NEFL PING!
And a link to this nifty info thread posted by Iluvpopcrn: TreatAnySoldier.com -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1274600/posts
Aviation ordnancemen assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) load Mk-83 general purpose bombs fitted with proximity-fuses onto an F-14B Tomcat aboard the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CV 67) on Monday in the Arabian Gulf. Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) aircraft aboard the Kennedy are supporting ground troops in Fallujah, Iraq. (Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Joshua Karsten / U.S. Navy)
"Air cover is being flown by pilots from the USS John F. Kennedy, as well as the U.S. Air Force from bases in the area."
Thanks for reminding us that our Navy and Marine aviators are doing carrier ops each day from the Kennedy.
Just to give some not familiar with what this means.
The nuclear carrier USS J.F. Kennedy is moving about the northern area of the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Kuwait.
The aviators must launch of the carrier, then flying sub sonic, fly close to an hour to their ground targets in Fallujah, release their ordanance, then fly another hour back, land and then depending on how many airstrikes are in the cue for the day, may have to fly back north for a second go around. On their returns to the carrier they must land their jets on a "tiny postage stamp" that may be rolling and yawling to and fro........if they miss the arrestor cable to stop them, they must go into after burners and bolt from the carrier............and do a go around, now if they are getting low on fuel they must fly to a designated airspace to refuel so they can make it back to the carrier.
All in the days work of our proud and couragouse aviators.
We salute them all!