Fighting Tigers hoist EAWS Pennant

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Pedro Rodriguez | From the left, Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Juliana Drach, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 2nd Class Andrew Wallace, Intelligence Specialist Seaman Derek Toland and Naval Aircrewman 1st Class Eric Leide, all assigned to the Fighting Tigers of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, hoist the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist pennant during a "hauling up" ceremony on board NAF Misawa. Seventy-eight percent of VP-8 personnel are currently qualified to wear the EAWS insignia, which authorizes the squadron to fly the pennant. The Florida-based Fighting Tigers are on a scheduled six-month deployment to northern Japan in support of U.S. 7th Fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Pedro A. Rodriguez/Released)  

MISAWA, AOMORI, JAPAN

11.16.2012

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Pedro Rodriguez 

Naval Air Facility Misawa

NAVAL AIR FACILITY MISAWA, Japan – The "Fighting Tigers" of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8 witnessed the culmination of six months of hard work and dedication when they hoisted the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Pennant Nov. 16.

The squadron, which is currently deployed on board Naval Air Facility Misawa, had their two most junior EAWS recipients hoist the pennant during a “hauling up” ceremony inside their hangar.

“I am very proud of all of the accomplishments that the sailors of VP-8 reach, but this particular one has to be gained as a team,” said VP-8 Command Master Chief Patrick Campbell, a native of Durham, N.C. “Our sailors encouraged each other to get their EAWS qualifications started and completed. They were determined to raise the Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Pennant.”

In order for a unit to be authorized to hoist the EAWS Pennant, the command must have 75 or more percent of its personnel qualified. The Fighting Tigers currently have 78 percent of its personnel qualified, which is a 31-percent increase since they deployed from Naval Air Station Jacksonville in May.

The EAWS personnel qualification standard covers four phases: command orientation, departmental qualifications, aircraft systems, a written test and oral board.

“I have never seen a level of dedication to this magnitude regarding sailors engaged and focused on earning their warfare qualification," said Chief Naval Aircrewman (Operator) Jerry Fullerton, VP-8 EAWS coordinator, and a native of Woodlynne, N.J. "Everywhere you turned you would see Sailors in study groups, mock boards, and doing PQS with qualified members at work and in the barracks during their liberty time.”

EAWS managers set up training sessions for sailors during the night and day shifts. These sessions gave them the opportunity to discuss and clarify any questions they might have on any given topic.

"We held one-hour training sessions seven days a week for both day and night shifts. We also encouraged all personnel to get involved and assist enrollees in studying and maintaining a steady progress through the program," said Aviation Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Juliana Drach, VP-8 EAWS manager, and a native of San Diego. "Also, we continually emphasized the significance and pride that comes with wearing a set of EAWS wings. Wearing them stands for being a specialist in what we do on a daily basis."

"My expectations are always very high for our sailors and programs, but I fully expect that the 'Fighting Tigers' will not let this pennant come down anytime soon," said Campbell.

The Jacksonville, Fla.-based Fighting Tigers are on a six-month scheduled deployment to northern Japan in support of U.S. 7th Fleet.

For more news from Patrol Squadron 8, visit http://www.public.navy.mil/airfor/vp8/Pages/default.aspx or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Patrol-Squadron-EIGHT-VP-8/335177721864?ref=hl

• Date Taken: 11.16.2012
• Date Posted: 11.18.2012 02:10
• Story ID: 98059
• Location: MISAWA, AOMORI, JP
• Hometown: DURHAM, NC, US
• Hometown: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US
• Hometown: PHILADELPHIA, PA, US
• Hometown: SAN DIEGO, CA, US