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Two traps on TR; CAG Eight Hits 1000, CO Lands His Last

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030522-09

Release Date: 5/22/2003 4:07:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Jessica Benigni, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Eight, Capt. David Newland, completed his 1,000th carrier arrested landing aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) May 19 in a Fighter Squadron 213 "Blacklions" F-14D Tomcat.

Newland was immediately followed on deck by TR Commanding Officer Capt. Richard O'Hanlon's 101st and last landing on TR in a Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 "War Party" F/A-18C Hornet.

Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 8 Rear Adm. John Harvey, Jr. presented Newland with a congratulatory 1,000th trap plaque. Newland then presented O'Hanlon with a plaque for his last trap aboard America's "Big Stick." O'Hanlon, a Rear Admiral selectee, is scheduled to leave TR in June.

Newland (call sign "Newly") has accumulated more than 4,200 flight hours in more than six different aircraft in his 22-year aviation career.

"This is a personal achievement for me," said Newland. "Not many people reach 1,000 traps, so this is very significant for me, personally." TR's Executive Officer Capt. Terry Kraft called Newland's 1,000th trap a "career milestone" in his announcement of the landing over TR's 1-MC.

"Completing 1,000 traps is pretty special. It is something everybody likes to see, and we're just doing what we love to do. fly," said Newland.

"Not a single launch or recovery could happen without the immense amount of hard work on the part of the flight deck crew, Air Department, Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department, the squadron and in the maintenance departments," said O'Hanlon. "They work so hard to get, not only my 101st and last flights, but every sortie, every mission, and every launch and recovery on this great ship. It takes tremendous teamwork among the TR crew and CVW Eight," he said.

Hailing from Portsmouth, Va., Newland is the son of a Navy "Mustang." He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles, and received his commission through Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps in March 1980. After completing Naval Flight Officer training, he has served with Fighter Squadron (VF) 128, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.; as a Tomahawk Project Flight Test Officer; with Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126, then assigned to TR and aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during Operation Desert Fox. Newland assumed the duties of Deputy Commander, Carrier Air Wing Eight in October 2002, and since has moved up to CAG.

O'Hanlon became the eighth commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on March 22, 2001. He is a 1976 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and was designated a Naval Aviator in September 1977. He has served with Attack Squadron (VA) 46, VFA 132, Staff Strike Operations Officer with Carrier Air Wing 3 and VFA 37. He was USS Carl Vinson's Executive Officer and commanding officer of USS Sacramento (AOE 1) before coming to TR. He also has served at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, Md., Executive Assistant to the Chief of Legislative Affairs, Washington, D.C., and Chief of Staff, Commander, Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

TR and CVW Eight are still conducting flight operations during their journey home to Norfolk, Va.