USO Canteen FReeper Style....Aviation Ordnancemen Thank You.......July 3,2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen FReeper Style and Snow Bunny

[Snow Bunny]

Aviation Ordnancemen (AOs) are aircraft armament (weapons) specialists. They are in charge of storing, servicing, inspecting, and handling all types of weapons and ammunition carried on Naval and Marine aircraft.

Ordnance Attitude Adjustment Tools

What Aviation Ordnancemen do...

Inspect, maintain and repair aircraft mechanical and electrical armament/ordnance systems.

Service aircraft guns and accessories.

Stow, assemble, and load aviation ammunition including aerial mines and torpedoes.

Service releasing and launching devices.

Load supplementary munitions.

Assemble, test, and maintain air-launched guided missiles.

Supervise operation of aviation ordnance shops, armories and stowage facilities.

Possibly function as air crewmen in various types of aircraft.

When training is completed, aviation ordnancemen may be assigned to Navy ships carrying aircraft, air stations, squadrons deployed to aircraft carriers or other aviation facilities in the U.S. or overseas.

The Arabian Gulf, Aug. 12, 2000 — Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Alejandro Montalvo of Mocha, Puerto Rico, and Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Chris Tucker of Ocala, Fla., prepare a 2000 pound, MK-84 JDAM GPS Guided Weapon for loading on an F/A-18 Hornet on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and her air wing are operating in the Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class J. Scott Campbell. [000812-N-1407C-004] Aug. 12, 2000.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002 — An Aviation Ordnanceman supervises the "bomb farm" on the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). From the "bomb farm," ordnance is moved out onto the flight deck and onto the aircraft. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Alta I. Cutler.

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Mar. 5, 2002 — An Aviation Ordnanceman aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) installs an FMU-139BB "electric tail fuse" on a 500-pound BLU-111 penetrating bomb while working in one of the carrier's weapon magazines. Since World War II, the U.S. Navy's carriers have been the national force of choice. In over 80% of the times when the World was faced with international violence, the U.S. has responded with one or more carrier task forces. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James A. Farrally II

Aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), Marine Corps ordnance handlers move 500-pound GBU-12 MK 83 laser guided bombs towards an F/A-18 Hornet in preparation for loading. The Hornet strike fighter is assigned to the "Black Knights" of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron Three One Four (VMFA-314). Marine aviation, flying from Navy carriers and amphibious ships, demonstrates the close integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Word.

Aboard USS Carl Vinson- an Aviation Ordnanceman directs forklift operator while moving bombs in the ships hanger bay.

Steam from the catapult surrounds an aviation ordnanceman as he gives a thumbs up after checking a Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) attached to an F/A-18C Hornet before launching from the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) on Aug. 22, 1999. The Hornet will be releasing the JDAM at the Okinawa, Japan Range Area in the first fleet squadron drop of the newly developed weapon. JDAM uses a global positioning system aided inertial navigation system to guide its 2,000 or 1,000 pound warhead to the target with a high degree of accuracy.

The Legend of Saint Barbara

"The Patron Saint of Cannoneers and Ordnancemen"

Saint Barbara was born in the year 218 A.D., in Nicomedia, a city of northern Asia Minor. Her father, Dioscorus, was a tyrannical Roman. During his absence from home, the girl embraced the teaching of Origen, the great Christian doctor. Dioscorus on his return ordered a new house built for Barbara, who was very beautiful, where she might entertain her suitors.

To symbolize her faith, the maiden induced the builder to put three windows in her bedroom to typify the Trinity, instead of the two windows her father had ordered.

When Dioscorus discovered the third, most significant window and questioned her, Barbara admitted she had become a Christian. Not only did she insist upon clinging to the new religion, but she rejected the suitor whom her father had selected as her husband. She was tried on her father's indictment, found guilty and sentenced to death. Dioscorus called the prefect, "Give me the sword; she shall die at my own hands."

And so did Barbara die at the hands of her own father. Even as the sword fell, lightening fell upon this cruel father and consumed him as he stood.

Because lightening appeared to revenge the death of Barbara, she became the protectress against lightening and thunder. Ordnancemen, regardless of the flags under which they served through the centuries, have claimed Barbara as their patron saint.

[Snow Bunny]

Tribute To HEROES

Tribute to Vietnam Veterans....Please click on picture

The great intangible of America's wars beyond logistics, beyond strategy, beyond wonder weapons and Generals, is the spiritual force of its fighting men and women - and that is the force that the USO so serves.

Free Republic....Click for Donations

For our Troops and supporters of the

those serving now and our Veterans.
Please Click on Letters below to visit
The Belvedere Room ~ Poets of Free Republic~

Share a poem with someone serving now.

Thank you from all those that frequent the FReeper Canteen to Jim Robinson, Founder of FRee Republic and Navy Veteran.

[Snow Bunny]

The Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

[Snow Bunny]

[Snow Bunny]

On behalf of TF Rakkasan and myself let me thank you for your letter, your kind thoughts and most important you support. Your desire to send care packages to the soldiers of TF Rakkasan is wonderful in itself. We are lucky here because we have had the support of you great Americans every since we got here. As for the packages we will be deploying home soon after 7 months and I am afraid your packages would get lost in the system somewhere, but please know your letter and thoughts are more important to us than a package and for that we can't thank you enough!
Sincerely,
R. Herman
TASK FORCE RAKKASAN

SGM R A Herman
TF Rakkasan
HHC 3Bde
APO AE 09355

The receptionist at SAMWolf’s office has a Marine friend of hers that could use some morale building.
He's at Camp LeJeune right now waiting for a training deployment to a ship.
He's 29 has 2 daughters under age 3 and is missing his family.
SAMWolf told her he would pass the Marines’ name and address onto the Canteen.

His current snail mail address is:
Cpl Berger, Charles W.
II MEF MARFOR UNITAS
RECON DET
Bldg 10, Wing 3
PSC 20164
Camp LeJeune, NC 28542-0164
His email is:
charlesberger@hotmail.com

The USS George Washington carrier battle group left NAS Norfolk today for their 6 month .The USS George Washington has about 7,500 sailors and Marines with the carrier and its battle group left to head overseas and likely into combat. The Navy will not disclose the ships's destination.
Prayers for ALL our Troops

The USS McCampbell will be commissioned in August.
USS McCampbell (DDG 85)
FPO AP 96672-1275

[Snow Bunny]

Welcome to the USO Canteen FReeper Style.

Thank you for being a FReeper and for your wonderful support of our Military and our Veterans.

God Bless you.

[tomkow6]

Goog morning, Snow! Good morning EVERYBODY!

At sea aboard USS George Washington, Jun. 30, 2002 — Aviation Ordnancemen aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) unload bullets from an F-14 Tomcat assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103). Carriers, such as George Washington and her sister ships, allow the United States to bring air power where it's needed, when it's needed and for as long as it's needed without requiring any basing permission from another country. George Washington is based in Norfolk, Va., and is on a scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jessica Davis. [020630-N-3986D-006] Jun. 30, 2002

[Bahbah]

Good morning, Snow Bunny and all. Another great day in America thanks to those who defend us. God bless them and keep them. Off to work.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Bunny.

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS John C. Stennis, Feb. 18, 2002 — Aviation Ordnancemen from "Checkmates" of Fighter Squadron Two One One (VF-211) aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) complete installation of a GBU-12 500 pound laser-guided bomb on an F-14A Tomcat fighter aircraft. John C. Stennis and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) are supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Quinton Jackson. [020218-N-8505J-735] Feb. 18, 2002

[Pippin]

Good Morning,Bunny! I posted the pledge on the other thread (Amreica: The Right Way) But I pinged everyone to it. Have a great day!

[Pippin]

Good Morning, Tom!

[dighton]

Look what Snow_Bunny put together, just for you.

;-)

[Joe Brower]

Good morning, all!
Start your day with the Pledge!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Clara! HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

[tomkow6]

Today's feeble attempt at humor:

A little boy returning home from his first day at school said to
his mother, "Mom, what's sex?"

His mother, who believed in all the most modern educational
theories, gave him a detailed explanation, covering all aspects
of the tricky subject.

When she had finished, the little lad produced an enrollment
form which he had brought home from school and said, "Yes,
but how am I going to get all that into this one little square?"

[Pippin]

Good Morning again, Cote! I'm on the "right" thread, now! LOL!! Have to get to work now. I'll talk with you at my break. SEEYA!

[RaceBannon]

Snow Bunny, there just arent enough kisses in the world for a woman like you!

[tomkow6]

You at work?