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GW Welcomes Back Old Friends With New Technology

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060216-13
Release Date: 2/16/2006 4:02:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jennifer Crowell, USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- As USS George Washington (CVN 73) (GW) Sailors ramped up operations with carrier qualifications and cyclic operations during their recent underway Jan. 31 - Feb. 16, crew members welcomed two squadrons back to GW.

The Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 “Red Rippers” and the Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 “Bluetails” returned to the ship as members of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17. Both squadrons were part of CVW-7 and were aboard during the 2004 deployment.

“It’s good to be back on board,” said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Fuels David Ellingson, VAW-121’s maintenance master chief.

The Red Rippers arrived aboard with new F/A-18F Super Hornets. For VFA-11’s Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class David Birdsong, there is a significant difference between the Super Hornet and the retired F-14 Tomcat.

“We don’t have the push-pull rods we had in the Tomcat,” he said. “It’s all fly by wire, which makes it a lot easier for rigging the aircraft.”

The push-pull wires in the Tomcats ran from the controls to the rudders, which could take hours to rig an aircraft. However, rigging a Superhornet can take just under 10 minutes.

“It’s more time consuming for the Tomcat compared to the Superhornet,” he explained.

While maintenance crews adjusted to the structural differences between the aircraft, pilots also had to adjust to differences inside the cockpit.

“The biggest difference between the two is that the backseat pilot has different responsibilities,” said Lt. j.g. Michelle Okrasinski, a weapons systems operator with VFA-11. “There are more controls available to both seats, so you really have to work with the front crew so you’re not fighting over the controls.”

The Bluetails also returned to the ship with their own upgrade: new propellers on their E-2C Hawkeye aircraft.

“We used to have a four-prop system,” said Lt. Keith Schroeder, a pilot with the Bluetails. “We’ve now modified our aircraft with an eight-blade prop system.”

“The props are more mechanic-friendly, more reliable and more efficient,” Ellingson said. “The crews really like the new props.”

Although maintaining the new propellers is easier than before, Ellingson stresses Sailors need to be just as careful on the flight deck.

“Sailors need to pay a little more attention to their surroundings,” Ellingson said.

As part of the air wing, these two squadrons will be with GW for its operations throughout the year.