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CVW-5 Targets Readiness

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS130817-03
8/17/2013

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Heavin, Commander, Task Force 70 Public Affairs

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 embarked aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) maintained its continuum of readiness during their 2013 patrol by conducting several training missions to include live ammunition on the Okino Daito Jima (ODJ) bombing range in the vicinity of Japan, Aug. 15-16.

'ODJ training is useful because it is a target that permits the utilization of live and inert air-to-ground weapons,' said Capt. Michael Boyle, commander CVW-5. 'This type of training cannot be accomplished when flying from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, where we are not permitted to carry any air-to-ground weapons and it is critically important to maintaining the high readiness that is required by our Operational Commanders.'

CVW-5 conducted nine events in a two-day training period, consisting of Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) also known as 'dogfighting,' High-speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) employment against a ship-target, emitting radar energy, laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) employment against land-based targets, tactical air-to-air intercepts, mid-air refueling and conventional bombing and strafing.

'Most of our [weapon] releases for the majority of our patrol are simulated,' said Lt. Cmdr. Pat Baker, operations officer of the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102. 'We take advantage of these time periods near live ranges to maintain the Air Wing's proficiency and qualifications.'

Every squadron of the Air Wing had a role to ensure a safe and successful evolution which it takes a full group effort.

'Our entire team from the ship's Aviation Ordnancemen (AO), to the squadron AOs, Aviation Electronics Technician and the Flight Deck team needed to operate together to maintain this readiness,' said Lt. David Tarr of the Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27. 'Executing live-fire exercises like this, allows us to evaluate how proficient we really are, to smooth out the kinks, and identify areas that need improvement.'

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Chaz Smith, from the weapon's department of George Washington, explained how his team had to step things up.

'It's fast paced,' said Smith. 'It's a lot of hard work that we had to achieve safely and expeditiously. It feels great to support the Air Wing, but it also gave us an opportunity to learn more of our rate and build stronger relations within.'

Along with multiple lessons learned, Sailors gained a sense of inspiration.

'It is motivating to shoot missiles and drop bombs,' added Tarr.'We train everyday to employ these weapons - from studying the details of how they work and how best to maximize their capabilities to the 'switchology' needed in the cockpit to use them effectively. To go through those familiar steps and thought processes but finish with missiles screaming off of my jet was an awesome reward, personally and professionally.'

Four different types of missiles, air intercept missile (AIM-9), AGM-114B Hellfire missile, joint stand-off weapon (JSOW) and HARM were launched as a part of the training exercise. In addition, a total of more than 10,000 mm rounds were fired.
Strike Fighter Squadrons were not the only squadrons to fire a missile. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, each fired one missile.

'Without the high end training that we get at ODJ and its associated air space, our aircraft and pilots would not have the same deterrence effect,' said Boyle. 'When the Air Wing pilots fly in the valuable aircraft and conduct training, it is the training that makes the men, women and machines a formidable force that potential adversaries fear and respect. That healthy respect allows the CVW-5/GW team to influence other nations without ever firing a shot in anger.'

CVW 5, forward-deployed to Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, Japan, consists of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet; VFA 27, VFA 115 and VFA 195, each flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, flying the EA-18G Growler; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 flying the Hawkeye 2000; Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment 5, flying the C-2 Greyhound; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC), 12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM), 77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.

CVW-5 and U.S. Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier George Washington provide a combat-ready force that protects the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its partners and allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.