Greetings to all Savage Son’s, Family and Friends….
It’s July 1st, so it is time for the Junemonthly update to the RVAH-5 Reunion being planned for Sept 30, 2017. As you know by now I plan on sending monthly updates at the end of each month right up till reunion time. Also, as we get farther along with this effort other details such as a daily schedule of events will be published. Not counting the month of July we have two (2) months to the reunion weekend!! If by chance you have not made your lodging arrangements I highly suggest you do so very soon.
In Junethe group / reunion picked up three(3) additional attendees for a new total of fortyeight(48), Savage Son’s who indicated they would / wanted make the gathering. I’m thinking fortyeight is not bad but I’m also thinking we will be picking up more as the word spreads. I’m thinking our group will have somewhere between 85 – 100 folks in our group counting the guests. Not bad!! In August I will be signing some paperwork with the Naval Air Museum to finalize the reunion effort. This paperwork is needed for the museum staff to be properly prepared for our group.
As previously noted Pensacola will be the reunion location. An added feature to our H5 reunion there in Pensacola is the Pensacola Seafood Festival. The annual Pensacola Seafood Festival takes over Seville Square, Fountain Park and waterfront Bartram Park in Historic Downtown Pensacola, Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2017. Don’t know about you but I’m sure I will be visiting many of the seafood booths for my fresh seafood fix.
Looks like events are shaping up where we will be gathering at two locations 1) the Naval Air Museum and 2) The Pensacola Grand Hotel. Obviously for those who retired from the Navy you may wish to stay at NAS Pensacola at one of the guest lodging facilities – Navy Lodge, Navy Cottages, etc. Attendees are welcome to make lodging arrangements which best suits their needs. Here are some on base lodging cost details. P'cola Navy Lodge (850-456-8676)forSept 29-30. The cost of the room for aretiree is $67.00 per night, NO TAX. That is a total cost of lodging of only $134.00 for two nights breakfast included. That rate is for a room with one queen bed. The rate for two queen beds is $80.00 per night. They do not charge your credit card until your stay and you can cancel all the way up to 1800 the day of arrival (that's6:00PMfor the civilians).
The folks at the Pensacola Grand are providing a reduced rate and allowing us space to gather as a group to tell “sea stories” and meet & greet old acquaintances. If you choose to stay at the Pensacola Grand they have a block of rooms for RVAH-5 under the code"AH5". The confirmed room rate is $119.00/tax for a standard room with two queen beds. All unreserved rooms will release onAugust 15.Pensacola Grand will continue taking reservations after this date, at the quoted rate, based on availability at the time of the request. You can contact the hotel direct for reservations: 850-433-3336ask for Room Reservations with code "AH5". The hotel provides free airport shuttle6am-10pm. All guest rooms receivefree WiFi.
On Saturday, Sept 30th all Savage Sons, Family and Friends will gather at the Cubi Point Bar & Grill within the Naval Air Museum. Between 11am – 1pm, check in - we’ll do lunch and mingle. Lunch will be served off their regular menu, pay as you go. After lunch (1:30pm) we’ll gather at RA5C display for group pictures, discussions, presentations (if any) and spend the afternoon touring the Air Museum. I was not able to get it etched in stone but the good folks at the Air Museum are going to get the RA5C moved up to the main building area from the back lot in time for the reunion gathering.
If you have pictures or other squadron memorabilia you wish to bring and share please do so. Though I’m the first to admit I was not (still not) very good at taking or keeping pictures and retaining other squadron artifacts I do have a few items I will be bringing to share. I recently uncovered a “RVAH-5 Family Gram, March – April 1976” from the ’76 WESTPAC on the Ranger.
More details will be forth coming about the Friday night gathering and Saturday events as they firm up….. A few things still being planned but have some bugs to be worked out. Stay tuned!! I’m thinking later on Saturday night at the Sea Food Festival is an excellent option.
We have time but for planning purposes a date had to be picked for the various logistics / event planning, room space, etc. Please respond to me with your official I’m attending no later Aug 15, 2017. I will also need the number of guest you will be bringing. This count is important for the folks at the Naval Air Museum, both for the exhibit space and for the grill. This will allow for any last minute changes to meeting room locations / food prep at the Naval Air Museum, etc…..
Last month I described my effort to have Boeing (aircraft manufacture of record) be part of the reunion and pledge their help with the restoration of the RA5C. Well, I’ve not been very successful l so far. However, I’ve not given up in my efforts in trying to obtain their help & participation. Fellow “Vigi Sailor” Joe Butler from H1 & H7 fame retired from the McDonnell / Boeing Air Craft group in St Louis is helping with the restoration effort by working the inside office channels of Boeing. The folks at the Naval Aviation Museum estimate it will take $50k to refurbish the RA5C. The aircraft suffered some wing damage and has some corrosion issues needing attention prior to the paint job. Just yesterday I reached out to GE as well. If you recall GE provided the engines, two GE J79-10’s. Since I was in the AT Recon /CNI shop don’t hold it against me if I did not list the engine nomenclature correctly, lolololol. We’re hoping to get sponsorship from both Boeing & GE. If by chance you know folks from either of these two companies please talk up the restoration effort and have them contact me or the Naval Aviation Museum.
Not to be solely dependent upon the corporate sponsorship help with the RA5C restoration the Naval Aviation Museum will set up a separate account if any private donations are made to the RA5C restoration. If anyone would like to support the Vigilante refurbishment, they should make a check out to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation and note on the lower left line on the check what the donation is for and the Naval Aviation Museum will establish a restricted account to support the refurbishment. I plan on publishing separate notices on various Navy FB pages about obtaining donations to refurbish the RA5C. Every $$ will help…..
Below is the updated roster. As requested by many I’m including the names of those individuals who have indicated they are planning / wanting to attend this auspicious occasion. Need your help to make this list grow!!
I did not provide individuals contact info (email or phone) for privacy considerations. I will only share contact info if directed by the various individuals to do so.
Attendee ListLast / First / Member
Alleman / Joseph / 75 - 77
Baldwin / Jerry / 69 - 73
Brestle / Harvy "Pete" / 63 - 66
Briney / Joe / 63 - 65
Brumbaugh / Don / 71 - 75
Carr / James / 67 - 70
Cater / Richard / 67 - 71
Challis / Harold / 68 - 71
Colquitt / Kenneth / 74 - 75
Crabtree / Freddy / 66 - 68
DiCosimo / Al "cos" / 70 - 73
Drake / Joseph / 70-73, 76-77
Fiack / Dave / 63 - 66
Frameli / Donald / 60 - 63
Frederking / Don / 63 - 64
Garrick / Martin
Gillion / Tom / 72 - 75
Hill / David
Hobbs / Joe / 61 - 64
Hoel / Dennis / 65 - 68
Huges / John / 75 - 77
Kilbride / Gary / 57 - 60
Keller / Jim / 75 - 76
Knowlton / Mark / 70 - 71
Langley / James "Jay" / 66 - 69
Lauderbaugh / Fred / 72 - 75
Malboeuf / James / 63 - 66
Mason / Mike / 73 - 77
Mcclellan / Joseph / 60 - 65
Minniti / Tony / 63 - 66
Murray / William "Buddy"
Olson / Walter "Chip"
Pruitt / Kevin / 74 - 77
Rassler / Ed / 68 - 71
Rice / Ronald / 75 - 77
Rothenbach / Peter / 68 - 70
Shattuck / George
Shimkus / Al / 64 - 66
Sommers / Barry / 75 - 76
Songer / John / 69 - 70
Steil / George "Bud" / 70 - 73
Thompson / David "Dave" / 66 - 69
Turner III / Cleve / 66 - 68
Wilbanks / Michael / 70 - 73
Wood / Gilbert "Woody" / 74 - 77
Woodside / David / 68 - 71
Yeager / Kenneth / 57 - 60
Zadareky / Bob "Zad" / 65 - 67
Ken Kilbride and Ken Yeager are still in the running as the Elder Savage Sons with their H5 time of 57’ – 60’. I think these gents will get a few libations sent their way!!
I will post monthly updates to the various FB websites for Heavy Squadrons as well as send them to you individually via the email you provided me. If you did not receive this update via your email I do not have your email on the “official spreadsheet”.
Please send any and all comments, suggestions and recommendations which will help make this reunion a success……
Joe Alleman,
RVAH-5, 1975 – 1977
Cell # 618 567 3982
No Slack In Heavy Attack