VFA-27 Reaches Safety Milestone
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS091121-09
Release Date: 11/21/2009 4:12:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) John J. Mike, USS George Washington (CVN 73) Public Affairs
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, at sea (NNS) -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 reached a naval aviation milestone Nov. 13 by flying its 100,000th hour without a Class "A" mishap.
"The Royal Maces," of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 have gone more than 24 years without an incident causing loss of life or permanent disability to a Sailor or damage to an aircraft exceeding $1,000,000.
"I was honored to be a part of this accomplishment, but we can't take full credit as this feat stretches two decades and three different models of aircraft," said VFA-27 Executive Officer Cmdr. Fitzhugh Lee.
Commander, CVW-5 Capt. Ross Myers attributes the Royal Maces' success to the dedication and professionalism of a well-run organization.
"Safety is a byproduct of doing the right thing," Myers said. "Accomplishments like these only happen when everyone in the command, from the most junior Sailor to the skipper, are doing their jobs to the best of their abilities."
A significant achievement, VFA-27 kept the event low key by not holding a cake-cutting ceremony or informing the aviator who logged the 100,000th hour beforehand.
"I found out it was me when I showed up to my jet and there were a bunch of photographers around," said Lt. Chris Snyder.
After safely landing his F/A-18E Super Hornet aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73), Snyder said he was a benefactor of a team effort spanning almost a quarter century.
"I was honored to be the one, but safety is engrained into the Royal Mace culture and my flight was just business as usual," Snyder said.
Lee said the credit for the squadron's accomplishment belongs to more than the aviators who fly the aircraft; the Sailors performing maintenance, safety checks and ensuring the safe launch and recovery of aircraft deserve equal recognition.
"The ones working on the flight deck and the hangar bay are the foundation of this milestone," he said. "We can't fly our planes without them."
CVW-5 is the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed air wing and is currently embarked aboard GW.
The GW/CVW-5 team is currently participating in ANNUALEX 21G, a yearly, bilateral exercise between the U.S. Navy and Japan Self Defense Force.
GW, commanded by Capt. David A. Lausman, is the flagship of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GW CSG), which is commanded by Rear Adm. Kevin M. Donegan. GW departed its forward-deployed port of Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan Oct. 6 on its second fall deployment as the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed carrier presence. The GW CSG consists of CVW-5, Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15), and the guided missile cruisers USS Shiloh (CG 67) and USS Cowpens (CG 63).
For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.
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