Every so often in the Navy, a command is afforded the opportunity to connect with its history, to speak with someone from the past, to sift through a weathered cruise book, and to take time from a busy schedule to honor one of its own, a member of it’s old guard. 

The Screaming Eagles of Patrol Squadron (VP) 1 recently had one of those moments when former Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Tom Honer paid them a visit. Honer was a member of VP-1 from 1955-1958 and served as a chief naval aircrewman. 

He and his wife Paula were on a vacation from Virginia when the opportunity arose to pay his old squadron a visit.  After arriving at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, he was greeted by VP-1 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Mark Rudesill, and Executive Officer, Cmdr. Troy Bauder, and was given a guided tour of the flight line and squadron spaces. 

Honer met with Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 10, Capt. Kenneth Seliga, attended a VP-1 command quarters and ceremony, fielded questions from VP-1 Sailors, and toured the avionics shop at the squadron. 

Honer said the high point of his visit was meeting with the current members of Combat Aircrew 7 and touring the aircraft with members of the same crew he had been a part of over 50 years ago.

“It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to meet with someone who walked in our shoes, and contributed to setting the standard of Patrol and Reconnaissance excellence,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jaime Hernandez, CAC-7 mission commander. 

During his tour of duty with the Screaming Eagles, Honer deployed to the island of Kwajalein, is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, where he took part in missions during the testing of the hydrogen bomb. His squadron was assigned to provide surveillance support over the area, working shipping lanes to keep ships out during the tests. He also deployed to Kodiak and Adak, Alaska. 

For Honer, it was a wonderful chance to reconnect with a part of his past and to catch a glimpse of where the future has taken his old squadron. 

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. My four years in the Navy were unforgettable. I would like to send my praise and salutations to everyone here for this opportunity to come back, as this was one of the best days of my life,” said Honer. 

For one day, the Sailors of VP-1 were able to hear the voice and see the face of a man who had experienced some of the moments that will live on forever in history books.