The Associated Press March 21, 2003
Navy pilots back in Va. proud, envious of colleagues fighting war
By Sonja Barisic, Associated Press Writer
Navy pilot Lt. Lea Potts just returned in December from flying combat missions over Afghanistan. But she wished she were back overseas Friday, taking part in the air campaign against Iraq.
"You would be hard-pressed to find a JO (junior officer) that does the job that we do that doesn't want to be over there right now," Potts said at Oceana Naval Air Station as she stood by her F/A-18C Hornet, a single-seat fighter and attack aircraft.
"Every one of us wants to get the opportunity to serve our country. That's what we've trained for," said Potts, one of the "Rampagers" of VFA-83, or Strike Fighter Squadron 83. "I would love to be over there. I'm very proud of the servicemen that we have over there right now and I just hope that our country rallies behind them."
Potts was in the middle of a briefing Friday when the United States began a long-awaited massive campaign against Iraq from the air. But she managed to catch some television news coverage. As she watched, she thought about her many friends who are fighting the war.
"I just keep them all in my prayers and I know that they'll perform their best to serve their country," said Potts, 28, of Mt. Vernon.
Cmdr. Dennis Mikeska, the Rampagers' commanding officer, admitted to being envious of those who are taking part in the war.
"Everybody wants to execute their mission," Mikeska said. "It's very satisfying to get to do the job you were trained to do."
But he said the squadron, made up of about 220 people including 16 pilots and support personnel, is busy with its own mission: training to stay combat-ready.
"Although we relish the fact that some of our friends are over there right now doing the work ... this thing could last a long time, potentially," said Mikeska, 42, whose hometown is Rosenberg, Texas.
The squadron returned in late December with the USS George Washington aircraft carrier group.
As part of the nation's war on terrorism, the George Washington had launched about 10,000 sorties including offensive strike missions designed to dislodge Taliban and al-Qaida operatives, according to the Navy. In addition, pilots from the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 17 - including the Rampagers - patrolled in support of the United Nations-imposed "no-fly" zone over southern Iraq.
Speculation had arisen that the carrier would be delayed so it could head quickly to the Persian Gulf should the United States go to war with Iraq. But the carrier came back to Norfolk Naval Station six months after it left, as scheduled. And other squadrons from Oceana are now deployed instead of the Rampagers.
"Our hearts are going out to the folks over there, and we're keeping the home fires burning here," Mikeska said. "There are a lot of spouses that are left behind, and family members. The base has really come together. ... We've got a tight-knit family here."
On the Net:
Oceana Naval Air Station: http://www.nasoceana.navy.mil/
GlobalSecurity.org site with information about VFA-83: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vfa-83.htm
GRAPHIC: AP Photos
Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press State & Local Wire
