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A Day in the Life. VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet.

July 26, 2016
Paco Chierici No Comments Military Aviation, Navy

Yesterday we spoke with LT “Wingnut” Wickware about his experiences while deployed aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, CVN-75.

Today he shares some photos with us, allowing us a glimpse into the six month deployment.

A Day in the Life…

image

Before day breaks, the Red Shirts (Ordnancemen) prepare the ordnance loadouts according to the flight plan.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Launching into the rising sun.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Rendezvous with wingman and head for the tanker.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Top off before heading to work.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware Patrolling "In country"

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Transit ‘In Country’

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

“Fenced In”, all systems Go.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Coordinating with targeting authority.  Target acquisition.

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

GBU 32 1000LB JDAM separation

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh

First target…

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh

Second target…

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh IR Maverick launch on ISIS target

Photo credit: LCDR P. “Schwarma” Singh
IR Maverick launch on ISIS target

Third target…

Photo credit:LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware 4 GBU32 JDAM 1000LB precision bombs

Photo credit:LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware
4 GBU32 JDAM 1000LB precision bombs

Shack!

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

“Fenced Out”, Belly Check

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Transit back to Mother

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware RTB USS Truman

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware
RTB USS Truman

Case I recovery, SHB

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

In the ‘groove’

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

Photo credit: LT C. “Wingnut” Wickware

All in a day’s work.  Chocked and chained.  Time for chow and a ‘Roll ’em”

 

About the Author

Paco Chierici flew A-6E Intruders and F-14A Tomcats during his 10 year active duty career. He flew the F-5 Tiger II for a further 10 years as a Bandit concurrent with his employment as a commercial pilot. Paco is currently a 737 captain. Paco is also the creator and producer of the award winning naval aviation documentary Speed and Angels. Paco has written articles for various international and domestic magazines as well as regular contributions to Fighter Sweep. He has signed with an agent to represent the sale of his debut novel, Lions in the Sky, a naval aviation thriller. Paco has the standard panoply of medals and ribbons but his proudest accomplishment is the Top Nugget award for landing grades from his first deployment.

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