Intruder Baby

I’m Dirk Plantinga, son of Terry Plantinga (1943-2011) who was an Intruder B/N for VA-65 He made a Westpac cruise  aboard USS Kitty Hawk in 1968-69. 

I was born at NAS Pensacola in 1967, while my dad was in training.  My mom, Jenifer (1943-1987), was the family hero.  As a child, my mom knew her life would be cut short by a heart defect that couldn’t be fixed.   She chose to live a vibrant and ambitious life, as we followed my dad, in the Navy and afterwards, to places that were never far from a war zone. During one of those adventures, my mom’s heart gave out at the age of 43.

Years later, after my dad’s death, I wanted to know more than what he told me about his time in the Navy.  I combed through his Navy record and other documents.  Thankfully, I became friends with many former members of VA-65, both the officers and the maintainers.  My purpose broadened and became a passion for attracting future generations to the history of the Intruder and the stories of those in the A6 Community.

I’ve recorded dozens of interviews with Intruder Squadron members. I’m always amazed how former A6 crews recall the answers to real NATOPS quiz questions, even as they show me their copy that’s been in a box for all these years. The maintainers I’ve interviewed still love discussing what every rivet, pin and panel meant on an A6. Everyone I talk with agrees the Intruder was an incredible weapons delivery system.

I’ve digitized thousands of slides that had been in storage for decades. These images are pieces of Intruder history and family history that are sparking memories and conversations.