VA-15 2002 Reunion

September 2002 Reunion at Pensacola Beach

Front Row: Wayne Thalberg, David Adcock, Mike Walker, Lee (Snuffy) Smith, Glen Maxwell
Back Row: Rick Tipple, Cecil Gamble, Chas. Eaton, Will McManus, LaVon Uptagrafft, David Herwitz
Photo by Mike Walker, and provided to the Association by William B. McManus

Here is a picture of Mike Walker (AT2 VA-15 1969 - 1971) and myself (William McManus - VA15 SDO) as we check out the cockpit of an A7E at Pensacola's Naval Aviation Museum. We weren't sure if the cockpit had shrunk or that our backsides got bigger!
Webmaster's Note: Mike and Bill put together the recent VA-15 reunion.

More shots of the September 2002 reunion courtesy of Wayne & Kathy Thalberg.

The entrance to the US Naval Aviation Museum. Most of the group spent several hours touring the museum. By chance, Mike and I ran into Chief Ken Cooperman while we were trying to squeeze into the cockpit of an A7, what a surprise! (It was also a surprise that we could still get in and out of the cockpit without help!)

Mike Walker & Dave Herwitz looking serious.

Will and Cecil (Sybil) trying to remember how to get to the El Paso, in Barcelona.

Checking out the cruise books, photos, port flyers, etc.

Natasha and LaWanda can't believe Will and Cecil (Sybil) are trying to sing "My Girl", by the Temptations. WITHOUT a flashlight for a microphone! Yes, it used to get pretty boring on the Swanky Franky!

Trying to get the group focused! We never were very disciplined. Back row L-R: Rick Tipple, Cecil Gamble, Bill (Chas) Eaton, Dave Herwitz, Will McManus, LaVon Uptagrafft Front Row L-R: Wayne Thalberg, Dave Adcock, Mike Walker, Lee Smith, Glen Maxwell.

Another attempt.

And another.

Final attemp.

The Ladies of VA-15
Back Row L-R: Deb Walker, Debbie Tipple, Jane Uptagrafft, Natasha McManus, Jan Adcock, Nancy Maxwell
Front Row L-R: Kathy Thalberg, Leslie Smith, Bill Eaton's wife, LaWanda Gamble