VFA-97 Returns After Five Years in Marine Corps UDP
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS091124-13
Release Date: 11/24/2009 3:40:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class J.D. Levite, USS Nimitz Public Affairs
USS NIMITZ, Gulf of Oman (NNS) -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 is no stranger to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), but in 2004 they began deploying with the Marine Corps through the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), which meant learning a new set of rules and leaving behind key elements like carrier-based landing.
In 2009, VFA-97 rejoined Nimitz for her Western Pacific deployment, the squadron was forced to adopt those rules all over again and retrain everyone faster than ever before to be able to provide direct support to coalition forces during Operation Enduring Freedom.
"Becoming a Navy squadron again was a challenge," said Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AW) Matthew Hawes, leading petty officer of VFA-97's line shack. "We had to take the Marine Corps rules we were used to and throw them away to get used to a whole new way the Navy does business. Going out to sea, doing constant drills and learning that no-fly days are actually not days off are all part of the basic ship-life things 80 percent of our squadron had no experience with."
These Sailors had to adapt to a lot of challenges, from a new living arrangements in the ship's berthing to dealing with a permanent lack of space for their aircraft, and for some of them the task required a fundamental change in thinking.
"Coming from the Unit Deployment Program to the ship was a whole different ballgame," said Lt. Ashley Bower, a pilot assigned to VFA-97. "As a UDP squadron, the instance of taking off and landing was simple, but now that we're on a carrier it's the most dangerous part of the mission."
The pilots spent a significant amount of time in the air during workup cycles, committing themselves to a lot of practice to earn their carrier qualifications. The long hours paid off for them because they turned their squadron from shore-based to sea-based in record time.
"This is the first squadron to be on a ship, then spend four years deployed to a shore command, and then come back and within one workup cycle achieve third place in the air wing's [CVW-11] landing grades," said Lt. Tommy Kalwicz, a pilot assigned to VFA -97.
Seven pilots had to transition from UDP to Nimitz, and while that means a lot of work for those officers, the squadron has a lot more than seven pilots. Sailors move on to new locations all the time, which means even while the veterans learned something new they had a whole class of new pilots and new maintenance men that had to learn everything as well.
"Every new facet is even more challenging," said Bower. "Even as we learn all new qualifications we have to train all new people. Every launch takes a team to make it happen, and for us it comes together every time.
"The thing with these challenges during the transition is that overall we've done so much better than anyone could've expected us to do, and we've had no major instances," added Hawes.
Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Rick Mathis has only been with the squadron since April, but he sees that same work ethic reflected in their daily lives aboard Nimitz.
"As a former engineer, I thought engineers worked hard, but these young Sailors don't take any breaks. Even compared to other ships, there are no days off here. They don't stop. I've been so impressed since coming to this command and seeing how hard these aviation commands work."
VFA-97 is a regular part of Nimitz Carrier Air Wing 11 now, and they've gotten to this point by working hard and working together. They've overcome every challenge thrown at them since returning to sea life, and now stand out as leaders for other squadrons to aspire to.
"We call ourselves Team Warhawk because that's how I want these Sailors to operate," said Mathis. "These are the best Sailors I've ever seen and I've worked with a lot of people over the years. We set the example."
Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.
Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.
Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10).
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States' commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity.
For more news from USS Nimitz (CVN 68), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn68/.
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