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Some Phantom photos for your Friday!

Hey!
Trip-Trey (VMFAT-333) was the last squadron I was with. Got there just before we took their, and I believe the last Phantom, det to Iwakuni. We went to Osan, Clark AFB shortly before Pinatubo buried it, and so on.
Our barracks were right next to the open, over-run area at one end of the runway, and our maintenance vans were right next to the runway, nearby the barracks. Made for those of us day-sleepers a real noisy environment! The airplanes would taxi up to our end of the runway, and do their engine run-ups before take off. Then go full AB for take-off, as it wasn't the longest runway.
Made for some interesting sleep times, believe me! Thankfully, the chow hall was right next door to the barracks. Two things a Marine needs to be happy: food and a bed. Nice if it's shared, like at Clark, but we'll take an empty one gladly!

Right after we got back to Beautiful Beaufort by-the-sea, they flew the Phantoms out, and went into training for the F-18's. I was out of a job, essentially.

Thankfully, an officer I knew, was in the same boat. He got a job as Personnel Manager at VMFAT-401 as they were just getting started. I had a job waiting for me when I got out. Actually, just before I got out. I did 2 months on Terminal Leave, drawing a paycheck from 401 AND the Corps. Kinda nice while it lasted :) Best part was, it was back at Yuma, which I knew intimately. Had a house, and my family was there.
I am a Plank Holder with 401, too. Got a little plaque and everything :D

Anywho, great picture of a Trip-Trey bird! Thanks for posting it!
Oh, BTW: if we were unhappy for some reason with the squadron, it became Trip-Trash :D

Have fun, all!
Pat☺
 
You had easy sleeping there, Pat! Try Sleeping through flight ops on board Saratoga when your quarters are next to the foc'sle and right under the end of the forward cats.:listening_headphone
 
MrZippy said:
You had easy sleeping there, Pat! Try Sleeping through flight ops on board Saratoga when your quarters are next to the foc'sle and right under the end of the forward cats.:listening_headphone
Click to expand...

That's about where my birthing was on the Forrestal "FID". That was assigned as HS-3 15 man 1st class berthing. It always seemed like an imaginary "X" was painted on the FD directly above
marking where the plane captain or blue shirts drop the tow bar. Being that far forward was kinda bouncy when in rough seas. During launches, we'd hear the cat shuttle and could feel it shudder
the bulkhead. It was better location then those 40+ birthing areas.
 
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