photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Richard Farmer | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> US NAVY RVAH-7 PHOTOS tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

US NAVY RVAH-7 PHOTOS

These are Photos from my time with RVAH-7, 1974-1977

comment | share
Tommy Taylor 21-Dec-2013 12:28
Merry Christmas all and Happy New Year.
A/E 1972 / 1975.
charles carter 18-Aug-2013 16:20
ray-sorry about typos. i was an az at albany when you met your wife. we cruised on the forest fire and the shitty kitty in 71 and 72. i departed in manila. i retired from fed govt as manger after 28 years. guess who- charles carter
Guest 18-Aug-2013 15:41
ray blaschik i was with you in albany when you first tour wife. i wa the bad boy of the squadron unfortunately. veery immature missed it after i left in 1972. rhea was gonna bust my six for being ua
PT2 Charles 15-Oct-2012 04:31
For all you guys who were in Heavy 7 in the 70's, I hope you had as colorful characters in the squadron as we had in Sanford and Albany. We had one fellow who always played practical jokes on Heavy 3. One night he got a Heavy 3 hat, took a piece of our yellow gear and went over to Heavy 3's flight line and told the roving patrol that he needed to take one of the Viggies to the maintenance shop. He actually took it down to the end of the row of hangars that was empty because the squadron was at sea. He hid it there until the next day when the S*** hit the fan.

Another night the airframe show went over to Heavy 3's headquarters, sneaked up the back stairs to their CO's office, removed the door and took it to Heavy 7's paint shop. They painted the Peacemaker squadron emblem on the door and went back up the CO's office and put it back.

Lastly, Heavy 3 had two brass cannons in front of their squadron headquarters. The same guy that kidnapped the Viggie, took one of the cannons on our WestPac cruise and took pictures of it visiting various ports. He also photographed in mounted on a bomb rack. Of course he sent his regards and photos to Heavy 3.

Life sure was interesting and entertaining back then.
PT2 Wes Charles 15-Oct-2012 04:12
Oh I thought I would let you know that I retired from the Nav in 1993 as LCDR Intelligence Officer. Go figure.
PT2 Wes Charles 15-Oct-2012 04:09
I just read the comment from Bill Shea. I was in Heavy 7 with you and I remember you and Jimmy Rhea always hanging around together. You were a couple of good guys.
Rod Chapman 14-Jul-2012 12:49
Enjoyed looking atg the photos and reading the comments! I arrived at Sanford December 13th, 1960 and remained with the squadron until January 1964. Should have extened as VAH7 went with Nuclear Task Force 1 on a round the world cruise. Heavy 7 raised the bar at HATWING 1!!
Next time I saw a Vigilante was when I was deployed on the Independence just before I transferred to Pensaacola for retirement.

Had some good times during the transition period from Skywarrior to Vigilante; madde many friends At one time there were 11 AK's assigned to the squadron. AKCS Chuck Trovinger, AKC Ewrightson Harville, AK1s Boggs and Kwasny, AK2s Dauz and Suggs, AK3s Tabaks, Schrimer, Koehler, Chapman (me), and Leckey. Our Boss was CWO3 Barney "Bear" Blakemore
Several I know have passed, but most have just faded away into the sunset
Anyone interestged I still live in Sanford; got married while here and came back afed getting a job at NTC Orlando as Civil Servant, That gig lasted for 21 1/2 years finally culminating at the Submarine Base, Kingsland Ga
Bill Shea 13-Mar-2012 15:05
Was also an AZ in RVAH-7 - Jimmy Rhea was my best friend along with Dwight Nixon and a few others - If you haven't checked it out yet, check out RecceNet - a website dedicated to the RVAH!
Ray Blaschik 16-Jan-2012 02:43
Mike Binkley and Rick Baird, nice to see familiar names associated with "Heavy - 7". I was an AZ in Maint Control with Chief Boardman, Chief Thompson, Chief Carpenter, Jimmy Rhea, Bruce Fleischman, Roy Moore, and Chief Nozzarella. I was in QA a short while with Fretz and Chief Franks. Hooked up with the squadron on the Forrestal in Barcelona in March '71, and left from PI in June '74. Invaluable experience, I must say. I wonder how different things would have been if I had made the Navy a career. Anybody hear from Terry Cross from Airframes? Remember that WestPac '72 cruise! What a riot! No really, a real riot!
Joe Kennedy 26-Nov-2011 18:12
AMH From 74-78. Just found this site. Pretty cool! Learned about the Florida re-union too late. I remember many names, some better than others. Love to hear from my old shipmates. Just hooked up with JoJo Maifeld. Awesome to hear from my old roommate and buddy. Go to Facebook to find us. Will check in from time to time. Everyone stay well!
Lenny Antonelli 05-Aug-2011 18:00
AMH 1977- 1979 check out our reunion in Pensacola July 30 - Aug 1 going to try to do it again Look us up on facebook
Tommy Taylor 19-Mar-2011 23:02
I've been thinking about all the rvah7 guy,s.Has anybody herd from or seen chief Corn from the AE shop.
Hey woody I remember a card trick you did mny years ago, can you still do it?
rickey deal 03-Feb-2011 15:27
To Larry Swanson:
From Rickey Deal I'm not sure if you will get this I'm just trying to get in touch with my other side of my family. It has been many years since I have seen any of you. I'm also trying to find my Brother maybe we can get in touch again it's been what 20+ years.
Thank you Rickey Deal in Claremore Oklahoma if you want to email me you can at daddydeal1129@hotmail.com
Les Diamond 11-Jan-2011 01:27
Was attached to RVAH-7 from Feb 72 thru Aug 75. Was OPS YN.
Tommy Taylor 25-Nov-2010 12:56
Mike ,do you remember jungle school in pi? Tommy Taylor
mike binkley 14-Nov-2010 02:01
wow, albany, PI,
enjoyed it all
mike binkey, jamesmbinkley@gmail.com
Woody 14-Nov-2010 00:01
Swanson,
email me at basil_woodard@yahoo.com
TOMMY TAYLOR 12-Nov-2010 00:35
HOPE ALL VETERANS HAD A GREAT VETERANS DAY, THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE TOMMY TAYLOR , RVAH-7 1972 /1975
Billy Wynn 09-Nov-2010 18:55
Hey guys. Man, Tommy your are right. It has been a long time. Where did all the time go? WOW! Anyway, I am out in LA right now working but actually live in Fla. These viggie pcis are awesome. Tommy, Mike, Bill...yep, I remember all of you guys. Hope all is well with each of you. Take care and God Bless!!
larry swanson 01-Nov-2010 20:37
hey woody i retired out of jax,FL.moved to AZ for 13 years then OR 2 years now i'm in NM. met a shipmate in AZ that was on the 1975 med cruse ,different squad, gave him a forestal cruse patch. so what ya been up to last 35 years?
Tommy Taylor 11-Oct-2010 00:13
Hey Ricky, Good to hear from you,I,ll call you soon.
RICK BAIRD 08-Oct-2010 23:53
HELLO TOMMY, WOODY,LANIER,WYNN. HEY LANIER I MEET A MAN THAT SAID HE KNEW A MIKE LANIER THAT WORK ON THE RIVER PUSHING BARGES IS THAT YOU. RICK BAIRD
Tommy Taylor 02-Oct-2010 13:17
Mike Lanier, Billy Wynn ,Bill Berry , Mike Dunlap. Woody, benn a long time, We need to stay in contact .72/75 AE shop RVAH-7
Woody 01-Aug-2010 17:26
Swanson is correct the Sig det off Forrestal was '75.
Where are you Swanson?

Woody Woodard H7 72-76
Bill Berry 08-Jul-2010 20:48
Hey Mike, just setting here on vacation in San Diego looking for an old squadran hat and saw your message. Hope everything is going good with all you guys. Bill Berry



larry swanson 17-Nov-2009 20:10
I was on that sigonila det ,but it was 1975. 1973&1974 we were on a shitty kitty wespac.brings back memories of a lot of good times.ATC larry swanson (ret.)
Mike Lanier 05-Sep-2009 16:14
Hey Billy Wynn I was in RVAH-7 with you , AEC Corn, Mike Dunlap,Jack Coffee,Bill Berry on 72 WESTPAC. I took over as night check supervisor when Coffee left. Lots of good times on the Hawk, but better times on liberty in Subic Bay, Hong Kong and Sasebo, Japan.
Dan Addison 09-Aug-2009 14:20
I was with RVAH-7 in WestyPac onboard USS AMERICA Have extensive black and white negatives of "Heavy 7" crewmen, aricraft, spaces, etc. Will send to you--e-mail me snailmail address. AMH-1 Dan Addison
Ernie Walker, YNCS 08-Jun-2009 14:00
Hi Chuck Warren
Is this YN3 Chuck Warren. I hope so. If so, email me at 25walker@comcast.net.
Great pictures. I was in Heavy 7 from September 1975 - October, 1978. After all these years, I still recognize some of the people in the photos.
Peace and Blessings
JOE DEAN 02-Mar-2009 02:08
THESE ARE REALLY SOME GREAT SHOTS. IN THINK THE BIG BIRD LOOKS BETTER WITH THE BLACK RADOME, BUT THAT WAS AFTER MY TIME. I WAS WITH H-7 FOR THE '68 MED CRUISE AND THE '69 WEST PAC. THE CHEER WAS ALIVE AND WELL IN 1968. REBEENSACK I BEENSOBERSACK.
JOE DEAN AK2
JOE DEAN 02-Mar-2009 02:02
THESE ARE REALLY SOME GREAT SHOTS. IN THINK THE BIG BIRD LOOKS BETTER WITH THE BLACK RADOME, BUT THAT WAS AFTER MY TIME. I WAS WITH H-7 FOR THE '68 MED CRUISE AND THE '69 WEST PAC. THE CHEER WAS ALIVE AND WELL IN 1968. REBEENSACK I BEENSOBERSACK.
JOE DEAN AK2
Charlie Warren 20-Jan-2009 06:01
Wow, you guys are still alive, I thought by now you'd all be in jail~!
Chuck Warren
Billy Wynn 03-Oct-2008 18:17
Hey Mike Dunlap..If you are who I'm thinking you are..We were in 7 in 72. Left for a 6 month cruse that lasted all year!! Anyway, if you were ther at that time I'm sure you will recall Jack Coffee (1st class) and Chief Corn.....If not, you will have no idea who I'm talking about...anyway, take care.
Guest 27-Sep-2008 13:09
I just wanted to invite you all to RVAHNAVY.COM. We have formed an association dedicated to the RVAH community. We have had great success locating former shipmates from all of the RVAH squadrons and we have had some great reunions. Our next reunion will be in Pensacola in 2009. Feel free to stop by and chat on our forum.
Glen Langley AD1 Ret. 17-Sep-2008 00:02
Hey Shipmates, Glen Langley AKA Rabbit here. Was a member also from '76-'79. Been trying to find several buddies since de-commisioning. How about Kenny Norman or Don Zeismer. I've been in touch with Bill Clem AKA Fat Freddy. How abouty Mike Stott. I remember one BEQ party where he got wasted on Jack Daniels and did some camode huggin' and locked himself inside the stall. Remember the NAS Miramar DET. I met A crippled blonde named Debi Linn at the Hangar where we were off loading. Been married to her ever since (28 years) got three kids and two grand kids. I could go on and on.....
Terry C. Reed 21-Jul-2008 02:35
I was in RVAH-7 from 1974-1978. I am trying to find a picture of the Vigi side view with the background like the one in RVAH7_5.jpg. Some one gave Roy from Cow Key Marina one after we got back from the cruise. Always wanted a copy of that picture. Also looking for Louis Goodwin a.k.a. Goody.... Does anyone know how to get in touch with him...
AE1 gebhardt (mike, AEAN) 23-Mar-2008 03:59
Hey heavy sailors, Mike Gebhardt here. I was with 7 from early 78 till we launched the birds off to Memphis and China Lake. Did all of the last westpac in the AE shop. Still recall a few of the names. Don St.Peter, AEC Kirtley, , Blaylock, Smithey, Paul Reynolds, more if I thought about, but its been almost 30 years. Love to catch up if anybodys still out there. Mike
Stuart Price 04-May-2007 08:54
Ran across this site....nice pics. Was in the powerplant shop in H-7 from 75-79. Seems like yesterday.....kind of! Remember the cheer myself....I would have known that Dunlap would also! :) If anyone is interested, drop me an email at iarapilot@aol.com.

Stuart Price
mike dunlap 09-Feb-2007 16:18
bill, yeah man.....i remember... through the fog.......i hung out with Glen borden, Evilio Altuve, Larry towery, Pat sesselman, lots of other AE's....
Van Stumpner AMH2 21-Nov-2006 19:14
I was in RVAH-7 from Sept. 75 until the last plane left Boca Chica in Nov 79. Sure would like to hear from any of my old shipmates. Contact me van.stumpner@faa.gov
Bill Shea 05-Oct-2006 17:29
Mike Dunlap... My name is Bill Shea, and was also in Heavy 7 from 69 through 72... Your name rings a bell... AE ? I was the guy that got into trouble for having the peace symbol displayed on my car, and the brouhaha went all the way to SECNAV... And I was allowed to keep the peace symbol....
Guest 13-Sep-2006 04:37
Does anybody know how to find Dan Rowley?
thx- Jim Billings
james@mill.net
tim barrett 09-Mar-2006 01:40
The first poto is from the 79 west -pac cruise according to my cruise book.nice web page.
mike dunlap 14-Oct-2004 01:23
Richard!!! my god man, those are great vigi shots!!!! I served with heavy 7 from summer of 1969 (picked up the Connie in Sasebo, Japan)through the Med cruise of '71 on the Forrestal, a TAD in San Juan for thirty days, and another WESTPAC on the Hawk with a TAD in Subic for 42 days...until I left the Hawk in Aug '72 and flew to Home of Record (youngstown, Ohio)....I've seen some photos of the big bird, but NONE like these....thanks for sharing....
click on thumbnails for full image