Pilot's First Mission Aboard Stennis
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070413-15
Release Date: 4/13/2007 2:13:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs
USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- Lt. Steven Neebe of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) began his first missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in late February. But this isn't where his journey to become a Navy pilot began; it started when he was a child.
“When I was little, I wanted to become a fireman; and then I changed my mind and wanted to be a pilot,” said Neebe. “Of course my mother was very disappointed. If you go from fireman to pilot, you’re not improving a whole lot for your mom.”
Even though Neebe’s mother couldn’t help worrying for her son, he trained to be a pilot for more than three years before he flew his first mission aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
“It was something I always wanted to do,” said Neebe. “Flying fascinated me at the time, and I could not pass up the unique challenge when I was given the chance.”
Today, Neebe is a “nugget” among his peers and has piloted an F/A-18C Hornet for seven missions in support of OEF over Afghanistan. A nugget is a junior pilot on his first cruise aboard an aircraft carrier.
“As a nugget, they don’t necessarily expect an enormous amount out of you,” said Neebe. “They just expect us to learn a whole lot during the entire process.”
Neebe’s training has been extensive, even prior to embarking aboard Stennis. Neebe completed more than 500 flight hours in several Navy pilot schools. He also completed more than 300 simulated carrier landings on land before completing his first actual landing on board a carrier at sea.
“It’s intimidating landing on a carrier for the first time,” said Neebe. “Fortunately, I have a lot of people helping me out and keeping me safe. It’s definitely an experience to fly over the water for the first time.”
Prior to supporting OEF, Neebe trained on several different mission scenarios while Stennis was en route to the North Arabian Sea, completing carrier qualifications and practicing combat missions over Hawaii and Guam. When Stennis arrived in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Neebe was prepared to fly his first mission in support of OEF.
Neebe flew with his Commanding Officer Cmdr. Daniel Cheever on a simple flight patrol over an Afghanistan highway. They were diverted to respond to an engagement between U.S. Army Soldiers and Taliban forces.
“The mission was surprisingly similar to all the training we did in Hawaii, Guam and on our way over, which is a good thing,” said Neebe. “The training we did made it easier for us to support our troops on the ground.”
Neebe and Cheever successfully completed that mission.
“It was good to help those guys,” said Neebe. “You could hear it in their voice, how happy they were that we were there to support them.”
Neebe said in another mission over Afghanistan, while he was communicating with coalition forces, he heard gunfire in the background over the radio.
“The [ground forces] were taking casualties for a couple of days as they were targeting several Taliban locations,” said Neebe.
After six hours of patrol, Neebe flew back to the carrier knowing he helped to defeat the enemy and prevent casualties to coalition troops supporting ground operations.
“Supporting the guys on the ground is what we were there to do,” said Neebe.
Aboard Stennis, Neebe still writes home every day to his parents reassuring them of his safety.
“I think mother still worries a little bit, which is expected, but she is proud that I made the choices I wanted to make,” said Neebe.
Stennis entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations Feb. 19 to provide support for ground forces operating in Afghanistan as well as conduct maritime security operations (MSO) in regional waters.
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
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