Rear Admiral (ret.) James Symonds will describe his experiences flying an A-6 Intruder fighter aircraft like the one shown above during a presentation to the Sun Lakes Aero Club Monday, December 19 at the Sun Lakes Country Club Mirror Room. The public is invited to attend.
Gary Vacin
A retired U. S. Navy Rear Admiral who commanded the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier will be guest speaker at the Sun Lakes Aero Club (SLAC) gathering Monday, December 19 at the Sun Lakes Country Club Mirror Room.
The session begins with coffee and camaraderie at 6:30 p.m., followed by the presentation at 7:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.
James A. Symonds amassed 4,000 flight hours in the A-6 Intruder and more than 1,000 carrier landings during his flying career. He earned numerous Defense Superior Service Medals, Legions of Merit, Meritorious Service Medals, Strike Flight Metals, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals and various unit and campaign citations.
Outside the cockpit, he served as Air Operations Officer, US 6th Fleet in Gaeta, Italy and as Deputy Director of Operations for Counterdrug Operations in the US Southern Command, Miami, Fla.
Now in its 21st year, SLAC sponsors programs the third Monday of each month November through April at the Sun Lakes Country Club. The programs are open to all Sun Lakes residents and others interested in aviation. More information on the club is available from Cannon Hill at 509-539-7857 or Gary Vacin at 298-7017, or at the club’s website at www.sunlakesaeroclub.org.