NEWS
JUST ANNOUNCED! OPERATION CHERRYBEND 2018
Celebrating 4 years, Operation Cherrybend is proud to announce “Operation Cherrybend 2018” September 15, 2018 LIVE at the Murphy Theatre.
FDVG Preserves History With A-7 Restoration!
Flight Deck Veterans Group completes yet another historic restoration, here are just a few pictures of the finished product.
RESTORATION COMPLETE! A-7 Raised Back To It’s Display Pylon.
With restoration complete, the U.S. Navy A7E Corsair will be raised back to its display pylon by Keller Construction at noon today.
Veterans in arms at Operation Cherrybend
This year’s week-long event invited 14 veterans to relax and enjoy food, fishing, clay target shooting, and good music at Cherrybend Pheasant Farm. This year they added a fishing tournament and tandem skydiving to their list of activities.
FDVG Making A Difference In Small Ohio Town With Operation Cherrybend
A matter that I hold close to my heart each and every day is the health and happiness of our veterans. I strive to thank those who served our country, or are currently serving, in the military whenever the opportunity arises, as they so often sacrificed time,...
Operation Cherrybend 2017 Features Country Star Joe Diffie
Grammy Award-winner Joe Diffie is the featured performer for this year’s annual Operation Cherrybend concert at the Murphy Theatre Saturday, Sept. 16.
FDVG/Carolinas Chapter To Begin Restoration Project On USS Yorktown
FDVG/Carolinas Chapter to restore the A6 Intruder!
FDVG Begins Restoration of U.S. Navy A7 Corsair In Edwardsville Township IL
Restoration work on the US Navy A7E Corsair II on display at Edwardsville Township Community Park has begun, Edwardsville Township Supervisor Frank Miles says.
Time capsule: Relics found in tailpipe of Edwardsville park’s plane
The Frisbee was among the things found in the tailpipe of the A-7E Corsair that sits on a pedestal in the Edwardsville Township Airplane Community Park.
U.S. Navy A7E Corsair plane at Edwardsville Township Park comes down for restoration
The famed U.S. Navy A7E Corsair on display is being lowered from the display pylon by Keller Construction Monday morning at Robert C. Stille Edwardsville Township Community Park.
FDVG set to restore historic A-7E Corsair located in Edwardsville Township IL
The Flight Deck Veterans Group has partnered with Edwardsville Township in Illinois to restore a United States Navy A-7E Corsair.
FDVG event raises over $60,000 for veterans
The Flight Deck Veterans Group and Cherrybend Pheasant Farm, in partnership with R+L Carriers, hosted the 2016 Operation Cherrybend event which raised over $60,000 on Saturday, Oct. 8.
FDVG Announces platinum-selling country band Lonestar to play Operation Cherrybend!
The Flight Deck Veterans Group and Cherrybend Pheasant Farm in partnership with R+L Carriers are proud to announce the 2016 Operation Cherrybend event on October 8th featuring platinum-selling country band, Lonestar, at The Murphy Theatre 50 W. Main Street.
Fast Eagle 102 Unveiled, Admiral Venlet very first Honorary Lifetime Member
Hundreds of aviation fans witnessed the long-anticipated unveiling of Fast Eagle 102 at Midland International Airport on August 27th.
FDVG Preserving F-14 Tomcat ‘Fast Eagle 102’ – Gulf of Sidra Incident Survivor
The Commemorative Air Force’s High Sky Wing, based in Midland, Texas will begin the refurbishment of F-14A Tomcat Bu.160403 tomorrow, July 27th, 2016.
USS Forrestal survivors gather in Norfolk to remember fallen shipmates
For survivors of a deadly fire aboard the USS Forrestal, the passage of 48 years has not wiped away the pain.
LCDR Mark Parcell Takes Over As XO
The Flight Deck Veterans Group is pleased to announce LCDR Mark Parcell, USN (Retired), as our new Executive Officer.
Happy Birthday FDVG!
FDVG reflects on amazing first year!
Six Aircraft Carriers Underway Marks Milestone for Navy: Top Officer
As the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower entered the Mediterranean Sea this week, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson told lawmakers on Capitol Hill the deployment has historic import for the Navy.
Funeral service held for Blue Angels pilot Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss
People waving flags and standing at attention said goodbye Saturday to a Blue Angels pilot who was killed in a crash while practicing for an air show.
Bill Parks, FDVG’s Very First Command Master Chief
You may recognize the name Bill Parks, Parks the founder and former Commanding Officer of the Carolina’s Chapter has been appointed to the position of Command Master Chief.
Unveiling of F-14 is a success
This past Saturday morning our FDVG members gathered at Patriots Point one last time,
F-14 Restoration Project DONE! Unveiling Set!
On Saturday, April 23 at 1 p.m. volunteers with the United States Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group (FDVG), will host a brief ceremony to unveil the work they’ve done to restore the F-14 Tomcat currently displayed at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum. Since...
Progress continues!
The Carolina's Chapter has made amazing progress despite rainy weather and high winds. They are fast becoming the FDVG’s most promising state chapter. This past weekend they started the process of erecting a tent in preparation of painting the F-14 Tomcat. Surface...
Progress continues on-board the USS Yorktown’s F-14 restoration project
Thirty-one members from the Carolina Chapter and several from the Florida group embarked on the historic floating museum: USS Yorktown in Charleston SC. Some volunteers traveled hundreds of miles to dust off those skills from their former flight deck experiences and...
Flight Deck Veteran BREWing big things in Little Rock Arkansas
Most people in Little Rock haven’t even heard of Joe Mains or Leap of Faith. And that’s to be expected; Leap of Faith doesn’t have a taproom or even a brewery to call home right now. But that doesn’t mean that Mains isn’t important to Little Rock’s beer scene. Indeed,...
Once again, the VA turns down Navy vets for Agent Orange benefits
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has once again turned down an effort by Navy veterans to get compensation for possible exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. In a document released Friday, the VA said it would continue to limit benefits related to...
USS Yorktown Gives The Green Light!
The Board of Directors for the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, a floating museum which sits at Patriots Point in Charleston SC has given FDVG the green light to adopt and restore the very weathered F-14 Tom Cat which currently sits on the flight deck. These retired...
Pukin Dogs it is!
If you served with (VFA-143) at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virgina, you are in luck! The USS Yorktown, it's Board of Directors and the FDVG have decided on the paint scheme for the F-14 restoration project to take place in the coming months, Pukin Dogs is the lucky...
Carolinas Chapter small gesture does big things for area veterans!
'We are just a few veterans who care, We are veterans serving veterans! Say's Bill Parks; Commanding Officer of the duel state Carolinas Chapter. Special thanks to FDVG member and coordinator Michael Moss who oversaw this project, Christmas came a little early for...
CO John Lunsford Retires, XO Chris Wills Takes Helm!
Plankowners share the unique experience of watching their ship transition from a PCU (Pre-Commissioning Unit) to a USS (United States Ship). One captain might lead the commissioning of the ship before turning over command to another shortly thereafter. Similarly, John...
Montgomery featured at hero’s concert Operation Cherrybend benefits wounded vets
WILMINGTON — Country music star John Michael Montgomery will headline the first-ever Operation Cherrybend: A Hero’s Concert presented by The U.S. Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group to benefit wounded vets Oct. 9 at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington. Montgomery has had...
Navy Offers New Details to Helicopter Rescue of Toddler Lost at Sea
Navy helicopters crews, medics and rescue swimmers were all part of a harrowing rescue of a mother and her 18-month old little girl who clung to debris while drifting in the ocean after being lost at sea off the coast of Papua New Guinea.
EA-6B Prowler Makes Its Final Flight for Navy
After 45 years of service, the Navy EA-6B Prowler has made its final flight.
Navy Launches New Affordability Plan for Ford-Class Carriers
The Navy plans to invest $25 million a year beginning in 2017 in techniques to lower the cost of building its new Ford-class aircraft carriers, service officials said.
FDVG Launches Fraternal Organization!
Flight deck veterans across the nation will experience the birth of the U.S. Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group—a national fraternal organization—on July 4, 2015.
Shellback Rum Announces Collaboration with Singer-Songwriter Jared Ashley!
Shellback Caribbean Rum today announces its partnership with emerging Nashville singer and songwriter Jared Ashley, who will serve as an ambassador for the brand.
FDVG to host first charity event April 3rd & 4th!
Operation Cherrybend, A Hero's Hunt! A very special event taking place at Cherrybend Pheasant Farm in Wilmington Ohio. Cherrybend, a family owned business owned by Matt and Beth Ellis is one of the most beautiful pheasant hunting preserves in the world. FDVG and it's...
AZC(AW) Josh Cinelli, selected as Senior ‘Active Duty’ Board of Advisor!
FDVG’s Board of Advisor’s select AZC(AW) Josh Cinelli as Senior ‘Active Duty’ Board of Advisor. “We aim to be ‘Active Duty’ friendly,” say’s John Lunsford, FDVG’s Commanding Officer.
AMTCS (Retired) Chris Wills, Appointed FDVG’S Executive Officer!
John Lunford, FDVG’s newly appointed Senior Board Of Advisor, has announced that Retired Senior Chief Chris Wills, has been selected Assistant Senior Board Of Advisor (XO in Naval terms).
John Lunsford takes the reigns as Commanding Officer of the Flight Deck Veterans Group!
The U.S. Navy Flight Deck Veterans Group Board of Advisors has selected John Lunsford as the very first Senior Board Of Advisor. Mr. Lunsford will assume his post immediately.
FLIGHT DECK VET RELEASES NOVEL
Darren Sapp released his novel, Fire on the Flight Deck, November 22 on Amazon, NOOK, iBooks, and limited bookstores. The story follows eighteen-year-old Brian Donley from boot camp to the aircraft carrier USS William Halsey, whose crew calls her The Bull. While the...
Flight Deck Veteran Designs New FDVG T-Shirt
Navy Chief (Ret) and Graphic Artist Jeff Hobrath’s unique artistic style is unmistakable and evident in everything he creates, whether it’s illustrations, technical drawings, web sites, page layout, cartoons, or logos. 30+ years experience as a leader and senior...
FDVG HONORS ONE OF THEIR OWN!
Cindy Kirby, a Veteran U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswains Mate- Fuels, Aviation Maintenanceman and Navy Career Counselor, has distinguished herself with actions above and beyond what is expected in her performance as a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, working with...
ABH3(AW) NICOLE LISKEY; CHOSEN TO BE FDVG’S VERY FIRST “ACTIVE DUTY SAILOR OF THE MONTH” FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER 2014
ABH3(AW) Nicole Liskey was born and raised in San Bernardino, CA before she and her mom moved to Bellevue, WA in 1997. Nicole graduated from Newport High School in 2001. She first joined the Navy in 2006, and in May 2007 reported to her first command, the USS...