During this week's virtual (ZOOM )meeting
We were joined by Assistant District Governonr Chris Potter (far left – center row)
Jerry Redington became the first of our Club's members to share his backgournd … in his case of his years as a U.S. Naval Aviator.
Lt. Jerry (right) with fellow aviator Lt,. Ron Hyde in 1964 aboard the USS Independence (CVA-62)
Over more than two decades of service, Jerry was assigned to 16 different duty stations across the United States and world. Fortunately, he sent us all a primer/photos of some of his favorite aircraft this week. They include:
- He started flying transport planses, including the T6, as well as the TV2 duel cockpit, and F9F, Panther single seater.
Navy SMJ – Jerry flew fo r 8 months is the training command and for his first solo and in which he logged six carrier landings
His next aircraft wat the TV-2 Shooting Star
during his tour at the Advance Traiing Commadn in Kingsville Texas
Jerry next transitiond to the F9F-5 Panther
during which tiem he received is Naval Aviator Wings as the age of 21!
He was then assigned ot his first squadron VU-2 wher ehe fles the F9F-8 Cougar
…
hen as a flight instructor, he flew a Cougar ad also a B26, as well as passenger utility/recreational planes.
-He had a hair-raising experience while flying the Demon, due to a landing gear malfunction and extremely low fuel, he had to eject from the plane! He parachuted and was fortunately, plucked from the sea.
-His favorite aircraft was an S2F, multi-engine.
-Little known fact: As Dick rotated on to the Independence, Jerry was rotating off. Dick shared a photo of them in 1965. W
This was the Navy's first air craft capable of breaking the sound barriet … which Jerry said was an amazing and thriling experience
Jerry next transitioned fo ra multiengine aircraft, the "JD", a Navy version of the Air Forces's B26 Bomber
Among other services this aircraft provided to the fleet was towing targets for surfac ships to use for target practice. Flying the JD, Herry was also practing simulate attaccks on submarines.
Before leaving VU-2, Jerry also flew SNBs
He was then assigned go VF-41, a squadron assigned to the USS Independence (CVA-62) wher he fleew his on of his favorite naval aircraft, the F3-B Demon.
This became the scond aircraft he flew off the deck of a carrier where he logged 100 day and nighttime landings
Then faced with a dilema … take a desk job for a year if he wanted to continue flying jets or accept an assignment as a multi-engine instructor. Wanting ot fly, he asscepted the latter wher ehe flew C1-A, carrier-on-board logistics planes and anm anti-submarine verison S-2.
He remained flying this aircraft for the remained of his nanval sauqdron career
Jerry was then assigned to Air Operations aboar dhte USS Independence wher ehe was still able to continue to fly the shops C1-A … and accumulating a total of more thean 200 carrier landings.
In an interesting twist of fate, just prior ot Jerry leaving his tour aboard the Independence, Dick Newbert, a newly commissioned Navy Ensign and now a fellow Club member, was reporting aboard and by coincidence assigned to Air Operaitons where they briefly served together. Since learning of their having met decades earlier, Jerry and Dick have shared many stories, particularly of other Nanval officers and friends with whom they both served.
Thank you so much, Jerry, for sharing just a few highlights from your fantastic career in the service. We salute you, Commander!