Military Flights over Vet's Funeral
08-04-2011, 01:31 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
Military Flights over Vet's Funeral
My father passed in 1989 and was buried in the National Cemetery in Beaufort, SC. He was in Marine Corps (VMFA 251) ordinance and retired as a Captain. He served in Korea and Vietnam. At the end of the funeral, 2 or 3 FA-18's passed high (5-8K) overhead in single file - no missing man formation.
Was this over flight a coincidence? Just curious what criterion are required for an official fly over, and would the formation be different based on his MOS?
BTW - every time they bury Bull Meecham at the same cemetery in "The Great Santini" I tear up.
Thanks!
Was this over flight a coincidence? Just curious what criterion are required for an official fly over, and would the formation be different based on his MOS?
BTW - every time they bury Bull Meecham at the same cemetery in "The Great Santini" I tear up.
Thanks!
08-04-2011, 01:39 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
Google says or was it different in 1989?
May I arrange for a flyover of military planes in
honor of my deceased family member?
A. Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
honor of my deceased family member?
A. Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
08-04-2011, 03:38 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
All that I have ever done have been for deceased fliers.
Single file up at 5-8k is no formation that I have ever participated in or witnessed for fly-overs (especially in Beaufort). Unless you are telling me that you know this fly-over was specifically arrainged for your father, I'm wondering if you happen to see regular operations coming into/ or leaving MCAS Beaufort.
It seems that this reference agrees with what your Google search showed:
This came from a document that should help you with any questions. It was produced by the MCCS/Tri-Comand right out of Beaufort.
http://www.mccshh.com/pdf/Military_F...nors_Guide.pdf
USMCFLYR
Single file up at 5-8k is no formation that I have ever participated in or witnessed for fly-overs (especially in Beaufort). Unless you are telling me that you know this fly-over was specifically arrainged for your father, I'm wondering if you happen to see regular operations coming into/ or leaving MCAS Beaufort.
It seems that this reference agrees with what your Google search showed:
Q: May I arrange for a flyover of military planes in
honor of my deceased family member?
A. Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
honor of my deceased family member?
A. Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
http://www.mccshh.com/pdf/Military_F...nors_Guide.pdf
USMCFLYR
08-04-2011, 04:36 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by N9373M
It must have been a coincidence. I did look up and smile though......
Thanks for the research and info!
Thanks for the research and info!
I've often thought of the NMC in Beaufort myself.
I hope you get to go there some and visit.
USMCFLYR
08-04-2011, 11:33 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,187
Sorry, but no an O-3 doesn't rate. There is a strict set of standards of what ranks/awards rate what type of fly over if any. Must be approved by Commander Naval Air Forces. Whoever answered that question doesn't know what they're talking about.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
08-04-2011, 12:13 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by Grumble
Sorry, but no an O-3 doesn't rate. There is a strict set of standards of what ranks/awards rate what type of fly over if any. Must be approved by Commander Naval Air Forces. Whoever answered that question doesn't know what they're talking about.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
If you are talking about the link that I provided as the person who answered doesn't know what they are talking about, well that was published by the military community.
USMCFLYR
08-04-2011, 12:24 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: 127.0.0.1
Posts: 2,115
My question was answered - it was just a happy coincidence - a sign from god if you will.
The pdf link USMCFLYR posted mentions a flyover for any marine aviator killed in an aviation related accident - it makes no mention of rank.
Here's the answer verbatim:
Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
No further digging needed - I was just wondering if it was planned or dumb luck.
Thanks to all.
The pdf link USMCFLYR posted mentions a flyover for any marine aviator killed in an aviation related accident - it makes no mention of rank.
Here's the answer verbatim:
Military flyover for Marines is reserved solely for
the funeral ceremony of a deceased active duty pilot who
died in an aviation-related incident.
No further digging needed - I was just wondering if it was planned or dumb luck.
Thanks to all.
08-04-2011, 05:49 PM
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2006
Position: Walmart Greeter
Posts: 694
Originally Posted by Grumble
Sorry, but no an O-3 doesn't rate. There is a strict set of standards of what ranks/awards rate what type of fly over if any. Must be approved by Commander Naval Air Forces. Whoever answered that question doesn't know what they're talking about.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
Case in point, a good PAO friend of mine tried to get a short notice funeral flyover for a CMH awardee. E-6, KIA in Afghanistan. Couldn't do it. Flag officer however will get a complete 4-ship missing man, even if they drove a desk for 30 years.
You can try calling COMNAFAIRFOR in San Diego and ask, but I can tell you the answer. Sorry.
Grumble you're mistaken. Case in point, LT Nathan "OJ" White was laid to rest in Arlington National Ceremony with full honors and a missing man formation by former Chippies from VFA-195. The jets were from NAS Oceana. He was shot down over Iraq on the night of April 2nd, 2003. I know because I flew with OJ that morning.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
