Nimitz Squadrons join Dubai Air Show

Photo By Lt.j.g. David Bennett | Aviators and maintainers from the "Top Hatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron 14 pose for a photo in front of an F/A-18E Super Hornet static display at the 2009 Dubai International Air Show. VFA-14 is part of Carrier Air Wing Eleven 11 and is embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.  

11.19.2009

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Lt. j.g. David Bennett

USS NIMITZ, Indian Ocean - Two Squadrons from Carrier Air Wing 11 joined hundreds of civilian and military exhibitors Sunday at the International Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Two F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 14 and one E-2C Hawkeye from Early Warning Squadron 117 were flown from the USS Nimitz Saturday to promote U.S. Naval Aviation at the Dubai International Air Show, taking place, Nov. 15-19.

Lt. Cdr. Mike Kampfe, officer in charge of the detachment, explained that this is not only a chance to display U.S. technologies, but an opportunity to work with coalition partners.

"It is an honor and a privilege to represent Naval Aviation at such a large international event. We hope to be able to strengthen international relations between the U.S. and participating nations," said Kampfe.

Each Nimitz squadron provided a static display of their respective airframes and posted a squadron representative to explain the capabilities of their aircraft to air-show visitors.

"The Super Hornet is an awesome aircraft. Its air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities make it a very versatile aircraft," said Lt. Jack Hathaway, Pilot from VFA-14.

Hathaway explained that showing off the Super Hornet was great, but meeting with visitors from other countries made the event worthwhile. It gave Aviators a chance to talk about what they, and CVW-11, are doing in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"We got a chance to meet some people from regional countries and companies as well, and to learn a little bit about each other's cultures and how things work," said Hathaway. "Hopefully we were able to show people that what we're doing out here is good for the world and good for the region-that we're here to help out."

This was the 11th Dubai International Air Show featuring over 890 exhibitors from over 47 countries. Other military aircraft featured were the F-22 Raptor and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

CVW-11 aircraft launched from Nimitz provide 30 percent of all close air support to coalition forces operating in Afghanistan.

Nimitz CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. John W. Miller, is comprised of USS Nimitz, embarked Carrier Air Wing 11, embarked Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Chosin. Ships assigned to DESRON 23 include the destroyers USS Pinckney, USS Sampson and the frigate USS Rentz.

Squadrons from CVW 11 include the "Black Aces" of Strike Fighter Squadron 41, the "Tophatters" of VFA 14, the "Warhawks" of VFA 97, the "Sidewinders" of VFA 86, the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 6, the "Black Ravens" of Electronic Attack Squadron 135, the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 and the "Wallbangers" of Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117.

Helicopter detachments include the "Easy Riders" of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light 37, the "Battle Cats" of HSL 43, the "Wolfpack" of HSL 45, the "Scorpions" of HSL 49 and the "Wildcards" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. Also accompanying the Nimitz CSG are Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 11 and the USNS Bridge.

For updated information on Nimitz:http://nimitz.ahf.nmci.navy.mil and http://twitter.com/USS_Nimitz

• Date Taken: 11.19.2009
• Date Posted: 11.19.2009 04:08
• Story ID: 41767