Mitch in Navy Blues
After college graduation in 1990,
I entered Aviation Officer Candidate School
and earned my commission as an Ensign.



Mitch standing on side of T-2C

Flight training in the Navy
culminated in the Rockwell T-2C,
a twin-engine jet trainer.



Formation of T-2s


In addition to acrobatics and
instrument flying, formation flying
was a major portion of training.







The final exam, if you will, was carrier qualification.
Believe it or not, our first 10 carrier landings were
SOLO!!!

T2C Landing on Carrier

After designation as a Naval Aviator, "Winging",
I received orders to Miramar, San Diego
to fly the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye.


Mitch and the Hawkeye

My new "home" was VAW-117, the "Wallbangers".
Here is one of the Hawkeyes flying over Mount Rushmore.


Hawkeye over Rushmore


Mitch in white dinner dress
Here's a photo of me in Dinner Dress
at the Hawkeye/Greyhound Ball.



















I have 178 arrested landings aboard ship.
I've landed on the USS Forrestal (CV-59),
the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the USS
Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and the
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).

Here is what the Kitty Hawk looks like
12 seconds before touchdown.
Short final Kitty Hawk

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