Carrier: A Guided Tour of an Aircraft Carrier by Tom Clancy
• Safety Department (SAFETY)—GW is basically a large steel box filled with jet fuel, explosives and rocket fuel, toxic chemicals and waste, fissile material—and, of course, people! Working hard to keep them under control is the GW’s Safety Department. This group is charged with monitoring hazardous materials, inspecting firefighting equipment and sanitation gear, and coordinating damage control with the other ship’s departments. The GW’s Safety Officer (SAFETYO) is Commander Jack Hassinger, who will be relieved in the fall of 1997 by Commander Dave Hegland.
• Supply Department (SUPPLY)—The GW utilizes thousands of different items during day-to-day operations at sea. Jet fuel and floppy disks, ground beef and paper towels are all used in quantities that stagger the imagination. Keeping up with the ordering, stowing, and record-keeping required to keep GW running is the Supply Department. The GW’s Supply Officer or SUPPO is Commander Jim Ellison, who can be either the most or least popular officer aboard!
• Training Department (TRAINING)—One of the biggest challenges for the GW’s crew is to continue their professional growth and training while embarked on cruise. Doing this requires regular refresher training and qualification for various skills and equipment, which is the responsibility of the Training Department, commanded by Lieutenant Matt Hempel. He is due to be relieved in late 1997 by Lieutenant Ann Hollenbeck. This department supports correspondence courses to help personnel qualify for their next promotion, distance-learning classes, and video classes, for new tactics and onboard equipment.
• Weapons Department (WEPS)—Though GW is not as heavily armed as her battle group escorts, she still packs a considerable self-defense “punch”—including Mk. 29 Sea Sparrow SAM launchers and 20mm Mk. 15 Phalanx CIWS systems. GW additionally has a number of M-2 .50-caliber machine guns for defense against swimmers and small boats. These are maintained by the Weapons Department, which is headed by the “Gunner,” Commander Lee Price. Actual weapons firing is controlled by the Tactical Officer (TACO) in the ship’s Combat Direction Center (CDC).
The official emblem of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-I)
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Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1): THE SHARP END
That the GWʼs embarked air wing, CVW-1, is a powerful offensive tool is a surprisingly recent development. During the Cold War, the focus of American carriers and their air wings was not the projection of offensive power but the defense of the carrier groups and other naval forces (convoys, amphibious groups, etc.). In those days, air wing training and weapons were mainly oriented toward war-at-sea missions against the Navy of the former Soviet Union, not toward land targets requiring precision deliveries. This is one of the reasons why the performance of Navy aircraft and units during the 1991 Persian Gulf War was so disappointing. Though Navy aircraft flew almost a third of the attack sorties into Iraq, they lacked the PGMs and sensors necessary to kill precision targets. On the positive side, Navy reconnaissance and electronic-warfare aircraft did really useful work, as did the A-6E Intruder all-weather attack bombers (recall that the weather over Iraq was terrible during much of the air campaign). Incredibly, in the name of cost-saving, the entire fleet of A-6E bombers and KA-6D tankers was retired after the Gulf War!
So, after building their plans and policies around a now-dead threat, and buying and retaining the “wrong” aircraft and weapons for the turn-of-the-millennium world, naval aviation entered the post-Cold War era in disarray. Happily, naval aviators are resourceful people, and during the mid-1990’s Navy aviators gradually developed technical “quick fixes” and organizational reforms that will equip the Cold War CVW to tackle the challenges of the next decade. Understanding that it would take years and billions of dollars to develop and build new aircraft and weapons, they concentrated on upgrading existing airframes with new systems and weapons.
These focused on supporting the initiatives presented in high-level policy statements like “From the Sea” and “Forward from the Sea,” while grimly defending the huge funding allocation necessary for the next-generation “Super Hornet” (F/A-18E/F). Some of the fixes—like acquiring the improved Nighthawk targeting pod for the F/A-18 Hornet and buying more laser-guided bomb kits—were just a matter of money. Others—like turning the F-14 Tomcat (traditionally an air defense interceptor) into a strike and interdiction aircraft—were a bit more difficult. Still, in just a few years things began to turn around. Operation Deliberate Force (the bombing of Bosnian Serb military facilities in 1995) proved that the Navy and Marines could deliver PGMs and suppress enemy air defenses just as well as their Air Force counterparts. Today, the embarked carrier air wings are just as deadly and efficient as any of their land-based counterparts.
CVW-1 is one of the ten air wings in active-duty service today, a survivor of numerous post-Cold War cuts and drawdowns. The wing spent much of its Cold War career aboard USS America (CV-66, which was recently retired), and moved over to the GW in 1996. A Navy captain (traditionally called the “CAG” for “commander, air group”) commands the air wing; and he is a partner, not a subordinate, to the carrier’s skipper. They both report to the admiral who commands the battle group (generally a two-star rear admiral), and work together as a team. It’s an article of faith that flight operations are always controlled and authorized by trained naval aviators, not some distant senior commander who never sat in a cockpit.
As the GW battle group prepared to deploy in the late summer of 1997, the commander of CVW-1 was Captain John D. “Boomer” Stufflebeem, USN. Stufflebeem began his naval career as an enlisted sailor aboard a destroyer. He then went to the Naval Academy, graduating in 1975. After duty aboard a frigate, he learned to fly the F-14 Tomcat, rising to command squadron VF-84 (the “Jolly Rogers”). He then took command of CVW-1 in July 1996. While he has spent most of his career flying Tomcats, he generally flies F/A-18 Hornets today. But like most “CAGs,” Captain Stufflebeem is qualified to fly the majority of the aircraft assigned to his CVW.68 A quiet, modest, focused warrior, he prefers to let his air crews and their results speak for him. Stufflebeem’s XO is the Deputy CAG (DCAG), Captain Craig Cuninghame. Together they supervise the CVW staff, which acts as a “shell” for managing the various embarked squadrons, each of which may be flying a different aircraft type or model.
The official emblem of Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102), the “Diamondbacks.”
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Captain John D. “Boomer” Stufflebeem, the CO of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-i). He is shown here in his Pentagon office following the 1997/98 cruise. There he works as an executive assistant to Admiral Jay Johnson, the CNO.
JOHN D. GRESHAM
As squadrons are shuffled, merged, disbanded, or re-equipped, the makeup of an air wing may change, but the grouping of squadrons tends to be fairly stable over a period of years. The actual wing staff is quite small, just a few dozen officers and enlisted personnel. Because it is a “downsized” post-Cold War air wing, CVW-1 has given up one squadron of F-14’s as well as the A-6/KA-6 Intruder squadron, and picked up a third F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter squadron in return. The CVW-1 squadron assignments looked like this in late 1997:• Fighter Squadron 102 (VF-102—The “Diamondbacks”)— One of the old F-14 squadrons that survived the drawdown a few years back,an “Air Group” instead of an Air Wing, thus the term “Commander, Air Group.” For most naval aviators, the honor of being addressed as “CAG” by the officers and enlisted men of their wing is considered to be one of the greatest achievements of their careers.
VF-102 is commanded by Commander Kurt Daill. Based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, and flying F-14Bs (equipped with F-110 engines), the Diamondbacks began the 1997/98 cruise with several new capabilities. They were equipped with the new AAQ-14 LANTIRN/GPS targeting pod, the improved Digital TARPS pod, and the GBU-24 Paveway III laser-guided bomb with BLU-109 penetrator warhead. These new systems make the Tomcat a powerful day and night strike fighter, as well as a potent reconnais
CVW-1 has three squadrons of Navy and Marine F/A-18C Hornet strike fighters. Each squadron can conduct strike or fighter missions, dropping Paveway II/III LGBs and other PGMs, firing AGM-88 HARM missiles, as well as AIM-9M and AIM-120 AMRAAM AAMs. Normally, each squadron of twelve aircraft deploys with six Nighthawk FLIR/laser targeting pods and three data-link pods for AGM-84E SLAM missiles. However, there are minor differences in the three units, which I’ll describe below:
The official emblem of Strike Fighter Squadron 82 (VFA-82), the “Marauders.”
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• Strike Fighter Squadron 82 (VFA-82—the “Marauders”)—Based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida and led by Commander Steven Callahan, the Marauders fly the new Block 18 version of the F/A-18C, with sharper eyes in the form of the new APG-73 radar. This is the radar that will go into the nose of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet when it comes into service. The APG-73 will finally give the Navy the ability to perform high-resolution ground mapping in any weather, as well as non-cooperative target recognition (NCTR) against enemy aircraft.
The official emblem of Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), the “Sidewinders.”
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• Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86—the “Sidewinders”)—Also based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, VFA-86 has long been a sister squadron to VFA-82. VFA-86 flies the Block 10 version of the Hornet, and is commanded by Commander Robert Harrington.
The official emblem of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251 (VMFA-251), the “Thunderbolts.”
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• Marine Strike Fighter Squadron 251 (VFMA-251—the “Thunderbolts”) —The Navy periodically requests the loan of Marine Corps carrier-capable strike-fighter and electronic-warfare squadrons to fill out air wings for deployment. Based out of MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, the Thunderbolts fly the Block 16 version of the F/A-18C, and are commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Tony Valentino.
Along with strike and fighter “muscle,” the air wing includes several support squadrons, which provide specialized services to the battle group.
The official emblem of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-123), the “Screwtops.”
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• Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-123—The “Screwtops”) —Flying the E-2C Hawkeye, the Screwtops provide the GW battle group with airborne early warning (AEW). Based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, VAW-123 is one of the Navy’s oldest E-2 squadrons. The squadron’s nickname is reflected in a bold blue and yellow spiral pattern painted on the radome of each aircraft. They are commanded by Lieutenant Commander Edward Rosenquist, and deploy with four late-model E-2C aircraft.
The official emblem of Sea Control Squadron (VS-32), the “Maulers.”
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• Sea Control Squadron 32 (VS-32—The “Maulers”)—Of all the squadrons assigned to CVW-1, none has seen its role changed and enlarged more than the Maulers of VS-32. Flying eight S-3B Vikings, they provide the battle group with surface and ASW services. But their most valuable job is as aerial tankers for the rest of the wing’s thirsty aircraft. Based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, they are led by Lieutenant Commander John J. Labelle.
The official emblem of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 137 (VAQ-137), the “Rooks.”
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• Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 137 (VAQ-137—The “Rooks”)—VAQ-137 is tasked with suppressing and jamming enemy radars and communications. The Rooks fly a quartet of EA-6B Prowler aircraft. VAQ-137 is based out of NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, and is commanded by a “retreaded” A-6 Intruder crewman, Commander Craig Geron.
The official emblem of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron II (HS-II) the “Dragon Slayers.”
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• Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 11 (HS-11—The “Dragon Slayers”) —The Dragon Slayers of HS-11 are another squadron that has seen its capabilities and responsibilities grow in recent years. In addition to the traditional role of providing the battle group with ASW protection in the “inner” defensive zone, they have taken on new roles of special operations support and search and rescue. They fly four SH-60F (ASW) and two HH-60H (SAR/Special Operations) variants of the Seahawk. HS-11 is based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, and is led by Commander Michael Mulcahy.
The official emblem of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 6 (VQ-6), the “Black Ravens.”
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• Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 6, Detachment “C” (VQ-6, Det. C—The “Black Ravens”)—Flying one of the newest aircraft in Naval aviation, the Black Ravens Detachment “C” provides the battle group with electronic surveillance, intelligence, and targeting. Flying a trio of ES-3 Shadow aircraft, the detachment can, in a pinch, load up with a refueling pod and extra fuel tanks, to provide additional airborne tanking services. The small size of the ES-3 force means that squadron headquarters and schoolhouse remain home-based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, while small detachments or “Dets” deploy with each CVW. In the fall of 1997, VQ-6 was commanded by Commander Robert “Bob” Wilson, and Det “C” aboard the GW is headed by their Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Lieutenant Commander Terry Isley.
The official emblem of Fleet Logistics Squadron 40 (VRC-40), the “Rawhides.”
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• Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, Detachment 1 (VRC-40, Det. 1—The “Rawhides”)—Perhaps the least appreciated task in CVW-1 is the vital task of logistical support. The Rawhides fly a pair of C-2A Trader aircraft for CVW-1 out of their Detachment 1. VRC-40 is based out of NAS Norfolk, VA, and is commanded by Commander Paula Hinger. Lieutenant Commander Steven Faggart led Det. 1 while on cruise.
The combat aircraft makeup and organization of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-I).
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All of these resources give Captain Stufflebeem a compact and powerful air unit, capable of dishing out impressive amounts of firepower upon targets afloat and ashore. If CVW-1 has a vice, it is the lack of depth in its attached units. With just over seventy aircraft assigned, any loss will be felt in both lost resources and unit morale. Nevertheless, it is a well-structured and balanced force, which can hurt an enemy if properly handled.
Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two: Guarding and Guiding “The Boat”
Aircraft carriers and submarines may be the glamorous and expensive superstars of seapower, but the “surface warfare” sailors and their cruisers, destroyers, and frigates are an increasingly visible and vital part of the battle group. These “small” ships (if you can call a ten-thousand-ton cruiser “small”) carry an increasing proportion of the Navy’s usable “in-your-face” combat power. Systems like the Aegis combat system, SM-2 SAM, Tomahawk cruise missile, and SH-60 LAMPS III helicopter are common aboard surface combatants. In the drawn-down Navy of the 1990’s, the Cold War frictions between surface, submarine, and aviation communities have rapidly broken down, making way for a unique kind of “joint” warfare.
To get a view of this synergy, you need to take a look at how today’s CVBGs are organized and commanded. Following Desert Storm and the end of the Cold War, a new arrangement was set up to spread CVBG leadership opportunities more fairly. Previously, each CVBG was controlled by a Carrier Group (CARGRU) headed by a Naval aviator rear admiral. The escorts formed a Cruiser-Destroyer Group (CRUDESGRU), and the two groups to-gether became the battle group. Now, only half the CVBGs are structured this way. The rest (u
Rear Admiral Michael Mullen, the commander of the George Washington carrier battle group.
JOHN D. GRESHAM
The GW group includes the ships of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Two (CRUDESGRU Two), home-ported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Commanded by Rear Admiral Michael G. Mullen, USN, it is a well-balanced mix of older and newer ships. Admiral Mullen is a career surface warrior, in the tradition of great surface leaders like Admiral Elmo Zumwalt and Vice Admiral Joseph “Little Joe” Metcalf. He previously commanded the destroyer USS Goldsborough (DDG-20) and the Aegis cruiser USS Yorktown (CG-48), both top-of-the-line SAM ships. A graduate of the Annapolis Class of 1968 (his notable classmates include Admiral Jay Johnson, the current CNO), he went on to earn a Master’s degree from Harvard University. Admiral Mullen represents the new generation of Naval leader, as well educated and savvy as any corporate executive. We’ll get to know him better in the next chapter.
Admiral Mullen’s “flagship” is a section of the O-3 level “blue tile country” of the George Washington, comfortable and nicely furnished, but quite noisy from aircraft operations one deck above. Here he makes his home and office afloat, along with the staff of CRUDESGRU Two. From there he commands the various ships of the force. Let’s look at CRUDESGRU Two:69