• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Air Wing Training Resumes at Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030520-14

Release Date: 5/20/2003 2:34:00 PM

From Journalist 3rd Class Jason Tross, Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center Public Affairs

FALLON, Nev. (NNS) -- For months, the skies over Fallon have been relatively quiet. But, that has recently changed.

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, the first air wing since late December of last year to come to Fallon, Nev., for training, arrived Apr. 6 in preparation for its next deployment aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

The air wing began training April 7 with early morning briefs, followed by the roar of jets conducting sorties into the night. CVW-1 is scheduled to continue a similar training routine through mid-May.

"The purpose of coming to NSAWC (Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center) is to prepare us for what lies ahead in combat," said Lt. Kevin Rob, a pilot assigned to VF (Fighter Squadron) 211, one of two F-14 squadrons attached to CVW-1.

"The training we receive here is better than any other place in the world," said Rob.

With hundreds of square miles of range area and air space, air crews get a rare opportunity to test their ability to work as a team before their deployment, and that is why this is the best training in the world, according to Rob.

Before coming to Naval Air Station Fallon ranges, each squadron trains individually to teach each pilot the individual aspects of their risky trade.

Now they are working together with the other squadrons in the air wing for the first time. The mission is to put together a successful strike package using all available assets.

"As with anything, you have to learn to work together as a team to accomplish a mission. If you don't have this training, your chances of success in combat will be much lower," said Rob.

Lessons learned by CVW-1 members will be used in the remainder of Operation Iraqi Freedom and future contingency operations.

"Training here is like pre-season," said Rob. "Leaving here, we will be prepared and confident we can succeed in the real big game."