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July-August 2002 Hello yet again Great '98! There are lots of letters this month, so I'm going to get right to them. As for what's new in paradise, on 14 May (my wife's birthday), we welcomed our first son, Ethan Samuel, into the world. On 8 June, Karen and Brian Guise welcomed in their son, Logan Alexander. Both babies are doing great and keeping us all very busy. Now to the letters: From Greg Malandrino: Greetings from Japan. Seems like half the Class is out here in the Far East. The Orient offers many opportunities for some really interesting activities. Trips to Tokyo, Yokohama, Okinawa, Guam, and Iwo-Jima become common place, and it's easy to get spoiled being only an hour and a half from Tokyo. My squadron, VF-154 the "Black Knights," has a couple of '98ers besides myself. John Bush and Jeff Immel showed up in January, and are enjoying driving on the left-hand side of the road and being functionally illiterate once they get off base. In addition to the one Tomcat squadron out here, there are also quite a few Classmates flying Hornets. Christian Sewell is here with his wife, Deborah, and they are in the same squadron as Jake Parsons and Glory Parsons, the "Royal Maces" of VFA-23. In addition a USMA '98 is here as well, Shawn and Ashley Hall are also a couple of the "maces in your faces" and he passes a "scouts out huyah." Right down the hall are the SSHWFGD, or VFA-192 the "Golden Dragons" with Caroline and Chris Smith holding down the fort there and enjoying life off base. Not to be left out are the "World Famous Dambusters" of VFA-195, better know as the Chippy-ho's. Both John Bear and Pete Schumacher are busy being ho's in Japan. Not to worry, it's a legalized system, except here in Japan they are called "geishas." Also Jeff Abidini is in VS-21, Shiho Sefton is in VAQ-136 and Aaron Hager is flying in HS-14. Additionally, a non-Classmate would like to say hello to all the great members of '98. I'm sure anyone who's ever spent anytime at the "Duck-in" or "Bar Norfolk" knows him already, and hence he needs no introduction. Rich Silva, OCS 22 May 98, says Konichiwa. He eagerly looks forward to every new issue of Shipmate, is in therapy for not being accepted into the Academy, and can't wait for his invite to the five year reunion. Thanks, Greg, sounds like that guy has a bad case of ring envy. Too bad. Horacio Delgado wrote me and he's doing well in Peru. He's on another three-month deployment, and expects two more in the next year. They are sure keeping him busy, but he's doing well. From Eugene Bolton: I'm flying SH-60Bs out of Mayport, FL. I'm going to be heading out this summer for deployment as part of HSL-46 DET 7 on NORMANDY with the GWBG. Rob Danberg and Chris Barnes (HSL-44) will also be deploying at the same time on RADFORD. Greg Paradis (HSL-48) will be on KAUFMANN. Quite possibly the longest write-in so far, from Todd Tavollazzi (toddtavolazzi@hotmail.com): Here's a quick update on a couple of us '98ers. Mike Llenza and I successfully broke the chains of SWO and happily made our way to P-cola. I get my wings soon and will be flying helos somewhere for the Navy. Mike just checked into his NFO squadron this month and is psyched not to be haze grey. Luke Radlinski and Kathy McMorrow recently returned to San Diego from an extended deployment to the Gulf and are very happy to be back. Luke is going to be one of those company officers soon‹Ahh, downtown Annapolis on Lieutenant's pay‹that's nice‹good choice, Luke. Gilbert Clark is on his way out to sea soon‹if he hasn't left already‹for a deployment as a Surface Nuke on one of them bird farms‹out of Norfolk‹not San Diego‹gotta love the needs o' the Navy‹right, Gil? But he'll be with a couple other '98 legends like Angelo Fontanazza and Steve Housh‹sounds like a booze cruise to me. Jeff Sowa, Pat Lessard, and Carlos "the Jakal" Jativa are enjoying each other's farts on the USS Fist of God somewhere in the oceans of the world. Peter Shoemaker and John Bear did so well qualifying on the boat when they were at their F-18 FRS that they got hooked up with a tour in Japan‹what a pay-off‹yee-haw‹good work fellas‹enjoy the sushi! Pat Mattes is psyched about the P-3s in Jax‹we already heard from Pat Smith in the last issue. Alan "Stinky" Kagan is in Camp Pendleton flyin' the "Harley of the Sky" the aged but bad a** UH-1. Ken Robb also threw the chains of SWO and is making all of us under achievers proud in the jet community in Kingsville, TX‹way to go Bing Bong. Steve Fortmann is out there somewhere snooping and pooping with his very own SEAL platoon‹and soon Andy Fortmann will be joining him‹truly two brothers in arms. Way to go, Andy, on your transfer. Dan "Ham Salad" Duhan is still in Norfolk and lovin' SWO. Last I heard DJ Lopes and Danita Gross were happy together in the Norfolk area‹DJ flyin' the F-18's and Danita counting the days until 22 May 2003 I'm sure. I feel your pain, Danita. Jesse "Hector" Balboa is doing fine on a sub in beautiful Hawaii with his new bride. John "Ooh-Rah" Shroder is spending some time in the land that time forgot (Parris Island)‹helping all those Devil Pups earn the title. I know that old war horse is lovin' it‹aren't you, John? Ooh-stinkin' Rah! Scott Pichette is enjoying the suburban Puerto Rico life flying SH-3s. Kevin Ferrer is scamming a free M.B.A. from the Navy and wearing civvies to work everyday and partying in Georgetown every night‹I guess it pays to have brains and a criminal mind. Aaron Aschenbrenner is headed to Guam flyin' the new H-60 Sierra. Terry Shashaty is flying EA-6Bs out of Whidby Island. Along with a few 1999 kids Kalohi Clark '99 and Brien Croteau '99 are NFO's up there and Paul Tully '99 is up there flyin' too. Jason "Shady" Degroot '99 just got done with the S-3 FRS in San Diego. and will be on his way to Japan. If I didn't mention you‹I probably haven't heard from you‹so drop me a line. Alright, Todd, you have my nomination to write these articles from now on... From Carlos Jativa: I just left KAMEHAMEHA (SSN-642), which was thankfully decommissioned after 37 years of service, and transferred to ALASKA (SSBN-732) (G). I am on the same crew with two other '98ers, Jeff Sowa and Pat Lessard. Congratulations to Pat, he just received his Dolphins. It must be comforting for everyone to know that a nuclear ballistic missile submarine has three oceanographers as its senior Junior Officers. We are here in Kings Bay, making preps for our trip back home to Bangor. We have run into several of our Classmates such as: Leighton Pitre, Tim Clark, Matt Carmona, Sammit Varma, Jake Porter, and Eric Zito. Jeff, Pat, and I celebrated our jump to O-3 with Todd Tavolozzi, who is also very close to receiving his Wings. Thanks for the update Carlos, the oceanography department at USNA would be proud. The Forman family at Ko Olina, David, April and Ethan And that's all for this month '98. Thank you to all of those who are on the front lines keeping America safe from her enemies. Fair winds... -DSF