VAQ-129 Rocks Major EA-18G Inspection
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS080807-13
Release Date: 8/7/2008 3:32:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tucker M. Yates, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest
OAK HARBOR, Wash. (NNS) -- The first Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency Inspection (CWTPI) for a fleet EA-18G Growler was conducted on Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island, July 25.
VAQ 129 received a 'satisfactory with an outstanding' rating July 30 in 12 of the 13 points during the inspection for a fleet EA-18G Growler July 30.
The inspection was the culmination of six weeks of preparation since the arrival of the first Growler, dubbed G-4, to NAS Whidbey Island June 3.
Inspectors from the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) and Commander, Electronic Attack Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, (CVWP) judged the proficiency of both aviation electronics technicians (AT) and aviation ordnancemen (AO) through the process of prepping an aircraft for, and loading, ordnance.
Three members of Strike Fighter Weapons School Pacific, in NAS Lemoore, Calif., who are familiar with the inspection for F-18 E/F Super Hornet variants, observed the event for a comparison between the processes for the different variants.
"We train the AOs and ATs in release control checks and aircraft weapons loading," said Chief Aviation Ordnanceman (AW) Eddie Fry, of EAWS.
"Once they come through our course, whenever they're ready to work through their tech assist and CWTPI to make sure they're qualified and safe to load ordnance and properly perform their release control checks, we come over and make sure of just that.
"Once we're satisfied ... we take our report and send it to the wing (CVWP) and EAWS does a debrief. If they're successful at that point, they are safe for flight," said Fry.
The aircraft was prepped and loaded with two AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming Systems, two Captive Air Training Missile (CATM) 88 high-speed anti-radiation missiles, a CATM 120 advanced medium-range air-to-air missile(AMRAAM), and ALE-47 countermeasure dispenser systems which is a typical combat load, minus the fuel tanks, for the aircraft.
This was the first NAS Whidbey Island aircraft to facilitate an AMRAAM with its LAU-116 cheek station launchers. This allows for defensive air-to-air capability which the EA-6B Prowler, (the aircraft the EA-18G is replacing), never had without being escorted by other aircraft.
"For the ATs, we're making sure we know the jet's [pods] are acting as they're supposed to and when the pilots release the weapons they'll do as they're supposed to and everything works properly," said Chief Aviation Electronics Technician (AW) Aaron Dickerson, of VAQ-129.
"The AOs are going through weapons inspections and they're actual load procedures. Then, the aircrew will come out and we'll go through the arm/de-arm procedures while making sure the whole evolution is a safe process."
The CWTPI is the first of two phases making the aircraft safe for flight. The second phase is a maintenance program assist conducted by CVWP checking the administrative and operational proficiency of VAQ-129's maintenance programs to ensure safety and proper procedures with their aircraft.
"If you were here about two months ago you'd be amazed, because the crew did outstanding, they showed vast improvement from when we started," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW/SW) Gerald Jackson, of VAQ-129, the positional authority for the AO portion of the inspection.
"I can't tell you guys how proud I am, because we are doing something that is really transformational," said Capt. Brad Russell, commodore of CVWP. "We are doing a transition in this squadron while we are continuing to provide electronic attack to combatant and fleet commanders."
For more news from Commander, Navy Region Northwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrnw/
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