 | |
| Founded | 1956 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Chairman of the Board | ADM William E. Gortney, USN (Ret.) [1] |
President | CAPT Eric Doyle, USN (Ret.) [2] |
| Website | https://www.tailhook.net/ |
The Tailhook Association is a U.S.-based non-profit organization supporting the interests of sea-based aviation, with emphasis on aircraft carriers. The word tailhook refers to the hook underneath the tail of the aircraft that catches the arresting wire suspended across the flight deck in order to stop the landing plane quickly.
The Tailhook Association was formed by active-duty naval aviators in 1956, eventually growing into a national organization headquartered in San Diego, California. During the Vietnam War, the annual Tailhook reunion and symposium also served to provide opportunities for aircrews from the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets to exchange information about events in Southeast Asia. The association evolved into an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to building camaraderie among those that have been a part of the Naval Aviation team. The purpose of the association is to foster, encourage, develop, study and support the aircraft carrier and sea-based aircraft and aircrews.
The Tailhook Educational Foundation (TEF) was created in 1992 to educate the nation's public with regard to the history and present day activities of the US Navy carrier aviation community. TEF is a separate non-profit that works closely with, and in support of, the Tailhook Association, providing over 100 scholarships per year to Naval Aviation legacies.
In September 1991, the 35th annual symposium in Las Vegas featured a two-day debriefing on Navy and Marine Corps aviation in Operation Desert Storm. It was the largest such meeting yet held, with 4,000 attendees including active, reserve, and retired personnel. According to a Department of Defense (DoD) report, 83 women and 7 men stated that they had been victims of sexual assault and harassment during the meeting. Several participants later stated that a number of flag officers attending the meetings were aware of the sexual assaults, but did nothing to stop them. [3]
The issues were never settled, and as late as 2002, the Tailhook chairman spoke dismissively of "the alleged misconduct that occurred in 1991". [4]
Ultimately the careers of fourteen admirals and almost 300 naval aviators were scuttled or damaged by Tailhook. For example, Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III and CNO Admiral Frank Kelso were both at Tailhook '91. Garrett ultimately resigned and Kelso retired early two years after the convention. [5]
Author Jean Zimmerman developed the thesis that the scandal underscored the shifting status of women in the US military and particularly the role of women in combat. [6]
Among the Tailhook programs are publication of the quarterly journal The Hook, addressing historical and current events coverage; college scholarships via the Tailhook Educational Foundation; and local/regional "ready rooms" for active and retired members who support fleet activities.
Some visitors to US Navy aircraft carriers who joined or left the ship on a Carrier Onboard Delivery aircraft are issued "Tailhook certificates" by the Navy, commending them for "NAFOD and intestinal fortitude." [7]
| Year | Aircraft Carrier | Carrier Air Wing |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | USS George Washington (CVN-73) | CVW-17 |
| 2002 | USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) | CVW-11 |
| 2003 | USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) | CVW-14 |
| 2004 | USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) | CVW-3 |
| 2005 | USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) | CVW-3 |
| 2006 | USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) | CVW-8 |
Yearly award given to an individual who has made the most significant contribution to U.S. carrier aviation.
| Year | Rank | Recipient | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | CAPT | Richard "Doc" Phillips, MC | USN |
| 1964 | CAPT | Robert M. Elder | USN |
| 1965 | VADM | Paul D. Stroop | USN |
| 1966 | VADM | Paul H. Ramsey | USN |
| 1967 | ADM | Roy L. Johnson | USN |
| 1968 | ADM | Thomas H. Moorer | USN |
| 1969 | VADM | Thomas F. Connolly | USN |
| 1970 | ADM | John Hyland | USN |
| 1971 | VADM | Maurice F. Weisner | USN |
| 1972 | VADM | William D. Houser | USN |
| 1973 | VADM | Damon W. "Hutch" Cooper | USN |
| 1974 | VADM | Frederick H. Michaelis | USN |
| 1975 | VADM | Robert B. Baldwin | USN |
| 1976 | VADM | James B. Stockdale | USN |
| 1977 | VADM | Robert P. Coogan | USN |
| 1978 | ADM | Thomas B. Hayward | USN |
| 1979 | VADM | Frederick C. Turner | USN |
| 1980 | VADM | G.E.R. "Gus" Kinnear | USN |
| 1981 | RADM | Robert E. Kirksey | USN |
| 1982 | ADM | Wesley L. McDonald | USN |
| 1983 | VADM | Robert F. Schoultz | USN |
| 1984 | RADM | Jerry O. Tuttle | USN |
| 1985 | RADM | Paul T. Gillcrist | USN |
| 1986 | VADM | Edward H. Martin | USN |
| 1987 | CAPT | Byron L. Duff | USN |
| 1988 | CAPT | L. Robert Canepa | USN |
| 1989 | CAPT | Archie Manning | USN |
| 1990 | RADM | Ed Allen | USN |
| 1991 | CAPT | Jay Campbell | USN |
| 1992 | No Award | ||
| 1993 | RADM | Lyle F. Bull | USN (Ret) |
| 1994 | CAPT | Fields Richardson | USN (Ret) |
| 1995 | RADM | Frederick L. Lewis | USN (Ret) |
| 1996 | CDR | Robert E. Stumpf | USN (Ret) |
| 1997 | ADM | Leighton W. Smith | USN (Ret) |
| 1998 | CAPT | Ken "Kilo" Parks | USN |
| 1999 | CAPT | Evan "Streak" Chanik | USN |
| 2000 | VADM | Michael L. Bowman | USN |
| 2001 | CAPT | George B. Dom | USN |
| LtCol | James L. Stalnaker | USMC | |
| 2002 | CDR | Sterling Gilliam, Jr. | USN |
| LtCol | Raymond Damm | USMC | |
| 2003 | CAPT | "Shortney" Gortney | USN |
| LtCol | Gary Lee "Lurch" Thomas | USMC | |
| 2004 | CAPT | "Cyrus" Vance | USN |
| LtCol | Wade E. "WZL" Weigel | USMC | |
| 2005 | CAPT | Don Quinn | USN |
| Maj | Peter L "Mud Duck" McArdle | USMC | |
| 2006 | CAPT | Kevin "Kid" Donnegan | USN |
| LtCol | John "Dog" Jansen | USMC | |
| 2007 | CAPT | "Nasty" Manazir | USN |
| LtCol | Hunter "Hamster" Hobson | USMC | |
| 2008 | CAPT | Bill Sizemore | USN |
| 2009 | CAPT | Thomas Haley | USN |
| 2010 | CAPT | Dan "Undra" Cheever | USN |
| 2011 | CAPT | Mark Darrah | USN |
| 2012 | CAPT | David Silkey | USN |
| 2013 | CAPT | Sam Paparo | USN |
| 2014 | CAPT | Gregory Fenton | USN |
| 2015 | CAPT | Greg "HiFi" Harris | USN |
| 2016 | CAPT | Scott "Topper" Farr | USN |
| 2017 | CAPT | Richard "Snap" Brophy | USN |
| 2018 | CDR | Mike "Jockey" Lisa | USN |
| 2019 | CAPT | "Blades" Dienna | USN |
| 2020 | CAPT | John "Yank" Cummings |
| Year | Rank | Recipient | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | RADM | James D. "Jig Dog" Ramage | USN (Ret) |
| Mr. | Ron Thomas | ||
| 1994 | CAPT | Larry Flint | USN (Ret), |
| CAPT | W.D. "Bill" Knutson | USN (Ret) | |
| 1995 | VADM | William D. Houser | USN (Ret) |
| CAPT | Robert M. Elder | USN (Ret) | |
| 1996 | CAPT | Richard "Chick" Harmer | USN (Ret) |
| RADM | Paul T. Gillcrist | USN (Ret) | |
| CAPT | Lou Kriser | USN (Ret) | |
| 1997 | CAPT | Wynn Foster | USN (Ret) |
| CAPT | C.A.L. "Cal" Swanson | USN (Ret) | |
| 1998 | CDR | Jack D. Woodul | USNR (Ret) |
| Mr. | Barrett Tillman | ||
| 1999 | RADM | Thomas F. Brown III | USN (Ret) |
| CAPT | Walter M. Schirra | USN (Ret) | |
| 2000 | CAPT | Lonny K. McClung | USN (Ret) |
| CAPT | Richard L. "Zeke" Cormier | USN (Ret) | |
| CDR | George "Buddy" Gilman | USNR (Ret) | |
| 2001 | CAPT | Richard G. Hanecak | USN (Ret) |
| 2002 | RADM | Glen W. "Corky" Lennox | USN (Ret) |
| CDR | Dean S. "Diz" Laird | USN (Ret) | |
| 2003 | RADM | Frederick "Bad Fred" Lewis | USN (Ret) |
| 2004 | CAPT | Jack Davis | USN (Ret) |
| 2005 | CAPT | Jerry Palmer | USN (Ret) |
| 2006 | CAPT | Steve Millikin | USN (Ret) |
| CDR | Jan Jacobs | USNR (Ret) | |
| 2007 | CAPT | Gene Cernan | USN (Ret) |
| Mr. | Wes Fry | ||
| 2008 | RADM | Lloyd Abbot | USN (Ret) |
| ADM | Wesley McDonald | USN (Ret) |
| Year | Rank/Title | Recipient | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | CAPT | Done East | USN (Ret) |
| 1988 | Mr | John Lundstrom | |
| Mr | Jim Sawruk | ||
| 1989 | CAPT | Bill Scarborough | USN (Ret) |
| 1990 | Mr | Mike Weeks | |
| 1991 | LT | Mark Morgan | USNR |
| 1992 | No Award | ||
| 1993 | CDR | Ernie Mares | USN (Ret) |
| 1994 | CDR | Jack Woodul | USNR (Ret) |
| 1995 | LCDR | Rick Morgan | USN |
| 1996 | CDR | John B. Nichols | USN (Ret) |
| 1997 | Mr | Thomas F. Gates | |
| 1998 | Mr | Mark Morgan (2) | |
| LCDR | Rick Morgan (2) | USN (Ret) | |
| 1999 | Ms | Margaret Bone | |
| 2000 | LCDR | E. Leigh Armistead | USN |
| 2001 | Ms | Vivienne Heines | |
| 2002 | Mr | Fred Tannenbaum | |
| 2003 | CDR | Peter Mersky | USNR (Ret) |
| 2004 | PHCS | Bob Lawson | USN (Ret) |
| 2005 | Mr | Tony Holmes | |
| 2006 | CDR | Robert R. "Boom" Powell | USN (Ret) |
(Sponsored by the Boeing Company)
| Year | Rank/Title | Recipient | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ms | Barbara Woodbury | |
| 2002 | Mr | John Ascuaga | |
| 2003 | Hon | Gordon R. England | SECNAV |
| 2004 | Hon | Richard Danzig | SECNAV |
| 2004 | Gen | William L. "Spider" Nyland | USMC |
| 2005 | Mr | Jon Winthrop | |
| 2006 | AVCM | John Porter | USN (Ret) |
| 2007 | CDR | Ed "Tick" McCabe | USN (Ret) |
The Fleet Air Arm (FAA) is the naval aviation component of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy (RN). The FAA is one of five RN fighting arms. As of 2023 it is a primarily helicopter force, though also operating the F-35 Lightning II carrier-based stealth fighter jointly with the Royal Air Force.
A flight surgeon is a military medical officer practicing in the clinical field of aviation medicine, which is also occasionally known as flight surgery.
John Francis Lehman Jr. is an American private equity investor and writer who was secretary of the Navy (1981–1987) during the Reagan administration in which he promoted the creation of a 600-ship navy.
A tailhook, arresting hook, or arrester hook is a device attached to the empennage (rear) of some military fixed-wing aircraft. The hook is used to achieve rapid deceleration during routine landings aboard aircraft carrier flight decks at sea, or during emergency landings or aborted takeoffs at properly equipped airports.
Frank Benton Kelso II was an admiral of the United States Navy, who served as Chief of Naval Operations from 1990 to 1994.
The Tailhook scandal was a military scandal in which United States (U.S.) Navy and U.S. Marine Corps aviation officers were alleged to have sexually assaulted up to 83 women and seven men, or otherwise engaged in "improper and indecent" conduct at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada. The events took place at the 35th Annual Tailhook Association Symposium from September 5 to 8, 1991. The event was subsequently abbreviated as "Tailhook '91" in media accounts.
A naval aviator is a commissioned officer or warrant officer qualified as a crewed aircraft pilot in the United States Navy or United States Marine Corps. United States Coast Guard crewed aircraft pilots are officially designated as "Coast Guard aviators", although they complete the same undergraduate flight training as Navy and Marine Corps crewed aircraft pilots, and are awarded the same aviation breast insignia.
Henry Barrett Tillman is an American author who specializes in naval and aviation topics in addition to fiction and technical writing.
Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101) was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet training squadron. The squadron was last based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 (MAG-11) and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Gregory Carl "Ray J" Johnson, , is a retired American naval officer and naval aviator, test pilot, aerospace engineer, and NASA astronaut. He spent his military career in both the regular United States Navy and the Navy Reserve. Johnson was the pilot on Space Shuttle mission STS-125, the final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission.
Henry Lawrence Garrett III served as the 68th Secretary of the Navy from May 15, 1989, to June 26, 1992, in the administration of George H. W. Bush. Before leading the Department of the Navy, he served as General Counsel of the Department of Defense.
The United States Marine Corps Aviation (USMCA) is the aircraft arm of the United States Marine Corps. Aviation units within the Marine Corps are assigned to support the Marine Air-Ground Task Force, as the aviation combat element, by providing six functions: assault support, antiair warfare, close air support, electronic warfare, control of aircraft and missiles, and aerial reconnaissance. The Corps operates rotary-wing, tiltrotor, and fixed-wing aircraft mainly to provide transport and close air support to its ground forces. Other aircraft types are also used in a variety of support and special-purpose roles. All Marine Corps aviation falls under the influence of the Deputy Commandant for Aviation, whose job is to advise the Commandant of the Marine Corps in all matters relating to aviation, especially acquisition of new assets, conversions of current aircraft, maintenance, operation, and command.
Captain Rosemary Bryant Mariner was an American pilot and one of the first six women to earn their wings as a United States Naval Aviator in 1974. She was the first female military pilot to fly a tactical jet and the first to achieve command of an operational aviation squadron.
Admiral Stanley Roger Arthur is a retired admiral of the United States Navy who served as the Vice Chief of Naval Operations from 1992 to 1995.
Fighter Squadron Composite 204 (VFC-204), also known as the "River Rattlers", is a United States Navy Reserve adversary squadron, slated to fly the F-5N/F Tiger II after having previously flown the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, Louisiana, and is part of the U.S. Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing. Their radio callsign is "River" and their tail code is "AF".
Admiral Richard Michael Dunleavy is a retired US naval officer. He retired as a two-star rear admiral in 1992 after being demoted from the rank of three-star vice admiral as a result of the Tailhook scandal.
Paula Coughlin is a former lieutenant and naval aviator in the United States Navy. She is a victim who played a role in opening investigations into what was known as the Tailhook scandal.
David H. Buss is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and a retired vice admiral of the United States Navy. His last assignment was as Commander, Naval Air Forces and Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific in San Diego, California, a position also known as the Navy's "Air Boss." Prior to taking command as the "Air Boss," Buss served as the Deputy Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. He also commanded Task Force 20, where he was responsible for training and certifying all Atlantic Fleet naval forces for overseas deployment. A career Naval Flight Officer, Buss served in multiple jet squadrons and staff assignments, and has commanded at every level of the navy from commander to vice admiral.
Ernest Eugene (Gene) Tissot Jr. was a United States Navy Rear Admiral and naval aviator who was highly decorated for his actions during the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He was born in Upland, California, and entered the Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet in June 1945 and learned to fly in the Stearman N2S biplane at the Naval Air Station Livermore in August 1946. He was designated a Naval Aviator in June 1948 and commissioned as an Ensign that December. He was advanced in rank to Captain in January 1969 and his selection for the rank of Rear Admiral was approved by the President in March 1973.
Michael Charles Manazir, also known as Rear Admiral Mike Manazir, is a retired United States Navy two-star admiral who transitioned to civilian life from duty as the deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems on July 7, 2017.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
