Naval Aviation is leading the way in the Navy, Marine Corps and in Joint operations. The Naval Aviation Enterprise is considered by many to be the standard-bearer for other warfare specialties on mission accomplishment. It begins with training our people. We have a robust and proven means to get from recruitment to the fleet with combat-ready warfighters. I have seen some amazing men and women pass through NAS Meridian over the last three years and assure you the best and brightest are joining the ranks of Naval Aviation, and the very best are flying our Tailhook aircraft.
In the aircraft acquisition world, FA-18E/F Super Hornets are in the fleet and getting the job done. This platform has replaced S-3 Vikings, F-14 Tomcats and older F/A-18 Hornets. And in June 2008, the EA-18G Growler will be introduced to NAS Whidbey Island to replace the venerable but aging fleet of EA-6B Prowlers. It is expected to be an amazing success story. E-2D Hawkeyes are in the midst of flight test now and will give our warfighters the added situational awareness they need to do their mission with the confidence and precision required to win in tomorrow’s dynamic combat environment.
That’s what is in the fleet today, but the future is even brighter. Many of the student Naval Aviators receiving their wings will be among the first to fly the F-35 Lightning II, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), either during their first shore duty or when they return to the fleet. The Navy and Marine Corps need the JSF and its new technologies as we look to the threats of the future.
And when it is all said and done, these platforms need a home, both at sea and ashore. The new class of aircraft carriers, starting with CVN-78, will revolutionize carriers. It will provide modern technologies for our advanced superior aircraft. Shore installations are receiving required attention, providing excellent facilities and services to our warfighters as they prepare and train to deploy to fight the Global War on Terror.
The Navy is still leading the way in Joint operations. In addition to the normal deployments of our Sailors in the traditional roles, we have more than 10,000 Sailors filling Individual Augmentation deployments in remote areas of the Middle East. During this year’s Hook symposium, we will host a warfighter panel that will describe some aspects of what our Tailhook Naval Aviators are doing in these nontraditional warfighting roles.
Lest we forget, nothing we do can be accomplished without the Navy’s outstanding enlisted personnel. These great Americans from all areas of our country are the backbone of the fleet, as was clearly spelled out to anyone who watched the PBS special, “Carrier.” It demonstrated that our Sailors and Marines are everyday folks that have taken a path less traveled. One thing that rang true throughout this series was that Sailors and Marines are given an awesome amount of responsibility early in their careers. And they joined a great organization that holds them accountable for their actions, yet will reward them if they stay true to the mission. Nothing new to us, but probably enlightening to the general public.
And last but not least, this year’s Hook convention/reunion in Reno/Sparks, Nev., will honor our landing signal officers (LSOs). Those blind, lying … I won’t go there because I was an LSO at one time. At Hook ’08, CAG Sterling “Sterls” Gilliam will host a panel of LSOs who will speak of their exciting, heroic, hair-raising and many times hilarious stories from their perspective.
I look forward to seeing you at Hook ’08, 4–7 September. Attend and enjoy the symposium, see where carrier aviation is going, and reunite with your friends. It will be a great time and we look forward to another outstanding convention.
Keep the ball centered.