“Bullet 01”
In Memory of CDR L. Scott “Scooter” Lamoreaux, USN (9 Jun 1956 -18 Feb 1996); former CO of VF-2 “Bounty Hunters”
This build was different because it was intensely personal.  We met at Aviation Indoc in Pensacola  and became fast friends.  From there through our graduation and community selection (Scott to fighters, me to Hawkeyes) we pushed and challenged one another to our best.  If we weren't quizzing each other on blindfold checks in the back of a spare T-2C, you'd find us back at the BOQ or beach (along with Bags and RickW) quizzing each other on EP’s and key technical data for the beloved “Thunder Guppy” we were learning in at VT-10.  And if not there, then as likely to be found exploring the happy coincidence of long, deserted stretches of asphalt on an (1978) undeveloped P-cola beach in a variety of sports cars we all drove.  Lots of stories, all too numerous for here (and I think the Statute of Limitations have finally expired on the last of them, lol).  Our last flight in the T-2 pitted the two of us, by now in the top 3 in the class, against each other in basic 1v1 ACM.
  And it was epic - Scott took the first engagement, I the second and the third and final was a draw (and the Instructor pilots were having a blast too).
  Soon thereafter, I was off to Norfolk and ultimately my first squadron and Scott off to Japan for a tour in F-4s off Midway before transitioning to the big jet.  We joined back up for a couple days in the IO during our ‘80 deployment off Iran when he came over for a visit to IKE.
  In the ensuing years, the Navy did its best to ensure we were on separate coasts or on deployment when one or the other happened to be on the opposite coast for a brief TAD, such was life in the 1980’s Navy…
…and so it was with a gut punch that as I was finishing my command tour in VAW-122 that I learned of Scott’s passing.  He was in his post-command tour and was catching a flight whose mission was to fly a supersonic ASCM profile.  One minute they were there, the next the big jet just disappeared, and we lost a husband, father, friend, patriot…
  It has been said the sea is a cruel mistress and the sky above equally unyielding.  Those of us who have traveled both via naval aviation have an especially strong bond having shared in that challenging environment.  This is my small tribute -remembering a good friend and all those we have flown wing on who left us all too early.

1/72 GWH VF-2 F-14D