Jim Redfield Steps Down

[Eagle3]

Jim is stepping down as Aircraft Restoration Hanger Coordinator. He was predominantly responsible for the eight beautiful aircraft aboard the ship. His replacement is is Aubrey Brittain, LT, USN (Ret).

I will post Jim's letter to the volunteers if I am granted permission to do so.

[Billntwrk]

Buzz,
You 'da man. I got the email from Rander. I only hope is approved.

[Eagle3]

From: Jim Redfield
To: Restoration Hanger Volunteers
Subject: Hangargram #20 ( my last)
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 17:32:10 EDT

To All A/C restoration volunteers & associates:

This is my swan song for my tenure at Hangar 805; the new boss is Aubrey
Brittain, LT, USN (Ret) effective immediately. Please accord him the loyalty all
of you have shown me over the years - - he's a good man & will pick up the
reins quickly, I am sure.

The task ahead is a formidable one as you all, not only now have to restore
aircraft, but also maintain them on board as well. The boss has lined up some
more interesting A/C including the T-2 Buckeye just received, the F-9-F Panther enroute & potential S3B, an H-3 & possibly an H-46. These are additive to the C-1A, SH-2 & F-4#2 now in work.

My reason for leaving, since some of you have asked, is because I really
don't want a full time job & I didn't feel I could continue to handle it on a part
time volunteer basis which was evolving toward full time! I'll be around for
consulting as needed and will continue to support the SD Aerospace Museum
restoration effort from whence I came, originally.

Our three+ years together have netted us some phenomenal achievements in a/c & selected GSE exhibits. We started with an empty hangar, a handful of people & a few corroded hulks & junk & now have eight a/c on board plus some GSE in pristine shape (including Theresa's tug) & a fairly complete facility including a great staff of volunteers with a variety of talents.

As I mentioned in our good-bye session yesterday at the hangar, we owe a lot to a bunch of people including, firstly, the volunteers who make it happen!
We also have been supported by our volunteer boss & prior boss who have given much of their time, expert direction & some very creative financing to keep our operation afloat.

Additionally we need to recognize all of the functions aboard NORIS without
whose assistance & support we would be nowhere. They include the CO & staff, paint shop, tool control, transportation, security, AirPac, AIMD and PWC. We have also had a lot of support from the Reserve unit CVSW0194 & help from HC-85 folks, the latter of whom are on active duty in Hawaii now but who pitched in on our SH-2 restoration significantly.

Beside the foregoing, we got tremendous support from the San Diego business
community whose names are too numerous to mention though their contributions have been sent forwarded to our management staff & will hopefully be recognized.

We got thousands of dollars worth of equipment, services & supplies at no or
reduced cost which allowed us to facilitize & stock our hangar. We have been
recognized as a major contributor to the successful opening of the Midway to
the public with our a/c exhibits by our COO and will hopefully receive
favorable reception to funding requests to perpetuate the restoration operation.

Thank you all again, and especially to those that attended the session
yesterday; it was a small gathering which is what I requested. Thanks also to the a/c maintenance guys aboard who gave me a unique Midway ball cap & shirt - I really appreciate it.

Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Jim Redfield