Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), completed an at-sea missile exercise (MISSILEX), June 7.
A MISSILEX is conducted annually to meet training and readiness requirements for strike fighter squadrons (VFA).
Participating squadrons were the “Eagles” of VFA-115, the “Dambusters” of VFA-195, the “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102, the “Royal Maces” of VFA-27, the “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 and the “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115.
During the exercise, the pilots employed advanced, medium-range, air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) and “Sidewinder” air-intercept missiles (AIM-9M). The AMRAAM’s active radar makes the missile less dependent on the aircraft fire-control system enabling the pilot to aim and fire several missiles at multiple targets. The Sidewinder is an infrared, short-visual range, air-to-air missile used by the United States, NATO and other allied nations.
George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, are on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. George Washington will conduct a hull-swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) later this year after serving seven years as the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka, Japan.
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Image: US Navy