Naval Air Station Fallon, home of the Naval Strike Air Warfare Center (NSAWC), is the only facility where an entire carrier air wing can conduct comprehensive training while integrating every element of the wing into realistic battle scenarios. During carrier air wing training, units are able to make use of the more than 6.5 million acres of the Fallon Range Training Complex (FRTC) and be challenged by Navy Aggressor units. The ultimate goal of NSAWC is to ensure that excellence in training will lead to victory in battle. Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), normally stationed at NAF Atsugi, Japan, is currently undergoing training at NAS Fallon. CVW-5 consists of VFA-102 “Diamondbacks” flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet, VFA-27 “Royal Maces” flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-115 “Eagles” flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-195 “Dambusters” flying the F/A-18E Super Hornets,  VAQ-141 flying the EA-18G Growler, VAW-115 flying the Hawkeye 2000, VRC-30 Detachment 5 flying the C-2 Greyhound, HSC-12 flying the MH-60S Seahawk and HSM-77 flying the MH-60R Seahawk. It is a rare treat to see these aircraft in the US and we were fortunate to be invited to attend an on-base photo opportunity arranged through the Public Affairs Office.

Air wing training involves strike planning and execution in a dynamic, scenario-driven environment. Opposition is provided by Navy Aggressor squadrons, some flying dissimilar aircraft, to provide a more realistic simulated wartime setting. VFC-12 “Fighting Omars” from NAS Oceana and VFA-204 “River Rattlers” from NAS JRB New Orleans flew Hornets, while the locally-based VFC-13 “Saints” flew F-5E Tiger IIs. Because CVW-5’s E/A-18G squadron VAQ-141 was participating in Red Flag 14-2 at Nellis AFB, they were replaced by Growlers of VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets” and an EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-131 “Lancers” both from NAS Whidbey Island. In addition to witnessing two launches and recoveries, which is a normal training regimen, we were also given a tour of the flightline where we were able to see and photograph a number of additional aircraft, including the NSAWC F-16s.

ASR Media would like to thank Zip Upham and MC1 Terry Matlock of the NAS Fallon Public Affairs Office for their support in arranging the visit and all of their assistance during our visit.

We were privileged to be able to photograph aircraft from:

CVW-5:

• VFA-102 “Diamondbacks” F/A-18F
• VFA-27 “Royal Maces” F/A-18E
• VFA-115 “Eagles” F/A-18E
• VFA-195 “Dambusters” FA-18E

Aggressors:

• VFC-12 “Fighting Omars” F/A-18A+
• VFC-13 “Saints” F-5E
• VFA-204 “River Rattlers” F/A-18A+
• NSAWC F-16
• NSAWC F/A-18

Electronic Warfare:

• NSAWC E-2C
• VAQ-131 “Lancers” EA-6B
• VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets” E/A-18G