VP-8 Alumni Association
Newsletter Editor: Carolyn Magee cpmvp8@bellsouth.net
A TIGER TALE - 1967 Author Unknown
Dear Beth,
Hal Taylor sent me the enclosed poem which you may find of some use in a future Newsletter. The poem refers to an Iceland deployment which was after my time in VP-8, but Hal fills us in on the background. As Hal relates:
"The poem's author is Unknown. The poem refers to an situation when VP-8 was to assume a "Standby" to go to Iceland on I June 1967. Half the squadron aircraft were to be in place within 24 hours after the bell rang, the rest within 48 hours and with ground personnel arriving by airlift within 72 hours. About 20 May ( a full ten days before VP-8 was to assume its "standby" status), the bell rang! It was a Saturday morning about 10 am and most of the squadron was offduty. VP-8 responded in its usual fashion and the first VP-8 aircraft, with two fall crews aboard, landed in Iceland within 12 hours of the bell ringing! One crew had slept on the flight and was ready to go after the aircraft was refueled. Hal Taylor was PPC of the flight and Tom Hall (later CO of VP-8) was with him. Commodore Ball met the aircraft at Keflavik screaming at Hal as to why they were so late. Hal pulled out a message from LANTFLT that clearly showed that VP-8 was not late, but ten days early! The Commodore then blew his top when he noticed that we had P3As. He ordered Hal to go back and get P3Bs! He then left still shouting strange things. As it turned out, the first crew did not launch on an operational mission until 4 days later. In the meantime, VP-8 flight crews had to clean and prepare barracks for themselves and the incoming personnel. There had l)een no bunks, l»edding or squadron spaces ready. VP-8 had 8 aircraft and 11 flight crews in place within 24 hours of orders. The ninth aircraft had been in check with a double engine change at Pax and it arrived within 72 hrs. Hal says the deployment was quick and efficient, thanks in a large part to the cool head ofLCDR Dale Walter-who kept his cool when others all alrout were loosing theirs! Although the overall situation was an almost classic SNAFU, as usual VP-8 did its duties efficiently and kept its dignity."
Best regards,
Dick dickdot@san.rr.com
Poem Contributed By Harold Taylor, Captain, USN Retired
A TIGER TALE - 1967 Author Unknown
We just returned from someplace
They call the Tonkin Gulf
A joyful time indeed it was
Six months is long enough.
We got a cheerful welcome
From the squadron based next door
The ever faithful,
never leaving VP-44.
We took our aged "A" models
Far across the sea
And did a better job than most
Without a single "B".
It brought a lot of hardships,
But we took it in our stride.
The "Dear Johns''came & took a toll
A part of each man died.
A whole book could be written
Of things that came to pass
But let's say we did our Job
And came back home at last.
T'was the dead of Winter
When the Tiger came back home,
And some folks didn't even know
The "Top Cat" had been gone!
The joy was ripe within our hearts,
I'm sure I speak for all.
There's not a man who didn't say,
"God, leave us here 'til Fall'"
The Tiger even got the "E",
And words of praise were said.
Old VP-44 was mad
The Tiger had been fed.
We made plans for summer joy
The doubts ran through our minds,
But maybe they would have a heart
Our birds were old with time.
Springtime finally arrived
The Winter had been tough
The Tiger woke from winter sleep
Four months was not enough.
The Baltic ice began to thaw
The race for time was on.
The fishing fleet was on the move
Would VP-8 stay home?
"To Iceland send the best you have"
The word came down the line.
They couldn't send old 44
They'd never arrive in time.
So once again the Tiger
Had to sharpen up his claws,
And send his weary birds
To heed our country's call.
A mere 12 hours later
The first plane touched the deck
We made our move in record time,
But Kef was in a wreck.
No briefing officer could we find
The barracks were a mess,
Tho' flight crews waited for a word
A whole day passed, no less.
To cover up their own mistakes
They said that we had been late
But then they really blew their top
"No P3Bs in Eight?"
We're sorry, gee, our skipper said
We didn't bring our P3Bs
We didn't want to wear them out.
They're used for VIP's.
So there we were in Iceland
Our birds were old and tired
Morale among the men was low,
But now we've got it wired.
Cause now they've made it very plain
That we're not wanted there.
AQA-5s we do not have
'Cause no Bs are in our lair.
That means another squadron soon
Will have to go to Kef
We hope its VP-44
Tho they may need some help.
We'll even help them launch their birds
And send them on their way
We'll keep our As and stay at home
To fight another day.
Just one measly summer home
Is all we really ask
If given time to mend our wounds
We'll take on any task.
So leave the Tiger to itself
For just a few months more
Then give us hell, we'll take it all
And even ask for more!
"VP-8 Alumni Association"
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