Theodore Roosevelt Completes Flight Deck Certification

A F/A-18 Hornet, assigned to the Wildcats of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 131 (VFA-131), lands on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during flight operations - photo USN

Sep 17, 2013 ASDNews Source : US Navy

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, successfully completed flight deck certification, Sept. 14, fulfilling an important milestone of getting the ship and its embarked airwing combat ready.

The Red Rippers of Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 11, Knighthawks of VFA 136, Checkmates of VFA 211, Screwtops of Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, and Dragonslayers of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 11 all took part in the certification, and were instrumental in the success and safety of the flight operations.

The flight deck certification consisted of 160 total carrier landings, during both the day and night. Certification drills included rigging the emergency barricade, flight deck firefighting and crash and salvage operations.

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