Wings of Gold

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class August Clawson | A T-45C Goshawk training aircraft, assigned to Training Air Wing (TW) 2, lands on the flight deck on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during flight operations in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 8, 2023. George Washington is underway in support of carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman August Clawson)  

UNITED STATES

08.25.2023

Story by Seaman August Clawson 

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73)

ATLANTIC OCEAN (August 20, 2023) – Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS
George Washington (CVN 73) supported Training Airwing 1, Training Airwing 2, and Training Squadron (VT) 22 during their carrier qualifications (CQ) in the Atlantic Ocean, Aug. 7-10, 2023.
During CQ, student pilots attached to their respective training airwings are required to complete 10 arrested landings on an aircraft carrier to earn their “wings of gold”, the final qualification to become a Navy pilot.
“We came out, we certified the flight deck and now we are training squadrons and new pilots in a matter of two months, and I think that is outstanding,” said Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (AW/SW) Travis Starr, hangar deck leading chief petty officer. “I think air department has grown tremendously.”
George Washington supported the future of naval aviation, providing a carrier platform for student pilot qualifications. While allowing the crew to qualify and grow in their jobs as well.
“Carrier qualifications are a great time to train and work towards improving our knowledge and skills so that we are fully ready to support the operational missions that are rapidly approaching,” said Lt. Cmdr. Eric Rintz, a shooter assigned as air department’s V3 hangar bay division officer. “George Washington is beginning its journey to Japan next year to become the forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) aircraft carrier.
Navy and Marine Corps pilots sucessfuly qualified while underway, flying T-45
Goshawks, red and white planes designated as the Navy’s training aircraft.
“Landing on an aircraft carrier for the first time is an experience for all the qualifying pilots,” said Lt. Michael Garcia, a pilot currently assigned as the ship’s assistant air officer. “Coming around into the groove, a pilots final approach before they land, and seeing that steel deck for the first time sends shivers down your spine.” Garcia previously qualified and earned his “wings of gold” aboard Ford-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).
“Performing an arrested landing for the first time is over so fast, some pilots are on deck before they realize the experience is over,” said Garcia, “Once I landed, I didn’t know what was going on at first because I was in awe. Ultimately my training kicked in, and at that moment I knew I had nine more arrested landings to go to earn my wings of gold.”
Performing an arrested landing is half of the carrier qualification. The other half is an assisted takeoff which involves launching off the end of a flight deck, propelled by a catapult, then circling back and performing that process nine more times.
“The process for Navy pilots to earn their golden wings is daring, brave, and thrilling but the opportunity is open to anyone,” said Garcia, “This is a possibility for anybody, from whatever race, background, or religious belief that you come from.”
George Washington is homeported in Naval Station Norfolk in the stages of inspection and survey, a comprehensive evaluation of the material condition of the ship to ensure it is fully prepared for sea operations. (U.S. Navy story by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman August Clawson)

• Date Taken: 08.25.2023
• Date Posted: 10.04.2023 20:09
• Story ID: 454356
• Location: US