The US Navy has stated that two of their 10 carrier air wings may have to literally stop operations due to a lack of funding. In addition, the Navy says two more air wings will have to operate at minimum levels of only 11 flight hours per month for each pilot.
Any military pilot will tell you that they cannot stay proficient and safe at 11 flight hours a month.
Watch: What is a Carrier Air Wing
Adm. Bill Moran, vice chief of naval operations, said the impact for the Navy would be immediate: Two carrier air wings would cease operations entirely, and two would operate at that “tactical hard deck” of 11 flight hours per pilot per month, the minimum allowable for safety.
“I’m about to go to the Naval Academy to welcome the newest selectees for naval aviation,” Moran told the committee. “I would hate to tell them they are not going to be able to train to be pilots for a while if we go to a year-long CR. Without training … something else has to give.” – DoDBuzz
Just this week the Navy also reported that nearly two thirds of their strike/fighter jets could not fly due to lack of maintenance and a shortage of spare parts. Over 50% of all Navy aircraft are grounded due to lack of funding according to the Navy.
U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Persian Gulf. Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 were under way on deployment supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. Photo by US Navy
Featured image: Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5), Capt. Gary Mace, prepares to be launched in an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the flight deck of the conventionally powered aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) prior to the Strike Fighter Squadron 102 (VFA-102) change of command. Cmdr. Doug McGowan was relieved by Cmdr. Scott Fisher as the commanding officer of VFA-102 “Diamondbacks” during an aerial ceremony. Photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Stephen W. Rowe, US Navy.