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JFK Sailors Help Student Aviators Complete CQs

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040427-02

Release Date: 4/27/2004 9:37:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Tyce Velde, USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs

ABOARD USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (NNS) -- Student aviators from Naval Training Command (TRACOM) finished their carrier qualifications on the flight deck of USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) April 18.

Carrier qualifications, or CQs, are the final test for TRACOM aviators. After completing 900 arrested landings, including 251 in a single day, a total of 53 students qualified as naval aviators aboard JFK.

Most say the CQ period was a lot of fun, but also admit that it was a bit scary at times.

"I was terrified. I really didn't know what to think," said Ensign Paul Oyer, a newly qualified aviator from Training Squadron 21. "As you roll into the groove for the first time, the ship comes around the corner, and you're looking at this little landing area. You totally default to your training."

Kennedy Sailors--from engineering to air department--pulled together to help these pilots finish their training. When these motivated and skilled Sailors do their jobs well, and the Kennedy flight deck runs smoothly, it puts the new trainees at ease, said Oyer.

"The first time I pulled out of the landing area, I was looking for someone to tell me what to do, because I didn't have the slightest clue," he said. "There are all these people and everyone's wearing different colors. It's pretty amazing how they're able to coordinate with everything that's going on out there and keep everyone safe."

The first voice students heard from a Kennedy Sailor came from the controllers in the carrier's air traffic control center, or CATCC. The members of the CATCC crew were there to safely guide the aircraft to and from the ship, said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Russell Hedrick.

"We introduce them to a new environment," added Air Traffic Controller 1st Class (AW) Jason Bottino. "We monitor the airways around them, make sure they're a safe distance apart, and get them safely to the ship. After they launch, we give them a heading and point them on their way home."

Almost 3,000 JFK Sailors helped make this milestone possible for the new pilots.