Lockheed Golden Wrench Pin - HELP!

[flyboyj]

I was a member of VP-65 from 1996-2002. In 1997 we won "The Golden Wrench" award and many of us were given the small "Golden Wrench" pin from Lockheed. Mine was lost or stolen when I was still in the squadron - anyone know where I might be able to find a "replacement?"

[Jack Cook]

There's a pretty good P-3 group on facebook. You might want to post on the wall there.
We had a commerative patch given to us when my sqd VP-40 won the Coastal Command Trophy
in 1986. Sadly it's burned with the house. I feel your pain! If I recall correctly 65 was at Pt Mugu
and has gone the way of the dodo. My other sqd VP-69 lives on though.

[flyboyj]

Thanks Jack - I'll check out the Facebook site. Yep, 65 was at Mugu and is now no more. I hear a reunion in Vegas is on the horizon. What did you do in 40/69?

[Jack Cook]

I was a AO-6803-P-3 Armament/Ordnance Tech. Started at 40 has a AOAN (E-2).
I loved to fly so much I went on most all the dets. With 69 I left has a AO2 and was still in 230
but was flying regulary but hung it up before getting my wings has they wanted to much of my
time (10+ days a month) and it would have cost me my job. Went to VA-128 and fell in love with
the Tadpoles!

[flyboyj]

AD-6423-P3 Aviation Machinist Mate (SELRES) here. I spent 10 years with Lockheed and most of my time was on the P-3. I went in the Naval Reserve at the ripe young age of 36 - APG. Came in off the street as a PO3 because of my previous experience. I was supposed to be an air framer but someone decided I'd make a better nose picker. I was asked to look into becoming an FE but it would have taken up too much of my time. Spend my 6 years as an active reservist, when my time came up the squadron wasn't giving me any incentive to re-up so into the sunset I went. A lot of hard work, great memories, no regrets.

Just joined the Facebook group you recommended - many thanks for that tip!

[Jack Cook]

I was active then reserves and loving life then got recalled for Desert Storm!

with VP-69 P-3A at NAS Whidbey

VP-69 flightline

P-3C Update III of VP-40 off Pt Mugu

Misawa, Japan

[flyboyj]

Very Cool!

I liked the old schemes better. Here's my "I love me post" from Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/#/album.php?aid ... 1644843401

[Jack Cook]

A few more..............

loading a Mk-60 CAPTOR on a VP-69 P-3A

flight OPS and for once my hands aren't in my pockets

VF-302 Reserve F-14A launching

and gone

[flyboyj]

Very Cool!!!

Never did the boat and really had no desire to do so. P-3s all the way for me, although I did do a little TDY with VR-55 after they moved to Mugu. Used t have a shirt that said "Polywog and proud."

What boats were you on?

[Jack Cook]

When I crossed the lines they made me wear a special T-shirt that said SLIMEY RESERVE WOG PLEASE BEAT ME SEVERELY!!
Jack got his ass kicked that day!!

hands in pockets!

hands still in pockets

[flyboyj]

All very cool - seeing that A-6 makes me feel old.

[Holedigger]

Kick the tires and light the fires!
Sorry, couldn't resist! Nice pics of the good ol days.

[gary1954]

All very cool - seeing that A-6 makes me feel old.

Change that to read, DayUm!!!!....Those were great days man, Great Days.

[Jack Cook]

My step-dad used to say that you knew you were old when your a/c can only be seen in a museum
That makes me old

[flyboyj]

My step-dad used to say that you knew you were old when your a/c can only be seen in a museum

Add Davey Moans to that as well!