Radio Check The theme for Rotor Review 156, and for NHA Symposium 2022, is “The Human Advantage.” Our greatest advantage in Rotary Wing Aviation is the “Weapons System with a Heart,” namely our people and our families who support them. Military careers can be unbelievably rewarding and fulfilling for service members and families alike. At the same time, this line of work presents us with a litany of challenges that test the strength of our relationships. Through the stress of deployments, Permanent Changes of Station (PCS), occupational risk, and irregular working hours, what makes a family cohesive? What are the characteristics of a strong and successful military family? What advice do you have for the young family who is just beginning its journey in Naval Aviation?
From CAPT Mike "Midds" Middleton, USN (Ret.)
Nothing shows the Heart of a Navy Family like a Tiger Cruise!
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rom day one of a long deployment, every sailor starts thinking of the reunion of the family 6-9 months in the future. As you get close to the fly off, the possibility of a tiger cruise brings a mini-reunion one week earlier. I was blessed to host my boys on back to back XO/CO cruises that allowed them a great bunk room with their dad. Without mom onboard to oversee “the boys”, the mini refrigerator was stocked with 5 days of cokes and candy bars! A great 2 days in paradise were planned on Oahu with a luau, snorkeling, and a car tour around the island! Big stuff for a 10 year old (and a dad). Onboard the BIG “E”, CVTV had a line up of 5, Star Wars movies complete with popcorn, and the Marines had automatic rifles to fire from the round down! But the highlight, in my view, was the opportunity to see Dad participate in the “Airshow” from the flight deck of the Enterprise. The Seaking went airborne and displayed a dazzling display of smoke launches, MAD, sonobuoy, sonar and swimmer deployments, ending with Old Glory streaming from the rescue hoist, close aboard the flight deck. From my perspective in the cockpit, it was the “highlight of the show”. Upon the debrief of my youngest son on the show, all I heard was, “Those Tomcats were awesome!” Tom Cruise I wasn’t! The cruise was a career highlight for me and my boys. But to see all the dads and kids of the Indian Squadron together onboard after a long cruise, showed the love that is found in all Navy families that was truly heartfelt! Our Helo Community is mission centric, but what makes it special, are the people and the families that made up its core! It’s not a job it is truly an adventure. An adventure with great Navy people and great Navy families that are honored and loved.
Sailors man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) as it pulls into Naval Station Mayport. Enterprise stopped briefly to embark almost 1,500 friends and family for a tiger cruise.
Rotor Review #156 Spring '22
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