Tailhook Assn. Plans First Convention Since Scandal

The Tailhook Assn., a naval aviation booster group disgraced by a sex scandal at its 1991 gathering in Las Vegas, plans to resume its annual conventions this fall in San Diego.

The Navy and most corporate backers withdrew support for the organization after reports emerged that scores of women were groped, pawed and disrobed when forced to run gantlets of drunken Navy and Marine Corps pilots in 1991. The 1992 convention was canceled.

Tailhook members regard the convention, which the group calls a symposium, as “an important function of our organization,” Tailhook Chairman W.D. (Bill) Knutson said.

“They want to show unity and support, and to press on with shaping the future of the organization,” he said.

The scandal prompted the resignation of Navy Secretary H. Lawrence Garrett III, who attended the convention. More than 150 officers, including several admirals, have been disciplined or had cases referred to the Navy for investigation by the Pentagon inspector general.

Non-judicial disciplinary proceedings are expected to continue this week in Norfolk, Va. For those accused of more serious offenses such as sexual assault or lying to investigators, courts-martial are expected to begin next month.

The Navy will take no stance on the convention to be held Oct. 7-10 at the Town & Country Hotel and Convention Center.

“It’s really a private organization so we cannot dictate what they can or cannot do,” said Capt. Mark Neuhart, a Navy spokesman.

He noted, however, that the Navy “has strongly encouraged members to break their ties” with Tailhook.

Though the San Diego-based group does not expect Navy support, Knutson said active-duty and reserve Navy and Marine Corps members are welcome to attend.