Posted on 10/12/2005 6:33:21 PM PDT by SandRat
More than half of the air wing's personnel participated in flight operations involving missions over the land and sea.
ABOARD USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Oct. 11, 2005 — Carrier Air Wing 8 launched its first combat operations from USS Theodore Roosevelt in more than two and a half years Oct. 6, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"I asked my [leading petty officer] to put me on the schedule for one of the first jets to be launched. It gives me a great sense of pride knowing that I could have helped save a bunch of people on the ground."
U.S. Navy Airman Mark Chambers
More than half of the air wing's personnel participated in flight operations involving missions over the land and sea.
The Bear Aces of Carrier Airbone Early Warning Squadron 124, the Scouts of Sea Control Squadron 24, and the Tridents of Helicopter Squadron 3 flew missions in support of maritime security operations to help promote stability in the maritime environment.
Fighter Squadrons 213 and 31, along with the Strike Fighter Squadrons 87 and 15, flew over the beach to support coalition ground forces in Iraq. The Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron 141 were operating out of Al Asad, Iraq, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 6, flying 37 combat sorties. Sixty-three personnel from the squadron were flown from the carrier in support of this mission.
Although each mission is different, all aircraft worked toward the same goal in setting conditions for security throughout the region.
For U.S. Navy Airman Mark Chambers, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 87 and from Ashville, N.C., this was his first time to be involved with combat flight operations. Chambers was eager to participate with real-time flight operations and took the initiative to be one of the first participants.
"I asked my [leading petty officer] to put me on the schedule for one of the first jets to be launched," said Chambers. "It gives me a great sense of pride knowing that I could have helped save a bunch of people on the ground."
"Everyone's attitude is always pumped up for live ordnance," said U.S. Navy Airman Andrew Ferguson, an aviation ordnanceman and from Toledo, Ohio. "I'm just happy to be helping to save lives."
The events were actually the carrier's first day on the job.
NAVY PING-PING, PING-PING, PING-PING, PING-PING
Some of us can remember when USS Theodore Roosevelt could DIVE and SURFACE.
Isn't this the ship that the President landed on in his flight suit?
I do believe you are right.
Thanks. I was really really hoping for a picture of our President in his flight suit! LOL
BTTT
Yes, that has to be confusing to use it first for a submarine then for an aircraft carrier.
Could you put me on your Navy Ping-Ping list please.
Go Navy ~ Bump!
There are several on my profile page.
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