This is the six month ordeal that they put all Marine Second Lieutenants through. Notice that about the only photos I have are when we're at rest. There's no time for a camera otherwise! That's also why there aren't many pictures, because there was little time to rest.
With H&MS-13 Power Plants, 1986
This was my first job in the Corps. It was probably a bit big of a job for me, and it normally goes to a very seasoned Warrant Officer. Gunner Giebe did his best to snap me in, and then I was left with 70 hard charging Marines to rebuild MAG-13's aircraft engines, drop tanks, refueling pods, starters, and propellers (for the C-130s). This is a picture of me goofing off. (No, I did NOT wear my uniform this way, it was just for a joke.)
On Wake Island and on to Japan, October 1988
I was finally attached to a squadron, VMA(AW)-242, and we were sent overseas to Iwakuni, Japan for six months. Japan is not very memorable, but we did some time on Okinawa, and in the Philippines. For now, here are some pictures of us stopping at Wake Island on our way to Japan.
Twenty Nine Palms, Combined Arms Exercise, August 1989
When we got back from overseas, we participated in one of the frequent CAXes. We were the first A-6 squadron in many years to actually deploy during the exercise, rather than just support it out of El Toro. We actually went in the field! I think some grunts will disagree with that statement, since we were in quasi permanent tents. It was the best deployment I've been on!
Miscellaneous A-6E photos
F/A-18D photos
