U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 marked a milestone, May 5, with the deployment’s 5,000th arrested landing, or trap.
John C. Stennis and CVW-9 have worked hard together through the workup cycle and put their lessons learned into practice on this deployment.
“Five thousand traps is a huge accomplishment,” said Lt. Chris Jones , from Paintsville, Kentucky, the acting aircraft handling officer during the 5,000th trap. “It’s a testament to the hard work of the men and women on the flight deck putting in long hours day in and day out in the heat.”
Lt. Shane Brady, from Annapolis, Maryland, assigned to the Vigilantes of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, piloted the F/A-18E Super Hornet that completed the 5,000th arrested landing.
“It was a series of fortunate events,” said Brady. “I didn’t even know I had made it until the maintenance guys told me the [commanding officer] had announced it.”
Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Jack Hudson , from Mexico, Missouri, the leading chief petty officer for the Air Department aboard John C. Stennis, said the trap reflected the hard work put into ensuring the safe launch and recovery of aircraft.
“The crew has worked their butts off this deployment,” said Hudson. “They don’t have time to take a break… they’re highly energized and love what they do. It’s truly amazing.”
Deployed in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, John C. Stennis is operating as part of the Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment.
Ships sailing under the Great Green Fleet project are fueled by alternative fuel which is a mix of regular fuel and fuel made from waste beef fat provided by farmers in the U.S. Midwest.