The Basics: Inside the Carrier Air Wing

The Basics: Inside the Carrier Air Wing

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steams through the Straits of Hormuz in 2011. US Navy Photo

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steams through the Strait of Hormuz in 2011. US Navy Photo

The Basics is the USNI News video feature in which our staff takes on fundamental concepts, jobs and missions inside the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and breaks them down for those who might not be as familiar with the ins and outs of the Sea Services. This month we explain the fundamentals behind the offensive power of a U.S. aircraft carrier with Capt. Rich ‘Snap’ Brophy, the commander of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) currently deployed on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).
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Pentagon Still Unsure If It Needs More Growlers; Boeing Says Production Restart Would Be Possible

Pentagon Still Unsure If It Needs More Growlers; Boeing Says Production Restart Would Be Possible

An E/A-18G Growler assigned to the Wizards of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 takes off from USS John C. Stennis' (CVN 74) flight deck on November 15, 2015. US Navy photo.

An E/A-18G Growler assigned to the Wizards of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 takes off from USS John C. Stennis’ (CVN 74) flight deck on November 15, 2015. US Navy photo.

The Navy may know within the next year if it has enough Boeing EA-18G Growlers to meet not only its own airborne electronic attack needs but also to cover all joint operational needs, the Navy’s director of air warfare (OPNAV N98) told lawmakers last week – though by then there may be a cost increase associated with restarting Growler production. Read More

F-35 Joint Program Office Working Through Lingering Software Issues

F-35 Joint Program Office Working Through Lingering Software Issues

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan (right), the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant Aviation on May 20, 2015. US Marine Corps Photo

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher C. Bogdan (right), the Program Executive Officer for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, Deputy Commandant Aviation on May 20, 2015. US Marine Corps Photo

The F-35’s logistics information system’s inability to integrate engine data with other vital information about the aircraft is causing a two-month delay in the Air Force reaching its initial operating capability and forcing Marines to use “lots of time-consuming work-arounds” to keep their F-35 Lightning II’s flying. Read More

Navy Digging Out Of Fighter Shortfall; Marines Still Struggling To Fly At Home

Navy Digging Out Of Fighter Shortfall; Marines Still Struggling To Fly At Home

F/A-18E-F Super Hornet. Boeing photo.

F/A-18E-F Super Hornet. Boeing photo.

A three-pronged approach is helping the Navy keep its strike fighter inventory shortfall at a “manageable” level –speeding up legacy Hornet life extension work, preparing to conduct the Super Hornet life extension program more efficiently, and buying new Super Hornets – though the Marines’ legacy Hornet fighter inventory is so strained there are hardly any planes available for day-to-day squadron training, Navy and Marine aviation leaders said last week. Read More