NAS Lemoore, California

By Ava Rian Shelly

I joined the USNSCC (United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps) a little over four years ago after my tenth birthday. It was just after my discovery flight at the local flight school, and I was hooked on aviation. I joined the Sea Cadets to meet other people who were interested in flying and becoming pilots too. The Sea Cadets offer all different types of training around the country. I’ve attended several other aviation training sessions that have taught me valuable information and shared experiences that I will never forget. I heard about the training at NAS (Naval Air Station) Lemoore from a shipmate that knew I was into aviation and suggested I sign up for it. I waited all year for the summer training schedule to be released and there it was, Basic Airman-Aviation, NAS Lemoore, CA. A fourteen-day, in person aviation training at one of three Naval Master Jet Bases. Commissioned in 1961, NAS Lemoore now hosts the entire West Coast fighter/attack capability. It is also home to Strike Fighter Wing Pacific. Its primary aircraft being the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and more recently receiving the first F-35C Pacific training squadron. NAS Lemoore is home to five different Carrier Air Wings: 2, 5, 9, 11 & 17. I spent my entire time with VFA 122, the “Flying Eagles”. VFA 122 is the West Coast FRS (Fleet Replacement Squadron) which has approximately 225 officers, 400 enlisted personnel and operates over 60 aircraft.

I arrived at the gates of NAS Lemoore midday during the Summer of 2022, and the MAA (Master-at-arms) verified our paperwork and allowed us to enter the base. We were escorted to the Navy Lodge and met the COTC (Commanding Officer-Training Contingent), XO (Executive Officer) and the rest of the Sea Cadet volunteer staff and fellow cadets. We were assigned our rooms and unpacked our sea bags, ready for the adventure. The first night was really fun and getting to meet my roommates was exciting. My roommates came from all over the country to experience this training and take their knowledge back to their home units to share what they have learned.

I worked at the VFA-122 hangar every day from 0800-1400, assisting active-duty Navy personnel. There are a total of seven shops to rotate through at the hanger. The seat shop, airframes, power plants, electricians, avionics, paraloft and ordinance. The seat shop is run by the AMEs. (Aviation Structural Mechanic-Safety Equipment) The duties performed by AMEs include: maintaining the various aircraft systems such as seat and canopy ejection (egress), gaseous and liquid oxygen, life raft ejection, fire extinguishing, air conditioning, cabin and cockpit heat, pressurization, ventilation; remove and install oxygen system valves, gauges, converters and regulators; inspecting, removing, installing and rigging ejection seats, shoulder harnesses, lap belts and face-curtain mechanisms; performing daily, preflight, post-flight and other periodic aircraft inspections. With the help of the AMEs, my battle buddy and I both got our PQS (Personal Qualification Standard) for ejection seats and are now qualified to work in, on and around the Mk14 ejection seat. This was truly an amazing and fun shop.

The airframe shop is run by the AMs. (Aviation Structural Mechanics) The AMs maintain and repair all aircraft structural components, from the cockpit controls panels to the landing gear and everything in between. Some of their duties include: maintaining and repairing onboard systems, wings, fuselage, all types of hydraulic systems and assembling metal components to make necessary repairs to aircrafts. When I was with AMs, we removed one the Super Hornets left vertical stabilizer for routine maintenance in the morning and got to put it back on in the afternoon! We got to sit on the ‘stab’ so the Airframers could whack the bolts out with “big red” (their big hammer) and check the inside for corrosion and other potential damage.

The powerplant shop is run by the ADs (Aviation Machinist Mate). The ADs are aircraft engine mechanics. They have an important job of maintaining and preparing aircraft for flight by inspecting, repairing, and overhauling aircraft engines and propellers. ADs get to function as Aircrew in certain types of aircraft as well. ADs deploy with the air wing and keep all the aircraft functioning safely. We worked with them on the flight line and did the FOD (Foreign Object Debris) check each morning. FOD check is when you and every other sailor walk in sections down the length of the airstrip checking for any screws, nails, or any small objects that could possibly end up in the intake. If something like that did happen, all the sailors would be in trouble and the pilot could end up in a fatal crash. Also, I got to help de-fuel a F/A-18E that was there for repairs. As luck would have it, right when I unscrewed the lid, fuel spilled everywhere and got all over us.

The electricians’ shop is run by the AEs & ATs (Aviation Electrician’s Mate & Aviation Electronics Technicians). The AEs are responsible for miniating, testing, troubleshooting and repairing complex electrical and electronic systems, and instruments using the latest test equipment and procedures. The ATs perform intermediate level maintenance on aviation electronic components supported by conventional and automatic test equipment, including repair of weapons replaceable assemblies and shop replaceable assemblies and perform test equipment calibration/repair and associated test bench maintenance. I was able to see behind the panels in the cockpit and watch the sailors replace a wiring harness on the radios so the pilot can talk to the tower, ship, and other aircraft. It’s amazing how many different electrical systems are inside of the jet.

The avionics shop is run by the AVs. (Aviation Electronics, Electrical and Computer Systems Technicians) AV sailors attend common basic electronics training, after which they are selected for either the Aviation Electrician (AE) rating or the Aviation Electronics Technician (AT) rating. Depending on selection to AE or AT, the AV sailor will troubleshoot and repair some of the complex electronic systems, employing the latest test equipment and procedures on radar systems, navigation systems, laser guidance systems and so much more. The AV guys showed us how all the instruments worked and why they are all so important to the pilot.

The paraloft shop is run by the PRs (Aircraft Survival Equipmentman). The PRs are survival equipment specialists and certified parachute riggers who oversee valuable lifesaving equipment, parachutes, and other special gear used by US Naval and Marine Corps special operations forces, Naval Air Department, and the United States Navy Parachute Team known as the “Leap Frogs”. They perform a wide range of duties, which include inspecting, maintaining, and repairing parachutes, search and rescue equipment, along with survival kits, medical kits, flight clothing, protective wear, night vision equipment, aircrew oxygen systems, liquid oxygen converters, anti-exposure suits, and G-suits. PRs operate and maintain carbon dioxide transfer and recharge equipment, operate and repair sewing machines as well as train aircrew and other personnel in parachute rigging and the use of safety and survival equipment. Some of my fellow Sea Cadets were able to test the rigging system and wear the gear the pilots wear. They showed us the very expensive custom helmets for each pilot and how they are made to fit each unique person.

Finally are the AOs (Aviation Ordnancemen). AOs get to handle all the bombs, bullets, mines, torpedoes, rockets, and missiles. They are also responsible for storing, managing, inspecting, maintaining, loading, and unloading all ammunition and other ordinance. They let us hold some of the different missiles and assist in loading different munitions on the aircraft. One of the most notable aviation ordnance men was Lieutenant John William Finn, who came up as an enlisted sailor making it to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Lt. Finn’s Medal of Honor Citation reads, “For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty”. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, he promptly secured and manned a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machine gun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and return the enemy’s fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety.

It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first-aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action are considered to be in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.” Lt. Finn is the only AO to ever receive the Medal of Honor.

I’ve known that I want to be a Naval Aviator for as long as I can remember, and after spending two weeks with active-duty sailors, I learned a lot about naval aviation and had the best experiences. I enjoyed every second, being in the hangar and being so close to the F/A-18s. Being able to work on them and helping on the flight line is something I’ll never forget. I met some amazing people there, and they were nothing but kind to us. It was also exciting to go to the F-35 hangar, being able to touch one, and see it up-close!

The living quarters were very nice, clean, and comfortable. It was an on base hotel, but for people who are in the Navy and their families when they come to visit. It was nice to bond with my roommates and get to walk over to the NEX for snacks during company time. I had three fantastic roommates in a very small room but we made the best of it, and we still talk to this day. We ate breakfast and lunch at the OPS Galley and dinner at Spuds, where we would go daily to unwind. The food was good, and it was a nice time to catch up with the rest of the cadets and talk about our experiences on what we did that day. Being able to have this opportunity to travel to another state to see what it would be like to pursue my dreams was surreal. This was one of the most amazing Sea Cadet training sessions I have ever attended. Not only did my family and I travel together, but we all got to experience a little bit of California, too.

My favorite shop is hard to choose. I thoroughly enjoyed every part of the two weeks I was there, especially at the hanger! Being able to connect and bond with the sailors over shared interests was really an amazing way to see what it’s like being a part of the actual Navy. We enjoyed the on-base activities including the pool, the bowling alley and the movie theater. Overall, I highly recommend this training, if you can get a slot! It was such an amazing experience. I am so very thankful to my parents, the USNSCC, all the Navy personnel, and most importantly, VFA-122.