VOL. 53 NO. 44 NOVEMBER 6, 2014
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
JET
INSIDE
OMBUDSMEN HONORED AT ANNUAL EVENT —Page 3
INTERACT PRESENTS SERIOUS TOPIC IN INTERESTING WAY
‘Grim Reapers’ introduce NAS Oceana to F-35C BY MC1 ERNEST R. SCOTT Navy Public Affairs Support Element - East
Harrier.The aircraft was planned with a common design, but three unique service variants capable of performing The“Grim Reapers”of Strike Fighter ground attack, reconnaissance, and air Squadron (VFA) 101 returned to NAS defense missions. Oceana Oct. 28, bringing with them “The combat capabilities and mission systems onboard are second to the future of naval aviation. The F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike none,” said Cmdr. John Allison, a VFAFighter completed its first landing at 101 pilot with more than 160 flight Oceana, providing Sailors a chance to hours in the F-35. “The in-flight controls and stealth capabilities provide a learn more about the platform. “The pilots and maintainers are the huge advantage on the battlefield.” Although VFA-101 is the Navy’s newones who make the mission possible,” said Capt.ScottAnderson,Commander est squadron, they already possess Naval Air Forces, Fleet Requirements. a rich heritage. The original Fighter “This is their opportunity to see the Squadron (VF) 101 was established in 1942 and flew various aircraft includadvanced capabilities of the F-35.” The F-35 is a single-seat, multi-role ing the F-14 Tomcat. When the F-14 fighter aircraft designed to eventually was retired in 2005, VF-101 was disesreplace the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B tablished.Today, the Grim Reapers are
ushering in a new era with the F-35. “This is a way to pay homage to the past,” said Allison.“Carrying on the name gives us a great connection to the F-14 and a great connection to Oceana.” The F-35C is the carrier variant of the Lockheed Martin built aircraft.The first aircraft carrier arrested landing took place Nov. 3 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) off the California coast. By 2025, the Navy’s aircraft carrier-based air wings will consist of a mix of F35C, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers electronic attack aircraft, E-2D Hawkeye battle management and control aircraft, Unmanned Carrier Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) air vehicles,MH-60R/S helicopters and Carrier Onboard Delivery logistics aircraft.
An F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft lands at NAS Oceana Oct. 28, to provide fleet aviators and maintainers an opportunity to view the aircraft and receive a brief from the flight crew and maintainers. The aircraft is the carrier variant of the Lockheed Martin built aircraft and is assigned to VFA-101 based at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.
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HALLOWEEN FUN AT OCEANA —Page 6
— For more photos of the F-35’s visit to Oceana, see page 8. Photo by MCSN Kayla King
VETERANS DAY EVENTS, DISCOUNTS IN HAMPTON ROADS —Pages 13 & 19