Mission Strike
Join the Mission with a Live Hornet Veteran Naval Aviator!
Ready Room Time is pleased to offer a selection of real virtual naval aviation missions as they were flown by pilots off the decks of aircraft carriers ranging from the Korean War through the Vietnam War. These real-life missions will be narrated by the pilots who completed them and be accompanied by personal photos and never before seen historical footage. Participants will also have an opportunity to interact with the pilots directly in a Q & A session following the presentation. Are you ready to join the mission?
Recommended Ages: High School & Adult Groups
Mission Strike Aviators & Program Selection
Mission: Panther
LTjg Dale Berven, F9F Panther Pilot, Mission off a Straight-Deck Carrier in the Korean War in 1953
Dale earned his “Wings” as a Naval Aviator in early 1952. He flew fighter jets, Grumman F9 Panthers and Cougars. During the Korean War, he accumulated 90 missions over No. Korea. Afterwards, as a LTjg, he flew off USS Hornet in 1954.
Mission: Crusader
LT Richard Keefer, F8 Crusader Pilot, Mission Arab Israeli War in 1967
Richard entered the Navy in 1964 to train as a Naval Aviator. He received his wings in December of 1965 and was assigned to VF-174 in Jacksonville Fla for training in the F8 Crusader. He reported to fleet squadron VF-13 in March of 1966 flying the F8-D Crusader out of Jacksonville Fla. (NAS Cecil Field)
He served on several cruises for training and fleet operations to include the Mediterranean and the Caribbean over the next 3 years. He had one year at the Naval Text facility NAS Lakehurst flying the F8 E crusader.
He spent seven years in the Navy on the East Coast when not aboard ship.
Mission: Skyhawk
LT Allan Cartwright, A4 Skyhawk Pilot, Mission Vietnam War
Allan flew the A-4 Skyhawk off USS Ticonderoga during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Lieutenant before leaving the Navy in November of 1968. He flew 200+ combat missions and made over 300 carrier landings.
Mission: Tracker
LTDR Dave Pendleton, US-2B Tracker, Vietnam War- US-2B Tracker
Dave spent 21 years in the Navy as an ASW pilot (among other things) and served on the Hornet from 1967 to 1969. His shipboard duty was Ordnance Officer in charge of the aviation ordnance, ships guns and ordnance, fire control, and armory. He was a qualified OOD Underway for general steaming, flight operations, and underway replenishment. He was also certified to fly the ship’s aircraft. After the recovery of Apollo 11 in 1969 he left the ship and reported to VS-33 in Airgroup 59. He had the pleasure of returning to Hornet for some very interesting ASW operations. He then deployed on USS Ticonderoga for a Far East cruise. He had a 4 year tour with COMFAIRWESTPC in Japan. His last tour was with the NAS Point Mugu where he acted as the station Security Officer and staff Security Manager.
Maximum Class Size: 50
1 Hour delivered via Zoom
