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IHO: David (AFLAK) USMC Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

GmaGpa2000: Unfortunately efforts to save the Museum have failed. I have retrieved the cache and the TBs that were in it. Bonnav Navy Travel Tag TB830YZ was not in the cache.

AFLAK II will open once I find a suitable location.

Thanks to all 135 who visited.

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Hidden : 7/12/2015
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This is the 6th in a series of family dedicated caches. The other 5 are (GC4ey4r, GC4ezya, GC4h40g, GC4ke3m, and GC59TEP). We had hoped to get this cache published prior to return of our son and family from a three year tour in Okinawa and certainly before his birthday, but procrastination, trying to find an appropriate spot that wasn't saturated and getting approval slowed us down. A special Thanks to the Museum Director for granting approval.


As with previous family caches we can't help but brag and give some background on the honoree of this cache.  The birth of our first child certainly was a blessed event and although he was born a couple of weeks late he managed to enter the world two days before the 1975 All-Star game allowing Gpa to attend (tickets $4 , for bleachers).  Yes he is old.

David's childhood as the son of a Marine required frequent moves and schools.  He met those challenges and excelled every time.  His athletic and academic achievements certainly made us proud and kept us on our toes to try and keep up.  (we didn't).   He earned an International Baccalaureate degree while in High School and his dedication to Cross Country Running and Baseball rounded out his high school years.

He attended the University of Illinois and earned an Aerospace and Aeronautical engineering degree and joined the Marine Corps. He also managed to meet and marry the most wonderful girl on campus.

As a Marine he served first as an Artillery Officer making many deployments overseas.  He then competed and was one of four officers chosen for flight school.  After earning his wings as a Naval Flight Officer in the F/A-18D and getting his call sign of "AFLAK"  he again deployed many times including a Combat Tour in the Middle East.

His latest assignment as Air Officer for a Marine Expeditionary Brigade led to numerous Humanitarian and Disaster Relief deployments including the recent Typhoon in the Philippines and the Earthquake in Tibet.  His coolness under difficult circumstances and professionalism resulted in the saving of many lives. 

We are glad he is now stationed in California and this cache is not far from his office.  The cache is ONLY available when the museum is open, ADMISSION IS ALWAYS FREE FOR ALL AGES, OPEN 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.(Closed Monday & Federal Holidays )be sure to check for current operating hours by going to https://www.flyingleathernecks.org/

For Cachers with children try to go on a day with open cockpit tours.

This museum is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the incredible contributions made by Marine Corps aviators and their ground support personnel.

You can view an inspiring you-tube video about WWII pilots and the Aircraft at the museum with the following link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDt1H2M7Zlo&feature=youtu.be

A special thanks to Museum personnel for allowing this cache to be placed on site and inside to protect it from muggles. Stealth should still be taken as it is always a trait of geocachers. This cache is NOT accessible from the Base. The Museum entrance is a separate entrance open to the public from Miramar Road. Cache is an ammo can in plain sight and clearly identified. Trust your GPS unit if it indicates the cache is inside the Museum bldg. Before placing the cache we made sure we could get a signal inside on my Garmin Oregon and Gma's cell. Should any cacher have difficulties with signal we have posted a spoiler photo. Hey, this is a 1/1. In keeping with one of Geocaching's main goals our hope is to encourage geocachers to experience places they may have never known about and this Museum is truly a gem of San Diego. FTF goodies labeled inside the cache.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Tb jura gur Zhfrhz vf bcra gb gur choyvp. Frrx naq lr funyy FRR vg. OGJ Frrzf nf vs guvf pnpur unf ghearq va gb n GO ubgry fb oevat lbhe ohtf sbe genqr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)