CDR Robert A. Allwine, USN (Retired) (May 2016) (Member of VAW-VRC Hall of Honor)

Commander Robert A. Allwine, USN (retired) of Renton, WA died on May 26, 2016 in Wyckoff, NJ at the age of 84. The cause was laryngeal cancer. He was born August 16, 1931 in Phoenix, AZ to Pearl (Anderson) and Joseph Allwine.
 
Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1948, serving in Airborne Early Warning (AEW) squadrons. He was an aircrewman back in the mid-1950's and, with his officer's commission in 1960, a driving force in the formative years in the 1960's and 70's of the aircraft and squadrons that make U.S. Navy carrier-based AEW the success it is today. Retiring from the Navy in 1977, Bob holds the record for flight time in eleven different airborne early warning aircraft, including British Royal Navy AEW aircraft during an assignment in Wales. Among his most notable legacies is the tremendous effort he put forth in organizing AEW Community Reunions. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the Airborne Early Warning community, Bob was one of the first honorees for the U.S. Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning - Carrier Onboard Delivery Hall of Honor.
 
Robert Allwine enlisted in the US Navy in 1948, qualifying as an Aviation Mechanic (AM). He spent his early years in the VAW-11 in Detachment Juliet flying AEW missions in Douglas AD-5W Skyraider and VW-12 Lockheed WV-1/WV-2 Super Constellations. Realizing that AM promotion opportunities were limited, he qualified as an Air Controlman (AC) tower operator and was assigned to NAS Miramar Radar Air Control Center. In 1960, he returned to VAW-11 in Detachment Tango serving as an Air Controlman and copilot in the AD-5W Skyraider and E-1B Tracer. He was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer in 1960 and a Naval Aviation Observer in April 1962. During the fleet introduction of the E-2A into VAW-11, he served as the AEW Officer, tasked with providing briefings on how to deploy and operate the E-2A to Pacific Fleet commands and carriers. Bob, as part of a team of four, presented a successful decision briefing to the Chief of Naval Operations, where Admiral Thomas H Moorer directed the transition of Captain commanded VAW-11 and VAW-12 squadrons into Captain commanded Wings and Commander led VAW squadrons, dramatically increasing command opportunities for VAW officers. On April 20, 1967, Bob joined RVAW-110 as a Plank Owner. In 1972-1973, Bob represented the US Navy AEW community in an exchange tour with Royal Navy 849 Squadron, flying Fairey AEW.3 aircraft deployed on HMS Hermes.  He returned to RVAW-110 in 1973, operating the E-2B and E-2C. He served as a Bureau of Personnel Limited Duty Officer Detailer 1973-1974. During that tour, he was deep selected for Commander four years early. In 1974, he returned to RVAW-110 as Executive Officer. Following his retirement in 1977, Bob worked for Veda Corporation as the Naval Aviation Systems Command Egyptian E-2C program manager.  Including flights in the Lockheed P2V-3W at NAS Glynco, Georgia, Bob holds the community record for flight time in eleven different airborne early warning aircraft.

Among his most notable legacies is the tremendous incentive and effort he put forth in establishing the West Coast AEW Reunion. Bob identified more than 400 former VAW-11 and AEWWINGPAC veterans for membership in the group.  Facilitating reunions for over 8 years, he provided an invaluable legacy and sense of continuity to VAW west.
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Robert Allwine enlisted in the US Navy in 1948, qualifying as an Aviation Mechanic (AM). He spent his early years in the VAW-11 in Detachment Juliet flying AEW missions in Douglas AD-5W Skyraider and VW-12 Lockheed WV-1/WV-2 Super Constellations. Realizing that AM promotion opportunities were limited, he qualified as an Air Controlman (AC) tower operator and was assigned to NAS Miramar Radar Air Control Center. In 1960, he returned to VAW-11 in Detachment Tango serving as an Air Controlman and copilot in the AD-5W Skyraider and E-1B Tracer. He was commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer in 1960 and a Naval Aviation Observer in April 1962. During the fleet introduction of the E-2A into VAW-11, he served as the AEW Officer, tasked with providing briefings on how to deploy and operate the E-2A to Pacific Fleet commands and carriers. Bob, as part of a team of four, presented a successful decision briefing to the Chief of Naval Operations, where Admiral Thomas H Moorer directed the transition of Captain commanded VAW-11 and VAW-12 squadrons into Captain commanded Wings and Commander led VAW squadrons, dramatically increasing command opportunities for VAW officers. On April 20, 1967, Bob joined RVAW-110 as a Plank Owner. In 1972-1973, Bob represented the US Navy AEW community in an exchange tour with Royal Navy 849 Squadron, flying Fairey AEW.3 aircraft deployed on HMS Hermes. He returned to RVAW-110 in 1973, operating the E-2B and E-2C. He served as a Bureau of Personnel Limited Duty Officer Detailer 1973-1974. During that tour, he was deep selected for Commander four years early. In 1974, he returned to RVAW-110 as Executive Officer. Following his retirement in 1977, Bob worked for Veda Corporation as the Naval Aviation Systems Command Egyptian E-2C program manager. Including flights in the Lockheed P2V-3W at NAS Glynco, Georgia, Bob holds the community record for flight time in eleven different airborne early warning aircraft. 

Among his most notable legacies is the tremendous incentive and effort he put forth in establishing the West Coast AEW Reunion. Bob identified more than 400 former VAW-11 and AEWWINGPAC veterans for membership in the group. Facilitating reunions for over 8 years, he provided an invaluable legacy and sense of continuity to VAW west.
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Following his Naval career Bob first partnered with his twin brother Hobe and nephew Steven Allwine at their family-owned car dealership. He and his wife Georgie then moved to the D.C. area where Bob worked for Veda Corporation through the 1980's as the Naval Aviation Systems Command Egyptian E-2C Program Manager. In his later years he was a real estate broker in Renton, WA.
 
Bob is survived by his daughter Ardys Rosenthal, and grandchildren Hannah, Robert and Daniel Rosenthal of Ridgewood, NJ. He was predeceased by his devoted wife Georgalyn, son James Allwine, and son-in-law Robert Rosenthal.
 
Announcement of burial with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA pending arrangements by C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home, Ridgewood, NJ www.vanemburgh.com Those wishing to make a contribution in his memory may consider donating to the VAW-VRC Memorial Scholarship Fund.
 
vaw-vrc-memorialfund.org
 
Condolences and memories may be shared at http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/cdrrobertallwine/