http:www.naval-aviator.net
#CDR David D Beyl, USNR (1954-1978 ) | |||
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 Beyl |
Nickname: Dave Branch: USNR Commission: Navcad 1956 Pre-Flight: Navcad 28-54 Wings Year: 1956 Active Years: 1954-1978 Reserves: Mil Retirement: 1978 Last Location: WA |
Assignments: VP-9 56-59 VT-1 59-62 AVS-8 Jupiter CNO NATOPS VR-1 65-67 Pax River VP-23 23rdNORAD Staff VT-29D McMurdo |
Highlights: |
| — Dave Beyl February 6, 2007 | |||
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CDR David D Beyl USNR 1954-1978
It was 9 July 1954 when Buz Gilbertson, Dewey Matson, Gail Gibbon and myself departed NAS Minneapolis via commercial DC3. It took all day and half the night to reach NAS Pensacola. I'll never forget being marched to Batt One in the dark and bunk-in with four other strangers. I felt like a prisoner. There was no escape or turning back.
I was in the Naval Aviation Cadet Choir during primary. I'm interested to know any others who had that experience.
For the group in general: take a look at the book 'Two Sierra' by Edward Stuart. This novel relates the experiences of a cadet of our generation, a good read.
I was commissioned, and designated naval aviator from the NAVCAD Program in April 1956 and assigned to VP-9 for first sea duty, flying P2V-7 NEPTUNE. 28-54 Classmate Gene Bevin was my roommate.
In 1959 I was ordered to VT-1, NAAS Saufley Field, FL, where I spent three years as primary flight instructor flying T-34B aircraft. In 1961 my orders were to USS JUPITER, AVS-8, home ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Aboard AVS-8 I was First Lieutenant and qualified OOD underway. Next came shore duty in Washington DC, CNO NATOPS coordinator, land based aircraft programs. From 1965 to 1967 I was assigned to VR-1, NAS Patuxent River, MD, as a line transport pilot qualified in C-130 and C-131 aircraft. Second tour squadron duty was as Operations Officer in VP-23, NAS Brunswick, ME, flying SP-2E NEPTUNE.
In 1970 I was on the Staff 23rd NORAD (Air Defense) Region at Duluth IAP, MN, as Operations Plans Officer and Convair VT-29D chief pilot. I transferred in 1975 for assignment as Operations Officer on the Staff of Naval Support Force, Antarctica, home ported at CBC Port Hueneme, CA. Two deployments were made to McMurdo during austral summer operations. My final assignment was at Pacific Missile Test Center, NAS Pt. Mugu, CA, as Range Operations Control Officer, and C-131 pilot. My final flight in a naval aircraft was on 22 June 1978, eight days before retirement with 24 years service. Career total flight hours were 6200, accident and incident free.
Since ending naval service we have lived in Ventura and Oakland, CA where I was employed in woodworking equipment sales. In 1980 we made our final move to Washington where we own and operate a custom woodworking business. Sandra and I have been married over 50 years and have three adult daughters and four grandchildren.