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Title: Nightingale: Formation Part Two
Author: TZMaverick
Classification: Harm/Mac; Skates/Other
Type: Crossover - West Wing & Aero Girl’s story - Clearing Skies
Rating: 13 (Adult Situations, Language)
Spoilers: Up to True Callings, Everything Afterwards Never Happens
Feedback: Welcomed But Not Expected
Feedback email:
TZMaverick@xxxxxxx.xxx
Disclaimer: This is for entertainment purposes only. These characters belong to CBS, Paramount and DPB.
Author's Notes: This is my opinion and not to offend any other writers but I consider Aero Girl and Startrails68 in the top 5 of all the JAG fan fiction writers available today. (One of my other top 5 writers, is semi-retired.) So, this series (I hope) is totally dedicated to them.
1000 Zulu 24 Jun 2002
Wing Headquarters
Patuxent River NAS
Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie walked into conference room ‘A’ with a worried looks on their faces. They had received a call late last night from Beth stating that Sam and her were in trouble for fighting and neither one had slept very well worrying about them.
“Welcome to Pax River. Please take a seat.” Admiral Edward Franks told the two newcomers dressed in civilian clothes. “Is this everyone, Commander Austin, or do we need to wait longer to get started?”
“Yes, sir. This is everyone who needs to know what happened yesterday.” Meg didn’t feel like getting into the inner workings of her squadron with the Admiral cause he wasn’t cleared to know the details, which wasn’t official yet.
“Yesterday, Commander MacKenzie and Hawkes got into a ruckus with five of my Marines in the base gym and they put those men into the hospital with various broken bones and bruises. Neither would answer any questions nor give details on what happened there yesterday without a lawyer being present. Due to them being too stubborn to answer questions, I had to go to the hospital to question the five to find out what happened. I would have gone over to the hospital anyway to check on MY men but would have given the medical staff time to treat their injuries without them being questioned first.” He turned towards Beth, “Commander Hawkes you should be able to control that temper of yours better.”
“Sir, I normally control it very well and was doing fine until one of your Marines grabbed me. I asked him very nicely to let go of me but he didn’t take the hint then, he just started squeezing harder. So I proceeded to teach him a lesson of understanding that ‘no’ means ‘no’. When his friends saw him getting the stuffing kicked out of him… well they tried to help him out, which was a huge mistake on their part. They wouldn’t have been hurt if they had minded their own business and let security do their jobs in breaking up a fight. But to say the least, sir, it was the best workout that I have had since WE have been restricted from leaving the base for anything even to fly. I cannot get downtown to my dojo nor do what I was trained to do and NOBODY will give me or us a reason for it. Commander MacKenzie arrived on the scene as I was putting the final touches on the two that were still standing.”
“I’m glad that you finally told me your side of the story, which fits what I found out last night. Otherwise Lieutenant Commander Hawkes, you would have been cooling your jets in the brig last night instead of your billeting room. You have anything you might want to add Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie to the story?”
“No, sir.”
“Outstanding. Commander Austin, no further actions will be taken against these two for their part in the riot. But in the future, Commander Hawkes, wear the protective gloves that are provided for your sport and try to wear more appropriate workout attire when you enter the area. ” ‘I can’t believe she only wore her underwear to work out in.’ “I don’t want to see another repeat performance of this nature from you while your remain on MY base. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. If I knew that there was going to be a fight, I would have. I was just there to work out against the bags and it was empty when I arrived but they came in during my workout and had other ideas.”
“Very well. I’ve been instructed to inform you that the base restrictions might be lifted Friday evening if everything planed goes well. The CNO wouldn’t give me any details why they were in place or what happens Friday to change your status here. It’s something you’ll need to get answers from him if you want one. Any questions?”
“No, sir. If its alright with you, I would like to use this conference room to bring my crew up to date since I received some ‘new’ information concerning us this morning.”
“Very well. Carry on.” Admiral Franks got up and left seven people sitting around the table.
As soon as the door closed behind him, Meg turned to Harm. “Harm, glad to see you here. It was the only way which I was allowed to let Sam or Beth to see either of you. As you heard, we’ve been on base restrictions since arriving here and nobody will inform us of the reasons why. But I’ve been hearing rumors that you’re currently the only name in the hat to be our CO, can you confirm or deny that?”
“It’s good to see you too, Meg. I see you have change designators since the last time we saw each other. Those wings look good on you. When did that happen? Yes, I was offered the job and was given a week to decide on the answer. Mac wants me to take it but I’m…”
“About a year ago, I got the strangest orders to report to flight school. Graduated at the top of the class and finished my qualifications as a ‘Tomcat’ RIO. After a few weeks aboard the Seahawk, I received orders here to be one of the squadron’s executive officers. You probably can guess what they assigned me for my call sign … it’s Tex. Please Harm take the job.” Meg begged.
“Sis, you gotta get him to take this job.” Sam had a pleading look of his face.
“I’ve just got here but please Harm take the job.” Kate tossed her two cents into the ring.
“Hammer, I know that we didn’t get along too well until the end of Angela’s murder investigation but being cooped up here on base is even getting to me. Please take it.”
Beth got up from her chair and walked around the table. When she got to Harm’s chair, she knelt down and turned his chair to face her. “For the love of everything, Bro. Please take the job before it drives me nuts. There have been times these past six months where I felt that you needed help and this blessed base restriction prevented me from driving up to DC to help you through what you were going through since you wouldn’t ask Sis for help. You asked me what you could do to repay me for the hell you put me through this past year, well here’s your chance to wipe the slate clean.”
Harm took his hand and wiped the tears from Beth’s face. “Mac…”
“You know how I feel about it… it appears I’m not the only one wanting you to do it.”
“Ok, Sis. I’ll inform the CNO that I’ll take the position. Quit crying please.” Harm pulled Beth into his arms trying to comfort her as well as he could. ‘This is the least I can do … she’s held me and tried to comfort me like this too many times that I lost count.’
“Harm, can you call the CNO today. I need Sam to be able to come with me over there due to who we saw yesterday.” Mac pleaded with him. Sam and her needed to get answers from the women she saw on the beach. In order to do so, he needed to be free to leave the base.
“Sure.” Harm turned to look to address Meg. “Meg, could you go get the Stu-3 key for this phone?”
“Yes, Sir.” Meg got up left the room.
“While she’s gone, I suggest everyone take a break… go get something to drink or make a head call. Because I want to brief you on what I know and you can brief me on what you know. Could someone bring me a large coffee when they return, please.”
“Aye. Aye. Sir.”
Mac and Beth decided to make a quick trip to the head to freshen up before it started. On the way back, Mac saw caught a quick glance of someone who looked familiar to her, who had just turned the only corner in this part of the wing headquarters building, which blocked her view of them. She passed by the conference room door to take a look down the corridor to satisfy her curiosity.
“Petty Office Coates, what are you doing here?”
“Ma’am. Do you know where conference room ‘A’ is? All we were told is that it’s should to be around here someplace and these doors are not marked properly. I’m escorting two officers and we’re supposed to report to Commander Austin and that’s where they told us she could be located this morning.”
“Sure come with me and I’ll show you where room ‘A’ is, it’s the same room that I’m heading back to.”
They turned and went back up the corridor both of them had just walked down a few moments ago. “Here is conference room ‘A’, Petty Officer.”
“Thank you, Ma’am. I’ll be back in a few minutes with the two Lieutenants.”
Mac looked up and saw Kate carrying four large cups of coffee and opened the door to allow her to enter the room.
“Thank you, Kate. This is my partner, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie. Mac, this is Catlin Pike — my first partner of mine at JAG.”
“Good to finally met you, Kate. Harm has told me a whole lot about you.”
“All of the bad stuff I figure.” Kate winked at Harm.
“Hardly, there are only two people he’s ever worked with that he has ever said a discouraging word about and neither of them are currently in this room.” Mac said with confidence since she spied Meg fooling with the Stu-3 phone.
“Harm, you might want to hold off making that call. I saw PO Coates in the hallway and she said she was escorting two officers here and I guess they’re part of the squadron.”
About the time Mac had gotten that out, the door opened to admit two Lieutenants and PO Coates. They walked up to Commander Austin and saluted.
“Ma’am, Lieutenant Anne Binder – Go-Go, a Tomcat RIO, reporting for duty.” Anne handed over her personnel file.
“Ma’am, Lieutenant Arianna Restivo reporting for duty.” Arianna handed over her file as well.
“Ma’am, Petty Officer Jennifer Coats reporting for duty. Jen handed over her file but it was in a sealed envelope.
“Ladies have a seat, we were just fixing to have a squadron briefing by its Commander as soon as he finishes this phone call.”
Meg opened up her day runner and located the CNO’s Stu-3 phone number and dialed the number.
“CNO’s office. This is Miss Wilson. How can I help you?”
“This is Commander Austin calling the Admiral on a Stu-3 line for Commander Rabb. Is he free to accept the call?”
“One moment, please…”
“Admiral McGuire speaking, what can I do for you Commander Austin?”
“Sir, do you have your Stu-3 key handy?”
“Yes.”
“Sir, turn your Key… punch in 7-3-4-1-2.” The Admiral and Meg turn their Stu-3 keys and punched in the series of numbers, which made this phone conversation classified. Since it was a five-digit number, it made the classification ‘secret’.
“Someone guard the door.” Meg asked nobody particular to do. “Commander Rabb would like to speak to you, sir.”
“Admiral, after discussion the proposal you gave me about Friday afternoon … after talking to my partner and friends. I will accept the position.”
“Outstanding. Welcome Aboard! The White House and I were hoping that you would. Your squadron’s manning should have just increased by four today… Commander Pike – your second executive officer, Lt Binder – RIO, Lt Restivo – Pilot, and Lt Coates – RIO … should have just arrived or will be there shortly. There are four planes at St. Augustine, Florida ready for pick-up at your convenience. I’ll inform Admiral Chegwidden what your answer was; he was expecting you to accept the position and was slightly surprised that you didn’t immediately accept it when it was offered to you.”
“Sir, can you release my squadron from base restriction?”
“The foundation of your squadron is finalized with your acceptance of its commanding officer position. The reason why they were placed on such a strange stateside restriction was for security purposes, we wanted to control whom that they came in contact with until the White House was ready to announce the news. So, it will be lifted as soon as we hang up these blessed phones. I want to see both your XOs, Colonel MacKenzie, and yourself here bright and early tomorrow morning.”
“Aye. Aye. Sir.”
“McGuire out.” Harm heard the click as the Admiral turned his key off and then he heard the dial tone.
“Humm…” Harm opened up the envelope that PO Coates had handed to Meg and started to read. “Jen.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did anyone tell you why you were being re-assigned to VF-213?”
“No, sir.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, didn’t you always have a dream about flying?”
“Yes, sir.”
“It appears that your dream is about to come true. You have been selected to enter the next Radar Intercept Officer class.”
“Sir…”
“That’s what these orders read… it’s not the normal course or route the Navy takes. You will be pushed hard to complete the course as fast as you can handle it as well as getting your college degree. How close are you to getting your BA?”
“Sir, I took my last finals last week and if I scored in the seventies then I will have enough credits to graduate.”
“Good. Let’s get this meeting started and I’ll tell everyone what Mac and I know: Our home base will be Andrews AFB… we will have our own hanger, which is currently being remodeled to fit our needs. It was the old alert hanger there. There will be twenty-two dorm rooms on the north side of the hanger, which will give each crew a semi-private room for when they pull alert. We will divide into four fights and rotate alert status every week while at home. You will be gone a maximum of two weeks from your off-base apartments unless we’re on our three month sea duty aboard the Patrick Henry unless something major happens overseas. We will be tasked to provide a flight of two to each of the various air shows all over the country. Our airframes will be F-14D Super Tomcats, which are brand new and are right off the production line in Florida. They will be painted the same scheme as the ‘Blue Angels’ use. There will only be two male personnel in the entire squadron and we have six months to be fully missioned qualified. Any questions so far?”
“Harm, why do I get the feeling that Jen’s packet had more in it than what you said. Is there something that you’re not telling us?”
“Yes, Mac. Since you asked, I was going to tell you privately. But it appears you have orders to the same flight school class Jen’s being sent to.”
“What? No way, its gotta be wrong … I can’t, you know that I get sick every time I go up in a fighter?”
“You do, Sis?”
“Yes. I’ve been up twice… both times sitting in the RIO’s seat, even though I didn’t throw-up the last time.”
“Were you just sitting there without anything to do?”
“Yes.”
“I see. You won’t get sick once you’ve gone through flight training. You will be too busy to notice where you’re at most of the time. Anyway, I was the same way on my orientation flights, which by the sound of it neither Jen or you will have go through since both of you know which airframe you’ll be flying. Trust me, Sis.”
“Ok, I guess.” Mac had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach just thinking she would be required to fly in a fighter more than she wanted to. It was the last resort for transportation in her book of preferences for travel.
“Mac, you have been tagged to just be one of our back-up RIOs and not a full time crew member, it’s a just-in-case situation where the squadron needs an immediate replacement. The only time you will be required to fly is during your qual periods. Otherwise, you’ll still do what you normally do and still work under the Admiral.”
“Whew! You have me really worried there flyboy. I didn’t want to change my designator to an aircrew this late in my career.”
“Don’t worry honey. That won’t happen, I promise.”
“You can take that to the bank there, Colonel. I have never heard Harm make a promise that he hasn’t never kept.” Kate smiled as she had heard all the rumors since she left JAG about Harm’s career.
“Crew assignments: Lobo/Go-Go – A3; Ace/Texas – A2; Hammer/Skates – A1; Arianna/Jen – A4. Arianna, Jen, as well as Mac – you’ll get your call signs after you report back from flight school. We will be the ones making up flight ‘Alpha’.
“We will pick-up a plane and fly to Pensacola to meet the candidates for squadron. Cassie and Anne will do a double shuttle to bring ‘Alpha’ flight’s fourth plane since Arianna and Jen are not qualified yet. After you bring the second bird over, your scheduled for a TAD to Fallon NAS, Nevada, where you will enter into the next ‘Top Gun’ class. Congratulations you two for being the first two from the squadron selected to attend there. They are in the process of having two classes running at the same time and we are scheduled to have one slot in each class until the entire squadron except for me to attend. I have already been and have the trophy at my parent’s house in California. Mac, you can make your own decision if you want to go there or not – you and the cargo crew are the only members of our squadron who has that option. We will temporary be stationed out of Pensacola until the squadron’s aircrew roster has been fully manned, which includes Arianna and Jen.
“After we meet the candidates, Kate and Meg will go TAD to HQ JAQ as replacements for Mac and me. Our cargo plane crew, enlisted and non-crew officers will be reporting to you there until our offices at Andrews are ready which won’t be until the open house there. Beth, you will be Jan and Mac’s private tutor to help speed them through school. Sam, you’ll be Arianna’s tutor and you will find out that she’s a natural pilot.
“Mac didn’t you tell me last week that your landlord was building a new apartment complex that has five multi-story buildings.”
“Yes, I did. Are you thinking what I think your thinking?” Mac then saw the look on Harm’s face and knew instantly it was the same thing. “I’ll call her right now if I can borrow someone’s cell phone.”
“Here, Sis.” Beth handed Mac her cell phone.
Mac walked out of the room to make her call and return less than ten minutes later.
“Mrs. Roper said that the first portion of the complex will be finished by the end of the week and all twenty-four units are still available but didn’t give any reason why they were still not spoken for yet. Normally, its very hard to locate nice apartments in the area especially newly built ones, they tend to disappear like hotcakes. She said it is broken up to six sub-complexes of four to six buildings each, which has a 24/7 guarded entrance. They are free this afternoon if we can drive up there now to look at them and if we don’t have anything better to do since we need to be in DC tomorrow morning anyway. They are close to Dulles airport and just inside the McLean City limits, which will make it a long drive to Andrews. It sounds like the ideal solution for off base housing for the squadron.”
“Great! Everyone go pack and we’ll meet in two hours at the restaurant just outside the main gate.”
Claremont Superior Complex
McLean, Va.
A convoy of seven vehicles pulled into the almost completed sub-complex of the Claremont Apartments and the ten occupants got out. The Ropers were sitting there by the club/pool house waiting their arrival.
“Hello, Sarah.”
“Hi, Mr. And Mrs. Roper. This is Sam, Kate, Meg, Cassie, Beth, Anne, Arianna, Jen, and you already know Harm. We’re come to here to look at your new apartments.”
“Well, this sub-complex here isn’t actually apartments, they are condos. There are six buildings in this complex: one six unit; three with four units, which all have four bedrooms; one six unit that have three bedrooms and this building. The first floor in this building houses the clubhouse and a three-car garage. The second story is currently a totally open with plans to turn it into a five-bedroom condo unit, which had the only access to an eighteen-foot privacy fence sunbathing area and the Olympic-size swimming pool. Each unit in this complex has a three-car garage and storage area on the first floor. If you’ll follow Mrs. Roper, she’ll show you one of the upper units.”
“Now, that explains why twenty-four brand new apartments were still available on the market. They’re condos. Didn’t your construction crew warn you that there was a glutton of condos on the market around here?”
“Sarah, you know Stanley. He got a special deal with the architect for the plans. It seems that he was working on drafted the plans and almost had them finalized when the original purchaser withdrew at the last minute. So, all Stanley had to pay for the plans were the final payment due for them. We went with how it was planned cause it would have been triple what we paid for them if we had re-planned these buildings and you know Stanley. I think they turned out very nice and I’m almost glad that we didn’t rework them. If you come with me.”
Mrs. Roper linked arms with Mac as she led them up the extra-wide stairs and stopped on the fourth floor landing if you counted the garages as the first floor. “Here is the central elevator for this building.” She pointed towards the rear of the landing, where the elevator door could be seen. “Let’s go inside this unit.” She opened the door to one of the two upper units. “This is the living room with a fireplace and den off to the side. Over here is the dinning room that is separated by this half wall from the living room. In here is the kitchen and as you notice it is big enough for all eleven of us to stand in without bumping into each other.” She turned and led them back into the living room. “Here is a door that separates the sleeping areas from the living area. Over on the right here is the guest bathroom, one large bedroom, and hallway linen closets. Here on the left is two other large bedrooms and at the end down there is the master suite, that has it’s own fireplace, sitting area, private bath and walk-in closet. Every unit basically is laid out the same with other side being it’s reverse mirror. Stanley has placed three options for these units: 1) $2000 per month; 2)$175,000 per unit; 3) 2.3 Million for the entire complex with the Claremont Association providing security.”
Everyone fell in love with the amount of space they had seen. But their faces gave them away when she quoted the numbers to them, they thought it was little steep for what they could afford but since they hadn’t lived in the area for awhile or wasn’t from the area at all. Harm got an idea and borrowed Beth’s cell phone then walked outside for some privacy. Sam and the ladies stood or looked around the place until Harm returned.
After finishing making a call, Harm walked back into the unit with his huge ‘flyboy’ grin plastered on his face. “Mrs. Roper, we will purchase the entire complex and want you to stop the process of turning the open space above the club house into another condo.”
“Harm… Hammer… Bro…” could be heard coming from everyone not believing his or her ears at what he just said.
Harm turned a deaf ear at the exclamations coming from everyone and continued with what he needed to tell Mrs. Roper. “With only one condition, we would like the option of first refusal on all of the other five sub-complexes’ apartments. We’re the spearhead of a newly formed Naval Unit stationed here at Andrews and will need suitable/affordable housing for our troops. This is a clean, well secured, fairly safe, and quite neighborhood. It is an ideal location for the members who are married to raise their families and since they are all have security guarded entrances into the each complex – it makes me feel more secure since 99 percent of them will be ladies.”
“That’s agreeable with me and since your buying this complex. I guarantee that your troops will get a break on what they will be require to pay for rent.”
“Great! Mr. Edward Wilder from California will be arriving Friday to meet with Mr. Roper and you to sign the bill of sale and remaining paperwork if that meets with your approval.”
“Certainly, Harm.”
Harm stretched his hand out to shake Mrs. Roper’s hand to seal the deal while handing her one of his business cards with the other and she left shaking her head from the wonderful turn of events this afternoon had yielded Stanley and her. They had been worried about what they would do with the expensive condo complex since they learnt there was a glutton of condos just sitting around the Metro area empty. ‘Harm didn’t even bat an eye at the 2.3 Million dollars we were asking for it. He didn’t know that it would cover the construction cost for half of the entire six building complex area but maybe Mr. Wilder did. Who cares as long as we get out from underneath this white elephant and made a small profit from it?’
“Harmon Rabb Junior, explain to me what you just did?” Mac turned towards Harm with her famous ‘I caught your hand in the cookie jar look’ she gave him when she caught him trying to sand bag her in the courtroom.
“The entire squadron other than Jen or us will needing places to live here in the Metro area and they cannot locate a better situation than this or something this affordable as it will be for them. Even Jen could afford to live here as an E-5 with her housing allowance. A long time ago, Frank asked me to keep an eye out for bargains on property around here. Each of us would only pay $750 per month with twenty thousand going to him and four thousand going into a maintenance fund for the area upkeep. In less than ten years, the combined rent payments will have repaid Frank’s personnel business corporation for this. It’s a win-win solution for all concerned, the squadron gets very nice affordable living quarters and Frank gets his foot in the door in the Metro development. Since this building is finished and has six units, we use this one for Alpha and the squadron’s orderly room.”
“Sir, can we have one of the third floor units?” Jen asked.
“Sir, I rather have one of the second floor units.” Cassie quickly asked.
“Well, I like this one Harm.” Mac quickly stated.
“We like the other third story unit.” Meg quickly placed Kate and her bid in.
“Fine, we’ll take the one across the landing Bro.” Beth flashed her aviator smile at them since it was the unit she wanted for Sam and herself in the first place, which was right across from Harm and Mac’s.
“Everyone agree.” Harm looked and saw everyone shaking his or her head in agreement. “We will rotate the three ‘A’ crews from Pensacola a week at a time to give them time to purchase furniture and set-up their living quarters. Arianna and Jen since your schools don’t start until the 15th, I suggest that you two fly back here this weekend and start moving into your unit after Mr. Wilder has signed the paperwork. Don’t overdue with the lifting; hire some able body people to help with the heavy items. Mr. Wilder will set up the banking accounts for the complex when he gets here. There will be funds available to borrow from for your initial set-ups and you’ll repay the loan at zero percentage rates. It will be set it up so that nobody needs to start paying rent until the 1st of August, which will give you the extra funds to purchase household furniture or repay the loan from the account. Cassie and Anne, you’ll stop here at Andrews after you finish your school at Fallon to set-up yours. Meg, make sure that the Ropers have everything in order with Andrews to allow them to rent units to the troops before they start arriving. Kate, you’ll be in charge of placing Bravo, Charlie, and Delta flights up here in our complex. Beth and Sam, you’ll need to come back with us to Soloman after the meeting with the CNO in the morning. I’ll need to see the three flight crews at St. Augustine, Friday morning and the others at Pensacola’s Whiting Field that afternoon.”
1250 Zulu Tuesday 25 June 2002
Chief of Naval Operation’s Office
Pentagon
Washington, DC.
Commander Harmon Rabb opened the door leading into the Chief of Naval Operation’s office and stepped aside to allow Lieutenant Colonel Sarah MacKenzie, Commander Catlin Pike, and Commander Meg Austin to precede him into the CNO’s waiting room.
“Ma’am. We have an appointment to meet with Admiral McGuire.” Harm told, Miss Wilson, who had looked up to see four field grade officers walk into her sanctuary. During her time working for Admiral McGuire, she couldn’t recall ever seeing someone below O-6 ever having a meeting with the Admiral unless he was changing aides, but he normally meet the aide candidates in the conference room.
After Tom had informed her of his change in his schedule yesterday, he had her go down to personnel to pull their records. When she got to the records room, the clerk there had placed all of them inside a briefcase – which was another ‘first’ for her – and was informed that she had to ensure that it had to be locked into the CNO’s safe at all times if they wasn’t being used or read. The whole situation was so weird that it peaked her curiosity for she done something she had never done before – she decided to see what these records said. After reading Commander Rabb’s record, she didn’t bother to open up the ‘other’ three. His record was the reason why everything had to be secured into the safe, for it had a ‘red’ cover sheet that read “Top Secret – Level 4” and it was permanently sealed on it.
“Good Morning, Commander Rabb …” She paused when she saw Harm smile. ‘My goodness, his official picture doesn’t do him justice when he smiles.’ “… Colonel MacKenzie, Commander Pike, and Commander Austin, if you will take a seat – I’ll let the Admiral know that you’re here.”
“Thank you, Miss Wilson.” Harm turned to find himself a seat.
Miss Wilson reached over to her incom, “Admiral, your 8 o-clock is here.”
“Thank you, Miss Wilson. Bring me the files if you would, please.”
“Certainly, sir. It will be just a few minutes.”
Miss Wilson got up from her desk and stepped into a smaller room to retrieve the files. As soon as the door shut, Harm heard Meg, Kate, and Mac snicker.
“What’s so funny?”
“Her, Harm. If she had her way, she would have dragged you into the room she just disappeared into and had her way with you. And I’m wiling to bet that you didn’t realize what that pregnant pause was about when she greeted us.” Meg spoke while the other two just shook their heads.
“Each of you should know me better than that … that I don’t willing bed any woman who flirts with me. I do have some principles or otherwise when we did worked with each other … we would have never got any work done cause we would spend the majority of the time in bed.” Harm shot back and saw each of their faces turn bright red with the thought he had just placed into their minds with that comment. Before they could think of a comeback, Miss Wilson had opened the door and walk past them into Admiral McGuire’s office carrying a briefcase.
A few seconds later, she opened the door. “The Admiral will see you, you may go in.”
They got up and followed Harm into the office.
“Sir, Commanders Rabb, Pike, and Austin – Colonel MacKenzie reporting as order.”
The Admiral stood … “At ease and Welcome.” And walked around the desk to shake their hands. “Let’s make ourselves comfortable and sit down in my informal seating area.” Tom pointed towards the two couches that were facing each other and the chair at one end facing the fireplace. “Do any of you care for something to drink?” He asked once they were seated.
“No, sir. I’m fine right now.” Harm said while the others remained silent.
“If it is ok with you, I’m speak to you using your first names. What should I call you since we will see each other fairly often since the VF-213 will be under my direct command?”
“Harm … Meg … Kate … Mac.” Was heard to his reply.
“The reason why I called this meeting is to put faces to the names of my commanders and to tell you that I just spent the past weekend at Camp David with the President and First Lady. He informed me that Sam MacKenzie has in his possession two signed Presidential waivers to OPNAV Instruction 5370.23. This is what they envision the squadron’s duties will be…”
1900 Zulu Friday 28 June 2002
Whiting Field
Pensacola NAS, Florida
Three blue Tomcats flew over the airfield and all activity on the flightline stopped to watch the blue planes put on the normal arrival air show the “Blue Angels” are famous for. Seeing them arrive made some of them wonder why the “Blue Angels” were in town for in the first place since there was no air show in the immediate area to warrant them being there. But, there were some personnel that didn’t watch the mini air show for they were the hand picked maintenance crew people that were preparing the ramp area for the planes under the watchful eyes of six officers. It didn’t dawn on the majority of the watchers that these three planes wasn’t “The Blue Angels” but were F-14s painted like the ‘Blue Angels’ until they landed and started to taxi to the ramp.
Harm was busy talking on the radio to the other two crews. “Nights, watch your taxi speed. You’ll want to put your nose spar over the right shoulder of your spotter. Call out when you get spotted and stopped.”
“Roger.” Was heard on the radio from the other two pilots.
“Night 1 stopped… Night 2 stopped… Night 3 stopped.”
After all three planes had stopped, Harm called out the next command. “Engines shut down.” All three planes shut down their engines. Harm watched the spotters lower their crossed arms indicating that the engines had shut down. “Extend ladders.” Harm waited a few seconds. “Open canopy.” The three canopies rose in formation and when he heard the hydraulic pumps shutdown. “Dismount.”
The six aircrew got out of their planes and place their helmets in the crux of their left arms. Each member took four paces off the nose of their planes and saluted their spotters. Then, Night 2 and 3 marched over to where Night 1 was standing; saluted in unison, and them they all shook each other’s hands.
“If I didn’t know any better, I would think they have practice that ground maneuver before this.” Captain Eric Williams - Rhino, commented as he watch the choreographed team arrival dance the crews before him were performing. Rhino was a former Commander of the ‘Blue Angels’ and knew how hard this dance was to accomplish. But these newcomers made it look simple and like they have been doing this dance for years. It wasn’t until they got closer to him till he realized that the lead was using a cheat. Harm was wearing a short-range walkie-talkie, which he used to talk directly the others with. ‘I got to tell the team about this. It will help them until it is second nature to them.’ “That sly old dog if there was a easier way to train members on how to do this dance, he would figure it out.” He heard a couple snickers at his comment coming from a couple of the watchers standing with him. Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie took a few paces in front of them to receive the flight Commander’s report.
Harm led his group up to the six officers and saluted. “Nightingale Flight Alpha has arrived safely, Ma’am.”
“Very good, Commander.” She did an about face maneuver to introduce the newcomers among them. “ This is Captain Eric Williams and Admiral Mark Jones.”
“Admiral Jones… Captain Williams.”
“Welcome to Pensacola’s Whiting Field, Commander.”
“Thank you, sir. Glad to be here.”
“Colonel MacKenzie, we would like the pleasure of having you and your crews for dinner with us at the club around 2200 this evening.”
“It will be our honor, sir. If you will excuse us, we have a class to brief.”
“Certainly, resume your duties. Dismissed.”
“Aye. Aye. Sir.”
“This way, Commander.” Harm fell in step with Mac, with the remaining squadron members falling in-behind them, as she led them across the street into the base theater.
“Attention on Deck.”
“At ease. Take your seats.”
Harm led them to the front of the theater up onto its stage and looked at the fifty-crew members sitting in the seats.
“Ladies, I’m the Commander Harm Rabb Jr. the current and new Commanding Officer of VF-213, the Nightingales. On the stage with me are the members of Flight Alpha and senior squadron personnel. There will be twenty planes in VF-213 but we will be primarily flying sixteen F-14D Super Tomcats. The only fight assignments that you could be selected for that will be more acclaimed than this one would be flying with the ‘Blue Angels’ or the Fighter Weapons School. You will have nine days to select someone to be your partner to fly with during this testing phase. Pick someone who you will get along with since you will be roommates as well. Any questions?”
“Sir, over half of us are F/A-18 qualified; will we be required to remain current in them?” Someone spoke without identifying herself.
“That decision will be left up to the individuals in question. We will have two E model Hornets and two F model Hornets assigned to the squadron for that purpose. Commander MacKenzie up here on stage is qualified in eight different airframes and I’m qualified in a classified number of planes.”
“Sir, where will be home based out of?”
“Andrews AFB, MD.”
“Sir, is this a volunteer assignment?”
“Yes, it is. There are a number of benefits in volunteering for this assignment. Commander Pike has a briefing sheet that you can pick-up when your dismissed that will answer the questions of what those benefits are.”
“Sir, except for Commander MacKenzie and yourself … everyone selected is women. Is this to separate us from the squadrons?
“No, it’s not to separate you from the squadrons or say your skills isn’t good enough for the fleet. The USS Ronald Regan will be placed into operation soon and the Navy needs to generate a new wing for her. It was also brought to the attention of the Navy that the FA-18, which is a good plane, isn’t the proper airframe needed for total air superiority. So, there’s a need to for the Tomcat to remain on active duty until the fighter replacing her is in production and not just on the drawing board. The engagement of two of the people standing behind me demonstrated so very well. When most of you went to flight school, you weren’t offered the opportunity to select the Tomcat since her production line was shut down for numerous reasons. This is the first class and unit to ensure that every carrier in the fleet has two operational Tomcat squadrons. We will be an operational squadron – doing the same job as the other squadrons do up there, which includes what the ‘Blue Angels’ do. That means our sea time will not be as long as other squadrons unless a major outbreak occurs. The make-up of this squadron comes from Pennsylvania Avenue – any other reasons are still ‘classified’, even to me. You have been given the choice to change planes, whereas the following classes will not be granted the same privilege. They will either change planes or give up their wings.”
“Sir, how will the selection process be run?”
“There are numerous variables that will go into the selection process except for two that won’t be. These variables are your rank and which service you’re from. We will select the best qualified, in our opinions, to be the initial cadre of the Nightingales. Each of you passed the first variable by being selected by your unit Commanders to be here. It is up to you to fly smart and impress us with your skills.” Harm heard a beep behind him. “We look forward to meeting each and every one of you during your stay here. Dismissed.”
“Attention on Deck.”
“Carry on.”
1700 Zulu 14 August 2002
Temporary HQ VF-213
Whiting Field, Fl.
Commander Harmon Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie climbed out of their borrowed Tomcat. They had returned today to get a personal update on the status of the squadron. Admiral Chegwidden had requested that they remained at HQ JAG as much as possible until the squadron was ready for activation, which caused Harm and Mac to fly back and forth between Whiting Field and Andrews whenever they could get away for a few days. Harm didn’t mind as much as Mac did. She had stopped getting sick every time she flew in a fighter plane. She spent the majority of their time at Whiting working with Beth in the flight simulators, learning the job of being a RIO.
“That was a great job you did up there today, Mac.” Mac had planned the entire flight from Andrews to Whiting Field. It was a timed point-to-point problem that was given to her; she was told they had to be a point A at a certain time, point B at a certain time, and so forth all the way down to Florida. Harm and Beth had worked out the timings for the entire flight and gave the basic information to her so she could work out the flight plan.
“Thanks Harm.”
There was an extra bounce in her walk as they headed for the temporary headquarters offices of VF-213.
“Attention on Deck.” Someone cried as soon as they stepped into the offices.
“Carry on.”
Harm and Mac hung their helmets up, and removed their speed jeans. Then, they walked into the conference room where Meg, Sam, Beth, Cassie, Anne, Arianna, and Jen were waiting to brief them on the squadron’s status.
“Keep your seats.”
“How was your flight?”
“Outstanding. Mac passed the navigation test with flying colors - she didn’t miss a single timed point.”
“Way to go, Colonel. We knew that you could do it.” Jen smiled, as she knew how hard Mac was working learning the job because she was going through the same process.
“Thanks. Sometimes I still get a little queasy up there but it gets to be less and less every time I fly.”
“See, sis, I told ya it’s be that way; it usually is.”
“Sam, how’s Arianna doing?”
“She has two days of instruction remaining before receiving her Tomcat ticket and from all indicators that I’ve seen, she should graduate as number one.”
“Beth, report on Jen?”
“Likewise she has two days left and appears to finish tied for number one as well.”
“Kate and I talked yesterday and here’s our suggestions for their call signs.” She handed Harm a folded piece of paper which he slipped to Sam after he looked at it. Sam read it and it got passed around the table for the other ‘named’ flyers to see. “Any other suggestions?”
“Let’s vote on it sir.”
“All those in favor of these call signs - raise your hand.” All six named flyers raised their hands.
“Good. Beth head over to the PR and ready the helmets. We will have a naming ceremony Friday evening.”
“Yes, sir.”
“That takes care of Alpha. How’s the competition coming along since it ends Friday as well?”
“We’ve finalized eleven crews but picking the final two crews is going to be difficult one. There are five people who fit our requirements, but are currently flying with others. I know you wanted to have us take complete crews but…”
“Ok, let’s bring these five crews in, and talk to them before we bust them up.”
“Already done. They will be here in 10 minutes or less.”
“That’s why the room is set-up different?” Mac asked.
Harm realized that he didn’t notice the difference either, until Mac said something about it. “I must have been asleep on my feet, because I didn’t notice the set-up was different?” He started to shake his head and to say something more until he heard Beth snicker. Before he could give a look that said that she better not say what she was snickering about…
“Your old age is showing again, bro.” That got everyone smiling, and almost to point of laughing, until they heard a knock on the door.
“Enter.”
Five Lieutenants walked into the room and came to attention.
“At ease. What can I help you with?”
“Sir, we have a request to make.”
“Go on.”
“Sir, we would like to remove our names from the competition for the squadron and return to the fleet.”
When the Lieutenant said this, Meg slipped a sheet of paper to Harm to read. It said: These are the five we feel that don’t fit our requirements. Harm looked at the names on the list and it matched the five people standing in front of them.
“May I ask you why, Lieutenant Isler?
“Sir, I’m a F/A-18 Pilot. I’ve thought long and hard about this, but I don’t see any future in becoming a Tomcat pilot, since they will be retired soon.”
“Lieutenant Harrison?
“Same reason, Sir.”
“Lieutenant Jones?”
“Sir, I’m a F/A-18 RIO, and feel the same.”
“Lieutenant Sampson?”
“Sir, the same as Lt. Jones.”
“Lieutenant States?”
“Sir, same as Lt. Jones and Lt. Sampson.”
“Thank you all for coming here for the competition. You can go to your quarters and pack to leave today, or you’re welcome to finish out the week.”
“Sir, we’d rather leave today, since the C-9 for our bases is scheduled to depart at 2000.”
“Dismissed.”
They came to attention and departed the room.
“Well, that was interesting, and it solved our problem.”
“Sure was. Did anyone give out the impression that we wanted to split those crews up to them?
Harm looked around the room, and saw that nobody was going to say that they did. Before he could ask who they should place with whom, another knock on the door could be heard, and five other Lieutenants walked into the conference room. Harm gave Meg a look to tell her to tell them the news.
“At ease. As you may have already heard, your partner’s have requested to return to the fleet, which leaves each of you by yourselves. So what you’re about to hear is classified. In all fairness to you, we have decided that all five of you have made the final cut for the squadron. Lieutenant Julie Anderson - Woody, we have you slotted to be one of our back-up pilots and the flight leader of the Hornets when we leave here Friday. Agreeable?”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Erica looked disappointed.
“Lieutenant Carrie Lane - Chevy and Lieutenant Julie Johnson - Waxy, we have you slotted for back-up positions as well, and will fly Echo two and four home.”
“Aye. Aye. Ma’am.”
“We don’t want any of you to be disappointed, because you weren’t selected to be a primary crew member. You will get as much flying time as they will, if not more. It gives us the flexibility to schedule two crews at a time to be off for personal time, leave, TADs, and still have full squadron capabilities. There is an additional benefit that you will receive, that the primary crews won’t get. We have located each of you a real nice 3-bedroom condo for your off duty quarters, the cost is the same as you would have paid if living as a whole crew. Understood.”
“Lieutenant Barbara Dodd - Dover and Lieutenant Christiana Foster - Kansas, we got you slated for ‘Bravo Three’ and we need Kansas to fly Echo Three to Andrews.”
“Aye. Aye. Ma’am”
“Dismissed.”
“Harm, that completely fills the squadron roster. Captain Williams has agreed to let his maintenance troops assist our plane Captains tomorrow and Friday morning to allow us to send the rest of our troops home a day early. Our ground crew transports will be arriving this evening; five will depart tomorrow and the six one depart an hour after we do, which is scheduled to land at Andrews before our arrival there.”
“Good. Mac, do you want to fly home in a back seat or on the transport? Your choice.”
“Back seat. I might as well get some more flight time working the displays and panels.”
“Meg, you’ll fly as Bravo 3’s RIO while Mac temporarily takes your seat behind Sam. Post on the bulletin board that the squadron has a mandatory meeting this evening for all personnel. We can hand out the flight possessions, and tell the 275 ground crew to pack up to be ready to depart tomorrow morning. Then, call Kate to let her know that they will be there tomorrow, so she can get the in-processing line ready.
1230Z Friday
17 Aug 2002
Whiting Field, Fl.
“Nightingale Squadron by the flights check-in when ready to start engines.”
“Bravo ready… Charlie ready… Delta ready… Echo ready”
“Start Engines.”
All twenty airplanes started their engines. As soon as the Whiting Field maintenance personnel cleared the ramp area, the only people that could be seen on the plane parking ramp, were the twenty plane Captains waiting to salute their planes, as they started to taxi.
“Whiting ground control, Nightingale Squadron ready for taxi.”
“Roger, Nightingale Squadron taxi at your command. The taxiways are cleared for squadron taxi to the runway. The ramp is yours, the area has been cleared of all inbound and outbound traffic. It’s been a pleasure serving as your ground control personnel while you were here. Have a nice and safe trip.”
“Copy ground. It’s been a pleasure being here. Night Alpha 1 out.”
“Alpha Flight. Let’s roll.”
Alpha 1 and 4 moved first and started taxing down the taxiway. As soon as they were clear, Alpha 2 and 3 started. When they were straight on the taxiway, Bravo flight started their taxis. When Alpha Flight got to the end of the runway, they pulled into a flight formation take off.
“Whiting Tower, Night Alpha ready for takeoff.”
“Roger Alpha cleared for take-off.”
“Alpha Rolling - Zone 5.”
Harm kept the flight on the ground until they hit 170 ground speed. “Rotate” When his felt his plane leave the ground. “Gear Up.” Harm watched the gear indicator lights to see when they went off. “Maximum takeoff - level off angels 20.” He pulled back on the stick for a maximum take-off and took his flight up to angels 20 before leveling off. “Alpha at angels 20.” Soon all the remaining flights had joined them there. Harm switched to intercom. “Beth, let’s do a runway pass, climb to angels 30, give me a heading for first leg to Andrews from there.”
“Course will be 045.”
“Nightingales, drop down to 500 ASL, make one pass over the base, climb to angels 30, and set course at 045 degrees for home.”
Two Hour and forty-five minutes later
“Washington Center, the is Nightingale 1 on 228.0 with a flight of twenty.” Skates said. “How do you read?”
“Nightingale 1, Washington Center,” a controller at the flight control center in Washington replied. “Loud and clear. Say position and altitude.”
“Nightingale 1 approximately 200 miles east southwest of Center at angels 30,” Skates announced.
“Nightingale 1, squawk 3429 and ident,”
“Nightingale 1, squawking 3429 and ident," Skates announced, her radio LCD display showing CH11 and 3219.
“Nightingale 1, state your destination.” Center asked.
“Center, we’re scheduled to arrive at Andrews.”
“Nightingale 1, Andrews is closed for Presidential purposes.”
“Roger Center, we’re the purpose and are expected. Check with your superiors.”
“Stand by, Nightingale 1. Remain on this frequency.”
“Roger Center.” Harm could hear Beth laughing.
“Skates, what’s so funny?”
“Another case of the left hand not telling the right what’s happening.”
“Nightingale 1 cleared for approach to Andrews. Welcome to DC. Change frequency to 245.0 and contact Andrews approach.”
“Roger Center. Thanks for your help changing freq to Andrews approach at 245.0”
Skates changed the radio frequency to 245.0. “Andrews approach, Nightingale 1 on 245.0 with a flight of twenty. How do you read?”
“Nightingale 1, Andrews approach, load and clear. You have been cleared for a flyby and then tactical landing.”
“Roger, Center. Has Hickory arrived on station yet?”
“Roger, Nightingale 1. Everyone’s in place awaiting your arrival.” Harm and Beth could hear the laughter in the background as well as hearing ‘this should be fun watching.’
“Nightingales, Night 1. Change course to 010.” Skates watched her radar screen and as soon as the entire squadron had settled on the new course. “Nights, drop to 500 ASL, speed 650. After clearing the end of the runway, peel off zone 5, racetrack 2 mike, tact landing, regroup into pairs, and taxi to ramp area.”
“Night 2, how you doing over there Dino?”
“Having a blast, Hammer, talking to Ace.”
Harm led the squadron down to the deck and open the throttle .86 mach. “How’s it coming along back there, Skates?”
“All lined up and up to speed. Andrews 2 miles… you know that people ain’t going to be happy with us coming in this low and fast.”
“It’s what Hickory requested us to do. Let the rest of Alpha know when we are half a mile away.”
“Nights. Three quarter mile separation.” He got four Rogers on the radio. “Engage smoke pods at half mile.” Again, he received four Rogers.
They reached the half-mile mark and Alpha engaged the smoke pods. Each plane had three smoke generator pods attached to them on the middle hard points. Red, White, and Blue smoke started streaming behind the fast flying Tomcats. It was a slight to behold and the crowd of over 5,000 ohed and ahed as they watched the squadron streak down the runway then watch as the planes stand on their tails, reaching for the heavens. People could feel the rumble they caused coming in that low and fast. Some were thankful that they hadn’t added some speed to their velocity because they figured that they were just below the speed of sound. If that many planes broke the sound barrier at the same time, windows for miles around the base would be shattering from the sonic blasts they would have created. It was only a matter of minutes before the first Nightingale plane touched down on its home runway as Harm gently landed Alpha 1. He continued going down to the end of the runway to the hot spot to wait for Venus to catch-up to him. When she did catch-up, he touched his throttle and they began the taxi to Nightingale’s home ramp. As they were taxiing, he activated the portable walkie-talkie and did a communications check; the seven members of Alpha acknowledge the COM check. He spotted where his plane Captain had stationed herself and slowly let the F-14 roll into position before stopping. “1 Stopped.”
“4 stopped… 2 stopped… 3 stopped.”
Skates was listening the squadron’s frequency. “Bravo stopped… Charlie stopped… Delta stopped… Echo stopped.”
“Nights engine shutdown.” The flight line got real quiet and the only sounds that could be heard were a few babies crying due to the tremendous noise the squadron had just finish making. Harm switched to the squadron’s frequency to give the next few orders. “Extend ladders.” Harm waited a few seconds. “Open canopy.” The twenty canopies rose in formation and when he heard the hydraulic pumps shutdown. “Dismount.”
The thirty-seven crew got out of their planes and place their helmets in the crux of their left arms. Each member took four paces off the nose of their planes and saluted their spotters. Then, Night 2, 3, 4, and 5 marched over to where Night 1 was standing; saluted in unison, and them they all shook each other’s hands. Down each flight the same dance was being done, after they as a group turned and marched to Alpha spot, which now were 10 paces in front of Alpha’s birds.
“Bravo Flight has arrived safe and sound, sir.” Lieutenant Claire Sharp - Cece reported as she saluted.
“Very well, post.” Cece did a right turn, took a pace, and then did an about-face. The remaining members of Bravo did a right turn, angle marched to the side of Alpha, a left turn, and then another left turn. When Texas got to where Cece was standing she turned right and then right again.
“Charlie Flight has arrived safe and sound, sir.” Lieutenant Kathleen Morgan - Big Red reported.
“Very well, post.” Big Red did a left turn, took a pace, right turn, 3 steps, and right turn. Charlie flight members did a left turn, angle marched to the side of Alpha and Bravo, a right turn, and then another right turn.
“Delta Flight has arrived safe and sound sir.” Captain Christie Miller - Bear reported.
“Very well, post.” Bear was five Marines that qualified for the squadron. She did a left turn, took a pace, right turn, 2 steps, and right turn. Delta flight members did a left turn, angle marched to the side of Alpha, Brave, and Charlie, a right turn, and then another right turn.
“Echo Flight has arrived safe and sound sir.” Lieutenant Julie Anderson - Woody reported.
“Very well, post.” Woody did left turn, took a pace, and then did an about-face. The remaining members of Echo did a left turn, angle marched to the side of Alpha, Brave, Charlie, and Delta, a right turn, and then another right turn.
After seeing the last member of the squadron setting in place, Harm did a left turn and as a group marched to where Commander Catlin Pike was standing and saluted.
“Ma’am, Nightingale Squadron has arrived safe and sound.”
“Very Well, Commander. Have your squadron fall in the seating section provided for them.”
“Aye. Aye. Ma’am.” Harm did an about-face. “Squadron fall-in to your seating section.” All the crewmembers marched to the chairs provided for them. Harm, Mac, Kate, and Meg passed the squadron section, climbed the stairs of the reviewing stand, which had been erected for the occasion, and took chairs on the stand ear marked for them to sit in. As soon as they had sit down, the Chief of Naval Operations - Admiral Thomas McGuire, stood up and walked up to the podium.
“Commander Rabb and Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie. Front and Center.”
Harm and Mac stood up, walked to the podium, and saluted.
“Commander Rabb raise your right hand and repeat after me.”
“I Harmon Rabb Junior, having been appointed a Captain in the U.S. Navy under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
“Congregations, Captain. Colonel MacKenzie would you do the honors.”
“With pleasure, sir.” Mac turned towards Harm and gave him the congregatory kiss. The Admiral waited until she was finished before continuing. “Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie raise your right hand and repeat after me.”
“I Sarah MacKenzie, having been appointed a Colonel in the U.S. Marines under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.”
“Congregations, Colonel. Captain would you do the honors.”
“With pleasure, sir.”
“With the promotions out of the way. Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.”
President Bartlet rose his seat and walked to the podium.
“Good Afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. We are here today to activate the Navy’s newest Fighter Squadron, VFA-213, The Nightingales. As you can see for yourselves, 99 percent of the squadron is made up of women. During my last State of the Union address, I requested the Navy to make a total female flying squadron. Since the Navy currently doesn’t have a lady pilot that could be selected to it’s commanding officer, I allowed them to select Captain Rabb for that position. Captain Rabb has demonstrated that he’s an exceptional pilot by graduating top of his class during his ‘Top Gun’ training as well as being highly decorated with two distinguished flying medals. The Navy, also, requested to keep one of its crews together. Lieutenant Commander MacKenzie’s skill as a pilot saved the Seahawk Battle Group last year and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions. These two Navy pilots will be the only male members ever to be on the rolls of the Nightingales.
“Some people will think and say that we are separating these ladies from the fleet, which is a position they have fought long and hard to achieve. But that’s not the case with this squadron. They will make the third ‘elite’ squadron of the Navy and will be an example to other women of the world that they are as good or better than their male counterparts of the Navy. The majority of the command positions in the fleet are filled from former members of the Navy’s ‘elite’ squadrons and to this day – no lady had been selected to be a member of the ‘elites’. That is no more, for these ladies now have become part of the ‘elites’ and I congratulate them for being selected.
“They will show others that they can become anything that they desire to become. Many people didn’t realize the importance that women have had in the military aviation field. During WWII, they were ferry pilots, who freed the male pilots from that duty, but these ladies sitting among you will be on the front lines if a conflict happens. In addition to active squadron duty, they will be touring the US to show other ladies that they, too, can fly a plane if they desire to. One day in the future, people will talk about this group of exceptional women with the same reverence as they do with great flying squadrons.
“I want to say ‘Thank You’ for all the members of Congress, the press, and the public for coming here today. After the official command ceremony is finished, you are welcome to visit the squadron’s home hanger, view the planes, and visit with the members of the squadron.”
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