I took this photo in 1981 while in GITMO. I believe this to be the first launch after the installation of the system.

The Story behind this photo.
The ship had gone through a major overhaul in the Brooklyn Navy Yards. We had spent thirteen months there and it was time to go to sea. We went to Gitmo to be put through a battery of tests. We were notified that the missile launch was to take place, so up to the port wing of the bridge I go, camera in hand. It was a very windy day, and I took my new 80-200 zoom lens off my camera to ensure it was clean. As I removed the lens a gust of wind started to blow off my ball cap, not thinking I reached to save my ball cap. Wrong choice. As I reached for my cap, I dropped my lens, OUCH! I bent the pin that adjusts the f-stop. I had previously checked the f-stop and it was set properly, so I put the lens back on the camera body and hoped for the best. I was poised for the launch, eagerly hoping not only to photograph this event, but to see the missile launch. Suddenly I heard a noise, I clicked my shutter, and before I could see anything I was in a cloud of smoke. I advanced my film and pointed my camera and took a couple more shots. Then I fought to catch my breath. The fumes from the missile filled my lungs and I was choking. The air cleared and I was able to breath. I saw nothing, and I doubted that I got a good photo. Vic Scoggins was up there when I took the shot, I remember him saying that there was no way I got a picture of the missile.

I went back to the compartment, a bit upset that I dropped my lens. I changed the lens back to the old faithful 50mm lens. I rewound and removed the film from the camera and put it all in my locker. I forgot all about the film and did not get it developed.

Later that year we were on our way to the Indian Ocean. This was after the hostage situation in Iran had been resolved. I was up for discharge four months into the tour, so I started packing up the ole sea bag. As I was packing I found a roll of film that had been rewound. I had no idea at the time what it was, in the bag it went, and homeward bound I was.

I got home in November of 1981, the roll of film ended up in a dresser drawer until spring of 1982, when I was cleaning out the drawer and found the roll of film once again. I decided then to take it to DuPage Photo to be developed. When I got there I told Jim that I had no idea what was on the roll, and to let me know when he got it back.

Two days later Jim calls from DuPage Photo, tells me to come down to the store right away that he got my film back. I asked him what was up because he sounded a bit excited. He told me that there was only one picture on the roll of film, but it was a good one.

I jump in the car and got there in record time, I ran into the store, Jim saw me coming and had the envelope in his hands. He hands it to me, I open it, and the picture above is what I saw. I was so excited, I had reprints and enlargements made. Then I remembered what Vic told me, then I looked at the picture again, and in my mind I was telling ole Vic Scoggins you were wrong, I got that picture. I got it!