by Mark S.
I received orders to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 50, VRC-50,
in Cubi Point, Philippines as an aircrew loadmaster in the Lockheed US-3A. At
the time, I didn't know that it was a Lockheed-built aircraft. I served from
January 1990 to January 1993 as an aircrewman. I had the opportunity to log
close to 150 carrier arrestment and catapult shots in the US-3A during that
tour, mostly during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I've slept out under the stars
next to those US-3As many times waiting to load up and head for a carrier in
the Persian Gulf. During Desert Storm, I had the opportunity to trap aboard USS
Midway CV-41, USS Ranger CV-61 and the USS Theodore Roosevelt CV-71, all in one
day. Great times those were.
Fast forward 20 years later to January 25, 2010, my first day on
the job at Lockheed Martin. I was escorted to the plant floor via the
"tunnel." All those memories came back when I saw the picture of the
S-3A on the wall. Here I am, at Lockheed Martin, a quality engineer on the
leading edge of aviation technology with the F-35. Thank you Lockheed Martin,
for the opportunity. Thank you Lockheed Martin, for the memories.
