From 1997-2000, I was a member of fighter squadron one five four. (VF-154) We were called the Black Knights, stationed in Atsugi Japan. Our squadron was comprised of a bunch of F-14 Tomcats and a ton of personnel who kept them flying. Our birds were old but they were still the baddest birds in the air! Being old aircraft, they required tons of maintenance to keep them at peak performance in case we were needed. That meant lots of man hours and our squadron was by far the hardest working squadron on Atsugi base. While all the hornet squadrons were out partying, we were diligently working on jets.When the show went airborne, we were the cock of the walk! Every time we had airshows, most of the people came to see the Tomcats.
We worked longer hours than everyone else on base. So in September of 2000, my time in the navy was coming to a close. I had 43 days of leave saved up so I could return home earlier than my projected date of December 16th. I had to ask for permission to exit using my leave for an early extension. The Commander of the squadron denied my early exit. I was devastated because my Dad had been told that he was terminally ill. I wanted to get home as soon as possible because I was afraid that I wouldn't get to see Dad again. I put in another request...denied! So I called Dad and told him the news and he said, "We'll see about that! Put in another request son!" I put in one more request and was told that I had to see the Skipper.
To tell you the truth, I can't even remember which skipper was in charge at the time. We were close to a changing of command ceremony and I felt like I was getting the run around. Anyway, I get called in and the skipper asks me why should I deserve to run out on my "shipmates" and go home. I let the guy have it with both barrels...I said, "I've had a belly full of this shit, I work my ass off with no appreciation, my Dad is terminally ill and I've served my time. I deserve to go home!" He didn't say anything for about a minute...which seemed like an eternity, and I thought I was going to the brig. He said, "I got papers from your father's doctor that says you need to get home now!" I was on my way home from Atsugi in 5 days. It took another 10 days while checking out when I got back stateside. I was home on October 11th, my Mom's birthday. For the five days I was still in Atsugi, lots of the folks chuckled about me telling the skipper that "I've had a belly full of this shit...."
Dad was diagnosed as terminally ill with COPD back in 2000. I've been taking care of him since 2003 and he's lasted more than 9 years. I'm grateful that I got to spend this much time with him. He's a former sailor too and I wish him "fair winds and following seas!"
