USS Nimitz Completes First East Coast Training Underway: 442 Arrested Landings Qualify New Naval Aviators
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on November 9, completing its first East Coast training underway since shifting coasts. According to the U.S. Department of War, the underway centered on carrier qualifications, giving new and experienced naval aviators their practical examination in taking off from and landing on a carrier at sea.
During the underway, the ship's Carrier Air Traffic Control Center first completed its recertification, after which Nimitz qualified Carrier Air Wing 1 and Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106). The totals came to 103 sorties, 442 arrested landings and 152 touch-and-goes.
For the new aviators it was a career milestone: flying F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, they made the first arrested landings and catapult launches of their lives aboard a carrier. After the jet portion, student aviators moved on to the T-45C Goshawk trainer to continue carrier flight training.
Capt. Joseph Furco, the ship's commanding officer, noted that the crew had completed two overseas deployments across three areas of responsibility in under two years, and quickly shifted into intensive qualification training after returning. Cmdr. Michael Farley, the ship's air boss, credited the teamwork between the air department and the air wing for qualifying a large group of new aviators.
Nimitz is scheduled to conduct additional carrier qualification underways before its decommissioning next year, continuing to train qualified carrier aviators for the Navy.
(Source: U.S. Department of War)
Source: U.S. Department of War
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Wikimedia Commons「US Navy 020507-N-8273J-001 USS Nimitz - flight deck wash down」（美国海军官方照片，公共领域），图中为「尼米兹」号飞行甲板资料图 Image: Wikimedia Commons, "US Navy 020507-N-8273J-001 USS Nimitz - flight deck wash down" (U.S. Navy photo, public domain), file photo of the USS Nimitz flight deck
