1,000th Trap for Enterprise Underway
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS030521-07
Release Date: 5/22/2003 1:55:00 AM
By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, USS Enterprise Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Most aircraft carriers usually achieve their 1,000th arrested landing a few weeks after starting an overseas deployment. USS Enterprise (CVN 65) achieved this milestone nine days after completing sea trials.
The 1,000th arrested landing, or trap, happened on arresting gear wire #3, with aircraft "Joker" 204, an F/A-18C Hornet from Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 34 Blue Blasters, piloted by Lt. Cmdr. Doug Verissimo.
Lt. Dave C. Baker, detachment officer-in-charge for VFA-81 Sunliners, representing the squadrons aboard Enterprise during this Carrier Qualifications phase, congratulated the "gear dogs" on their accomplishment.
"It is important for us (pilots) to get this training, to keep current on our qualifications," the East Hampton, N.Y., native said. "We really appreciate the work you do."
Capt. Eric C. Neidlinger, Enterprise commanding officer, echoed his sentiments.
"As a young lieutenant, I didn't realize all the hard work that goes into every arrested landing," he said. "It's amazing the amount of maintenance and hard work that goes into maintaining the gear, day in and day out. "The work is dirty, hard and they do it great!"
The ship's Reactor Officer, Cmdr. Matthew Sharpe, came up to congratulate the arresting gear team on this amazing accomplishment. "The reason we exist is to fly airplanes," he said. "You guys do it better and better every day."
Capt. Mike Barea, Enterprise's air boss, put it simply, "Let history remember the name Enterprise."
Neidlinger credited the training done during Enterprise's 16-month shipyard period to the level of readiness demonstrated by the entire air department. "The training you did made the difference," he stated. "It set the tone for Enterprise coming back to sea."
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
