APPENDIX B TAILHOOK ASSOCIATION SUBMITTAL RECEIVED FROM TAILHOOK ASSOCIATION (November 30, 1992) TAILHOOK 1991 SYMPOSIUM The 35th annual Naval Aviation Symposium, held at the Las Vegas Hilton 5-9 September 1991, was more than the latest "Tailhook convention." It was the largest, most dynamic meeting of its type, drawing 2,100 active, reserve and retired aviators who registered either in advance or at the convention itself for a three-day evaluation of Navy and Marine Corps aviation in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. An estimated 2,500 additional active or retired aviators and civilians attended the symposium, but were not registered. Symposium Origins The fleet aviators, naval and government leaders, and aerospace industry representatives who gathered at "Tailhook '91" represented a purpose and a professionalism entirely beyond the Tailhook Association's early meetings. Founded in 1956, the Association grew from a socially oriented group to a California-chartered nonprofit organization in 1968. After early meetings in Rosarito Beach, Mexico and San Diego, annual symposiums have been held in Las Vegas continuously since 1963. The symposium aspect of Tailhook gatherings began in the late-1960s with a series of briefings by naval aviation units and contractors concerning developments in the war in Vietnam and weapon systems developments. Briefings at that time were relatively short and not central to Tailhook gatherings. However, during the Vietnam War aviators attending the convention capitalized upon the opportunity to exchange information on tactical trends and developments--a rare opportunity not otherwise available to aircrews from both Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. Upon recognizing the value of professional "cross-talk" among naval aviators that led to more effective performance in the cockpit, the structure of the symposium changed. Participation by the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare (OP-05) increased steadily to the point where, in recent years, symposium events have been directly planned by the Navy in conjunction with Association planners. Tailhook '91 Tailhook '91 was typical of many symposiums held in recent years. Months before the event, an organizational committee consisting of approximately 25 male and female naval aviators began preparations for the event. Many on the committee had served for as many as eight year previously and were highly valued for their skills and "corporate knowledge" in staging this complex event. Therefore, when Tailhook '91 convened in Las Vegas, the stage was set not only for the largest meeting in the group's history, but a highly professional debrief and victory celebration following the war with Iraq. Additionally, the exhibit hall housing defense contractor exhibits and Navy informational booths (provided at no cost to the Navy) numbered a record 172 booths in what has become one of the largest aerospace industry trade shows in the nation. The exhibitors displays were open virtually from the opening of the symposium to well into the evening hours. Symposium visitors typically spent hours viewing the displays and exchanging information with contractor representatives . Thursday, 5 September Attendance at Tailhook '91 symposium events averaged almost 1,100 personnel. The formal symposium program began in the late afternoon of Thursday, 5 September, with the Association's annual business meeting, followed by an aviation safety discussion and a contractor's presentation on advanced aircraft technologies. Both events had an audience of 300 or more. Friday, 6 September Friday's events were keynoted by VADM Richard M. Dunleavy, Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for Air Warfare (OP-05). VADM Dunleavy was aided by CAPT Frederick G. Ludwig, Tailhook Association president, who in turn introduced the first of the program panelists. By the time the Operation Desert Storm naval operations symposium began at 10:45 AM, attendance in the Hilton ballroom had grown to more than 1,400 with standing room only. CAPT Lyle G. Bien, an air wing commander during the Desert Storm operation, described the master coordinated strike plan for the air war against Iraq, and noted that "Saddam won the toss--and elected to receive." Navy and Marine Corps roles in the air plan were described in detail, with emphasis as how carrier-and land-based units fit into the overall picture. Tactical operations were next described by air wing commanders CAPT Jim Burin, and CAPT W.J. Fallon together with COL Don Beaufait of Marine Air Group Eleven who addressed the successes and problems with carrier operations conducted from the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and Bahrain/Saudi Arabian areas. The series of briefings was one of the more popular of the symposium. Other topics discussed that day included munitions effectiveness in Operation Desert Storm, the use of Tomahawk Land-Attack Missiles in the conflict as well as problems and successes in ordnance logistics. Missile effectiveness in air-to-air combat next drew the attention of attendees. The success ratios of AIM-7 Sparrow and AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles were examined, though carrier aviators logged only three of the 45 aerial victories credited to Coalition pilots during the war. Later in the series of briefings, attendees were told of recent trends in tactical and joint-service information gathering. Discussions of the F-14 reconnaissance program and the use of Israeli-built drones followed. Two of the most heavily-attended, most enthusiastically received briefings that afternoon involved LT Nick Mongello of VFA-81 and Marine CAPT Chuck McGill, who described their MiG shootdowns during Desert Storm. At one point, McGill, serving at the time as an exchange pilot with the Air Force, commented on the aerodynamic beauty of the MiG-29 he had downed. During the question period that followed, a listener arose in the audience to express similar sentiments and to state that he was formerly as Soviet Air Force captain who had in 1989 defected from the USSR to Turkey in a MiG-29 Fulcrum. Alexander Zuyev was known to many attendees for his invaluable briefings at Navy and Marine Corps tactical units over the previous year. Many pilots in the audience quickly took full advantage of an unexpected and unique opportunity to talk face to face with a former adversary. The standing-room-only crowd remained was riveted in place for the POW debrief that followed. Three of the eight Navy or Marine fliers captured by Iraq and imprisoned from January until March reported that their knowledge of how other Tailhookers had endured captivity during the Vietnam War helped to sustain them. The group received a thunderous ovation from 1,300 of their comrades in the audience who recognized that any one of the veterans of Desert Storm present could have themselves been captives. Following the prisoner of war briefing, between 600 and 700 symposium attendees heard plans for future naval aircraft and Navy plans for a carrier-based attack aircraft projected to follow in the wake of the failed A-12 program. Friday's program was a long one, lasting from 9:00 a.m. to well after 6:30 p.m. The annual president's dinner was held later that evening with some 250 industry and military dignitaries in attendance. The featured speaker was ADM Frank Kelso, Chief of Naval Operations. Saturday, 7 September Saturday's program began at 9:00 a.m. with discussion of aviation personnel issues in which listeners were told that the Navy could expect a 14 percent reduction in manpower by 1996. Plans for the retirement of several current aircraft carriers and the closure of various naval air stations also was addressed in later briefings. About 600 individuals attended listened next to a discussion of plans for future carrier air wings. The optimum mix of attack, fighter, antisubmarine and supporting aircraft on carrier decks over the next decade or more was evaluated in light of current and possible acquisitions plans. An overview of naval aviation's likely budget situation followed in which listeners were told that the Navy is able to purchase only about three- quarters of the aircraft needed. The briefer urged the fleet, including active naval aviators present at the briefing, to make suggestions to planners in Washington. An annual awards luncheon featured VADM Dunleavy's "state of naval aviation" address. Numerous honors were presented at the luncheon, including industry-sponsored awards by numerous industry contractors. Most of these trophies are awarded annually to leading squadrons in the various aviation communities, but individual awards were bestowed as well upon outstanding pilots, naval flight officers, landing signal officers and Marines. Finally, following a tradition established in 1986, three new fliers chose to receive their Wings of Gold at the Tailhook symposium. Senior Navy officers and family members joined the over 1,000 in the audience in looking on during the ceremony. Flag Panel The major event of the Tailhook '91 symposium convened following the luncheon. The Flag Panel is one of the truly unique aspects of Tailhook and the armed services. In this forum, Navy and Marine flag and general officers assemble as a panel to respond to tough questions posed by the audience. Leaders in virtually every aspect of the naval service are represented and each receives his share of questions. The Flag Panel is a forum that is open and free of often stifling aspects of military protocol. As the questioner is in civilian clothes, his or her identity or rank is unknown to the flag officer. It is impossible for the officer questioned to duck or evade in the answer. The candor and sophistication of questions and answers is to be found in no other place in naval aviation, if not the military. It is here that flag and general officers learn of decisions or policies that sound good in Washington but have unexpected or adverse impact upon those in the fleet. Here new ideas emerge from junior officers, many of which represent a fresh perspective. Ideas are discussed and, in several noteworthy cases, implemented. In all discussions, the exchange of views is accompanied with a directness but mutual respect that otherwise is impossible. This type of senior-officer "reality check" is invaluable to those leaders who are genuinely open-minded and receptive to the concerns of their subordinates, and more than a few flag officers have emphasized the value of this unique forum to the Navy. It is in the Flag Panel discussions that Tailhook and naval aviation, over the years, has become stronger and more progressive. VADM Dunleavy presented the Tailhook '91 Flag Officer Panel to an estimated 1,500 people jammed into the hall. Other panelists were VADM J.H. Fetterman (Naval Education and Training), VADM E.R. Kohn (Naval Air Forces, Pacific), VADM A.A. Less (Naval Air Forces, Atlantic), VADM W.C. Bowes (Naval Air Systems Command), LGEN D.A. Wills (Headquarters Marine Corps), RADM R.K Chambers (Naval Air Reserve), RADM W.R. McGowen (Naval Air Training) and RADM J.L. Johnson (Naval Personnel). One of the continuing questions posed to the flag panel over the years has been the subject of women in combat aircraft. The matter arose again in 1991, as reported on the CBS Evening News by Pentagon correspondent David Martin. CBS had obtained a videotape of the flag panel and showed VADM Dunleavy as a feminine voice asked off- camera when women might receive combat assignments. Dunleavy, already on record on the subject, first gave a "Hoo-boy" reaction that was followed by faint laughter in the room. At that point the CBS segment ended. However, five seconds later Dunleavy told the audience, supporters and detractors of the position alike, "If Congress directs SecNav to allow qualified women to fly combat aircraft, we will comply." He repeated those words later in the symposium, adding that female pilots already fly helicopters in the fleet and are most likely to appear first in E-2s and S-3s aboard carriers. It is important to note, however, that VADM Dunleavy's complete response was not reported in the press. Additional subjects address at Flag Panel discussions included adversary aircraft, class scheduling at the Naval Fighter Weapon School, composition of S-3 squadrons, replacement airframes for various types, budgetary and personnel matters. The symposium briefings for Saturday, 7 September, concluded at 6:30 p.m. Evening Banquet The evening banquet began with presentation of the "TaiIhooker of the Year" award to CAPT Jay Campbell, honored for his leadership of Air Wing Two aboard USS Ranger during Operation Desert Storm. For twenty years the accolade had been bestowed almost automatically upon senior admirals. But beginning in the 1980Ős, emphasis shifted to honoring air wing commanders and carrier captains who demonstrated innovative methods or exceptional competence at the operational level of naval aviation. Highlight of the banquet was the presence of ADM Kelso and the main address by Secretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett II. It marked the second symposium for each, recalling ADM Kelso's remarks that he wished the surface and submarine communities had a professional forum comparable to that of Tailhook. Secretary Garrett stated in his address that the Navy faced difficult times--especially in the area of reduced budgets and force levels--but stressed that naval aviation had survived such challenges before. Summary By the time the event ended with a farewell brunch on Sunday morning, the Tailhook Association knew to a certainty that the Naval Aviation Symposium had realized its full potential. With a varied, objective assessment of the first victory in a full-scale war in half a century, America's fleet aviators departed with enhanced pride in their profession and in themselves. At no time in the Association's 35-year history had there been a better illustration of the unique triumvirate that is Tailhook: a symbiotic relationship among aviators, admirals and industry, each giving and receiving information from the other. For nowhere else is so objective and relaxed an atmosphere possible in a military context. A lieutenant (jg) can tell a vice admiral what's wrong with a piece of equipment, and five minutes later that admiral can ask an industry representative how to fix it. Conversely, the admirals can explain policy directives or tactical changes to junior officers with a directness that otherwise probably would be impossible. And simultaneously, an aircraft designer or ordnance engineer can tell a Navy program manager what to expect from a new procurement item without an onerous paperwork burden. In summary, if the United States Navy did not already have access to a Tailhook Association, there would be every good reason to create one.