These Old Birds Still Fly High

the

SHUTTLE

USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Monday, May 16, 2011

These old birds still fly high Photo courtesy of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137

Monday, May 16, 2011

the SHUTTLE

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Enterprise News

“Nothing but combat” for the Rooks

By MCSN Daniel J. Meshel USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – Of the eight squadrons comprising Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 maintains and operates the oldest aircraft aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65).

Some of the same type of aircraft participating in operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and New Dawn (OND) have also participated in other conflicts extending back to Vietnam era, separating the Rooks of VAQ-137 from other squadrons aboard the Enterprise in more ways than one.

The EA-6B Prowler seats one pilot and three electronic countermeasure officers (ECMO) and is responsible for conducting air-to-surface electronic attacks. Given the age of the aircraft, operation of the Prowler is unlike other aircraft that contain more technologically advanced systems, said Lt. Derek J. Kunzman, a pilot and landing signal officer assigned to VAQ-137.

“It takes more stick and rudder skills, [and] we have to make all manual inputs,” he said, as opposed to computerized flight control systems such as the heads-up display commonly found in other aircraft.

Photo courtesy of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137

Crew members of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 tend to an EA-6B Prowler at dawn. The Prowlers belonging to VAQ-137 are the oldest aircraft on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and among the oldest active carrier-based planes in the U.S. Navy.

The lack of computer interface requires a greater amount of skill in flying and also requires more communication between aircrew and maintainers in diagnosing problems and discrepancies, he said.

Maintainers play a crucial role in supporting the mission by ensuring the continued performance of the squadron’s aircraft, to which some engines have more than 9,000 flight hours.

“Due to the aged platform of the Prowler, maintainers are forced to repair and maintain the aircraft without the luxury of computerized trouble-shooting,” said Chief Aviation Electronics

Technician (AW) Eric L. Payne, the maintenance control chief for VAQ137.

“There’s a lot of work to be done to achieve one goal,” said Kunzman, “to get the aircraft over the beach, to get the missions done, and to help those guys on the ground.”

“These hurdles are easily overcome by the teamwork and camaraderie of the squadron,” added Kunzman, “who without the continued collaboration between aircrew and maintenance would render the success of the mission impossible.”

“We provide electronic attack for interdiction

missions and directly support coalition forces on the ground,” said Cmdr.

David Edgarton, the squadron’s commanding officer.

VAQ-137 has flown 91 missions since beginning the deployment, each one a combat mission in support of OEF and OND. This fact has given rise to a new phrase coined by Edgarton: ‘Nothing but Combat Operations’ or NBC. Subsequently, the phrase has become a new phrase to keep his team motivated, he said.

“All the Rooks do out here is NBC OPS in OEF,” said Edgarton. “Nothing but combat for the Rooks.”

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the SHUTTLE

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sailors of the Day Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice

Yeoman 3rd Class

Steven R. Shealy Jr.- Effingham, Georgia

Kyle R. Seibel- St. Louis, Missouri

AOAA Shealy, a .50 caliber gun mount captain for Enterprise’s weapons department, joined the Navy a year and a half ago to earn money for college and to “travel the world and see exciting new places.” Shealy stays the most rewarding aspect of his job is “knowing I can get called to defend the ship at anytime.” Shealy wants to advance to 3rd class petty officer as soon as he can and plans to keep on moving up the ranks as time goes on.

When he returns from deployment, Shealy plans to hunt, fish and ride dirt bikes.

YN3 Seibel, an administration clerk for helicopter antisubmarine squadron (HS) 11, joined the Navy two and a half years ago to contribute to U.S. national security. For Seibel, the most rewarding part of the job is the chance to “ deliver flawless administraitve support to the best leadership triad in the U.S. Navy.” Seibel wants to become a special combatant craft crewman in the future. He also has the personal goal of riding a fixed gear bicycle across the country. In his spare time, Seibel likes to read author John Cheever, watch “The Wire” and work out.

Photos by MC3 Michael L. Croft

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FUN ZONE!

Answers can be found on Big ‘E’ Net at S:\Public\MEDIA\GM\Crossword and Sudoku answers

Across 1 French military cap 5 Muscle twitch 10 Mariner’s cry 14 Blind as ___ 15 ___ donna 16 Opera box 17 Sparta 19 Forenoon 20 Bound by routine

21 Athenian philosopher 23 Big galoots 25 Scottish feudal lords 26 Get on a soapbox 29 Heartless 31 Sommelier’s serving 32 “I” for Claudius 33 Summaries 36 Salamander 37 Gulf state

39 Actress Peeples 40 Pilfers 42 Business degree 43 Close-fitting 44 High level ground 46 Authority 47 Holdups 48 Adolescent 50 Zealots 52 Boggyn

56 Burden 57 Duplex apartment 59 Part in a play 60 Footnote abbr.

61 NYC gallery: Abbr.

62 Hobby shop inventory 63 “Hard Cash” author Charles 64 Night birds