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The News of Sun City Center
November 2013
Military Affairs Former Blue Angel Pilot rescues local Association of Naval Aviation October Luncheon Program!
JROTC Cadets honored at MOAA luncheon
PHOTO BY FRANK KEPLEY
PHOTO BY FRANK KEPLEY
The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) honored JROTC commanding officers and cadets at the October luncheon, held in the Florida Room at the SCC Atrium on October 2. Commanding officers from four area high school programs, East Bay, Bloomingdale, Brandon Major Fred Stankovich, USMC (ret.) stepped and Riverview, and a cadet from each were featured. up to the plate and delivered a grand slam! He The program consisted of a discussion by each commanding officer relative to their particular was scheduled for the November Silver Osprey JROTC program as well as cadet comments discussing how the programs have benefitted them and Squadron meeting, but agreed to come a month what their future goals and aspirations are. early when the government shutdown prevented the scheduled US Army Colonel from speaking. Captain Hugh Howarth, USN (Ret), the MOAA JROTC coordinator, moderated the discussion. Marine Major Fred Stankovich was the The SCC Chapter supports the following JROTC programs: Bloomingdale, Brandon, Durant, #2 pilot of the 1979-1981 Blue Angels Flight East Bay, Lennard, Newsome, Riverview, and Spoto High Schools along with the South County Career Demonstration Team. Major Stankovich was Center. commissioned a Second Lieutenant from Marine The chapter recognizes an outstanding junior cadet with a National MOAA Medal, a Certificate Corps Officer Candidate School in 1970. He is from its Chapter, and an Honorarium of $50. a mechanical engineering graduate of the City —B. Frank Kepley, CAPT, USN, (Ret) College of New York. After OCS, he was assigned to flight training in Pensacola, receiving his wings in November 1971. His first assignment was to VMA-214 (the famed “Blacksheep Squadron”) at MCAS El Toro. He later completed “Top Gun” school and became a Top Gun instructor pilot. His next assignment was with the Blue Angels. When he completed his Blue Angel tour in 1981, he left active duty and became an airline pilot. Between 1981 and 2012, Major Stankovich flew as captain for People Express Airlines, Continental Airlines, and United Airlines. He has over 13,000 airline pilot hours in the 737 and 777 aircraft. As a Marine, his 3,500 hours was mostly in the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, which he flew both in his Marine squadrons and with the Blue Angels. His talk gave the luncheon group gathered at Freedom Plaza a true insider’s look at the Blue Angels. Major Stankovich began his talk explaining that the reason the Blue Angels were formed (in 1946 at NAS Jacksonville) was to help recruit (L to R) Tom Kilbourn, president SCC MOAA; Cadet Shaquone McCauley, Navy JROTC; CDR Richard new members to Naval Aviation. Candidates for Steinestel USN Ret., Riverview High School commanding officer; Cadet Thapani Sawaengsri, Army the Blue Angels are not recruited. They apply as JROTC; LTC Guy Walsh USA Ret., Brandon High School commanding officer; Cadet Nick Johnson, individuals to be one of the eight pilots on the Air Force JROTC; LtCol John Wayne USAF Ret., Bloomingdale High School commanding officer; Cadet team. To become a new team member, they must Edward Parrino, Army JROTC; LTC Heriberto Garcia USA Ret., East Bay High School commanding be approved by all eight of the existing members. officer; Hugh Howarth SCC MOAA JROTC coordinator. Candidates must have a minimum of 1,250 tactical jet flight-hours and be carrier qualified. One slot is always reserved for a Marine aviator. MOWW sponsors YLC awards ceremony Major Stankovich fielded many questions Youth Leadership Conference (YLC) students from five local area high schools, East Bay, Lennard, from the audience. Asked if the aircraft used by Riverview, Spoto and Plant City, gathered at the Sun City Center Renaissance Club on October 17 for the Blue Angels differed from the standard fleet lunch and participation in the Military Order of the World Wars (MOWW) YLC Recognition and versions, he said yes in some small but important Special Awards Program. ways. Because they are constantly flying so close LTC Charles Conover, USA (Ret), commander of the MOWW local chapter (center in group together (the goal is not closer than 3 feet), the photo) coordinated and emceed the event. There are a total of eight YLC schools involved. COL. Roy control stick is tighter than fleet models so pilots Conklin, USA (Ret), and Lt Col Jim Worchal, USAF (Ret), (unable to attend) were the team leaders can always have immediate response. This means for the eight schools. Newsom, Durant and Bloomingdale High Schools are also part of the YLC that the pilot must constantly pull back with 20 program, but were unable to attend the function. The Military Family Support Trust (MFST), is also pounds of force in order to maintain level flight. a participator and contributor in the YLC program. Special MOWW Patrick Henry Awards were It can be quite fatiguing when flying 40-minute presented to Christian Torres, Leonard High School and Brandi Boyer, and Kisha Young, Riverview air shows and one-hour practice sessions. He High School for their outstanding leadership qualities. also pointed out that contrary to normal military —B. Frank Kepley, CAPT, USN, (Ret) procedures, they do not wear G-suits. The suits just “get in the way.” They would rather get through the 7 G turns without them. He said that this is just part of the job and is overcome through much practice. Major Stankovich talked about the effects of “sequestration” on all of the military flight demonstration teams. As many of you know, all military sponsored air shows were canceled in April. The next meeting of the Silver Osprey Squadron will be Friday, November 8. The speaker will be Captain Dick Petrucci, USN (ret.) who will give the squadron an update on the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Group photo of individuals from five attending schools. Center, LTC Charles —Submitted by Barry Dyer Conover (Ret), Commander Local Chapter MOWW.