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USS JOHN C. STENNIS, PACIFIC OCEAN, At Sea – On the flight deck,
the hazards of powerful winds, jet exhaust and aircraft landings are
ever present in Sailors' minds. Among the many sounds that form the
chaotic symphony on this battlefield of aviation, one stands out
from the rest. A deep, rhythmic hum of dual propeller blades is
heard, reminiscent of a swarm of angry bees. There is no need for
Sailors to turn their heads to know that a Golden Hawk is nearby,
looming over smaller aircraft with talons that can run through
anything that gets too close.
Though they are not strike
fighters, the E-2C Hawkeyes from the Golden Hawks of Airborne Early
Warning Squadron (VAW) 112 embarked aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN
74) conduct a different class of aviation warfare.
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An E-2C Hawkeye from the Golden Hawks of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112 launches from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) on December 9, 2014. Stennis is currently undergoing an operational training period in preparation for future deployments. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ignacio D. Perez)
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“Put simply, we are the quarterback of the sky,” said
Cmdr. Matthew Duffy, commanding officer of VAW-112 Squadron,
from Kenilworth, Ill. “We are the dispatchers; we are the
airborne Command and Control node. We can see it all before
the fighter aircraft can see what their targets are going to
be.”
Established April 20, 1967, VAW-112 progressed
through two variations of aircraft before advancing into
today's E-2C Hawkeyes. Through the years, the E-2A and E-2B
varieties were flown and eventually retired as upgrades to
the structure, equipment and systems were made. The end
result created a key player in modern battlespace
management.
“We help communicate the right
information to the right places and the right people,” said
Lt. Xerxes Herrington, a VAW-112 pilot, from Round Hill, Va.
“The data and intelligence we provide affects the entire
chain of command and assists the admiral in making
decisions.”
One of the methods used to collect that
data is the ability of the Golden Hawk to project what it
sees throughout the strike group. Known as Cooperative
Engagement Capability, this technology allows the E-2C to
share its radar range with Naval assets ashore and afloat,
and can even be shared with other U.S. military branches
during coordinated evolutions.
“We have the ability
to merge the air and surface pictures of the strike group
and expand its horizon,” said Herrington. “We can also
create communication paths between our forward-most fighters
and the warfare commanders, who need to make decisions based
on what those assets are doing.”
Due to its
multifaceted and complex system, the Hawkeye operates with a
five person crew. There are two pilots and three navigators
to manage the equipment during flight. Without constant
maintenance and upkeep on that equipment, they would not be
able to accomplish their primary mission.
“Aviation
Electronics Technicians and Aviation Electrician's Mates
work on the wiring and troubleshoot the systems that power
the signals between them,” said Master Chief Aircraft
Maintenanceman Steve Hone, from Layton, Utah. “Some of them
will come from other platforms and may recognize some of the
equipment on the Hawkeye, but it will be on a much grander
scale.”
Beyond operational application and training,
there is a culture of mentorship and comraderie throughout
the ranks. Pilots end meetings with a shout of “G-Hawks!”
while junior Sailors learn what it means to lead and teach
other crewmembers.
“There is so much on this platform
you can learn about, but it is still entertaining after two
and half years,” said Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd
Class Jared Schinse, from Boise, Idaho. “I know that if I
continue to learn and apply these skills while teaching new
Sailors, it can be a very fulfilling experience.”
The
ships comprising the John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG)
are participating in a Group Sail exercise designed to
develop coordinated capabilities.
By U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christian B. Martinez
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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