John "Irish" Keilty
Okay TACAMO- THIS IS A BIG DEAL. Way to go TCVA
Let me be the first to talk about Admiral Nora Tyson and I ask that all of you who served with her help me educate those in TACAMO Nation who don’t know Nora. And let’s tell the thousand members of TCVA of not only the trailblazing unprecedented achievements of her historic career but also the personal side of her climb which is where her star shines brightest and served as her catapult at every step of her career.
Nora Tyson is a “Sailor’s Sailor.” She leads with an uncompromising character and relentless enthusiasm and energy. Everyone who has ever met this Sailor just comes away feeling special because Nora in every conversation makes you feel like you are the most important person in the world. Whether she was a LT expertly leading a Shadow Crew or Squadron, whether leading a Strike Battle Group in harm’s way with an indomitable American fighting spirit or leading Third Fleet in the training and war fighting readiness of The Fleet - she did not change. She was consistent and steadfast in her endless pursuit of excellence. That’s because that is who she is and our Navy liked that and kept giving her more and more responsibility and command.
Nora is extremely smart. She understands our Navy. She is very talented and skilled in our Navy mission, purpose and focus. And Nora understands leadership. She truly gets it.
I never served with Nora but I watched in awe and with great respect her meteoric ascent to the highest position of any TACAMO Warfighter in our 60 plus years as a community.
Admiral Tyson has a passion and compassion for serving , leading and commanding Sailors.
I will promise you that Admiral Tyson made a difference in thousands of Sailor’s lives and families. So many Sailors and families out there directly were impacted by the Admirals passion and compassion.
And oh by the way she is married to a former Master Chief Wayne Tyson who is a great man and both play a pretty good game of golf.
So proud of the Tyson Family. I trust that this presentation will be recorded and live streamed so that the TACAMO Community Veterans Association will all hear and see what some of us already know about this truly remarkable Naval Officer and American.
Great job TCVA. And congrats to Admiral Tyson.
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Peter Rourke
Nora was my first ACO-T as a new ACS in VQ-4. super smart and just made everyone feel calm. Never saw her ruffled. VQ-4 was notorious for pranks on newbies. I don’t recall too many if any played on her. She was just that cool. Whatever career Nora could have chosen she would have excelled I am glad it was with the TACAMO.
 
Bill Lewis
I flew with her when she was a LT I think. And saw her promoted to LTCDR along the way. I also worked for her at NAMTRAGRUDET 1079 where I made CPO, credit to her leadership. I was taking a few Hamilton Standard engineers who were working on the NP2000 propeller system on the Enterprise where she was the Navigator and I was at HQ when I ran into her again. She was always a great human being as well as a great boss.
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John Sparks
I too flew with Nora when I was an ACS in VQ-4. An excellent officer and one I respected. Enjoyed flying with her. 
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Randy Mahoney
I was honored to serve with (at the time) "ENS Nora Wingard" as second navigator on my crew at VQ-4.  Not only was she super-intelligent (Vanderbilt Graduate!) but she was also professional, talented, skilled, and had interpersonal skills that were off-the-charts.  She could connect and work effectively with anyone from an RM3 to a somewhat difficult SAC Wing Commander we encountered who didn't want to provide Class I Asset security for our aircraft.    Her diplomatic skills were epic, and you could count on Nora to handle any situation with a professional grace that was - and still is - unmatched.  More important than all of this is that Nora was and is a true friend. Here's to never sending an EAM in anger:  Fair Winds and Following Seas, Nora!
 

Pamela P. Valdez 

Subject:  Endorsement Letter for Admiral Nora Tyson 

 

Dear TACAMO Community Veterans Association, 

 

It is with great pleasure that share my endorsement for Admiral Nora Tyson and the TCVA Lifetime Achievement Award.   

 

I have known Admiral Tyson for 40 years.  I didn’t know Admiral Tyson while we were at VQ-4, despite a brief overlap in our tenure.  I met Admiral Tyson via my friendship with her husband Wayne.  Wayne and I were on Crew 8.  As I traveled the country in my career, I would link up with Admiral Tyson and Wayne when we were fortunate to be in the same location.  I have witnessed her superior leadership and inspiration on numerous occasions, both firsthand and from afar. 

 

There are four reasons why Admiral Tyson should be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

 

Achievement

There is no question that Admiral Tyson’s career was built on a path of unique Naval achievement.  Her path is marked with highly successful command positions with each step building on the previous accomplishment.  While most TACAMO officers strive to achieve the pinnacle of their career as a VQ-3 or VQ-4 squadron commander, that was just the beginning of her career.  After commanding VQ-4, she set her sights on experiencing the entire Navy and was drawn to the shipboard Navy like a moth to a flame.  This is a crossover that most TACAMO shipmates avoid, but not Admiral Tyson. 

 

Diversified Naval Career

Commanding Officer VQ-4, Navigator of the USS Enterprise, Commanding Officer of the USS Bataan, Director of Staff Naval Forces Europe/SIXTH Fleet, Commander Carrier Strike Group TWO, Vice Director Joint Staff, Deputy Commander US Fleet Forces Command, Commander U.S. THIRD Fleet – I know of no other TACAMO person with a more diversified Naval career.  Admiral Tyson always turned into the headwind and challenged herself and the US Navy to make this storied career happen. 

 

I was a witness to her method of command on a few occasions.  I attended her departure Change of Command at VQ-4 at Tinker AFB and saw the deep love and respect of her squadron sailors and officers.  This was the first of many times that I witnessed the power of her leadership style – strong and caring with the mission of the US Navy as the guiding light of her principles.   

 

During a business trip to Langley AFB while serving the F-22 program, I stayed with the Tysons.  The next day Admiral Tyson gave me a tour of her ship, the USS Bataan at Norfolk.  To walk the hallowed decks of her ship, receiving a personal tour by Admiral Tyson from bow to stern and keel to bridge, while every sailor snapped to attention as she entered each compartment, was a feeling that is hard to describe.  I have never felt prouder of any person then or since.  She represented everything good in the US Navy. 

 

I was later invited to her USS Bataan departure Change of Command ceremony at Norfolk, which was cancelled suddenly by the rescue mission during Hurricane Katrina.  She was unceremoniously flown home without a formal Change of Command as her crew stayed on station to provide aid to the ravage Gulf of Mexico.  She didn’t miss a beat and threw a party at her house for all that travelled near and far for the ceremony.  Her grace and charm exuded throughout the day and again I witnessed the love of her shore sailors and neighbors. 

 

Lifting all up with her 

You get a feel for people when you are around them and a great leader exudes confidence and love for the people they lead.  During Seattle’s SEAFAIR Festival, the Navy brought 4 ships into port for the celebration.  My husband and I linked up with Admiral Tyson and Wayne during the Blue Angel reception and again for the Navy’s reception on board her flagship while she was Commander of U.S. THIRD Fleet.  I watched Admiral Tyson engage with the Mayor, Senators, Congressional leaders, media, children, and her enlisted and officer crew with grace and decorum.  She lifts the hearts of the people around her. 

 

Firsts

Pioneer (pahy-uh-neer) n., One who goes before to prepare or open up the way for others to follow.  Oxford English Dictionary.   

 

I wish to speak from my heart.  Nora is amazing.  Everything listed above in her illustrious career more than qualifies her for this wonderful Lifetime Achievement Award, BUT we must recognize that she did it while kicking open doors that were closed since the beginning of time. She never talks about being ‘the first woman’, she doesn’t like to discuss it.  I can assure you that she saw a slight crack in the first door opening, bravely went for the assignment, excelled, and then like a good pioneer, set a course to repeat, repeat and repeat.  Each tenuous step in her career depended on executional perfection to open the next door.  She excelled, and in doing so, her perfect career opened door for many, many others and changed the US Navy and the United States Armed Forces forever and for the better.  For that, she deserved this award.   

 

In conclusion, I am honored to call Admiral Nora Tyson a friend and an inspiration.  I hope you find it in your heart to award her the Lifetime Achievement Award from my beloved TACAMO Community.