Reunion 2011 is over and what a great time we had! Check
back from time to time as we post photos and stories of the event! A very heartfelt thanks is due to NC1 Steve Garcia
and his wife Dee for coordinating and arranging all aspects of the reunion. They both worked tirelessly to make this
event a smashing success. We wish you all could have attended!
Also another special thanks goes to LCDR Chad "Finch"
Welborn for the great inside tour of his active F/A-18 squadron, Strike Fighter Squadron ONE THREE ONE at NAS Oceana! Chad
devoted several hours of his busy day to serve as tour guide. Shipmates toured the office spaces of the squadron including
Maintenance Control, Paraloft, and the Ready Room. The hangar and flight line were also part of the up close look at
those awesome airplanes! The tour also included a visit to the F/A-18 flight simulator and one of our group actually
flew the aircraft in the simulator, while others watched. Wow, flying at 700 knots at treetop level from Oceana to
NavSta Norfolk makes for an exciting, albeit, short trip!
Chad was a Storekeeper on TCH during his first enlistment in the
Navy. He was also Petty Officer of the Watch during the decommissioning ceremony and transfer to the Turkish Navy. He
did his duty so well, he has a very special and important historical piece of memorabilia! The ensign he lowered from
the TCH mast at decommissioning remains in his possession and has accompanied Chad, in the cockpit, on combat missions in
Iraq and Afghanistan. What a special story!
