VP-45 Reunion 2016

VP-45 Reunion 2016 CHARLESTON, SOuth Carolina

Members of the Patrol Squadron Forty-Five Association gathered in Charleston, SC October 19-23 for their 14th continuous biennial reunion.

The photo album presented below (scroll down to view), consists of images taken by Bill Hobgood, William White and a few other members. Bill, your WebMaster, constructed the layout using Adobe Spark software. Feel free to share this album with anyone - especially other Pelicans you know that might not already be members of our Association. Direct them to our website's Reunion page or just send them the URL address above.

Our attendees by era/decade:

The hip 1950's Pelicans

Our 1960's Group

Pelicans from the 1970's. Our biggest group this reunion

Youngsters from the 1980's

If you have not read the Charleston Reunion "summary" that is located on the 2016 Reunion page within our website, Click HERE and go do that now. It will allow the photos below to make more sense.

Informal gatherings in the Hospitality Room were held on Thursday and Friday evenings. Thursday, when most arrived, was the "Meet and Greet" function. Friday was a "do your own thing" night but with all the free food and drink, many just stayed in or near the Hospitality Room where "sea stories" abounded.

The Hospitality Room abuzz! Joe Bretton (Association VP - top right) checks members in.

Oh...hey you with the camera, take our picture! A select group of 70's flyers poses with our Association WebMaster (Bill Hobgood in blue&white striped shirt - bottom left).

Charlie Caldwell (bottom left), a former Association Secretary, enjoys a cold one with old shipmates. Members getting seated (middle right) to view Bill Hobgood's PBM/P-5/1970's/1980's videos.

Charlie Caldwell quizzes "PJ" Imhof on P-5 NATOPS (top right). George Hodermarsky (bottom center) chats up Ted Samples....yada, yada, yada.....

PJ Imhof and Ken Gold (bottom left) trying to smile for the camera. Todd Alles takes advantage of the free bar.

Various tours were scheduled and our members took advantage of those throughout the four day reunion. Below are random shots of members waiting in the lobby to board buses and some shots taken during the Patriot's Point/Fort Sumter tour.

Tour groups mustering in the hotel lobby. Jack Keane (Association Secretary) with Jay Thomas (bottom left).

Jim Britts (top left). Jack Keane, Bill Hobgood and Brian Prindle (bottom left). Wally Brians and bride (bottom right).

Some of the sights at Patriot's Point. Brian Prindle (bottom right) stands beside a B-25 Mitchell on the hangar deck of the USS Yorktown.

Fort Sumter (top - now and then) and Jay Thomas (another of the Association's original founders) negotiating a hatch in the WW-II submarine USS Clamagore (SS 343).

Of course Saturday evening's banquet was the highlight of the reunion. Photos of that event follow.

Banquet Pre-Flight moments.

Joe Bretton with Crowne Plaza Staff members who helped him (bottom) with the reunion. Bravo Zulu to Joe and the hotel!

Various members pose for the camera.

RADM Jake Tobin, USN (ret) is one of our members, a former pelican from the P-5/P-3 era and the guest speaker at the banquet. Doug Mitchell indroduces Jake (top right). In bottom right photo, Doug shows a framed Don Feight print that was our gift to RADM Tobin.

Crew 10 circa 1971 - L to R (lower panel): Bill Hobgood (Nav), Wally Brians (3P) and Leon Temple (2P). Top panel - same guys at the reunion. Bill used to be taller. Pictures taken 45 years apart.

In the two bottom photos, Terry Cresimmano poses with Doug Mitchell (left) and Association Treasurer, Ron Christopher (right). Terry sang the National anthem prior to commencement of the banquet.

L to R: Glenn "Kid" McPherson, B. Leon Temple, Terry "Presto" Cresimmano, Karl Kochack and Jim Clabby. (Terry never missed an opportunity to be in a picture)

Bottom Photo - L to R: Jack Keane (Association Secretary), RADM Bill Pendley, USN (ret) (Bill spent three tours in VP-45 including one as CO), and VADM Wally Masenburg, USN (ret) (former Association Secretary).

Your Association Officers who orchestrated this year's reunion and who have all signed on for another two year tour: L to R: Ron Christopher (Treasurer), Joe Bretton (Vice President and Reunion Coordinator), Bill Hobgood (WebMaster), Jack Keane (Secretary) and Doug "Pooh Bear" Mitchell (President).

Appreciate