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Kitty Hawk Displays Air Power

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031208-16

Release Date: 12/8/2003 5:50:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Christopher Koons, USS Kitty Hawk Public Affairs

USS KITTY HAWK, At Sea (NNS) -- The Sailors of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) work together every day to ensure flight operations conducted from the ship are a success. Nov. 25, the team joined for an impressive display in the form of an air power demonstration.

"These demonstrations are rehearsals for when the air wing performs in future air shows, where they'll do fly-bys and formations," said Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) (AW) Michael Berry of air department's V-1 division.

According to Berry, aerial demonstrations such as this offer spectators a chance to see Navy air crews at their best. "There are no special effects involved, just air crews doing their flying," he said.

Air department personnel play an important role in these demonstrations, according to Berry.

"The whole flight deck crew is involved," said Berry. "Air department personnel have to make sure the planes are off the deck and in the air for their formations at the exact scheduled times," he said.

The demonstration practice lasted an hour and featured some of the air wing's most advanced aircraft, according to Lt. j.g. Nathan Johnson, of CVW-5. "We used six F/A-18 Hornets, one EA-6B Prowler, one E-2 Hawkeye, one S-3 Viking and one SH-60 helicopter," described Johnson.

The Hornets provided some of the most impressive sights, said Johnson. "Four Hornets conducted bombing simulations, while two did aerobatic demonstrations."

Sailors and special guests from Guam who attended the air power demonstration witnessed substantial aerial might, commented Johnson. "Two Hornets dropped live 500-pound bombs into the water and conducted strafing runs with their 20-mm cannons," he said.

Other aircraft also performed aerobatic maneuvers, said Johnson. "A Prowler plugged into a Viking for a refueling demonstration. There was also a four-plane diamond formation with three Hornets and one Prowler."

Lt. Adrian Turner, Kitty Hawk's flight deck officer, had positive words for the flight deck crew. "They did a superb job. They accomplished everything they had to do."

According to Turner, air power demonstrations serve a vital role for the ship. "They display our aerial might for distinguished visitors and others who are interested," he said.

Turner, who coordinated the launching of the aircraft for the practice, said he was enthusiastic about the demonstration. "Every time we conduct flight operations is exciting for me," he said.