Viking Tactics Instructor Jax Al News, NAS Jacksonville, Thursday, March 30, 2006 Class 1 By Lt. Paul Vidal SCWS PAO -I Nine pilots of Viking Tactics Instructor (VTI) Class 1-06 graduated from Sea Control Weapons School (SCWS) March 21.During the rigor- ous six-week program con- ducted twice a year, nine graduates were designated as air combat weapons tac- tics instructors, the highest air combat training qualifi- cation available to naval aviators today. These newly designated VTIs will bring the latest tactical acumen and doc- trine to their respective commands, ensuring their Jacksonville-based S-3B squadrons are ready to fight our nation's conflicts from the decks of her air- craft carriers. The five-week VTI course began at Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) in Fallon, Nev. An hour drive east of Reno, NSAWC houses the most advanced aviation training facilities in the United States, including the famous "TOPGUN." This long week involved the latest-instruction and doctrine on carrier-based warfare, including the exciting new array of preci- sion guided weapons and likely threats to U.S. forces. Instructors also received extensive training on brief- ing skills and public speak- ing, reinforcing their future roles as the tactical leaders within their squadrons. The week at NAS Fallon was followed tip by more intense instruction on S-3B Viking-specific tactics at the SCWS, NAS Jackson- ville. Instructed entirely by fellow VTIs and veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the nine potential candi- dates received the latest community-specific tactics and weapons briefs to fur- ther enforce what they learned at NSAWC. For two weeks, these can- didates put in 10-hour days, receiving graduate- level instruction on weapons employment and practicing this instruction in state-of-the-art simula- tors. Weapons covered included ,the AGM-88 SLAM-ER missile, the mili- tary's premier air-launched long-range attack missile. Other instruction covered the .employment of the Maverick missile system, MK-46/50 torpedoes, clus- ter bombs and the reliable Mk-82/3/4 series iron bombs. These three weeks of instruction would culmi- nate in the fun part: prac- ticing the tactics using live weapons. Volunteers needed T he Jacksonville Com- munity Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a program devel- oped to train and educate citizens in recognition, response and recovery from a major disaster when emergency services can't respond immediately. The eight-week long pro- gram teaches volunteers how the program works, fire safety, medical opera- tions including treating life threatening injuries, triage and public health concerns, search and rescue, terror- ism incidents, communica- tions, disaster psychology and how to use different strategies depending on the situation. The next. class begins April 18 from 6-9 p.m. and is held every Tuesday night for eight weeks. Saturday classes begin April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon. All classes are held at the Duval County Emergency Oper- ations Center at 515 N. Julia Street. For more information, call 6,0-7885 or go to "Vv.coj.net. 016 graduates The final two weeks of targets fro VTI put all the knowledge with their a together in a graded envi- the VTIs d( ronment. The aircrews ability to qu developed sophisticated as a groul briefs based on mission sce- deliver up t narios, having their ideas target insta picked apart by instructor Honing w VTIs in a "murder board" on the groin process. crews dem Using this input, the can- ability to didates developed unique missile to methods of attacking a get from ur variety of threats, based on and place i the previous weeks instruc- by-two-foot tion and VTI inputs. After a series off this exhaustive but essen- One flight tial process, the crews were dination w ready to fly. Force E-8 VTI featured nine total erica's most "events", each flight involv- targeting a ing three plane formation deployed in of armed S-3B Vikings. ror, calling Utilizing excellent local coordinate bombing ranges and" state. remote-controlled ships in Once aga the open oceans, the VTIs cessfully hi delivered nearly 20,000 the SLAM pounds of ordnance on a ed missile variety of land and sea- SCWS T-34 based targets. average tru Often spotting "hidden" A final hi m 80 miles out advanced radars, demonstrated the quickly launch, fly p of three, and to 30 bombs on a ntly. hat was learned und, the Viking onstrated their use the SLAM prosecute a tar- p to 80 miles out it within a two- window during lights. t featured coor- ith the U.S. Air JSTARS, Am- t advanced radar aircraft currently a the war on ter- g in the target s from another in, the S-3B suc- t the target with captive simulat- , in this case a *C the size of an .ck. ghlight was tak- Students of Viking Tactics Instructor Class 1-06 form a division of three, flying to the AUTEC range in the Ba- hamas, where they dropped torpedoes during target prac- tice. Photo courtesy of Sea Control Weapons School ing off from NAS Jack- sonville as a division of three, flying to the AUTEC range in the Bahamas, dropping ,six torpedoes within 100 feet of the intended targets and flying back in time for lunch. Before leaving, the children of the local Bahamian grade school were treated to a pre-briefed flyover, with three Vikings flying at 200 feet and 450 miles per hour. Following graduation, these VTIs returned to .their respective commands to serve as a core group of fleet instructors. These graduates implement the Air Combat Training Continuum program and ensure our aviators on car- riers practice the excellence taught in this course. Some day, they may join the ranks of SCWS instructors and teach the next genera- tion of VTIs. SCWS congratulates the following fleet graduates of the VTI program: Lts. Jeff Harper of VS-32, Jose Martinez, Rob Chandler and Matt Russell of VS-31, Zach Kirby of VS-22, Lt. j.gs. Caleb Hogg and Steve Couch of VS-22, Chris Amis ofVS-31and Clay Waddill of VS-24. And, thanks VS-31 4nd VS-22 for providing reli- able, fully functioning air- craft armed with weapons and ready to fly. Range coordination was excellent, and local control- ling agencies balanced -the course needs against carri- er air wing, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force assets utilizing the best training facilities on the U.S. East Coast, the Jacksonville operating area. It's not just the smartest decision you'll ever make. It's also the simplest. Homeownership doesn't get much easier than it is at Jennings Point. For about the same cost of renting, you can own your very own brand-new condominium. Choose from six contemporary floorplans and six different design packages. Plus, Jennings Point offers tons of amenities, a truly maintenance-free lifestyle, and options for low down payments. 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