Captain Henry “Grady” Perkins, Jr. died of heart failure on August 18. 2019 at the age of 78. He was battling lung disease for several years and was cared for by his loving family. He will be deeply missed.
Perkins was born in New Orleans, LA in 1940 and graduated with honors from Bay High School, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi in 1958, where he lettered in four sports. He studied aeronautical engineering at Mississippi State University from 1958-1960, then entered the US Naval Academy in July 1960 and graduated with the class of 1964, while receiving his commission as an Ensign in the Navy. He earned his Naval Flight Officer wings in 1965 and initiated his career as an aviator by completing two Vietnam cruises with VAW-114 aboard USS Kitty Hawk, flying the E-2A “Hawkeye.” Other flying assignments included tours as an instructor in the E-2B aircraft in RVAW-110, Operations Officer in VAW-116 aboard USS Nimitz, and Commanding Officer of VAW-114, flying the E-2C on the USS Kitty Hawk. Non-flying assignments included tours at the Armed Forces Staff College, National War College, USS Coral Sea, COMCARGRU SEVEN, and Operations Officer for Commander Naval Striking and Support Forces, Southern Europe in Naples, Italy. His final assignment was Commanding Officer of Tactical Air Control Group One. During this tour, he reported for temporary duty to COMPHIBGRU THREE aboard USS Tarawa, LHA-1, and completed a deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm. Reflecting on his career with family members, he shared that serving in Desert Storm, which included combat operations, and subsequently working on a humanitarian mission to provide relief and aid in the wake of the 1991 cyclone in Bangladesh were the most meaningful accomplishments in his distinguished military career. His military awards include Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal w/Numeral "5," Navy Commendation Medal w/Combat "V," Navy Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation w/3 Bronze Stars, and numerous theater, allied and campaign ribbons. Perkins’ peers described him as a “superb Naval officer,” an “exquisite ambassador of the United States and the Navy in particular,” and a “consummate Naval officer.” He loved the United States of America and was proud to serve in the US Navy. He retired in 1992 with the rank of Captain after 28 years of service. In addition to loving his country, Perkins loved his family, friends and Navy colleagues. He loved to travel, collect and share premium wines, observe wildlife, curate legendary fishing expeditions and he was always ready to tell a great story. He was a longtime resident of Coronado, CA and helped his wife Judy raise his three stepchildren, Todd, Jamie and Eric Anderson. After retirement, he and Judy moved to Hansville, WA, where he had ample opportunity to explore his passions and further extend his network of close friends. He is survived by his wife, Judy, of 44 years and his stepchildren, Todd of Hansville, WA, Jamie of Pleasant Hill, CA and Eric (Michele) of San Jose, CA, as well as his six treasured grandchildren, Tyler, Cole, Emily, Zack, Carlee and Hannah. A service in Perkins honor is being planned for November 2019 in Hansville, WA. The family asks that if memorial contributions would like to be made, that they are sent to: Wounded Warrior Project (855) 448-3997 woundedwarriorproject.org Captain John Richard Eckstein was born in Massillon, Ohio on 14 April 1928. He was graduated from Washington High School and entered the Navy in 1946. He selected for the Naval Aviation College Program in 1947. He attended John Carroll University until ordered to report for Flight Training. He was appointed a Midshipman in February 1951, received his wings in August 1950 and was commissioned an Ensign in February 1950. Captain Eckstein began his initial assignments to FASRON SEVEN in San Diego, Fighter Squadron ONE NINETY FOUR, and Composite Squadrons SEVEN and EIGHT. Shore Duty followed with assignments at the Naval Air Technical Training Centers in Memphis and Jacksonville, and Bureau of Aeronautics Representative duty at the SPARROW Missile Production Facility in Bristol, Tennessee. A tour of duty aboard USS LEYTE was followed by two years at the Naval Science Program at Monterey where Captain Eckstein received his Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961. Reporting to VAW=11 in April 1961, he deployed as Assistant Officer in Charge Detachment DELTA in USS CORAL SEA and as Officer in Charge Detachment CHARLIE on USS KITTY HAWK, flying the E-1B TRACER. Following ashore duty at FAETUPAC as Avionics Maintenance Training Officer, he was reassigned to VAW-11, flying the E-2A HAWKEYE. In April 1967 he became the first Commanding Officer of VAW-113, deploying to Southeast Asia in USS CONSTELLATION. In February 1968 he reported to Commander Fleet Air San Diego as VAW Readiness Officer. He took command of RVAW-110 in January 1969 and when relieved in December of that year, he reported as Executive Officer, USS OKINAWA (LPH-3). Captain Eckstein has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, four Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Cition and various service medals. Captain Eckstein is married to the former Miss Jo Lind Benner of Memphis, Tennessee.
Lieutenant Daniel “FEY” McGourty, 35, died peacefully, after a three-year battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma, surrounded by family and friends in his Atlantic Beach home on February 12, 2019.
Daniel was born on September 5, 1983 in Nampa, Idaho. He is the beloved son to Ron and Celene Gay of Wallowa, Oregon where Dan later grew up and graduated high school. Daniel Enlisted in the United States Navy in 2003 and became an Aircrewman, Rescue Swimmer. After being accepted to an Officer Commissioning program, he graduated from Old Dominion University in 2011 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, Dan received his Wings of Gold in 2013 after completing Flight School and became an E2 Hawkeye Pilot. He married Alexandra Ulrich McGourty, the love of his life, who he met while deployed in Camp Buehring, Kuwait in 2007. The Navy took the couple all over the world, from Guam, to the East Coast and to the West Coast, until they settled back in Atlantic Beach, Florida. Along the way, they added three beautiful children, Randall Emma McGourty (9), Molli Brown McGourty (7), and Gage Martell McGourty (1). Dan was a cherished son, hell of a friend, the greatest father, finest husband, and one damn good golfer and pilot! A Military Memorial Service is scheduled for March 8, 2019 at 11am at Atlantic Beach Country Club, Atlantic Beach, Florida, with a Celebration of Life to follow later in the evening at Atlantic Beach Brewing Company at 6pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dan’s life. In lieu of flowers, Dan has requested that people donate on his behalf to find a cure for Ewing’s Sarcoma, the devastating disease that took his life. Donations can be made at the following link: https://www.curesarcoma.org/daniel-mcgourty/. John Vernon Breunig (CWO 4, USN, Ret.), age 79, of Springfield, VA, passed away on July 19, 2019. Beloved husband of 40 years to Judith (Montague) Breunig. Loving father of Tony Breunig (Eve), Krisann Robles (Chris), Terry Breunig, and Kimberly Bradley (Steve). Cherished grandfather of 14 and great grandfather of 18. Dear brother of the late Thomas “Tuck” Breunig. He was the adored son of the late Frank and Nanette (Smith) Breunig.
Born in Newark, NJ, John enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of eighteen and worked as a maintenance officer, retiring from service as a Chief Warrant Officer CW04. During his thirty year military career, a majority of his time was spent as an air traffic controller as well as serving the community of the E2-C Hawkeye radar planes, which are the “eyes in the sky” for our fleet. He then continued serving our country as a Senior Engineer Consultant in support of the E2-C Hawkeye community for several government contractors for another thirty years. John was a member of St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church of Springfield. He enjoyed supporting our local sports teams the Nationals and the Redskins, and was a huge NASCAR fan. Being an aviator, John was very proud of the private pilot’s license he earned and loved flying. He also enjoyed sailing and spending time at his home in Tennessee. The family will receive friends at the Mountcastle Turch Funeral Home, 4143 Dale Boulevard, Dale City, VA 22193 on Thursday, August 8, 2019 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Raymond of Penafort Catholic Church, 8750 Pohick Road, Springfield, VA 22193. Interment with full military honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Navy Captain Scott Eseman passed away on July 11, 2019, of a heart attack. Scott graduated from Louisiana Tech in November 1968 and received three masters degrees while on active duty. Scott entered the Navy at NAS Pensacola on January 1969. He was commissioned on April 25 of that year and received his Wings of Gold on
27 February 1970. In January 1984 Commander Eseman reported for duty as VAW-127’s first Executive Officer. He became Commanding Officer 30 July 1985. After moving to the Villages Scott joined the Military Officer’s Association and The Wings Of Gold Association. Scott was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on March 11 of 1946 to Richard and Betty Eseman. He is survived by Pat, his wife of 50 years, and their son Scott Michael of Currituck, NC. His brother Dick and his wife Lee Eseman of Citrus Springs. Greg and his wife Linda of Louisiana and sister Janet and husband Gerry Anderson. Services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at 11:00 am at Beyers Funeral Home, 134 N Hwy 27/441 Lady Lake FL 32159. Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Lady Lake, FL CDR John Bernard Quinlan, USN Ret., died peacefully at his home in Norfolk, VA, on Thursday, October 4, 2018. He was surrounded by his loving family and close friends after a courageous six-year battle with Metastatic Melanoma. John grew up in Bowie, MD, was an Eagle Scout, a graduate of Severn School and a 1991 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he played lacrosse and ice hockey. John had a successful Naval career as a Surface Warfare Officer and then as a Carrier-Based Naval Aviator, flying the E-2C Hawkeye. He served in multiple locations and received many awards for his distinguished service before his retirement in 2011. John also earned his MBA from The College of William & Mary in 2011 and enjoyed his post-Navy career as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management in Virginia Beach.
In 2001, John married the love of his life, Mary Alice Jageman of Houston, TX. They have three wonderful boys: John Tucker 15, James Boyd 12, and Jacob Henry 11, of whom John was extremely proud and actively engaged in their school, sports, and other activities. He had numerous interests, but none more dear to him than spending time with his family. John was a faithful servant of our Lord Jesus Christ and attended Crossroads Church in Norfolk. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, neighbor, coach and true friend. John is preceded in death by his father John “The Beach Master” Quinlan. Besides his devoted wife and three boys, John leaves his mother Natalie Quinlan of Ocean City, MD, and his sister Robin Holmes of Laurel, DE. He also leaves his natural father and stepmother Dr. James and Judy Maurer of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, sisters Aimee Cannon of Detroit Lakes, MN; Jennifer and husband Tom Bailey of St. Augustine, FL; Sarah and husband Charles Seuntjens of Detroit Lakes, MN, along with numerous nieces, nephews and close friends. Visitation will take place at H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., 1501 Colonial Ave. Norfolk, VA 23517 from 6-7PM on Friday 12 October. Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk, 820 Colonial Ave. Norfolk, VA 23507 at 11 AM on Saturday 13 October. John’s final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 18, 2019. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to The M.D. Anderson Melanoma Moon Shots Program https://www.mdanderson.org/cancermoonshots/cancer-types/melanoma.html. Online condolences may be offered to the family through www.hdoliver.com. Walter Wagner passed away on Friday, June 14, 2019. He was 87. He is survived by his wife Sandy; his daughter Melissa Godfrey; stepsons Andrew Morris (Sandra) and Jonathan Morris (Amanda); grandchildren Sonny, Max, Phoebe, Will and Sara; great-grandchildren Savannah (Dillon) and Mollie; great-great grandchildren Ava and Payden; and his dear cousins JoAnne Sexton and Bernie Mesenburg (Kathy). He was predeceased by his son Walt Jr. Walt enlisted in the Navy right out of high school. He was an original recipient of the NESEP program, which earned him an MS in electrical engineering from Purdue in 1962. He was medically retired from the Navy in 1966 after becoming diabetic. He continued his Naval career with NAVAIR and became the first civilian Project Manager of a major aircraft program, the E2C Hawkeye. He received the Distinguished Civilian Service Award in 1989 for his work on acquisition reform. Walt will have a private ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. A celebration of life for family and friends will be held at a later date. Charitable contributions can be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or the charity of your choice.
Published in The Washington Post on June. 14, 2019. Since 1963, the Navy has used the C-2A Greyhound, known as the carrier onboard delivery (COD), for transportation of personnel and cargo from shore to at-sea aircraft carriers. But the aircraft’s inactive production line and other limitations had the Navy looking for a more versatile option.
That replacement didn’t come in the form of an advanced, new platform. It’s been hiding in plain sight in the form of the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey. The Osprey brings flexibility to a strike group, said Navy Capt. Bill Reed, the Commander, Carrier Air Wing 7, currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). According to an article published on Naval Aviation News, the Navy’s version of the MV-22, the CMV-22B, makes loading and unloading cargo at night easier, has longer-range radio capability, increased fuel capacity, vertical takeoff and landing capability, and can carry cargo of 6,000lbs for more than 1,100 nautical miles. “It gives us that agility and flexibility the Navy looks for going forward into the future,” said Reed. The transition could be as simple as painting “NAVY” on the side of an already existing platform, except for one detail, the Navy currently does not have any Osprey Squadrons.. Although not as easy as a paint job, the Navy has started training its pilots to fly the new aircraft. Naval aviators have been receiving qualifications at Marine Corps Air Station New River in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Once the pilots complete the course of instruction there, they are embedded with a Marine air combat element deployed on a Navy amphibious ship on deployment and fly MV-22s in real-world operations. Lt. Thomas Hendricks, a Naval aviator attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 264, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), is one of the first Sailors to fly the Marine aircraft. Hendricks recently flew an MV-22 from Kearsarge to Lincoln during joint operations in the Arabian Sea. “There are exciting times and there are frustrating times being the first at anything,” said Hendricks, who flew 1,300 miles in one day piloting the Osprey. “But I think ultimately this will be good for the Navy.” The Navy plans to transition from using the C-2A to the CMV-22B starting in 2020, and expects to have more than 20 fully integrated into the fleet by 2026. Once the new Osprey has started its service in the Navy, the Greyhound will be transitioned out. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Lincoln is the flagship for Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG). The Kearsarge ARG and Lincoln CSG are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. Source: US Navy Date: May 22, 2019 The carriers Liaoning and Type 001A rely on airborne early warning helicopters and an integrated radar system to detect enemies. But these systems with their weaker warning capability risk exposing the carrier's position, the report said. Phased radar carried by an airborne early warning helicopter is limited in size. The early warning distance, time and accuracy is thus limited. An aircraft like the KJ-600 has a larger radar, flies higher than a helicopter and sees farther and more clearly.
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