August, 2007

Middle Park Experimental Aircraft Assn.,
Chapter 1267 Flies to California
To Visit the U. S. Navy

Sunday afternoon, the first of six aircraft took off from Granby, heading west towards San Diego. Their dual mission: To visit two Navy Aircraft Carriers, the USS Midway (Commissioned in 1945 and now a museum) and the Navy's newest carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan. The second part of their mission was to visit the Navy's West Coast fighter base, NAS Lemoore.

Capt. Craig Kauber, an F-18 Squadron Commander, now stationed at Cheyenne Mountain in CO. Springs, coordinated the trip. The group of 14 men arrived in San Diego on Monday, and immediately headed for the Midway for an afternoon exploring the historic carrier. Included in the group of 14, there were four Naval Aviators: Captain Kauber, two guests of the Chapter and former Navy Fighter Pilots; Bob Brunson, who lives in Estes Park, flew F4U Corsairs in WWII off the USS Enterprise in the Pacific theater, and Pat Murphy who lives in Morrison, flew Banshees in the late 50's. Rod Kauber, another former Navy Fighter Pilot, lives here in the valley was also part of the group.

On Tue, the group visited the USS Ronald Reagan, and spent 4 hours touring much of the carrier. The group was briefed on many working aspects of carrier operations including: flight deck operations and operation of the catapults and arresting gear, command & control of aircraft from Pri Fly, underway command of the ship from the Capt's bridge and many other aspects too many to mention.

Following the carrier tour, the group flew to Hanford, CA., an airport near the Naval Air Station. Wed the group was hosted by two different Hornet Squadrons. They were briefed on the mission capabilities of the F-18 aircraft and were able to fly the F-18 simulator including making a carrier landing. Carrier Air Wing Fourteen Commander, Rhett Butler ended the day by addressing the group and attending a Happy Hour following the day's tour.

As dawn arrived on Thur, the group's six aircraft were again airborne, heading east for home. All aircraft arrived safety, touching down shortly after noon.
All attendees were tired, but much more knowledgeable about carrier air operations and the vital mission being carried out by Naval Aviation.

Submitted by:
Rod Kauber, CDR, USN (Ret.)
970-887-0514

This is the EAA Chapter 14 hangar. They hosted our attendance at Brown Airfield in
San Diego, CA

Our aircraft tied up at Brown Field in San Diego

Our first tour was of the USS Midway Museum in San Diego

A little clowning around with "deck hands" at the Midway

Next we did a tour of the USS Ronald Reagan, an active carrier that was in
for some "minor repairs" prior to another deployment.

We were fortunate enough that we got a tour of the ship's Commanding Officer's
in-port stateroom. Due to our connections (Rod Kauber's son, Craig) ... we got
a four-hour tour of the ship. A normal civilian tour is about 20 minutes!

The next day we were at Naval Air Station Lemoore and toured the VFA-22
Fighter/Attack Squadron.

The "O" Club at NAS Lemoore. At the bottom left in the photo is "CAG", the
skipper over all the fighter/attack squadrons at Lemoore. CAG had served with
Craig Kauber and we were received like royalty.

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