First Trap for Eisenhower Since 2010 Cruise

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Burgess, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Marshall and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Rob Rupp, USS Eisenhower Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT EISENHOWER, Atlantic Ocean (NNS) -- A pilot of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA-131) "Wildcats," landed the first aircraft aboard aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE) as squadrons began conducting training command carrier qualifications (CQ) off the Atlantic coast, June 28.

Two weeks ago, IKE departed Norfolk Naval Shipyard after a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) to return to their homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Since leaving the shipyards, Sailors aboard IKE have been training in preparation for what is scheduled to be a monumental achievement in carrier qualifications.

"Today was a fantastic day," said Master Chief Gregg Snaza, IKE command master chief. "It's great to see the first bird on deck."

This first carrier arrested landing, or "trap," was performed in an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and marked the beginning of a long-awaited CQ for IKE and her crew who recently returned to home port.

An arrested landing is different from most aircraft landings and involves catching a hook attached to the aircraft on one of four steel cables stretched across the flight deck of a carrier. The "trap" brings the aircraft to a complete stop in roughly 325 feet.

During this CQ, pilots must successfully execute 10 "traps," along with four "touch and go's." A "touch and go" is when aircraft lands on the flight deck and immediately takes off without catching the arresting wire.

"Making this first catch is a result of nine months of preparation," said Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuels) Darrin Campbell, leading chief petty officer for IKE's Air Department. "Without the crew, or the rest of the fleet for that matter, none of this would be possible."

Aviation Boatswains Mate (Electronics) Third Class James Tilton from V-2 Division, Air Department, kept watch on the arresting wire engine one when the plane touched down.

"Usually I'm a hook runner," said Tilton. "After the aircraft lands and is clear of the arresting wire, the hook runner tells the deck edge when to retract the wire."

But today, Tilton was in the right place at the right time and assisted in making history on IKE.

"I wasn't expecting the aircraft to catch on engine one," said Tilton. "It brings back old memories, trapping aircraft again. It feels good knowing I'm doing my job."

Between Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7), 630 traps are scheduled aboard IKE's flight deck during this CQ. This will be more "traps" than any other carrier has ever attempted in one qualification period.

"It's my first time catching fixed-wing aircraft aboard IKE," said Cmdr. William S. Anderson, IKE's air boss. "But it's outstanding to be out here doing it again."

CQ is a crucial part of putting IKE back to sea, so each landing is closely monitored by landing signal officers (LSO) and graded based on how well it was performed.

"It's been a long time since we've launched and recovered aircraft," said Snaza. "Today makes the transition for IKE's operational readiness. We're back."