USS Theodore Roosevelt Completes Carrier Qualifications
The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 completed carrier qualifications 2 June 2020. Theodore Roosevelt qualified pilots from the “Tomcatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87, “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, “Black Knights” of VFA-154, “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115, “The Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, and the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30.
The "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, and the “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 also worked with the ship in support of carrier qualification operations.
“It is very gratifying to be able to return to our primary mission in the Indo-Pacific,” stated Capt. Steve Jaureguizar, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11. “The carrier air wing joined together with the carrier is the bedrock of naval aviation and power projection.”
Carrier qualifications are a time for naval aviators to refine their skills practiced during field carrier landing practice (FCLP) for sustained operations at sea aboard the aircraft carrier. Carrier qualifications fortified the operational relationship between CVW-11 and the Theodore Roosevelt.
“It felt great to get back in the cockpit and launch from the catapult while at sea,” stated Lt. William Leagon, a naval aviator assigned to VAQ 142. “As a naval aviator this is what we signed up to do and it’s really exciting to get back to business.”
Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-11 are on a scheduled deployment to the US 7th Fleet area of operations to provide maritime security, maintain freedom of the seas in accordance with international law and customs, and operate with international partners and allies to promote regional stability and prosperity.
Completing carrier qualification was the last milestone in returning Theodore Roosevelt to sea as a ready, credible naval asset capable of projecting power over the horizon. “You can see and feel the excitement around the ship as we have returned to flight operations,” stated Capt. Carlos Sardiello, Theodore Roosevelt's commanding officer. “It is very rewarding for all Sailors involved to exercise their skill set and see the TR back in action.”
Prior to completion of carrier qualifications CVW-11 completed FCLP at Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) to prepare pilots for underway operations. Completion of FCLP ensures that pilots have the requisite day and night practice for operations at sea aboard the carrier.
Theodore Roosevelt is the nation’s fourth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier with a crew of nearly 5,000 Sailors who support and conduct air operations at sea. Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego for a scheduled Indo-Pacific deployment January 17.
General Atomics EMALS and the USS Gerald R. Ford
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced that more than 3,000 catapult launches and landing arrestments using the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system had been successfully and safely completed aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78). This milestone marks a significant achievement for the ship and crew, as the Navy moves towards a goal of 8,000 aircraft launches and arrestments during at-sea events scheduled through the end of 2020.
“EMALS and AAG continue to perform as expected as the ship ramps up evolutions towards achieving combat operational readiness,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Both systems’ capabilities are being rigorously exercised to meet the daily objectives for cats and traps in support of the various squadrons undergoing carrier qualification (CQ) and training aboard CVN 78. In addition to marking the 3,000 milestone, on 19 May, the ship performed 167 successful launches and recoveries in a single day, breaking the previous record of 135. As the only CQ asset regularly available on the East Coast this year, we look forward to EMALS and AAG continuing to meet and exceed performance requirements as more instructors and student pilots come aboard to train and pursue their wings of gold.”
“Since January 2020, CVN 78 has multiplied the total expected number of launch and landing evolutions by a factor of four,” continued Rolf Ziesing, vice president of Programmes at GA-EMS. “We’ve seen EMALS and AAG put through the paces day and night on CVN 78, utilising a range of aircraft including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, C-2A Greyhounds, EA-18G Growlers, and T-45C Goshawks. Every flight is critical, and we’re proud of our team and the ship’s crew as they continue to meet their mission objectives to bring “Warship 78” to fleet readiness.”
GA-EMS is delivering EMALS and AAG for the future USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) and USS Enterprise (CVN 80). Significant cost savings are being realised through multiple ship production contracts, which minimise gaps in production while maximising planning, scheduling and delivery to support all three Ford-class carriers.
CVN 78 Ford Completes Largest Aircraft Embark
With Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 embarked, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) logged significant milestones during Post Delivery Test and Trials (PDT&T) operations at sea.
During Ford’s largest aircraft embark to date, CVW-8 completed critical milestones on the first-in-class ship, testing secure communications and tactical data links, supporting the use of Network Enabled Weapons (NEW), Combined fixed- and rotary-wing Close Air Support integration, and SIMDIS, a multi-dimensional interactive graphical and video display to playback large events for debriefs.
Underway, CVW-8 conducted day and night cyclic flight operations totaling 324 catapult launches and arrested landings, qualifying 50 pilots, including Ford’s Commanding Officer, Capt. J.J. Cummings. To date, Ford has conducted 3,480 catapult launches and arrested landings with EMALS and AAG. Additionally, during this execution of cyclic flight operations with CVW-8, Ford moved thousands of pounds of inert ordnance via Advanced Weapons Elevators to F/A-18 Super Hornets, employed during Close Air Support and air-to-ground training missions. Executing cyclic operations and arming aircraft with bombs from the ship’s magazines were firsts for the team.
The air wing’s embark provided the first opportunity for Ford’s weapons department to execute a full ordnance movement using a lower stage weapons elevator. Performing as advertised, Ford’s AWEs conducted more than 1,300 cycles during this latest at sea period that enabled the successful transfer of 176 inert bombs in support of air wing operations. Ford's AWEs have conducted over 10,000 cycles to date.
Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 also embarked Ford during this underway, marking the first time a Strike Group Commander and staff embarked Ford for operations. CSG-12 was able to successfully conduct all intended command and control operations, control and distribute the link picture, and coordinate with Ford and Truman Strike Group assets as well as higher headquarters. Rear Adm. Craig Clapperton, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 assessed that the Strike Group and ship are ahead of schedule in this important command and control domain.
