THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 15, 1996 TAG: 9605140323
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: BY MELISSA GUNDEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
I was in the Naval Air Reserve for five years and did eight months active duty and I'm discharged now. I was wondering if I had privileges to use the Exchange.
If you have a military I.D. card you can use the Exchange. If not, you're not an eligible patron.
Reservists can make unlimited visits to the Exchange year round. Commissary priviliges differ. Drilling reservists may visit the commissary 12 times a year.
We would like to know how we can get a U.S. Navy retired pin. My husband has lost his.
Write to Chief of Naval Personnel (PERS-273) Washington, D.C. 20370, or you can call (703) 614-3061.
I was involved in the Coast Guard Reserve and was activated for Desert Shield. I was on active duty for a short time, and my enlistment ran out. I got out of the service. Can you tell me what ribbons or medals were awarded for service during Desert Shield for the Coast Guard and what the time limits or theater of operations would have been?
A special operations service ribbon was awarded for Desert Shield for the Coast Guard. However, you will need to send in some paper work for verification. You need to write to Commandant G-WPM-3, 2100 Second St., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20593-0001, or call (202) 267-2249.
How many types of aircraft have the Blue Angels used since they've been established?
The Blue Angels have flown nine different types of aircraft since they began performing in 1946.
The Blue Angels first used a Grumman F-6F Hellcat. Two months later they changed to the Grumman F-6F Bearcat. By the end of the 1940's, the Blue Angels flew their first jet aircraft the Grumman F-9F-2 Panther. A year after the Korean Conflict, they began flying the newer and faster version of the Panther, the F-9F-5.
After their move from Corpus Christi, Texas, to their new home base in Pensacola, Fla., they progressed to the Grumman F-9F-8 Cougar. Over the next 20 years, the Blue Angels flew three other aircraft. The last Grumman that was introduced to the Blue Angels was the Grumman F-11F-1 Tiger in 1957. They changed to McDonnell Douglas aircraft beginning in 1969 flying the F-4J Phantom II. The last plane used prior to the F/A-18 Hornet was the A-4F Skyhawk II.
Has the Sylvania (AFS 2) been decommissioned?
Yes, the combat stores ship Sylvania is out of commission and has been stricken from the Naval Vessel Register. She's presently at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. by CNB