 years in the RA5C community.
I don't have any contact with anyone from those days. I have heard several have rung the bell. John Orslack, Carl Dugger, Max Marbut,?
Good work on the web sites. I will try to dig and see if I have any more photos of the time (Ed. see Faces of VFP-62).
Bill Newby PHCM (Ret. 1987)
Unfortunately,Bill passed away. See his memorial on "In Memoriam" this site
12. I made just one cruise on the Enterprise, in spring/summer 1964, right after I got off active duty. Frank Klinker was the OinC, Charlie Starlipper was the PI, and beside myself, Tom Larson and Ron Datka were the F8 pilots (in addition to LCDR Klinker, of course). I saw Ron once in about 1968 in Norfolk, and saw Tom in 1989 in Pensacola at a reunion of our preflight class. Dr. Rodney O. Rogers Click to email Rod: [email protected]
Professor of Aeronautical Science
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Webmaster's note: Rod's website below has some great links and pictures of Lt. Baucom's ejection sequence and other Crusader pictures. Click to go to Rod's website and biography
13. In Oct 1962 I had a generator failure on take-off from Cecil Field. The resulting foreign object damage led to my ejection. [Less than 6 months later CDR Kelt made another ejection from the flight deck of the Enterprise -ed.] CDR Newby Kelt
14. I have fond memories of Cecil Field and all the people I served with especially Chief Scarborough (he knew me as Buzz). From 1962 to 1966 in VFP-62 we went on Det 60 in 1963 ,also we were involved in the Cuban Crisis and Vietnam era.
As a young man ( kind of wild) he helped me a lot and not just on the job, I will always be thankful for his concern.
I would like to reach anyone that served with me . Buzz May [email protected]
15. Hi, my name is Ken Kelly. I was with VFP-62 from Feb of 61-Mar 63 whereupon I was transferred to DIO-3ND. While with "Fleet Eyes" I served as a YN (eventually YN2) in the Admin Office. I remember many of the officers and men well and consider my years at Cecil as being among the most formative in my younger days. Many personal and professional successes since, are all attributable to the great days with VFP-62.
I knew CDR George H. Winslow, CDR F. E. Foltz and CAPT William B. Ecker very well (in addition to many other officers and enlisted shipmates - I recognize the names of some who have already signed in the guest log. I had the pleasure of speaking to CAPT Ecker a few months ago by phone at his home in Florida - still as sharp as ever.
Throughout my career as a police officer and as a police psychologist etc. I have reflected fondly on those great days at Cecil. Visited the base a few months ago while on vacation - so much the same, and so much gone. I remember the Cuban Missle Crisis well - what "only we" knew for a few days is now a part of our nation's history forever. Saddened to hear of the decommissioning of the squadron long ago and of Cecil itself a few years ago.
Would love to hear from others. I have a few photos and copies of squadron newsletters to share. Great site - thanks for the memories.
16. I'm John Shutt, AT2, Conroe,Tx. Served during the years of 1961 and 1962. discharged in May, 1962. Worked on the flight line and in the hanger shop.
Went on the Enterprise's shakedown cruise. I joined the Air Force on 11/4/62 and served 4 years. Presently I work 3 days a week as a Sun system Eng. Gives me a good hideout.
Thanks a lot for putting this site online. This site really bring back some fond memories. I viewed the enlisted crewmembers and a lot of the names came back to life!
17. I arrived at Light Photo 62 as a Seaman Duce on April 21, 1960, having just been dropped from flight school in Pensacola, not the happiest young sailor in the world -- I had requested any ship off the West Coast, instead the Navy sent me to Cecil Field where I had to watch the planes I could not fly!
It turned out to be a great assignment where I found a career -- as a journalist. Because I knew how to type, I never had to serve the grunt details of mess cooking and compartment cleaning. After working as a yeoman for LCDR Guenther (SP? I'm not sure after all these years.) in the Admin office, I took over the VFP-62 Newsletter and other PIO-type functions that summer -- late July or early August, if I remember correctly.
I went on to strike for Journalist, putting on my Crow the next May. (Attached is the ID photo taken a few days later with a Speed Graphic in the infamous Cecil Field photo lab.)
Sometime that summer -- 1961, if I remember correctly, a hurricane came real close to Cecil Field. The planes were all flown away, and in the barracks the lockers were pushed backwards up against the windows. (Normally they were kept in the center of the room to form cubicles.)
I reenlisted as a JO3 in September 1961 and left the squadron in late May 1962 as a newly minted JO2 headed for NESEP preflight, having put out the monthly newsletter and news releases for nearly two years. In addition to the home town news releases that marked every arrival, departure, deployment and new rate in those days, the news releases included a picture of one of the Navy's first F4 Phantoms along with two older McDonald jets over Jacksonville that ran in full color on the front page of the Times-Union.
My orders read NESEP prep school, Naval Training Center Bainbridge; but I wasn't really ready to go back to college with my first child on the way. (He's now a Reformed Church in America pastor in Defreetsville, NY.)
After dropping from prep school, I got shore duty orders to Armed Forces Radio in New York City, where VFP-62's former Photo Officer was executive officer. I can't remember his name, but do remember he was a former photo mate and (I think) a full Commander at the time.
Working in the newsroom, I helped Armed Forces Radio report the Cuban Missile crisis, JFK's asassination, the 1964 elections and several space shots. I left in September 1966, a JO1 with orders to join the Third Naval Construction Brigade in Saigon via Port Hueneme, CA. Most of the final 10 months of my Navy career were spent as Seabee press liaison at the DaNang Press Center -- a former brothel along the DaNang River-- while living with the 30th Naval Construction Regiment at Red Beach north of DaNang.
In October 1967 I began my civilian journalism career at Dow Jones News Service. It slowed down to free-lancing when I took a buyout from Reuters at the end of 2001.
My thanks to all who got this site up and running, and especially to one of you -- Pete Wallace -- the only VFP-62 alum I'd been able to contact (through ClassMates.com) prior to this.
18. I'm Thomas Pinkley ADJ2, served in VFP 62 from Mar 64-June 65. Made the July 64-Mar 65 MED Cruise with DET 59 ( FORRESTAL). I know John (J.A.) Sees ( in picture section). Started on DET 59 with me. Sees and myself are in THE FORRESTAL RENUNION ASSOC. will see him at the annual gathering Labor Day weekend (06) near BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON AIRPORT. "SKIP" Staub was on that DET 59. Was saddened to see of his passing. Have no details though.
Some other information I'll elaborate on. I mentioned John Sees started out on on our Det but "cross decked" with Williams PH2 (in picture section). Sees' enlistment was coming up. I think this was with the Roosevelt. Williams joined us and completed the deployment with DET 59. He spent a bit over a year in the MED. We also ended up in the same room in the fleet po barracks at Cecil.
Before VFP 62 I did 2 years over seas shore duty at NS Rota Spain. In that 36 month period I was out of the states 32 months. Extraordinary experiance.
19. Hi: I'm Randy Lefler. I was in VFP-62 from April 1963 until June 1966. I was assigned to the line division as a plane captain for my whole tour. I made the 1964-65 Med cruise on the Shangri La. I was an ADJ3 when I left the squadron. I later served with VFP-63 SUPER DET 3 FROM 1976 until 1979. Made the 1977 cruise on the Coral Sea.I was sure glad to find this web site. Really brings back some sweet memories. Keep up the good work.
[Webmaster: email information requested.]
20. (Photo taken at Cecil Field FLA - webmaster) Well I see I have been mentioned once or twice in the Guest Book listing so I feel I should make a few comments now that I know about the Web site. I am John Sees former PH2 and was in the Squadron from July 1962 thru Feb. 1965.
I made the Med Cruise on the Enterprise in 1963 and the one on the Forrestal in 1964. I worked for and knew Art Scarborough very well and like to think of him as a mentor in many ways besides my squadron duties. I remember talking about his brother who was a WW II PBY enlisted pilot.
I noted many names from the Guest book comments I remember very well. William Thomas Newby ; Russell; Cdr Newby Kelt ; George Gaughran. Jim Orsalcak and others. I will send some e-mails to those that have listed them.
The two Officers (Faces of VFP-62 Page 2) riding on the mini motor bike are l-r Lt Thomas and Ltjg Ogles. Lt Thomas was a cracker jack machinist and built a helicopter (one person) from scratch in the machine shop at Bldg 41. Both he and Mr. Ogles were Mustangs.
Lee S. Perrin (Faces of VFP-62 Page 2) was an ABF3 who was in the Det 59 I was on and worked for me. He was assigned to photo as we were short of Photomates for the Deployment. In fact I was a PH2 and leading PO in the Photo section of Det 59. I had Lee and Eric Nelson an AT3 as photomates. I guess you didn't need much photo training to clean windows. I was glad to see Lee as we were pretty close on Det 59.
As for me I will be at the Forrestal re-union in Baltimore this August and if anyone wants to e-mail me I can be reached at:
J. A. Sees
[Webmaster: unfortunately John is deceased. See "In Memoriam" for his memorial.]
21. Hi Ken, I've been looking at your site about the VC and VFP-62
squadrons. Your photo history shows the progression of F2h-2P's to the F9F-8P's skipping over the 6P's. The F9F-8P's didn't come in until later. Thought I'd point this out to you. Well guess I'll just jog the old memory and see what comes up..
I was right out of AT-A school. Just made AT3 and my first tour was
with VC-62 (1955-57) at NAS JAX. Shortly after arriving they asked for a volunteer to be assigned to the Photo shop. My job was to help find
out what was wrong with the wireing harnesses for the new camera equipment installed in the the F9F-6P's airplanes. There were some wiring problems right from the factory. They were corrected and things started working correctly.
In the course of finding out how the cameras were controlled I saw a need for a piece of portable equipment that could be used to preflight the camera rigs. I came up with a design, acquired the necessary equipment and cobbled up a portable flight line tester. A tech rep from Chicago Air Park Industries saw what I had made and got the wiring schematic from me.
A couple of months later here comes a brand new flight line tester in
a pretty box all put together to meet Navy Specs. Yup, the wiring
diagram was exactly the same as my drawings. I guess Chicago Air
Park Industries made a few bucks off that move. I think the camera
equipment was updated after that and the new designation was the F9F-8P.
Things were then working all OK in the photo shop so I was then sent
back to the radio shop to carry ARC-27's back and forth to the flight
line and a deployment to the USS Forrestal's shake down cruise out of
Gitmo.
(VC-62 was the predesessor squadron to VFP-62 - see "History Page" -webmaster)
22. Mr O'Brien is correct about not showing the F9F-6P's. The VC-62 squadron also had two SNB-5P' and two TV-2's while they were at NAS Jax. At one time there was an F4U4P parked next to the airframes shop. I also remember an F7u photo plane being around the squadron for a short while. Don't ever remember seeing it fly.
I arrived at VC 62 as an AMAN in late 1955 and left in Aug 1959. Made one far east cruise on Bennington with LCDR Smith as OinC, LT Parce, Ltjg Custer and Ltjg Townsend. ADC Meyer was the leading chief and AD1 Stobbing was in charge of the maintenance crew. We were all made
shellbacks enroute to Sydney and had really bad haircuts for liberty there.
When we moved to Cecil Field, ADC "Blinky" Douglas was the line chief and
AMC "Feathers" Harris ran the troubleshooters. I worked as a troubleshooter for Chief Harris. Both these guys made E9 when that came about. I left the squadron in Aug 59 as AMH2. Great memories.
23. HI Ken I'm Vincent Zabicki. I reported to VFP-62 in may of 1959 right out of boot camp, did my tour as a mess cook etc. And then was
assigned to the power plants shop for awhile, then assigned to the USS
Independence Detachment 41-60 OIC was LCDR Barrow. This Detachment made
the Independence's first Mediterranean Deployment. Then back to Cecil
Field for a while and reassigned to the USS Shangri-La Detachment 38.
This was also it's second Mediterranean Deployment, upon being reassigned
to the East coast. Our OIC was LCDR Kauflin.
Then I returned back to Cecil Field again where things were uneventful until one week end in Oct. 1962 (had the week end duty) and ended up in Key West for a couple of weeks.
Back to uneventful Cecil Field until I transferred in May 1963.
I'm glad to see this web site now exists. I've recognized some
of the names and faces and it really brings back memories. Please keep
up the good work. (Vinnie contributed photos (Faces of VFP-62 Page 5) and photo gallery - webmaster)
24. I was assigned to VFP62 in Jan 57 through Mar 61 . I came to the squadron as a ADJAA and left an ADJ2 in 61. Made the first Crusader Det that took the F8U-1P to Cecil Field and then aboard the Forrestal (CVA-59) (Det42-58). Lcdr Murphy was the OIC. Also was with the Independence and Saratoga Dets.
I would appreciate it if you have any email addresses for that detachment crew. I especially interested in contacting Frank Aldridge who was a 2nd class ADJ at the time (made ADJC)
Yes it was a big squadron, over 1000 if I recall, and after leaving Main Side Jax just the isolated area lent itself to many funny stories. In those days you could get away with a few things, oh ya.
I'm hopefully inserting a news item (see "History" page -webmaster) and I did a det with LT Jerry Coffee.
25. I was an AZ2 with VFP-63 at Miramar NAS from 1966-1969. I made two WESTPAC cruises, the Hancock in 1967 and the Ticonderoga in 1968. In the mid to late 60's Miramar was out in the boonies, and we had to take a Greyhound bus to get into San Diego if you didn't have a car. I had a great time at Miramar and had lots of friends, some of whom I've been able to connect with via the internet in the last five years or so.
My Det 19 on the Ticonderoga was second to none. Great bunch of guys and pilots, such as Mr. Kocar, Mr. Boline and Mr. Wallace. We lost LCDR Mike Wallace. I took a picture of him from the flight deck as he was playing volleyball on the forward elevator shortly before he was shot down. Our escort squadron--I think VF-51--lost Lt. Ron Dodge, who I knew because we played varsity softball together for the Miramar Jets. His picture was later on the cover of Life Magazine, a healthy pilot being paraded through a village by villagers in about 1968. His remains were returned in the 80's. I have many happy memories of Miramar and especially VFP-63.
I was discharged in October of 1969. I had begun night school for court reporting while in the Navy, and remained in San Diego after my discharge and later had a 28 year career as a court reporter with the San Diego Superior Court, retiring in 1999. I now live in Carlsbad, Ca. and can be reached at: Click to email Frank: [email protected]
I'm Ken Jack, PH2 and the technical sponsor (vfp62.com webmaster). I served with VFP-62 during 1960-63 and made cruises on the USS Shangri La (1960-61) and USS Forrestal (1962-63), where I was the lead photomate. Back from detachments, I worked with Chief Frank Wolle and Frank Johnson, AT in the photo maintenance shop in the hangar.
[Webmaster's Note: Pete is the financial supporter of vfp62.com] Hi Ken, It is good to hear from you. Great web site! I was a member of VFP-62 from 1961-64. Deployed on the Enterprise "Detachment 65". It was the Enterprise's 1st Med cruise in the late summer of 1962. (3 months) -ed.) Several days back from the Med we redeployed in mid October 1962 for the Cuban Missile Crisis. My last deployment was in 1963 for a 6 month Med cruise again on the Enterprise with “Newby’s Nukes”. Also had some short deployments on the Independence and then made the Constellation shakedown cruise. The last year of my enlistment was at NAS Brunswick Georgia. We maintained the T39 Saberliner used for the training of RIO's for the F4 Phantom. My rating was ADJ 2when I was discharged in 1965.
I'M FRANK BUESING - USNR - STEVENSVILLE, MICHIGAN. I SERVED WITH VFP-62 FROM DEC/1963 TO MAR/1965. I WAS ON THE USS FORRESTAL (DET 59) DURING "OPERATION SPRINGBOARD" - FEB/1964. (Webmaster's Note: Frank's photo was taken at the "Hanoi Hilton" in front of U.S. POW pictures. Picture was signed by Sen. John McCain, top row of POW's. Frank contributed pictures to this site)
I was in VFP-62 1960-64 and made PH2 in 1961. I remember someone that deployed on the Shang, Bob Russell. I remember Art [ Scarborough]. He was the line CPO after Max Marbut. There was a couple of PH2's that I seem to remember, but cannot remember their names. Maybe something like Buell. I was the lead 2nd class and I worked the line always. I was the night film runner when Kennedy was shot and moved to the early morning preflight crew at the end of my tour. I made several build ups to the Caribbean and was flown out to the Enterprise durning the blockade due to a PH2 Williams lung collapsed. After returning to Cecil Field started the build up for Enterprise 63 cruise with PH2 Sees and PH1 John Orslack and another PH, I cannot remember his name. PT Peter Kissa was the PT and Ltjg Satterlee the AI officer. LCDR Kelt was the OinC. AM2 Peter Wallace and I pulled many a liberty together. 1964 I went to Photo School as and instructor then on to 10 years in the RA5C community.
I arrived at Light Photo 62 as a Seaman Duce on April 21, 1960, having just been dropped from flight school in Pensacola, not the happiest young sailor in the world -- I had requested any ship off the West Coast, instead the Navy sent me to Cecil Field where I had to watch the planes I could not fly! 
I'm Thomas Pinkley ADJ2, served in VFP 62 from Mar 64-June 65. Made the July 64-Mar 65 MED Cruise with DET 59 ( FORRESTAL). I know John (J.A.) Sees ( in picture section). Started on DET 59 with me. Sees and myself are in THE FORRESTAL RENUNION ASSOC. will see him at the annual gathering Labor Day weekend (06) near BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON AIRPORT. "SKIP" Staub was on that DET 59. Was saddened to see of his passing. Have no details though. 
(Photo taken at Cecil Field FLA - webmaster) Well I see I have been mentioned once or twice in the Guest Book listing so I feel I should make a few comments now that I know about the Web site. I am John Sees former PH2 and was in the Squadron from July 1962 thru Feb. 1965. 
