Jeff Greer:  

Thanks for visiting my site. I was asked a number of questions about my Naval career at our 30th reunion, so I thought I would include my navy biography for anyone interested. It was written and kept on file while I was still active so sometimes reads in the present tense, but it lists a number of highlights of my career. ******************************************** Lt Greer began his naval career in Pensacola, Florida at Aviation Officer Candidate School where he graduated first in his class academically. Following his graduation, he received orders to VT-2 for primary flight training in the T-34C at NAS Whiting Field. Finishing first in his class and receiving the only jet orders given to his class, Lt Greer was next assigned to VT-9 at NAS Meridian Mississippi for primary jet training in the T-2C Buckeye. At the completion of this syllabus and carrier qualification on board the USS Lexington, Lt Greer was assigned to VT-7 for advanced jet training in the A-4 Skyhawk. Achieving the highest grades in his class in bombing accuracy and in carrier qualification on board the USS Enterprise, Lt Greer received his aviator wings and was next assigned to FRS VA-174 at NAS Cecil Field for training in the A-7E Corsair. Lt Greer completed the A-7E syllabus first in his class overall with the highest grades in bombing accuracy and was the only member of his class not to receive a ¿down¿ on any flight. Lt Greer¿s next assignment was with the Clansmen of VA-46, also at NAS Cecil Field. One of his first duties was as the squadron¿s NATOPS officer. His preparation and attention to detail were evident when during the program inspection, each aviator passed the test with a score of 100% and Lt Greer received no discrepancies in any area. This prompted the inspectors to describe his NATOPS program as ¿the best they had ever seen in the navy.¿ Based on his success with the NATOPS program, Lt Greer was designated as the squadron¿s Nuclear Weapons Safety Officer. In this capacity, he reorganized and updated the program. His success was again evident when during the program¿s inspection, he received zero discrepancies. Impressed, the inspectors termed the program as, ¿the finest example of a Nuclear Safety Program they had seen,¿ and, ¿the model for others to follow.¿ Lt Greer also participated in Red Flag, the Air Force¿s version of Top Gun. With the onset of Desert Shield, VA-46 was ordered to deploy to the Red Sea in five days ¿ an evolution that normally takes six months of work ups. Once underway, Lt Greer was designated as the Mine Warfare Officer for the entire air wing and planned and led two highly successful MINEX evolutions. Based on his success, he was hand picked by RADM Riley Mixon to be the air wing¿s TAMPS expert planning numerous combat mission scenarios on the computer and adapting any missions already planned to the TAMPS system. Also, during Desert Shield, Lt Greer was tasked to spend a number of weeks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia allocating airspace for training for each carrier in the Red Sea and breaking it down for each squadron in his own air wing. To assist in this planning, he was privileged to be able to sit in on Generals Schwarzkopf¿s and Horner¿s daily briefings and received first hand intelligence as to the Iraqi tactics. As you may recall, because of the appearance of Arab against Arab, Saudi Arabia prohibited the dropping of any live or practice ordnance by any service on Saudi Arabian soil. This limited coalition forces to simulated flights and bombing over water, exceedingly inadequate in preparing for war. One day during a break, Lt Greer happened to strike up a conversation with a Saudi Lieutenant Commander. The conversation turned toward training and Lt Greer detailed how difficult it was train over water for what would be a desert war. The Saudi Lieutenant Commander asked if he could come to his office and relate his concerns to a couple of other officers. Leaving Lt Greer in his office, the Saudi officer returned with two Saudi Generals. Lt Greer described for the generals the difficulties of training over water. They excused themselves to discuss the matter and shortly afterwards, one of the generals returned and thanked Lt Greer for the insight. He also asked if Lt Greer knew that the Lieutenant Commander he had struck up the conversation with was a prince in the Saudi royal family. As a direct result of Lt Greer¿s actions, he was told two days later that all services had permission to train and drop ordnance on Saudi soil eliminating a major road block and greatly facilitating training for the impending war. On the first night of Desert Storm, Lt Greer was to be a decoy. He would fly ahead of the strike package and drop four Tactical Air Launched Decoys (TALDs). These highly radar reflective decoys would make Lt Greer¿s aircraft appear to be a flight of five. Once the Iraqi radar locked onto Lt Greer, radar seeking HARM missiles would be launched over him to take out the Iraqi defenses. Not only was Lt Greer the first person ever to drop TALDs in combat, but he was awarded the Air Medal for his actions. Additionally, as the lead aircraft ahead of the strike package with the earliest known target time, Lt Greer is considered to have dropped the first ordnance to begin the air war. In addition to night one, Lt Greer had other notab...Expand for more