Gladiators And Grehawks Ready For Action

Six weeks after returning to homeport following a successful deployment, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) is at sea and back in action to support carrier qualifications (CQ) for two squadrons of student pilots.

The Greyhawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 and the Gladiators of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 106 completed their CQ April 22. Lt. Cmdr. Christine Acton, the senior landing signals officer in the Atlantic Fleet, says CQ is the last training evolution before the pilots head to their next duty stations.

"This is the final exam for a carrier aviator," said Acton. "We have two types of students on board; those heading to squadrons already on deployment or getting ready to leave, and those that are going to squadrons that aren’t deploying soon."

As Fleet Replacement Squadrons, the mission of VAW-120 and VFA-106 is to train and prepare pilots and air crews. CQs are also a win-win situation for squadrons and Enterprise.

"CQ is an excellent opportunity for the crew to get back into the swing of things and for the new crew members to get used to the flow of carrier life," said Cmdr. Brian Broene, Enterpise air boss.

"Since the Enterprise flight deck and Carrier Air Traffic Control Center are qualified for both day and night time operations in any weather, we help keep the flight deck up to speed and all the gear in good condition, while we get to use the ship as a training aid for the squadrons," said Acton.

Enterprise is currently conducting training operations and will maintain its deployment readiness standards as part of the Fleet Response Plan.

FMI: www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn65