NOTAM 03-2015 (Chalbeck)
I was just notified, and it is my sad duty to inform you, that Emeritus Member, CAPT John A. Chalbeck, USN (Ret), made his Last Take-Off on July 15, 2014 at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Miami, FL. John was born on September 4, 1926 and is survived by his wife Sybil, sons Michael (Kim), Kirk, and Stephen, grandchildren John Lee, William, and Angela; and 4 great grandchildren. John began flight training in Iowa City Preflight in June 1944, and continued at NAS Glenview, IL, NAS Corpus Christi, TX, and NAS Pensacola, FL, receiving his wings in June 1947. His first duty station was AT-6 at NAS Cecil Field, FL, flying F-4U’s in July `47, then on to VF-1A flying F8F and F6F’s at NAS North Island and USS Tarawa (CV-40). He flew F9F’s in VF-721 in 1951 deployed to Korea on USS Boxer (CV-21), flying 55 missions and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross “DFC” and 5 Air Medals. He served in VRF-32 at NAS North Island for 3 years; then he graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School in late 1954 and served in Armament Test until mid`56 at NATC Patuxent River, MD. He flew the A-4 armament trials, F7U special weapons trials, and F2H Rock Air trials; plus he assisted in the design, development and testing of the Improved Aircraft Carrier Lighting System at NAS Patuxent River. After two years of sea duty in USS Yorktown (CV-10), John transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk and served in VA-56 at NAS Miramar and deployed on USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14). In June `64, he was XO of VA-112 and CO from June `65 to July `66 aboard USS Forrestal (CVA-59). After attending Naval War College and serving on NAVAIRLANT Staff from `66 to `67, John became COMCVW-10 at NAS Cecil Field and served aboard USS Intrepid (CVS-11) deployed to Vietnam from July `68 to January `69 where he flew 60 combat missions and was awarded the DFC, the Bronze Star and another 5 Air Medals while flying A-4 aircraft. He later served on CNARESTRA staff at NAS Glenview and was Director Flight Test at NATC in Maryland for 3 years. John flew over 70 different fixed wing and 8 helos during his career. He flew the F-4, A-4, T-39 for the Aims Program; flew the TA-4 for the Spin Recovery Evaluation and Engine Performance for the AH-1J and Auto Hover/Auto Pilot Development for the UH-1N helicopters. John became the CO, NARU Jacksonville, FL, in June `75 and retired from active duty in November 1977. Following his military career, John and his family retired to Key Colony Beach, FL, where he served his community for a time as chief pilot for Mosquito Control and served on the Key Colony Beach Utility Board and the board of Fisherman’s Hospital. He has also served as past Commodore for the Marathon Yacht Club and the Florida Council of Yacht Clubs. He will be missed. In Sadness, Don Boecker-Pilot |
