Carriers

The Navy’s only forward-deployed F/A-18F Super Hornet squadron is VFA-102’s Diamondbacks.

The stunning photo in this post was taken on Sep. 7, 2016, and shows a F/A-18 Super Hornet belonging to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 “Diamondbacks” receiving a freshwater wash-down from the sailors assigned to the squadron on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) under a breathtaking starry sky.

The streak of light across the photo, left by a sailor with a personal flashlight as the camera shutter stayed open in low light, adds to the beauty of the photograph.

The Navy’s only forward-deployed F/A-18F Super Hornet squadron is the Diamondbacks of VFA-102. The squadron is based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi (NAFA) in Japan and is part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5.

The unit frequently deploys aboard Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) in support of Indo-Asian-Pacific security and stability.

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jamaal Liddell / U.S. Navy

The US Navy will be short of around 70 fighter jets in the future years due to delays in the deployment of the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II.

In the future years, the US Navy may face a shortage of roughly 70 carrier-based fighters.

To replace this gap, the service expects to purchase at least 70 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets, as it prepares to retire its aging fleet of F/A-18 “legacy” Hornet fighter jets in the near future.

The Navy will be short of around 70 fighter jets in the future years due to delays in the launching of the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II (the carrier variant of the problematic Joint Strike Fighter), as well as longer-than-expected maintenance durations for older model Hornets and increased usage rates.

According to Reuters.com, the plan to purchase the Super Hornets might be adopted as early as the fiscal 2018 budget, according to a US Navy officer who is not authorized to comment publicly.

“To decrease the strike fighter shortfall and to best prepare future air wings for likely threats we will soon divest from legacy Hornets, look to buy several squadrons worth of Super Hornets and continue with efforts to bring on the F-35 carrier variant,” said the source.

According to Boeing spokesman Todd Blecher, the strategy would result in dozens of new orders for Boeing and allow the company’s St. Louis assembly line to continue operating for several more years: “We would welcome an opportunity to develop a plan, with the Navy, that would allow us to continue providing the robust capabilities of the Super Hornet well into the future.”

In November, the business was dealt a setback when Congress failed to include 12 Super Hornets in the fiscal 2017 defense authorization bill, potentially creating a production gap until numerous overseas orders for Kuwait and Canada are finalized.

However, according to US Navy sources, the fighters might still be included in the fiscal 2017 budget as part of a supplemental budget that senators are encouraging Republican President-elect Donald Trump to submit after assuming office.

Instead, the surviving Legacy Hornets might be sent to the Marine Corps, which is in desperate need of operational aircraft, as we’ve already mentioned.

Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Gaines and Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin V. Cunningham / U.S. Navy

The US Navy and Air Force were able to obtain a firsthand understanding of each other’s tactics and capabilities because to ADEX.

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) and the United States Air Force (USAF) held a combined air defense exercise (ADEX) in the Arabian Gulf on Oct. 25, 2016.

The exercise’s goal was to increase the integration of the US Navy’s and Air Force’s defense efforts while defending the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) from simulated aerial threats.

ADEX was created to simulate real-world scenarios that a ship might face at sea.

Several platforms from both branches took part in the drill, including the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), as well as the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70).

The drill also included combat planes from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 aboard the USS Ike. Strike Fighter Squadron 32 is part of CVW-3 (VFA-32) The F/A-18F Super Hornet, VFA-105, is flown by “Swordsmen.” The F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-86, is flown by “Gunslingers.” VFA-131’s “Sidewinders” flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet Electronic Attack Squadron 130’s “Wildcats” fly the F/A-18C Hornet (VAQ-130) Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123’s “Zappers” fly the EA-18G Growler (VAW-123) Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 7’s “Screwtops” fly the E-2C Hawkeye (HSC-7) Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 74 and the “Dusty Dogs” operating the MH-60S Seahawk (HSM-74) The MH-60R Seahawk is flown by the “Swamp Foxes.”

The drill was a huge accomplishment, according to Lt. Anand Jantzen, the San Jacinto’s fire control officer, and liaison officer aboard Ike, because the strike group not only continued to support Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) but also led a joint exercise at the same time.

The drill included two tankers and two F-22 Raptors from the US Air Force’s 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron “Bulldogs,” as well as 13 warplanes from the Ike CSG.

During ADEX, both branches’ air assets were used, with “red air” hostile threats and “blue air,” the attack group’s air defense force, being divided. The red and blue air support gave a realistic simulation of actual encounters and the ability to practice in realistic conditions, creating a demanding environment.

The aircrews were able to improve their competence and accomplish various mission objectives, according to Lt. Cmdr. Tommy Kolwicz, VFA-86’s operations officer. “We were able to exercise the full Ike CSG capability and integrate that with the Air Force. We had full integration from the fighters in the air to the tactical actions officers and watchstanders on the surface ships.”

Red air forces were tasked with simulating air-to-surface missiles to eliminate the CSG’s air defenses. The aircraft flew missile profiles at the surface ships during this mission so that they could rehearse pre-planned responses and simulate shooting down anti-surface missiles.

The cruisers that displayed their ability to perform air defense protected Ike, which was utilized as a high-value unit (HVU). “The main goal for the cruisers is to protect the HVU from air threats, and fill in as the alternate air intercept controllers in case the E-2C Hawkeye is unable to do so,” Jantzen said.

During the exercise, Kolwicz noted that an emphasis was placed on gathering perspectives from locations outside of typical operations across the CSG and between the two services. As a pilot, for example, he was able to give the ship’s watchstanders a firsthand account of his duties and learn from subject matter specialists.

According to Jantzen, the US Navy and Air Force were able to obtain a hands-on grasp of each other’s tactics and capabilities because of ADEX. “The biggest focus was on integration. In a real-world scenario, the Air Force has aircraft that we can request to support our mission, just like we support theirs. Joint missions are the cornerstone of the United States military, and our ability to work with the other services towards a common mission makes us stronger.”

Source: AF, Navy conduct joint air defense exercise by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cole Keller, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Public Affairs; Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan T. Beard and Seaman Dartez C. Williams / U.S. Navy. Top photo credit: U.S. Air Force