VP 69 Totem Pole · 2017-08-28 · and do a “walk-thru” of the P3C. Later in the morning and...
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VP 69 Totem Pole VP-69 “Reunion 2017” A Newsletter for VP-69 Alumni and Friends August 2017 a celebration of lifelong friendships On August 18, 2017, VP-69 again celebrated their biennial reunion. This was the 47th anniversary year for VP-69. A total of 103 shipmates and guests came together on Whidbey Island, the “home” of the Totems. Participants came from 8 states. Friday evening was a “meet and greet” at the Rocky Point beach house and the main banquet was held at the CPO Clubon Saturday Saturday evenings master of ceremonies was RADM Doug Asbjornsen, the 22nd CO of ”69”. The Admiral introduced the reunion chairman CDR Mark Blaylock, who gave a very imformative history of the role of naval aviation in the Northwest and how VP-69 fit into that history. The guest speakers for the evening were the current CO of “69” CDR Peter Lauder and CDR Stephanie McKinnie. A Recognition was given to several shipmates. CWO4 Rich Beauchamp was awared a special VP69 challange coin for having been the first registration for the event. AK1 Mike Baldwin came 2815 miles from Pennsylvania and ADC Ron Kravitz traveled 2876 from Maryland. Each received a special VP69 challange coin. It is folks like this that are the backbone of the Alumni Association and part of a very dedicated group. CDR Lauder shared that the P3 emphasis after 9/11 has moved from ASW to “overland reconnaissance”. The Totems have 6 aircraft and currently deploys for 4 to 5 months. Current deployment, in September, will be to Kadena with 3 aircrew, 3 aircraft and 50 maintenance personnel. On current deployments, VP-69 integrates with active duty units. In October 2019 they will deploy for a one year period as a unit rather than integrating. This is definetly a different structure than most of us were accustom to. VP 69 is qualified in the use of the Littoral Surveillance Radar System (LSRS), a highly sophisticated surveillance radar CDR McKinnie is currently a Totem Tacco and is also a civilian contractor tasked with providing transition support for the P-8 program. She shared some of the main differences between the P3C & P8A. . The P3 had “on station” time of 3 hours with a crew of 9. The P8 has 4 hours “on station” with a minimum crew of 7. The on board computer systems in the P3 could track 32 targets and the P8 is capable of tracking 256. The P8 can store and deploy 96 sonar buoys. She also reported that the P8 has no flight engineer on board. This brought some moans from the audience. JAX has 6 fully transitioned squadrons. VP-69 Skippers Wiggins #2 McGuiness #9 Passmore #14 Asbjornsen #22 Lauder Current VP-69 Master Chiefs Osborn Young Folkstead Bueing Callahan Gudmestad If you are not a “Totem” then you are just another pole.
Transcript of VP 69 Totem Pole · 2017-08-28 · and do a “walk-thru” of the P3C. Later in the morning and...
VP 69 Totem PoleVP-69 “Reunion 2017”
A Newsletter for VP-69 Alumni and Friends August 2017
a celebration of lifelong friendshipsOn August 18, 2017, VP-69 again celebrated their
biennial reunion. This was the 47th anniversary year forVP-69.
A total of 103 shipmates and guests came together onWhidbey Island, the “home” of the Totems. Participantscame from 8 states.Friday evening was a “meet and greet” at the Rocky Pointbeach house and the main banquet was held at the CPOClubon Saturday
Saturday evenings master ofceremonies was RADM DougAsbjornsen, the 22nd CO of ”69”. TheAdmiral introduced the reunionchairman CDR Mark Blaylock, whogave a very imformative history of therole of naval aviation in the Northwestand how VP-69 fit into that history.
The guest speakers for the evening were the current COof “69” CDR Peter Lauder and CDR Stephanie McKinnie.
A
Recognition was given toseveral shipmates. CWO4 RichBeauchamp was awared a specialVP69 challange coin for havingbeen the first registration for theevent. AK1 Mike Baldwin came2815miles
from Pennsylvania and ADCRon Kravitz traveled 2876 fromMaryland. Each received a specialVP69 challange coin.
It is folks like this that are thebackbone of the AlumniAssociation and part of a verydedicated group.
CDR Lauder shared that the P3 emphasis after 9/11 hasmoved from ASW to “overlandreconnaissance”. The Totems have 6aircraft and currentlydeploys for 4 to5 months. Current deployment, inSeptember, will be to Kadena with 3aircrew, 3 aircraftand 50maintenancepersonnel. On current deployments,VP-69 integrates with active dutyunits.
In October 2019 they will deployfor a one year period as a unit rather
thanintegrating.This isdefinetlyadifferentstructure thanmostof us were accustom to.
VP 69 is qualified in the use of the Littoral SurveillanceRadar System (LSRS), a highly sophisticated surveillanceradar
CDR McKinnie is currently a Totem Tacco and is also acivilian contractor tasked with providing transition supportfor the P-8 program. She shared some ofthe main differences between the P3C &P8A. .
The P3 had “on station” time of 3 hourswith a crew of 9. The P8 has 4 hours “onstation” with a minimum crew of 7. The onboard computer systems in the P3 couldtrack 32 targets and the P8 is capable oftracking 256. The P8 can store and deploy96 sonar buoys. She also reported that the P8 has no flightengineer on board. This brought some moans from theaudience.JAX has 6 fully transitioned squadrons.
VP-69 SkippersWiggins #2McGuiness #9Passmore #14Asbjornsen #22Lauder Current
VP-69 Master ChiefsOsbornYoungFolksteadBueingCallahan
Gudmestad
If you are not a “Totem” then you are just another pole.
Rocky Point BBQ - Friday evening
Hanging out in the Hospitality Room.
Saturday morning visit to hanger 9
Saturday was an event filled day. Shipmateshad multiple choices as to how to fill theirday. In the morning we all had the opportu-nity to visit the squadron spaces at Hanger 9and do a “walk-thru” of the P3C.
Later in the morning and afternoon theoptions were to visit the PBY Memorial Mu-seum, the Flight Heritage Mueseum, wherean airshow would be taking place. There wasand opportunity to visit LaConner and takein a wine tasting tour or as always, shipmatescould just visit Coupville and browse theshops along the waterfront.
Saturday
,
Heritage Flight Museum
Main event - Saturday evening
The Totem Pole is edited and publishedby PH1 Daryl “Flip” Phillippi
Photos by the editor &AOCS Ed Hammond and MSGT John
BurrellComments and suggestions may beaddressed to [email protected]
for attending “Reunion 2017” andmaking this a memorable occasion.
Remember ... without you, no matter whatthe committee did, it could not have been a
success.
“Watch the website for the planningsession for our next Reunion” Think
about attending and offering some suggestionsto make the next reunion even better.
An email will be sent toAll Hands with moreinfo, as plans are firmed up.
Remember ... If you are not a “Totem” then you are just another pole.
Thanks to all
