VP-5 Squadron Shipmates
http://www.vpnavy.org
VPNAVY Address

ShipmateRoyal Australian Air Force ShipmatesShipmate

CALDOW, Gary R. gcaldow@bigpond.com "...I served in the (RAAF) Royal Australian Navy flying S2-G's 1977-1980 and qualified carrier ASW after some hairy landings on HMAS Melbourne. On one occasion, on a real IFR night I found myself North of New Zealand with a main bearing failure on one engine, and was forced to divert to Whenuapai NZ arriving with one collapsed fuel tank. It could be some sort of single engine "in extremis" S2 record - anyone else have a similar experience? Best Wishes..." [07MAR2002]

CSERNY, Nick skipper@pickup.hu "...I was a Instrument Technician (RAAF) with 11Sqn from 1971-77 and then with 492Sqn from 1979-81. In both cases my time was on P-3B Orions. Took part in 3 RIMPACs and 2 Fincastle competitions. I look back to these years with fondness and the aircraft that was a pure pleasure to work on..." [08DEC2004]


HEAZLE, Ian (H.B.) abcautowreck@webwreck.com.au "...I came across the section on your site concerning Royal Australian Air Force Maritime Squadrons and would like to thank you for your efforts and consideration. I served in No 10 Maritime Squadron between 1965 and 1970 as an Electrical Fitter Aicraft and was in Hawaii for the exercise mentioned elsewhere with the photo of Wing Commander Rodd (1967). I would like to add that the U.S. Navy at NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii gave us a terrific time while we were there, and I am sure I speak for all members of 10 Sqd that attended..." [15JUN2002]


ROY, Michael "Judge" Retired mlcmroy@earthlink.net "...I was a member of VP-23 CAC-9 (Pigs in Space) from Jun 80 to Oct 83. As I scrolled down the Shipmates of VP-23 I found several names that were familiar. Leaving VP-23, I was an exchange officer with No. 10 Sqn, RAAF. That tour was the highlight of my 23 year career. After a follow-on tours as ASW Officer/TAO on the USS Nimitz and ROTC Instructor at Norwich University, VT, I retired. I am a high school math teacher in Louisville, KY..." [26APR2001]


TOMASCAK, CDR Pete Shipmate PixCirca 2005 http://reserves.navy.mil/ "...CDR Tomascak was born in Minneapolis , Minnesota. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology, he was commissioned an Ensign throught the NROTC program and reported to NAS Pensacola, Florida for flight training. He was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1988 at the NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. Upon completion of the P-3CU-III FRS training syllabus at Patrol Squadron THRITY-ONE (VP-31), CDR Tomascak reported to the "Golden Swordsmen" of Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VP-47) at NAS Moffett Field, California. During this tour form 1988-1992, CDR Tomascak completed three separate six-month deployments. The first was to NAF Kadena, Okinawa, Japan followed by the second to NAS Adak, Alaska and the third, a split deployment between NAS Cubi Point, Philippines and NAF Misawa, Japan. During his time at VP-47, CDR served as Personnel Officer, Quality Assurance Officer and Assistant Operations Officer. His qualifications included Mission Commander, NATOPS Instructor Pilot, Patrol Plane Commander and Maintenance Check Pilot. CDR Tomascak was then selected for the Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) and reported to Number 11 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force, Edinburgh South Australia in December 1992. There he conducted maritime operations throughout the Pacific Rim and served as Pilot Training Officer, Mission Commander, Patrol Plane Check Captain, Patrol Plane Commander and Maintenance Check Pilot. In March of 1995 CDR Tomascak reported to the "Old Buzzards" of Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit One (VPU-1) NAS Brunswick, Maine. During this tour he served as Safety/NATOPS Officer, Assistant Aviation Maintenance Officer, Aviation Maintenance Office, and Operations Officer. His qualifications include Mission Commander, NATOPS Instructor Pilot, Patrol Plane Commander and Maintenance Check pilot. In 2000 CDR Tomascak and his crew won the esteemed "Liberty Bell" trophy for ASW excellence during an extremely competitive fleet-wide ASW competition. This was the first Liberty Bell award in the command's history. CDR Tomascak has amassed over 4500 pilot hours and over 6000 hours of total time in the P-3C aircraft. His personal decorations include the Strike/Flight Air Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various campaign and unit awards...." [19JUN2005]

TURNER, Robert desertfox121@netspace.net.au "...I served with the Royal Australian Air Force (1965-1967 based at RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales – RAAF Richmond was then the home of No 11 Squadron. At that time I was employed as a clerk in the Base Operations/Flight Planning section, so knew all the movements of aircraft on the base..." [22OCT2020]


WILLIAMS, Neville "Scruffy" rancomp@bigpond.net.au "...RAAF apprentice (engine Fitter) 1955 -1967. I served in 11 SQN from 1960 to 1967 at Richmond NSW working on P2V5F..." [E-Mail Updated 03JUN2007 | 09JAN2000]


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