flying flying F/A-18F Super Hornet's and the Hokie flag over Iraq. LT Underwood and LCDR Aanestad are squadron members of VFA-41, the "Black Aces". Their squadron was part of the first wave of Super Hornets to fly into Iraq at the start of the war. Both Tech alumni took part in the flyover during the Virginia Tech Miami game on 1 November 2003.
LT Joe Strassberger .
Graduated from VT in May 98 and headed to Vance AFB for Primary Training with FTS 8 and Eric Wyatt 98. This was not expected, training with the Air Force instead of the Navy. I survived the Air Force and headed to NAS Whiting Field outside Pensacola FL for helicopter training with HT-8. With Adam Schultz, I graduated with my wings in Dec 99.
From flight school I headed out to San Diego and HC-11 to fly the H-46 Sea Knight with Larry Livingston, 96. I spent two cruises on USS Sacramento (AOE-1) with HC-11 Det 8. We pulled into the Gulf on Sept 11 and were the first battle group to send strikes into Afghanistan. It was great moving people and supplies around the battlegroup actually doing my job every day instead of simulating an attack on subs or sitting in Starboard D. The combat Vertreps were exciting since the bombs we delivered went straight from our aircraft onto F-14/18's and launched on combat missions. Often our supplies never went into holding. This was a big difference over my second cruise. In 2003 we deployed to the Western Pacific to watch over Korea while the Kitty Hawk battlegroup went to Iraq. While we were not in the show, we were busy visiting ports and spending money. We spent time in Guam, Sasebo Japan, Pusan S. Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Perth Australia, and Pearl Harbor. Midway through we were told it would be a 10 month cruise, the third longest in over 20 years. It ended after only 8 months, not fast enough for most of us.
After flying my aircraft to the bone yard at Davis Monthan in Tucson, I headed back to HT-8 at Whiting Field to become an instructor. I have been enjoying my time here. I was working with Dave Sadlier 95 and meeting many VT grads coming through the program. I am finishing up my MBA through Naval PostGrad School, hoping to be complete in Sept. If any alumni come through HT-8 before 2007 and want to get back to Tech let me know.
LT Adam Schultz
Is currently on shore duty in Hawaii. The middle picture is of a Sea King during a medevac over a cruise ship. Two divers were run over by a tour boat and needed immediate medical attention. One lost a leg and the other lost most of his arm. Both survived and the person who lost his leg is still diving with his prosthetic limb. The picture was forwarded from the ship's doctor.
LT Marc Johannsen
Graduated from VT Dec 98. Went to SWOS in May 99. In Nov of 99 I reported to USS Deyo (DD-989) out of Norfolk, VA as the Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer (ASWO). I deployed to the Mediterranean in Nov of 00 as part of Standing NATO Forces Med (SNFM). We returned to Norfolk in May of 01. I met my wife that month (the younger sister of another NROTC 98 grad from VT, but that is a whole other story). Following Sept 11th 2001 I was reassigned to Commander Amphibious Squadron Three out of San Diego. I reported to COMPHIBRON THREE aboard the USS Bonhomme-Richard (LHD-6) in Nov 2001. There I was the Assistant Operations Officer (AOPS). We deployed for Operation Anaconda in DEC 2001. During operation Anaconda we sent Marines into Afghanistan. We returned from Deployment June 2002. In May of 2003 I reported to Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Command were I became a course manager for ASW training and an instructor for Battle Group Training. In Feb of 2004 I was selected for a Naval Scholarship to Medical School. I am now in my first year of medical school in Philadelphia. After I graduate (3 more years) I will become a naval doctor.
