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| Memorial
Day Weekend • May 26 & 27, 2012 |
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MILITARY |
UNITED STATES NAVY F-18 Super Hornet |
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The
History of the VFA-106 Gladiators
Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) was commissioned at
NAS Cecil Field on April 27, 1984, flying the Navy's newest
tactical aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet. In the summer of 1999
VFA-106 moved from NAS Cecil Field to NAS Oceana, VA. As
the East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron, the Gladiators'
mission is to train F/A-18 Replacement Pilots to support
fleet commitments. Every 6 weeks a class of between 8-12
newly-winged Navy and Marine Corps pilots begins the 9 month
training course in which they will learn the basics of air-to-air
and air-to-ground missions culminating in day/night carrier
qualification and subsequent assignment to a fleet Hornet
squadron.
Starting in 2004, VFA-106 began flying the F/A-18E and F/A-18F
Super Hornet, at the same time continuing to fly the legacy
F/A-18C and F/A-18D. Student Pilots and Weapon Systems Officers
(WSO's) are now being trained in the Navy's newest and most
advanced tactical jet. Super Hornet students undergo a rigorous
9 month syllabus before being assigned to a single-seat F/A-18E
or two-seat F/A-18F fleet squadron.
Since it's commissioning VFA-106 has earned numerous awards,
including the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation
and two Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards.
The F/A-18 Hornet is a twin engine, mid-wing, all-weather fighter
and attack aircraft. The F/A-18A and C models are single seat
aircraft. The F/A-18B and D models are dual-seated. The Navy
uses the B and D primarily for training, while the Marine Corps
uses it for attack, tactical air control, airborne forward
air control, and reconnaissance. The F/A-18C and D models are
the result of an upgrade in 1987 incorporating provisions for
improved night attack capability, as well as employing updated
missiles and jamming devices.
The Hornet is the nations first true strike-fighter capable
aircraft. It was designed for traditional strike aircraft missions
without compromising its fighter capabilities. In fighter mode,
the F/A-18 is used primarily as a fighter escort and for fleet
defense; in its attack mode, it is used for force projection,
interdiction, and close air support.
F/A-18 Hornets are currently operating in 37 tactical squadrons
worldwide and from 10 aircraft carriers. It is proudly flown
by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron.
The F/A-18 demonstrated its capabilities and versatility during
Operation Desert Storm, shooting down enemy fighters and subsequently
bombing their targets with the same aircraft on the same mission.
It also broke all records for tactical aircraft in availability,
reliability, and maintainability. The aircraft's survivability
was proven by Hornets taking direct hits from surface-to-air
missiles, only to fly again the next day.
All F/A-18s can be configured quickly to perform either fighter
or attack roles or both, through selected use of external ordnance
and sensors to accomplish specific missions. This "force multiplier" capability
gives the operational commander more flexibility in employing
tactical aircraft in a rapidly changing battle scenario.
Super Hornet was developed in the 1990s to replace the aging
F-14 Tomcat and to bring the Navy's tactical aircraft capability
into the 21st century. The Super Hornet made its operational
debut during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003, with outstanding
results. The Navy's Super Hornet inventory grows every year
with many former Tomcat and legacy Hornet squadrons transitioning
to the single-seat F/A-18E and two-seat F/A-18Fs. Every Carrier
Air Wing now has at least one Super Hornet Squadron incorporated.
Along with advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities,
the Super Hornet was also equipped to provide in-flight refueling
allowing the Navy to take advantage of its enormous fuel capacity.
The Super Hornet can carry up to 27,000 pounds of fuel when
loaded with five external fuel tanks. This capability has also
allowed the Navy to replace the aging S-3 Viking aircraft--previously
the primary carrier-borne refueling platform.
The Super Hornet has also been designed for future upgrades
as technology advances. It will be in service with the Navy
well into the next few decades and will soon serve beside the
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
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| Getting to the Show |
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here for directions to Jones Beach. |
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| Jones Beach |
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Beach is one of New York's hot spots in the summer! |
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