Naval Aviation
Official U.S. Navy website.
A look at all of the "official" US Navy web pages. From here is an alphabetical index that will bring you to another index which will lead you to your area of interest. Sounds cumbersome...but it isn't. For instance go to "Aviation" or to "Aviation Squadrons" and it will lead you to all of the official websites under those banners. Very quick, really good...and you will get a command presentation of what is going on in the wonderful world of Naval Aviation.
The Tailhook Association
The Tailhook Association is an independent, fraternal, nonprofit organization internationally recognized as the premier supporter of the aircraft carrier and other sea-based aviation. The purposes of the Association are: to foster, encourage, develop, study, and support the aircraft carrier, sea-based aircraft, both fixed and rotary wing, and aircrews of the United States of America; and to educate and inform the public in the appropriate role of the aircraft carrier and carrier aviation in the nation's defense system.
The Tailhook Educational Foundation is a charitable nonprofit California corporation created in February 1992. The Foundation's charter is "to educate the nation's public with regard to the history and present day activities of the United States Navy carrier aviation and its importance to our country's national security." The three main activities of the Foundation are: to provide educational scholarships to children of present and former United States Navy carrier aviation personnel, to distribute The Hook magazine to schools throughout the nation at no cost to the schools, and to establish and maintain a historical research library.
All donations to the Tailhook Educational Foundation are fully deductible as charitable contributions
The Association of Naval Aviation
The ANA is the professional, non-profit, educational and fraternal society of Naval Aviation, whose main purpose is to educate the public and our national leaders on the vital roles of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation as key elements of our national defense posture. ANA continuously seeks to elucidate the key current issues impacting Naval Aviation through published writing, symposia, speeches and discussions with various interest groups. ANA also seeks to foster the strong pride, esprit and fraternal bonds which exist among those associated with Naval Aviation.
We are Naval Aviation.
Our core competency is the projection of combat power whether from a flight deck or forward base. Flying experience is critical to the Naval Aviation Force to keep that force safe and competent - we know this fundamentally. Flight hours are important but aren’t necessarily who we are. We are the men and women of Naval Aviation, men and women who have all worked hard to earn our wings. We wear these wings with the great pride they deserve. We influence events in this unsettled world by engaging forward by our presence and power. Our service puts us in harms way far from our families, often for significantly long intervals. What we do is hard and often times dangerous but it is bigger than all of us so we do it as a team. Hardships are shared. All of us are part of a competent, professional Naval Air Force which has no equal in air combat. What drives us is a richness of life and experience which can be found no where else. We serve our country. Our duty is mission accomplishment. We lead our men and women with compassion. We excel in the air. We make a difference. –
VADM John Nathman
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National Mueseum of Naval Aviation
The Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida...an absolute must for everyone interested in Naval Aviation...past... and present.
The Navy Historical Center
This is an official U.S. Navy web site, and one of the best. Significant links to nearly every aspect of Naval operations...past and present.
Naval Historical Center Mission: To enhance the Navy's effectiveness by preserving, analyzing and interpreting its hard-earned experience and history for the Navy and the American people. The Naval Historical Center has provided links to non-government websites that may be of interest to our viewers. However, the Naval Historical Center does not endorse the facts presented or the products advertised by these websites.
The Naval Historical Center has provided links to non-government websites that may be of interest to our viewers. However, the Naval Historical Center does not endorse the facts presented or the products advertised by these websites.
The F-8 Crusader Gunfighter Page
The F-8 Crusader was the last U.S. fighter designed with guns as its primary weapon.
U. S. fighter aircraft are once again being fitted with guns, largely due to the Vietnam airwar experience. Missile-only aircraft were at a distinct disadvantage in the environment many thought passe' --- the dogfight. The Crusader with its guns, and Crusader drivers well versed in dogfighting, led to a resurgence in gun-equipped aircraft, and a renewed emphasis in ACM -- Air Combat Maneuvering.
Why is there such a strong bond among Crusader drivers (and the ground troops too)? Ernest Hemingway has the answer:
"You love a lot of things if you live around them. But there isn't any woman and there isn't any horse, not any before nor after, that is a lovely as a great airplane. And men who love them are faithful to them even though they leave them for others. Man has one virginity to lose in fighters, and if it is a lovely airplane he loses it to, there is where his heart will forever be."
The Ejection Site
Fortunately, an emergency egress system, the ejection seat, has evolved over the years that has saved countless lives of aviators that have had to get out of high performance aircraft. An ejection is definitely not a normal procedure...but many lives have depended on this last ditch emergency procedure...and it worked as advertised.
This unique web site authored by Kevin Coyne has images and stories rarely seen in public media forums. Kevin states "This sites goal is to educate and entertain people of all interests with details on one of the most interesting fields of engineering. People often ask me why I say that, and here is my answer. Egress systems are nearly unique in the world of technology as they are intended to exist for extended periods and then at need perform an extremely complex and often precise series of events to save a persons life. These systems must work 100% of the time when called upon, whether or not they have been recently checked out or not. They are in an environment where they are exposed to extremes of vibration and G-forces, heat and cold, and must still work."
*The Navy aircraft pictures used here have come from official US Navy sources, and from individual squadron files. We thank all the sources for the use of their pictures and helping promote Naval Aviation. The editor... NorthAmericanAviator.com
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