Patriot Guard Riders,

This is the Final Mission Itinerary for the Patriot Guard Riders Mission to Welcome Home 

LT Cody Hitchcock, U.S.Navy and the Aviators of VFA-11, The Red Rippers, who have completed a Combat Deployment, onboard the nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism. 

This mission is a GO; All contacts have been made, Staging dates and times are good to go.

Local arrival and the Welcome Home mission is on Saturday, May 31^st, 2008; at Oceana Naval Air Station, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Mission Ride Captains:   Your Lead Ride Captain for this mission is  Woody “RustPicker” Wagner, who can be reached on his cell phone at 757-348-5406 or his home at 757-495-7826. Co Mission Ride Captain is “Wild Bill” D’Ascoli.  Tail Gunner to be assigned.

Weather: The current weather forecast for Virginia Beach, VA on Saturday afternoon is clear with some clouds. Temperatures will be in the high 70’s, low 80’s with a 10% chance of rain.  Dress for warm weather, Iron Horses if you can. Bring flag poles & flags; flags mounted and rigged to remain on bike(s) is ideal. If you're not on your bike, cars are welcome, bring all the extra 3’x5’ flags you've got for the Flag Line.

Staging Site & Time: From 10:00 hrs to 12:15 hrs at NAS Oceana Pass Office (Bldg 252) on Tomcat Blvd (Across the street from the Navy Exchange Complex). URL to  a map is : http://www.mapquest.com/maps/%5B1330-1368%5D+Tomcat+Blvd+Virginia+Beach+VA+23460/

Departure: Kick Stands Up (KSU) from the staging area to the Squadron Ready area will be no later than 12:15 hrs.  All bikes will present a uniform appearance. Transit(s) will be conducted in a staggered formation with two second intervals between bikes. No PGR riders will depart before the Ride Captain gives the signal to “roll”. Support Vehicles (“cages”) will fall behind bikes.

 Ride protocol (Covers both Alpha and Bravo Destination points):

1.  Bikes -     Large (3’x5’ U.S. Flags Rigged for Honor Ride.

                    Small(er) U.S. Flags  Rigged for Honor Ride.

                    No Flags For Honor Ride.

2. Autos -          Same Flag/no Flag order same as bikes.

Base access will require all riders and cages to be DOD compliant, which includes:

A valid State Drivers License with appropriate Endorsement (M/C); Proof of Insurance;

A valid  State Registration.  Appropriate Gear for base movement is a DOT and/or SNELL

Helmet; Full fingered Gloves; Long Sleeve Shirt and/or jacket; Full length Trousers; Footwear to cover and protect the feet and ankles. Reflective vest should be in your possession.

Destination: (Alpha) From the Staging Point Parking Lot we will be escorted by NAS Security to our point on the Tarmac.

Formation:  PGR Contingent will form a Honor Guard / Wall of Flags for the arriving Squadron Aviators and their families. We will observe and practice proper U.S. Flag etiquette.

Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and proud as we salute this  returning aviation Warriors and there families for their Military Service and deployment sacrifices.

PGR Sr. Ride Captain/Mission Ride Captain, Hampton Rds/5, VA

Woody “RustPicker” Wagner

PGR Mission Co-Ride Captain

“Wild Bill” D’Ascoli

VA State Ride Captain

Short Notice:  VFA-11 Red Rippers / LT Cody Hitchcock, USN – Saturday, May 31, 2008

On Saturday, May 31^st, 2008, the  F/A 18 (Fighter / Attack) Super Hornets of U.S. Navy Squadron VFA-11,  The Red Rippers, will be returning to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, VA, completing a successful Combat Deployment onboard the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, USS Harry S. Truman  (CVN-75), supporting the Global War on Terrorism / Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Ms April Paynter, the Fiancé’ of Navy Fighter Pilot, LT Cody Hitchcock, USN, has requested the PGR to participate in a Squadron Welcome Home and escort for LT Hitchcock to his home in Virginia Beach.   

Mission Ride Captains:          Your Lead Ride Captain for this mission is  Woody “RustPicker” Wagner, who can be reached on his cell phone at 757-348-5406 or his home at 757-495-7826. Co Mission Ride Captain is “Wild Bill” D’Ascoli.  Tail Gunner to be assigned.  We are currently coordinating a Welcome Home Mission Concept with NAS Oceana Base Operations and Security, therefore changes and amendments will be forthcoming.  Please ensure the Check box is checked to allow you to have posts emailed to you, or monitor this mission thread.

Base access will require all riders and cages to be DOD compliant, which includes:

A valid State Drivers License with appropriate Endorsement (M/C); Proof of Insurance;

A valid State Registration.  Appropriate Gear for base movement is a DOT and/or SNELL

Helmet; Full fingered Gloves; Long Sleeve Shirt and/or jacket; Full length Trousers; Footwear

To cover and protect the feet and ankles. Reflective vest should be in your possession.

Woody Wagner
Call Sign – RustPicker
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (FM #880)

Sr. Ride Captain of  District 5/Hampton Rds – Virginia Asst. State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders (USA) (#1835 12/12/2005)

Blue Star Dad/Parent (3rd time) of

Spc Justin Wagner, USA (UH60 Crew Chief, A Co. 4/3 CAB, 3rd I.D.)

To the brave aerial warriors of the Red Rippers – VFA-11, and LT Cody Hitchcock…  I welcome you all home and it will be a true honor to bear witness to your much deserved Homecoming to your family and friends.  I salute you all… and all like you.

Standing by and ready to Roll!
With Respect,

Woody Wagner
Call Sign – RustPicker
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association (FM #880)

Sr. Ride Captain of  District 5/Hampton Rds – Virginia Asst. State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders (USA) (#1835 12/12/2005)

Blue Star Dad/Parent (3rd time) of

Spc Justin Wagner, USA (UH60 Crew Chief, A Co. 4/3 CAB, 3rd I.D.)

Virginia Beach, VA USA
Blue, Green & Brown Water Navy(s) (Retired)

Patriot Guard Riders,
 
For those of you that plan on attending this Welcome Home mission, I'm having this posted today.... for those of who'd like to print the mission, I'm attaching it as a .pdf file.
With Respect,

Mission Report - Welcome Home

LT Cody Hitchcock, U.S. Navy, Virginia Beach, Va.

May 31, 2008

Naval Air Station, Oceana to Virginia Beach, VA

Mission Summary:

In May  2008, the Mission Co-Ride Captain, “Wild Bill” D’Ascoli was approached by Ms April Paynter, Fiancé of LT Cody Hitchcock, USN, requesting a May 31^st, 2008 “Welcome Home Mission,”  after completing  an extended combat tour of Duty with VFA-11, the Red Rippers on board the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) supporting the Global War on Terrorism / Operation Iraqi Freedom. A Mission Warning Order & Ride brief was drafted, updated, tweaked, finalized, and posted in the Patriot Guard Rider National Web site’s Home Front / Welcome Home Mission Forum topic area.

Mission Execution:

After planning, liaison with Ms Paynter, VFA-11 Squadron personnel, NAS Oceana Security Department, a  Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) Warning Order and Ride Brief were disseminated. The Warning Order was posted Thursday evening, 05/29/07.

Saturday, May 31^st, the Mission started out with sunny skies and upper temperatures in the high 70°s with winds at 10 mph at the staging point (10:00). Riders rolled into staging area, located at NAS Oceana PASS Office, between 10:00 and 12:15 rallying around the flag. At 12:00; Ride Brief, Mission Warning Order, and Safety Brief was given by Senior/Mission R/C and Mission Co-R/C. NAS Base Security Officials provided a safety brief and particulars safety aspects with regards to the “Flight Line” for the entire PGR contingent. After all Q&A were completed, Mission R/C ordered all to mount up and form up. Kickstands up at 12:15, the PGR contingent of 31 members, 27 U.S. Flag rigged motorcycles, and 2 “cages” proceed on base with an NAS Oceana Patrol Car escort, making way for VFA-11 Hanger area, arriving at 12:25. Upon arrival; Security officers were standing by and directed all vehicles to the Hanger perimeter staging area just off of the parking lot. Senior R/C and Mission R/C checked in VFA-11 Liaison. PGR formed two columns in front of the double hanger doors.

At approximately 13:30, Squadron family and friends witnessed a flyover of F/A 18 Super Hornets of VFA-11, the Red Rippers over the airfield. A second flyover in smaller groups of four and three aircraft was conducted for their final approach and landing. As the Naval Fighter Pilots and RIOs departed their F/A 18 Super Hornets and were greeted by their loved ones and family, the Patriot Guard stood in honor, with U.S. Flags, and the unwavering sign of freedom as the flags waved in the warm breeze.

PGR Contingent welcomed LT Hitchcock home and congratulated and gave many thanks for his dedication and service, hands were shaken, hugs were given. Lt Hitchcock, when not dawning a flight suit or Naval Officers uniform…  wears the Yellow and Blue arm band of and stands the Flag Line with “Old Glory” along with his fellow Patriot Guard Riders.

PGR Contingent, Stood down from Hanger, and returned to our bikes awaiting the Escort home for LT Hitchcock. At approximately 16:00, LT Hitchcock, his family and friends departed the hangers, the PGR mounted up / kickstands up and departed the Hanger and Naval Air Station. Mission Co-Ride Captain “Wild Bill” lead the procession off base and to our final destination arriving at approximately 16:30.

Conclusion:   

A successful mission complete. Patriot Guard Riders thank VFA-11, the Red Rippers; LT Cody Hitchcock and his entire family for allowing us the honor and participate in this Very Well Deserved Welcome Home Mission. Special Thanks to NAS Oceana Security Department and Staff for their vital assistance in making this a successful Mission.

PGR Senior Ride Captain / Mission Ride Captain

Woody “RustPicker” Wagner

PGR Mission Co-Ride Captain

“Wild Bill” D’AScoli

VA State Ride Captain

Tony “Double T” Turner