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CVW-1 Carrier Quals on USS Enterprise
By Mass Comm Spec Seaman Jared M  King, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Public 
Affairs
 
USS ENTERPRISE, At sea (NNS) -- Aircraft assigned to CVW-1 continued to  
arrive and conduct carrier quals aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Jan 15 as  
she heads east for her 21st deployment.
 
A total of 61 aircraft from eight squadrons based out of NS Norfolk VA, NAS 
 Oceana in Virginia Beach VA, NAS Jacksonville FL, NAS Whidbey Island in 
Oak  Harbor WA, and MCAS Beaufort SC, comprise CVW-1, enabling the Enterprise 
Strike  Group to carry out missions in the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of  
responsibility.
 
The mission of CVW-1 is to conduct carrier air warfare operations and  
assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of eight air wing  
squadrons in support of combat operations. Following extensive training at 
their  respective air stations, the aircrews and pilots embarked Enterprise 
in August  to complete shipboard qualifications before deployment.
 
"CVW-1 returned from our last deployment in Dec 2007 and since then, we  
have upgraded our technology, trained to the most demanding scenarios and  
studied the enemy as they have evolved their tactics," said Capt Kenneth  
Whitesell, commander, CVW-1. "There is no better prepared air wing to go into  
combat and support the coalition fighters on the ground."
 
Updated radar technology, called active electronic scanned array, in two of 
 the air wing's F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons is just one of the many 
technology  upgrades made to air wing aircraft.
 
"Our nation has made huge investments in advanced technology in order to  
provide us with the most capable and lethal aircraft possible," said Cmdr 
Jason  Velivlis, executive officer of the "Knighthawks" of VFA-136. "The 
F/A-18E Super  Hornet is a multi-role, strike-fighter aircraft, which can be 
configured for a  wide variety of combat and combat support missions, including 
air-to-air,  air-to-ground and most recently, aerial refueling."
 
CVW-1 has been in commission longer than any other Navy air wing. Since  
July 1, 1938, CVW-1 has served aboard 20 different aircraft carriers and has  
made more than 40 major deployments.
 
Velivlis said that teamwork, pride and professionalism are the keys that  
will help each squadron achieve its goals and successfully contribute to 
CVW-1's  mission.
 
"Our most important goal is to arrive in the theater of operations prepared 
 for combat and to be ready to provide critical close air support to 
friendly  troops on the ground," said Velivlis. "VFA-136's long-term goal is to 
complete  the deployment safely and effectively and bring the entire 
"Knighthawk" team  back to Oceana for a happy reunion with our friends and family."
 
As the squadrons of CVW-1 fly on board the Enterprise's flight deck, they  
round out the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, providing the force with the  
ability to complete their mission.
 
Enterprise Strike Group consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser  
USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 
84), USS  Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), CVW-1 
and  Destroyer Squadron 2.
 
For news regarding Enterprise Strike Group's deployment, log onto 
_www.navy.mil/local/cvn65_ (http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn65)  or visit the  USS 
Enterprise Facebook page at _www.facebook.com/USS.Enterprise.CVN.65_ 
(http://www.facebook.com/USS.Enterprise.CVN.65) >
For  more news from USS Enterprise (CVN 65), visit 
_www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/_ (http://www.navy.mil/local/cvn65/) .