NAS Norfolk, VA  13 May 2005

After a good night rest at NAS Oceana we drove towards NAS Norfolk, VA. We entered the base with our military IDs without any problems and started reading all the C-2 Greyhounds and E-2 Hawkeyes. Half an hour later we had already read ten C-2s and fifteen E-2s. Then we went looking for the helicopters stationed here. Close to the water we saw nine MH-53s parked on the flightline and not far from here we saw a couple UH-3s. We decided to ask here at the HC-2 squadron to have a look at their helicopters and permission to take some pictures. Fortunately we were welcome here to take some pictures inside the hangar. We were not allowed to go outside the hangar, but it was possible to photograph some of the helicopters outside. Thanks a lot guys!!

Next we went looking for the carriers that we saw a few day earlier at NS Norfolk. Its very impressive to see these giants from close by. And as you can see below, its a hell to make a good picture of it. Anyway, when we were watching the carriers, suddenly a USMC TAV-8B came overhead. Of course a good reason to go to the visitor platform and ask permission to take some pictures. 

The x-servicing guy wasn't sure about that, but the two USMC pilots said it was no problem at all. Thanks guys!! From here we also had a clear view on some of the C-2 Greyhounds so we took some pictures of these as well. Unfortunately it was not possible to take any pictures of the other Greyhounds and Hawkeyes.

History of HC-2 "Fleet Angels"

On 1 April 1948, Helicopter Utility Squadron ONE and TWO (HU-1 and HU-2), both known as the "Fleet Angels", were formed from the newly decommissioned Helicopter Development Squadron THREE (VS-3) at Lakehurst, New Jersey.  These were the Navy’s first two helicopter squadrons.

Seventeen years later in July 1965, HU-2 was transferred to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron TWO (HC-2).  In October 1973, HC-2 moved to Jacksonville, FL. The "Fleet Angels" of HC-2 were disestablished on 30 September 1977, falling victim to budget restraints after 30 years of proud service. The "Circuit Riders" of HC-2 were established on 1 April 1987 aboard NAS Norfolk from detachments of HM-12, HC-6, and HS-1 in order to unify the combat support elements of these dissimilar Atlantic Fleet squadrons. The "Fleet Angels" fly the UH-3H Sea King and the executive transport version of the Sea King, UH-3H(ET). Currently the they maintain two continuously deployed H-3 detachments overseas in addition to numerous short detachments that deploy from Norfolk aboard various units in support of Commander Second Fleet and Commander Strike Force Atlantic.

HC-2 was scheduled to disestablish on 31 March 1996.  However, an appreciation of their unique service to the U.S. Navy outweighed austere fiscal constraints. As a result, HC-2 will continue to provide superior helicopter combat support and battle staff transport well into the second millennium.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel,  13 May 2005

Then we left NAS Norfolk and drove to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel which costs about $12 toll to go from one site to the other. We however turned around halfway so we didn't have to pay another $5 to go back where we came from. After taking some pictures here we drove towards Langley AFB for the night airshow.

For over 40 years, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has captured worldwide attention as a modern engineering wonder and an important East Coast travel convenience. Crossing over and under open waters where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, the Bridge-Tunnel provides a direct link between Southeastern Virginia and the Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware plus the Eastern Shore counties in Maryland and Virginia), and cuts 95 miles from the journey between Virginia Beach and points north of Wilmington, Delaware.

Following its opening on April 15, 1964, the Bridge-Tunnel was selected "One of the Seven Engineering Wonders of the Modern World" in a worldwide competition that included more than one hundred major projects. In addition, in 1965, it was distinguished as "The Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement" by the American Society of Civil Engineers.

To date, over 80 million commercial and passenger vehicles have crossed the Bridge-Tunnel. In order to meet future traffic demands and provide for a safer crossing, construction of a parallel crossing project began in summer 1995, and opened to four-lane traffic on April 19, 1999. No less challenging than construction of the original span, this project once again drew focus to a remarkable achievement in engineering and construction.