GHWB Launch and Recover F-35s for First Time

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brandon Roberson | An F-35C Lightning aircraft, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) during flight operations. GHWB provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable war fighting capability through the carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon Roberson)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN

12.15.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Bryan Valek 

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

ATLANTIC OCEAN – The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) launched and recovered an F-35C Lightning II aircraft for the first time Dec. 12, during carrier qualifications for the “Rough Riders” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125.

Carrier qualifications enable naval aviators to apply skills developed during ground-based Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) aboard an aircraft carrier at sea. “I am proud of the work our team is doing each day to operate at sea and to increase the warfighting capability and capacity of Naval aviation,” said Capt. Robert Aguilar, George H.W. Bush’s commanding officer.. “While we relentlessly prepare to deploy and carry out the nation’s business, we are also maintaining an open deck to support Fleet-wide training and qualifications. We know our mission, and we will complete it.”

Conducting air operations with F-35Cs aboard George H. W. Bush also holds as special significance for the ship. The Bush’s seal is emblazoned by the P-3 Avenger aircraft flown by president George H.W. Bush in World War II superimposed on an F/A-18 Super Hornet, which are both superimposed on an F-35C. At the ship’s commissioning, this represented the past, present, and future of Naval Aviation, which is now coming to fruition. This is a notable milestone as the Navy approaches the centennial of Navy Aircraft Carriers in 2022, marking 100 years since the commissioning of the Navy’s first aircraft carrier, USS Langley (CV-1).

The F-35C, the aircraft carrier variant of the Lightning II, is the future of weapon system integration and combat capability that provides multimission power projection from the sea.

George H. W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

• Date Taken: 12.15.2021
• Date Posted: 12.16.2021 01:57
• Story ID: 411242
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN