Looking forward to hearing from people who have flown "Christine" or worked on her.
Reply
Bill Martin
4/13/2013 06:57:10 pm
I was an Aviation Ordnanceman aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) which was VF-31's first full deployment after transitioning from the F-4 Phantom II to the F-14. I will have to dig out my cruise book's and personal photo's, but this was, and STILL IS, the sexiest bird that ever flew the skies!!!!
We would appreciate anything you might have on our "Christine." We are always looking to fill in its history.
Our mailing address is:
Veterans Memorial Air Park
PO Box 161966
Fort Worth, TX 76161
Thanks,
Jim
Reply
CDR John "Vapor" Jenista, USN Ret.
2/27/2015 11:21:10 pm
I am a retired Navy Commander and was RIO in the Tomcat community. I have flown BuNo 159600 while assigned to VF-2 and my log book reflects my first flight with her was on 20 January 1997 while onboard the USS Constellation, during pre-deployment training off the coast of San Diego. All totaled I have 27.1 hours in “Christine” including two combat target reconnaissance flights over southern IRAQ on 25 May and 8 June 1997 in support of Operation Southern Watch. Christine was one of fourteen tomcats assigned to The Bounty Hunters of VF-2 aboard CV-64 on her 1997 Westpac deployment and was also a designated “TARPS bird” as we called it, capable of carrying the Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). My log shows my last flight with her was on 27 August 1998, an “unofficial” low level navigation training flight from NAS Lemoore CA to NAS Fallon NV. I can recall details of that last flight as the pilot I flew with was getting some initial training of flying at 500 feet AGL and at tactical, 480 knot plus airspeeds, through mountains terrain. Great fun! Miss those days!
Nice to hear from you and a nice addition to our history on Christine. If you have any pictures we would appreciate a scan. And, of course if you are in the area come visit your old girlfriend. I think of all the people we have had contact with, you are the highest time crew member.
I deployed with Christine in the early 80's when she was with VF143. I was in VF143 working in AIMD, and many of my systems I fixed came from and went into this bird. Once again, while a civilian at NADEP, I saw this bird transitioning from an F14A to and F14D. I saw her up on blocks with every wire and hose removed. Then again, when I was working for FAA, I heard they needed help putting her together. I volunteered several Saturdays reassembling her to be put on display at the FWAM.
Hi Bill, nice to hear from you. Come on back and visit. May 16th would be a great day we have an Operation Frequent Wind fly-in and a craft beer festival in the afternoon.
Reply
Bill Fitzgerald
5/1/2015 06:45:04 am
I messed up on my comment. Christine was with VF142, the Ghostriders!!! I was in VF143, the Pukin Dogs.