Logging 100,000 hours of flight time in a strike/fighter squadron without a class A mishap is a major achievement. The “Eagles” of Strike Fighter Squadron 115 set the historic milestone on July 3rd while deployed on the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan that was operating in the Coral Sea area of the South Pacific.
Watch a GREAT Cruise Video below from VFA-115. Check out the landing in the fog at the two minute mark and then the gun being fired at the four minute mark.
On Tuesday, the unit announced that it had recently hit a rare milestone in tactical aviation: 100,000 flight hours without a Class “A” mishap, or an incident causing $2 million or more in damage, permanent disability or fatality. That definition covers all crashes, and a number of ground mishaps as well.
What makes the milestone even more remarkable is the fact that VFA-115 does one of the riskiest jobs in military aviation: launching and recovering from aircraft carriers to fly combat missions.
“The achievement of this major safety milestone is a testament to the steadfast dedication and tireless efforts of generations of Eagles,” said Cmdr. Sam Gray, using the squadron’s nickname. “We are proud to carry on the legacy of safety excellence that has become an ingrained piece of our squadron’s culture.”
“This incredible achievement is built on the collective exertion of thousands of amazing maintenance personnel who have served, and continue to serve, in VFA-115,” Lt. Cmdr. Dave Tickle, VFA-115 maintenance officer, said in a statement. “Our excellent safety performance is the direct result of the procedural discipline and diligent work ethic that has been demonstrated by Eagle personnel for decades.” – DoDBuzz
Bravo Zulu from Fighter Sweep to everyone in Strike Fighter Squadron 115! Keep up the great work!
Featured image of a U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 “Eagles” making an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) during the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 fly-on by U.S. Navy photo, Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ramon G. Go
