Ford Executes First Deployment
By Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet | Dec. 21, 2022
The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), flagship of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), returned Nov. 26 to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, after successfully completing its inaugural deployment throughout the Atlantic while conducting exercises and port visits with Allies and partners.
Essential Repairs Needed: Getting A Bird to Fly
By USS Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs | Dec. 21, 2022
The first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) aviation structural mechanics work with Sailors from various Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC), who are temporarily assigned to Ford’s aircraft intermediate maintenance department (AIMD), to support the readiness of the various squadrons aboard.
Behind the Scenes: Tire Shop
By Chief Petty Officer Gary Prill, USS Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs | Dec. 21, 2022
Pilots cannot taxi, take off or land an aircraft without tires. But whose job is it to service the tires?
50 Years Since First Flight, E-2C Legacy Continues
By Carolyn Bauer and Rob Perry | Dec. 21, 2022
The E-2C Hawkeye has been a linchpin in the Navy’s command and control capabilities for more than 50 years. The all-weather, carrier-based tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft recently celebrated its 50th anniversary of flight. Although the E-2C is scheduled for sundown in 2026, the aircraft’s impressive legacy of capability and sustainability will live on.
Team Investment Saves CH-53K Program Schedule, Strengthens Small Business
By Victoria Falcón | Dec. 21, 2022
Ingenuity, oversight and a capital investment by the production department for Naval Air Systems Command’s Heavy Lift Helicopter Program Office helped transform a struggling U.S. manufacturer into a modern, dependable production source for aircraft fuel cells and avoided the potential failure of a critical Department of Defense (DOD) supplier.
The Phoenix Rises: Resurrection of Aircraft 166879
By Lt. Cmdr. Mark J. Van Orden Jr. | Dec. 21, 2022
In the waning sunlight of April 2, Victory 205 took off on a Functional Check Flight (FCF) Profile A—the last step in the arduous maintenance journey before being deemed airworthy. The growl of the afterburners and retraction of the landing gear was met with cheers, high-fives and jubilation from the 15 dedicated maintainers on the flight line. To many, this may have seemed like a normal F/A-18 takeoff from Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana; however, this was the first flight of aircraft 166879 (Side 205) since May 4, 2012.
50th CH-53E Super Stallion Completes RESET
By Victoria Falcón | Dec. 21, 2022
The 50th CH-53E Super Stallion aircraft recently completed an extensive maintenance process, known as RESET. The program achieved its “golden” milestone in September with the completion and delivery of the aircraft back to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 466, at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California.
The TOPGUN Legacy: Making Mavericks
By Lt. Bryce Baswell, U.S. Navy | Nov. 21, 2022
The sun rises over Nevada. A rumble rolls across the desert, but it’s not the sound of a rare rainstorm. It’s two U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornets engaged in a close-range combat training exercise. One is the haze-grey color of fleet squadrons. The other sports desert camo with a red star on its tail, one of the paint schemes used by the Navy Reserve’s adversary aircraft squadrons to mimic those used by America’s adversaries.
Collaboration Enhances Successful CH-53K Flight Control System
By Victoria Falcón | Oct. 4, 2022
A full authority digital fly-by-wire Flight Control System (FCS) is one of many impressive capabilities setting the CH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter apart from any other heavy lift aircraft. “Full authority” means the FCS provides all of the aircraft motion—not just supplementing the pilot for stability.
Making History on USS Gerald R. Ford as Deployment Nears
By Petty Officer 3rd Class Alexander Timewell | Oct. 4, 2022
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first-in-class of the Navy’s newest generation of Ford-class aircraft carriers. It’s been nearly 40 years since the Navy has commissioned a new generation of aircraft carriers. With change comes history that has to be made. Ford has done just that.
FRCSW Goes to the Movies Supporting ‘TOP GUN: Maverick’
By Fleet Readiness Center Southwest | Oct. 4, 2022
It takes a lot to make a movie. In the case of Tom Cruise’s latest film, “TOP GUN: Maverick,” it took the artisans, engineers and staff of Fleet Readiness Center Southwest (FRCSW) to not only provide an authentic presentation of the aircraft used in the film, but also support for the filming itself.
Marines Complete First H-1 Mixed Fleet Link 16 Flight
By Joy Shrum | May 19, 2022
Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 successfully demonstrated the first two-way connection between an AH-1Z Viper, a UH-1Y Venom and a portable ground station using the new Link 16 software at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, in November 2021.
Navy’s V-22 Achieves Initial Operational Capability Designation
By V-22 Joint Program Office Public Affairs | May 8, 2022
The Navy announced Feb. 18 initial operational capability (IOC) for the CMV-22B Osprey, confirming the platform’s operational readiness following the successful completion of its maiden deployment.
A ‘Day in the Life’ of Marine Corps Heavy Lift Maintainers
By Victoria Falcón | May 8, 2022
Personnel with the H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters Program Office recently visited Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH) 464 at Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, to gain “day in the life” perspective of the squadron’s aircraft workload and facilitate communications between Marine personnel and the program office.
3rd MAW Demonstrates Lightning Carrier Concept
By Maj. Mason Englehart, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing | May 5, 2022
The Navy and Marine Corps demonstrated a key capability when they operated 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from America-class amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) March 30 through April 8, fully exercising the Marine Corps’ “lightning carrier” concept for the first time in naval history on an amphibious assault ship.
All-Women Crew Retire C-2A Greyhound in Celebration of Women’s History Month
By By Petty Officer 2nd Class Olympia McCoy, Commander, Naval Air Forces | May 4, 2022
In celebration of Women’s History Month, an all-women crew of pilots and support personnel assigned to the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 flew a C-2A Greyhound from Naval Air Station North Island, California, to Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for the aircraft’s retirement, March 23.