AW3 Wendy Lenora Potter, the US Navy's 1st female AW
VS-22 S-3B BUNO: 159767
Born: August 15, 1973
Died: February 4, 1997
From: Oakdale, California
Off the coast of Israel. Accident occurred during an ASW exercise, while deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
Petty Officer Potter is survived by her husband, AW3 Chad Potter.
************************************************************
Navy Wire Service (A Wire):
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NWSA) -- Navy officials in the eastern Mediterranean called off the search Wednesday for the four person crew of a missing S-3B Viking aircraft assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
The aircraft was on an anti-submarine warfare training exercise approximately 90 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar Tuesday afternoon.
The missing crewmen are identified as:
LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla.
LT Mark Eyre, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla.;
LT Mike Weems, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; and
Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, 24, of Oakdale, Calif.
The accident remains under investigation.
Navy Ceases Search For Missing S-3B Aircraft, Crew
NAVEUR News Service:
Navy Officials in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday called off the search for a missing S-3B Viking aircraft and its crew of four, assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS 22) embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operating off the coast of Israel.
The aircraft was on a routine training exercise, approximately 87 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar at approximately 5:56 p.m. (local) Feb. 4.
The missing crew were identified as:
- LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mark Eyre, 28, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mike Weems, 27, Pensacola, Fla.
- AW3 Wendy Potter, 24, Oakdale, Calif.
Search and rescue units have recovered some debris with squadron markings.
Aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt were involved in the search and rescue mission that coverd more than 1,500 square nautical miles. There were assisted by other units in the area including USS Ramage (DDG 61), USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 196), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and two P-3C's from Patrol Squadron VP-16.
Remembering AW3 Wendy L. Potter, USN
by Greg Skilling, Louisville Independent Examiner 7/2/09
We like to remember firsts in our culture. Michael Jackson - first African-American artist to break the color barrier on MTV, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon and Barack Obama the first African-American President. The list goes on. Being first nearly always guarantees someone a place in our hearts and our history, but not always. On February 4, 1997, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, USN, became the first enlisted female to die while flying in a U.S. Navy tactical aircraft. Wendy was part of a pioneering group of enlisted women who broke into the once all-male naval aircrew community and did so with class and determination.
A lot of attention was given to the first female fighter pilots, especially the first one to die in the line of duty, Navy Lt. Kara Hultgreen. When Lt. Hultgreen died in 1994 it was a national news event. An article in the New York Times sums up much about her pioneering life. No such coverage for Wendy. Although she died serving her country and living her dream, none but those who were privileged enough to have known her in life remember her death. I guess that's a sign of progress. By 1997, a woman flying off of a Navy carrier had ceased to become a unique event. A local newspaper, the Florida Times-Union, described the incident that killed Wendy and the rest of her crew.
"Four Jacksonville Navy aviators from the VS-22 Checkmates were killed on Feb. 4, 1997, when their Viking crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Their plane clipped 7- to 10-foot-high seas off the Israeli coast and disappeared from radar. Debris from the plane, which launched from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, was recovered, but the crew's remains were not.
The Navy's final report on the crash -- which killed Lt. Cmdr. Mark Ehlers, Lt. Mike Weems, Lt. Mark Eyre and Petty Officer 3rd Class Wendy Potter -- found no explanation for the crash and assessed no culpability to anyone."
A tribute from an anonymous friend best describes how we all felt about her. "Petty Officer Potter was one of the first female AW's and probably the absolute best. Wendy had a heart of gold, and always brought a smile to bluest sailor. Let's all remember Wendy, and smile for her today."
In Kentucky, many have sacrificed much to protect our nation. While you are reading this article our wounded warriors struggle to recover at Ft. Knox. As we all come together and celebrate our freedom and independence on July 4th, please take time out to remember all of those who died defending it and find a place in your heart for Wendy Potter now that you know her place in history.
VS-22 S-3B BUNO: 159767
Born: August 15, 1973
Died: February 4, 1997
From: Oakdale, California
Off the coast of Israel. Accident occurred during an ASW exercise, while deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
Petty Officer Potter is survived by her husband, AW3 Chad Potter.
************************************************************
Navy Wire Service (A Wire):
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NWSA) -- Navy officials in the eastern Mediterranean called off the search Wednesday for the four person crew of a missing S-3B Viking aircraft assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
The aircraft was on an anti-submarine warfare training exercise approximately 90 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar Tuesday afternoon.
The missing crewmen are identified as:
LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla.
LT Mark Eyre, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla.;
LT Mike Weems, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; and
Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, 24, of Oakdale, Calif.
The accident remains under investigation.
Navy Ceases Search For Missing S-3B Aircraft, Crew
NAVEUR News Service:
Navy Officials in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday called off the search for a missing S-3B Viking aircraft and its crew of four, assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS 22) embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operating off the coast of Israel.
The aircraft was on a routine training exercise, approximately 87 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar at approximately 5:56 p.m. (local) Feb. 4.
The missing crew were identified as:
- LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mark Eyre, 28, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mike Weems, 27, Pensacola, Fla.
- AW3 Wendy Potter, 24, Oakdale, Calif.
Search and rescue units have recovered some debris with squadron markings.
Aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt were involved in the search and rescue mission that coverd more than 1,500 square nautical miles. There were assisted by other units in the area including USS Ramage (DDG 61), USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 196), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and two P-3C's from Patrol Squadron VP-16.
Remembering AW3 Wendy L. Potter, USN
by Greg Skilling, Louisville Independent Examiner 7/2/09
We like to remember firsts in our culture. Michael Jackson - first African-American artist to break the color barrier on MTV, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon and Barack Obama the first African-American President. The list goes on. Being first nearly always guarantees someone a place in our hearts and our history, but not always. On February 4, 1997, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, USN, became the first enlisted female to die while flying in a U.S. Navy tactical aircraft. Wendy was part of a pioneering group of enlisted women who broke into the once all-male naval aircrew community and did so with class and determination.
A lot of attention was given to the first female fighter pilots, especially the first one to die in the line of duty, Navy Lt. Kara Hultgreen. When Lt. Hultgreen died in 1994 it was a national news event. An article in the New York Times sums up much about her pioneering life. No such coverage for Wendy. Although she died serving her country and living her dream, none but those who were privileged enough to have known her in life remember her death. I guess that's a sign of progress. By 1997, a woman flying off of a Navy carrier had ceased to become a unique event. A local newspaper, the Florida Times-Union, described the incident that killed Wendy and the rest of her crew.
"Four Jacksonville Navy aviators from the VS-22 Checkmates were killed on Feb. 4, 1997, when their Viking crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Their plane clipped 7- to 10-foot-high seas off the Israeli coast and disappeared from radar. Debris from the plane, which launched from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, was recovered, but the crew's remains were not.
The Navy's final report on the crash -- which killed Lt. Cmdr. Mark Ehlers, Lt. Mike Weems, Lt. Mark Eyre and Petty Officer 3rd Class Wendy Potter -- found no explanation for the crash and assessed no culpability to anyone."
A tribute from an anonymous friend best describes how we all felt about her. "Petty Officer Potter was one of the first female AW's and probably the absolute best. Wendy had a heart of gold, and always brought a smile to bluest sailor. Let's all remember Wendy, and smile for her today."
In Kentucky, many have sacrificed much to protect our nation. While you are reading this article our wounded warriors struggle to recover at Ft. Knox. As we all come together and celebrate our freedom and independence on July 4th, please take time out to remember all of those who died defending it and find a place in your heart for Wendy Potter now that you know her place in history.
AW3 Wendy Lenora Potter, the US Navy's 1st female AW
VS-22 S-3B BUNO: 159767
Born: August 15, 1973
Died: February 4, 1997
From: Oakdale, California
Off the coast of Israel. Accident occurred during an ASW exercise, while deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
Petty Officer Potter is survived by her husband, AW3 Chad Potter.
************************************************************
Navy Wire Service (A Wire):
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NWSA) -- Navy officials in the eastern Mediterranean called off the search Wednesday for the four person crew of a missing S-3B Viking aircraft assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
The aircraft was on an anti-submarine warfare training exercise approximately 90 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar Tuesday afternoon.
The missing crewmen are identified as:
LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla.
LT Mark Eyre, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla.;
LT Mike Weems, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; and
Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, 24, of Oakdale, Calif.
The accident remains under investigation.
Navy Ceases Search For Missing S-3B Aircraft, Crew
NAVEUR News Service:
Navy Officials in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday called off the search for a missing S-3B Viking aircraft and its crew of four, assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS 22) embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operating off the coast of Israel.
The aircraft was on a routine training exercise, approximately 87 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar at approximately 5:56 p.m. (local) Feb. 4.
The missing crew were identified as:
- LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mark Eyre, 28, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mike Weems, 27, Pensacola, Fla.
- AW3 Wendy Potter, 24, Oakdale, Calif.
Search and rescue units have recovered some debris with squadron markings.
Aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt were involved in the search and rescue mission that coverd more than 1,500 square nautical miles. There were assisted by other units in the area including USS Ramage (DDG 61), USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 196), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and two P-3C's from Patrol Squadron VP-16.
Remembering AW3 Wendy L. Potter, USN
by Greg Skilling, Louisville Independent Examiner 7/2/09
We like to remember firsts in our culture. Michael Jackson - first African-American artist to break the color barrier on MTV, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon and Barack Obama the first African-American President. The list goes on. Being first nearly always guarantees someone a place in our hearts and our history, but not always. On February 4, 1997, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, USN, became the first enlisted female to die while flying in a U.S. Navy tactical aircraft. Wendy was part of a pioneering group of enlisted women who broke into the once all-male naval aircrew community and did so with class and determination.
A lot of attention was given to the first female fighter pilots, especially the first one to die in the line of duty, Navy Lt. Kara Hultgreen. When Lt. Hultgreen died in 1994 it was a national news event. An article in the New York Times sums up much about her pioneering life. No such coverage for Wendy. Although she died serving her country and living her dream, none but those who were privileged enough to have known her in life remember her death. I guess that's a sign of progress. By 1997, a woman flying off of a Navy carrier had ceased to become a unique event. A local newspaper, the Florida Times-Union, described the incident that killed Wendy and the rest of her crew.
"Four Jacksonville Navy aviators from the VS-22 Checkmates were killed on Feb. 4, 1997, when their Viking crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Their plane clipped 7- to 10-foot-high seas off the Israeli coast and disappeared from radar. Debris from the plane, which launched from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, was recovered, but the crew's remains were not.
The Navy's final report on the crash -- which killed Lt. Cmdr. Mark Ehlers, Lt. Mike Weems, Lt. Mark Eyre and Petty Officer 3rd Class Wendy Potter -- found no explanation for the crash and assessed no culpability to anyone."
A tribute from an anonymous friend best describes how we all felt about her. "Petty Officer Potter was one of the first female AW's and probably the absolute best. Wendy had a heart of gold, and always brought a smile to bluest sailor. Let's all remember Wendy, and smile for her today."
In Kentucky, many have sacrificed much to protect our nation. While you are reading this article our wounded warriors struggle to recover at Ft. Knox. As we all come together and celebrate our freedom and independence on July 4th, please take time out to remember all of those who died defending it and find a place in your heart for Wendy Potter now that you know her place in history.
VS-22 S-3B BUNO: 159767
Born: August 15, 1973
Died: February 4, 1997
From: Oakdale, California
Off the coast of Israel. Accident occurred during an ASW exercise, while deployed on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
Petty Officer Potter is survived by her husband, AW3 Chad Potter.
************************************************************
Navy Wire Service (A Wire):
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NWSA) -- Navy officials in the eastern Mediterranean called off the search Wednesday for the four person crew of a missing S-3B Viking aircraft assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).
The aircraft was on an anti-submarine warfare training exercise approximately 90 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar Tuesday afternoon.
The missing crewmen are identified as:
LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, of Jacksonville, Fla.
LT Mark Eyre, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla.;
LT Mike Weems, 27, of Pensacola, Fla.; and
Aviation Systems Warfare Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, 24, of Oakdale, Calif.
The accident remains under investigation.
Navy Ceases Search For Missing S-3B Aircraft, Crew
NAVEUR News Service:
Navy Officials in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday called off the search for a missing S-3B Viking aircraft and its crew of four, assigned to Sea Control Squadron 22 (VS 22) embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) operating off the coast of Israel.
The aircraft was on a routine training exercise, approximately 87 miles west of Haifa, Israel when it disappeared from the ship's radar at approximately 5:56 p.m. (local) Feb. 4.
The missing crew were identified as:
- LCDR Mark Ehlers, 35, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mark Eyre, 28, Jacksonville, Fla.
- LT Mike Weems, 27, Pensacola, Fla.
- AW3 Wendy Potter, 24, Oakdale, Calif.
Search and rescue units have recovered some debris with squadron markings.
Aircraft from Theodore Roosevelt were involved in the search and rescue mission that coverd more than 1,500 square nautical miles. There were assisted by other units in the area including USS Ramage (DDG 61), USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 196), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and two P-3C's from Patrol Squadron VP-16.
Remembering AW3 Wendy L. Potter, USN
by Greg Skilling, Louisville Independent Examiner 7/2/09
We like to remember firsts in our culture. Michael Jackson - first African-American artist to break the color barrier on MTV, Neil Armstrong the first man on the moon and Barack Obama the first African-American President. The list goes on. Being first nearly always guarantees someone a place in our hearts and our history, but not always. On February 4, 1997, Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 3rd Class Wendy Potter, USN, became the first enlisted female to die while flying in a U.S. Navy tactical aircraft. Wendy was part of a pioneering group of enlisted women who broke into the once all-male naval aircrew community and did so with class and determination.
A lot of attention was given to the first female fighter pilots, especially the first one to die in the line of duty, Navy Lt. Kara Hultgreen. When Lt. Hultgreen died in 1994 it was a national news event. An article in the New York Times sums up much about her pioneering life. No such coverage for Wendy. Although she died serving her country and living her dream, none but those who were privileged enough to have known her in life remember her death. I guess that's a sign of progress. By 1997, a woman flying off of a Navy carrier had ceased to become a unique event. A local newspaper, the Florida Times-Union, described the incident that killed Wendy and the rest of her crew.
"Four Jacksonville Navy aviators from the VS-22 Checkmates were killed on Feb. 4, 1997, when their Viking crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Their plane clipped 7- to 10-foot-high seas off the Israeli coast and disappeared from radar. Debris from the plane, which launched from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, was recovered, but the crew's remains were not.
The Navy's final report on the crash -- which killed Lt. Cmdr. Mark Ehlers, Lt. Mike Weems, Lt. Mark Eyre and Petty Officer 3rd Class Wendy Potter -- found no explanation for the crash and assessed no culpability to anyone."
A tribute from an anonymous friend best describes how we all felt about her. "Petty Officer Potter was one of the first female AW's and probably the absolute best. Wendy had a heart of gold, and always brought a smile to bluest sailor. Let's all remember Wendy, and smile for her today."
In Kentucky, many have sacrificed much to protect our nation. While you are reading this article our wounded warriors struggle to recover at Ft. Knox. As we all come together and celebrate our freedom and independence on July 4th, please take time out to remember all of those who died defending it and find a place in your heart for Wendy Potter now that you know her place in history.
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