VFA-195 DAMBUSTERS

Flight Journal, Dec 2004 by Tomaszeski, Jim

IN EARLY JULY, AS PART OF THE 2004 COOPERATION AFLOAT Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, aviators from the U.S. VFA-195 "Dambusters," VFA-192 and VFA-102 "fought" against the skilled Kuantan-based Royal Malaysian Air Force pilots who flew MiG-29 Fulcrums and RMAF MK.208 Hawks.

Intense training with dissimilar high-threat aircraft is invaluable to every Strike Fighter Squadron, but particularly to the Navy's only permanently forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing FIVE stationed in Atsugi, Japan. After three months of logistical planning, Lt. "Dozer" Sellers, the detachment officer in charge, was glad to see it all come together. "It's incredible to be able to come out here and fly against the MiG-29 and the Hawk. The Malaysian pilots couldn't be a more professional group of aviators, and the Malaysian Air Force made sure our every need was met, easily working our FCLPs [Field Carrier Landing Practice] into their schedule. I get the feeling [that] they are having just as much fun doing this as we are, both in and outside of the tactical arena."

In addition to air-to-air missions, day-and-night FCLPs were performed to prepare the CVW-5 pilots for the upcoming time at sea. Tactics aside, the cultural experience and gorgeous weather alone kept those suntanned aviators smiling.

Now an integral part of the Navy's Summer Pulse 2004, the Dambusters continue with the rest of Carrier Air Wing FIVE on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) to show our nation and the watching world that we are always prepared to stand in full force at a moment's notice.

Lt. j.g. Jim Tomaszeski USNR

Dambusters PAO