VFA-147 at Sea

That's a wallpaper now

VFA-147 back at sea for CQ USS Carl Vinson 08 Dec 2018 pics via e-mail.

With VFA-101 shutting down next summer. I assume the majority of it's aircraft will go to VFA-125. Thereby leaving VFA-147 will mostly new aircraft.....

Spaz, do you have a hi-res version of that middle (approach) shot?

No. Probably HiRez may become available at DVIDS or the USN or Lockheed FlickR pages soon or they are there now?

Navy’s Operational F-35C Squadron Declared ‘Safe for Flight;’ Can Prepare for Evaluations, IOC
12 Dec 2018 Megan Eckstein

"The Navy’s first F-35C operational squadron completed its carrier qualifications and was deemed “safe for flight” – the final step in the squadron’s transition from the F/A-18E Super Hornet to the F35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, and an important step in the journey towards reaching initial operational capability.

The “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 completed their carrier qualifications today aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and can now independently conduct flight operations as a squadron, without the assistance and oversight from a fleet replacement squadron.

The “safe for flight” designation means a squadron has the right personnel and equipment, as well as maintenance and safety programs, in place to support itself in conducting routine flight operations. The squadron must also be in physical custody of at least 30 percent of its assigned aircraft and, in the case of new F-35 squadrons, have the Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) management system installed and operating....

...With the ability to operate independently, the squadron will now continue to train and prepare for upcoming operational tests meant to lead to a February 2019 initial operational capability declaration...."

Source: https://news.usni.org/2018/12/12/navys- ... ations-ioc

F-35Cs VINSON VFAs Carrier Qualification 08-09 Dec 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETViPL3uy1U

#DoNotDisbandVFA-101

or,

#DoNotDisbandGrimReapers

Navy Achieves New F-35 Fighter Jet Milestone on USS Carl Vinson
13 Dec 2018 Oriana Pawlyk

"..."The Argonauts' safe-for-flight operations certification was earned through the Herculean effort of squadron sailors and is an acknowledgment that they have developed the skills to safely maintain and operate the F-35C Lightning II," said CJSFW [commander of Joint Strike Fighter Wing] Capt. Max McCoy...."

Source: https://www.military.com/dodbuzz/2018/1 ... inson.html

More video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcYf440_ZU

More video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWcYf440_ZU

If you copy the part of the above URL AFTER THE “v=“, click the YouTube button above, then paste, the forum software will embed the video like this:

To my untrained navair eye, the Lightning bounce at catapult initiation does not appear worse than the Super Duper or Classic Bug, does the pilot’s head bounce off the canopy at 2:36, or is it the camera being jostled. Probably need to download the video and step through frame-by-frame.

Yep that pilot is defenestrated out of canopy & will not catapult again - CarQual time when bounce is more PRONOUNCED.