Stories & Videos
Back in the middle of 2022, two old SENSO’s got together for some drinks and reminiscing. Now what might have sounded to outsiders like a recipe for disaster turned into something far better.
Blair Smith, who had lived in Las Vegas for years, still made it a point to reconnect with his old squadron mates whenever he visited the San Diego area. He had served as an instructor in VS-41 and flown fleet tours with VS-37 and VS-29. Jay Blinn, who had also instructed at VS-41 and flown with VS-21, had stayed close to their shared history.
Anyway, Blair saw the post and reached out. What started as a call to honor Dave quickly expanded. The two men toasted departed friends and realized the losses were only going to accelerate. Then Jay spoke the words that changed everything: “It sure would be great to get some of the ol’ gang together before we’re all gone or too old and decrepit to travel.”
The idea caught fire. Drinks were sipped, energy surged, and the plan took shape. Since they had both served as instructors at VS-41, they decided to start by gathering some of the old SENSO instructors in San Diego for a reunion — a chance to honor those who had passed and reconnect those still here.
Legend has it that Jay then looked straight through the phone into Blair’s SENSO soul and delivered the line: “Blair, you are the perfect person to put this together.” And that, as they say, is how this reunion was born.
The Viking SENSO Video Project
We have been capturing some SENSOs on video talking about their time in the s-3. Take a look at the SENSO Chronicles and conversations with Ed Heim and Killer Hendricks.
1
The SENSO Chronicles Episode I
2
The SENSO Chronicles Episode 2
3
The SENSO Chronicles Episode 3
4
The SENSO Chronicles Episode 4
5
The SENSO Chronicles Episode 5
