THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, December 30, 1995 TAG: 9512280444
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Concerning ``Arriving jets not from heaven'' (letter, Dec. 16):
I am an F-14 pilot who has lived in Virginia Beach since 1988. As a citizen and taxpayer of this community, I note:
NAS Oceana was commissioned on Aug. 17, 1943, some 51 years ago, among what is best described as swampy wasteland essentially devoid of populace.
Throughout the years, NAS Oceana has grown to 5,916 acres and supports directly and indirectly some 17,000 people. Its runways have trained many honorable, hard-working men and women, former President and World War II veteran George Bush being one.
NAS Oceana's hangars have housed a multitude of naval aircraft including: 5 B2C Helldivers, F6F Hellcats, TBF Avengers and venerable F-4U Corsairs. All played a major role in the winning of World War II.
More recently, F-14 Tomcats and A-6 Intruders grace Oceana's tarmac - the same aircraft that fought and won the Persian Gulf war (not to mention the search-and-rescue services provided to both military and civilian communities around the clock).
Last but certainly not least, don't forget that the men and women of Oceana have and will continue to sacrifice blood, sweat, tears and lives to keep ``average citizens'' safe and free.
JAMES M. KUHN
Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy
Virginia Beach, Dec. 17, 1995 by CNB