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Maulers An Important Asset to CVW-1

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051106-05
Release Date: 11/6/2005 10:57:00 PM

By Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Michael Stokely, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- The Maulers of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 32 embarked aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Oct. 26 to assist the carrier during the ship's Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA).

Based out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., the squadron consists of roughly 255 Sailors, with 40 officers and more than 200 enlisted.

According to Lt. j.g. Jamie Tilden, naval flight officer (NFO) with the squadron, the Maulers and their S-3B Viking aircraft provide an important platform for the benefit of Big E.

“We are still a major platform in in-flight refueling,” said Tilden. “But besides that, we also have a substantial on-board radar electronic countermeasures system. We radar flood all around the battle group and can pick up contacts and pass them back to the ship via our data link. We are also a weapons platform for the Harpoon Missile, the Maverick Missile, and the SLAM-ER (Stand-off Land Attack Missile - Extended Response). We are the first fleet squadron to successfully employ a SLAM-ER.”

Tilden explained that during flight refueling missions, they fly with a crew of two; a pilot and an NFO. However, for radar and weapon deployment missions, they fly with a crew of three; a pilot, a COTAC (co-pilot/tactical coordinator), and a TACCO (Tactics Coordinator).

Although the S-3B has multiple capabilities, Tilden says that the Maulers are mainly providing fuel for the aircraft aboard.

“We’re mostly the flying gas station for Big E, but that’s good; the jets need fuel. We pride ourselves in doing that," he said. "It is not really a glamorous job, but it is a job that is very important."

Besides the pilots and officers efficiently fueling the other aircraft, the Maulers’ airmen are a big part of making it all run smoothly.

“Our airmen are working very hard. They are constantly striving to get the aircraft airborne," Tilden said. "Every airman in the squadron is constantly doing something, from turning wrenches to cleaning the aircraft.”

According to Airman Matthew Jones of VS-32, the pilots appreciate the airmen’s hard work.

“The pilots always talk to us and ask us how we are doing,” said Jones. “They make you feel like you’re more than just an airman, and sometimes that is the best thing you can do.”

Maulers’ airmen have been learning and performing on the flight deck, as well.

“From what I’ve seen, being in the jet and on the deck, everybody seems to be doing well,” said Tilden. “We have a lot of new guys who haven’t been on a carrier before, so the learning curve is huge right now, but every day it seems things are running smoother. Our guys and the Enterprise guys and the air wing are starting to work together well, and it is becoming a well-oiled machine.”

According to Tilden, their Sailors are excited to be here preparing for the upcoming deployment.

“We had a very successful detachment to South America doing counter-drug operations, but that is the only operational stuff a lot of the guys have seen,” said Tilden. “I think being part of the global war on terrorism is going to mean a lot to a lot of people.

“I think I can speak for everybody in the squadron saying we’re excited to get going and to do the job we were trained for,” he added.