The commander of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed air wing approached the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) to join a club of distinguished and experienced naval aviators who have achieved the career milestone of 1,000 arrested landings, or “traps.”
Capt. William “Condor” Koyama, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, flying an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Dambusters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, caught the number two arresting wire on George Washington’s flight deck June 14 at approximately 6:48 p.m. (local).
“This is great honor and privilege,” said Koyama, “I was lucky in that I stayed in the cockpit for most of my career, and that is unusual today because of the other career development demands on aviators.”
After making the successful landing, Koyama was joined by Sailors assigned to CVW-5’s squadrons and George Washington in VFA-195’s ready room to reflect on his accomplishment.
CVW-5 is a collection of aircraft designed to perform various functions and missions. The aircraft are attached to: the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet; the “Royal Maces” of VFA-27, the “Eagles” of VFA-115 and VFA-195 each flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet; the “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 flying the EA-18G Growler; the “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 flying the E-2C Hawkeye; the “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment 5, flying the C-2A Greyhound; the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk; and the “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk.
[mappress] Press Release, July 03, 2014; Image: US Navy