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Carrier Qualifications Key to Successful Deployment

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040127-12

Release Date: 1/27/2004 6:12:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW) John Osborne, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), conducted carrier qualifications during the first three days of the strike group's deployment.

The GW Strike Group deployed Jan. 20 from Norfolk.

"Carrier qualifications are a necessity for CVW-7 pilots and also the ship's crew, in order to acquire the needed level of proficiency for launching and recovering aircraft in preparation for combat operations," said Cmdr. Kevin Ruce, GW's operations officer. "Air wing maintenance personnel and George Washington flight deck personnel are completing their requirements to ensure the GW/CVW-7 team is ready on call when our nation requires power projection ashore."

CVW-7 pilots have not flown off a carrier since GW returned to Norfolk after a successful Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) more than a month ago. The pilots are required to complete arrested landings and catapult launches in accordance with Naval Aviation Training and Operating Procedures. This requirement is one that was welcomed by the pilots of CVW-7.

"Taking off and landing on a carrier is a perishable skill, and it needs to be constantly practiced," said Lt. Cmdr. Tom "Piglet" Robson, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 "Wildcats." "From the moment we are 'blue water' qualified, we are expected to be able to come out here and land at any time, under any conditions, without a divert field. If we never practiced, we could do it, but it would be ugly."

During the three days of flying, nearly 100 pilots became carrier qualified. Among that number is Lt. j.g. Dave "SH8" Cassalia of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 "Knighthawks." Cassalia is making his first deployment, and candidly acknowledged the challenges landing on a carrier presents, especially at night.

"It takes every ounce of courage to make an arrested landing on a carrier," he said. "Coming in for a landing, the ship starts to look real small, and it requires an intense focus to get it right."

That focus and these days of carrier qualifications are also essential for the men and women on the flight deck and behind the scenes, whom the pilots depend on to get them in the air and back on the deck safely. From the landing signal officers who serve as the pilots' safety net, to the trapping crew, arresting gear operators, helmsman steering the ship and aircraft maintenance personnel, all must come together to form a cohesive team that can complete the mission.

"One of the great things about the Navy is that we all work together to make it happen," Cassalia said. "The men and women on the ground have been so impressive, and it couldn't be done without them."