VFA-213 'Blacklions' Declared "Safe for Flight"
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061103-20
Release Date: 11/3/2006 4:23:00 PM
By Cathy Heimer, Naval Air Station Oceana Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Following seven months of training and inspections, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 officially was declared “Safe for Flight” Oct. 27, during a briefing at the “Blacklions’” hangar by Commander, Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Capt. John McCandlish, his staff and Carrier Air Wing 8 Deputy Commander, Capt. Daniel Dixon.
The squadron began their transition from Fighter Squadron (VF) 213, flying the F-14 Tomcat, to flying the the F/A-18 Super Hornet as VFA-213, following their return from deployment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) in March.
“We’ve been very impressed with the Blacklions’ maintenance department. We evaluated 42 maintenance programs. Of those, 37 were on track, only five need more attention and you had zero off track programs,” said Strike Fighter Wing Maintenance Officer Cmdr. Chris Kennedy, adding the squadron had already corrected the remaining five programs.
“Five (inspections needing more attention) is right on par and you’re one of the top squadrons that we’ve seen in the Safe for Flight. No off track is outstanding!” said Kennedy.
He praised several Blacklion Sailors by name for their outstanding work completing the inspections.
“It was an awesome inspection,” said Kennedy.
“Your challenge is to keep this squadron where it is today and make it even better. This is a start for a ‘new squadron.’ Continue to improve the process and continue to look at your programs, continue to make them better,” said Kennedy.
The commodore then presented VFA-213 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Dan Cave with a copy of the message declaring the Blacklions Safe for Flight.
Cave first thanked the commodore and his team for their support not just during the transition, but during the final deployment of the Tomcats, noting how the squadron had everything they needed to keep their Tomcats flying up until the transition. Cave then praised his entire squadron for their “outstanding work” in completing the transition.
Cave was not surprised by the results of the inspections. “I have every bit of confidence in these guys and gals. I saw their hard work and knew we would do well,” he said.
Cave, who’s proud to admit “I loved the Tomcat,” also finds many things about the new Super Hornets that makes flying them enjoyable.
“It’s a great airplane. This aircraft is going to take us into the future and we’re going to be able to do things we’ve only dreamed of before. We’re going to grow and become even better,” he said.
VFA-213 Master Chief Aviation Maintenance (AVCM) (AW) Bill Herron was also not surprised by the inspection results.
“It was an awesome job by everybody! These guys busted their butts for the last few months. There was no doubt we would do well,” said Herron.
Although the weather Oct. 27 pushed back the traditional “first flight” following earning Safe for Flight, the squadron celebrated with a cake and cookout in their hangar. By noon Oct. 30, the Blacklion aviators were able to celebrate with an official first flight.
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