US Navy pilot carrier ops training: behind the scenes

Patrick Roegies and Jurgen van Toor were onboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to discover what it takes for US Navy pilots to gain their vital carrier qualifications

Each year the CVN-68 USS Nimitz takes to open waters to perform a week of Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications (FRSCQ). Last spring, over seven days all current fighter assets of the Strike Fighter Wings participated in the training.

They included VFA-122 ‘Flying Eagles’ as the West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, VAQ-129 ‘Vikings’ as the Boeing EA-18G Fleet Replacement Squadron and VFA-125 ‘Rough Raiders’ as the Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II Fleet Replacement Squadron.

Depending

Become a Premium Member to Read More

This is a premium article and requires an active Key.Aero subscription to view.

I’m an existing member, sign me in!

I don’t have a subscription…

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all KeyAero content
  • Exclusive in-depth articles and analysis, videos, quizzes added daily
  • A fully searchable archive – boasting hundreds of thousands of pieces of quality aviation content
  • Access to read all our leading aviation magazines online - meaning you can enjoy the likes of FlyPast, Aeroplane Monthly, AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, Aviation News, Airports of the World, PC Pilot and Airliner World - as soon as they leave the editor’s desk.
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below