Do Carrier COs and XOs Fly?

[Brett327]

Dude said the VAQ CDRE acts essentially as a CAG. That is incorrect. Are you using the royal we or have you been appointed to speak on his behalf?

I’m interpreting what he said for someone who obviously misunderstood the jist of his statement.

 

[Judge Q]

There’s a constitutional remedy for the proliferation of Carrier CO and XOs flying? ?

If I may be so bold webmaster, they taught be in high school civics and again in Naval History that the constitution provides clear and obvious remedies for carrier XOs and COs flying.

On the TR way back when, both the CO and XO flew. The CO at least weekly, the XO every 3 or 4 weeks. CO was F/A-18 and XO was helo.

Not to go off topic but since it came up on a question thread about them, can I ask if that's a common practice to have Carrier COs and XOs serving together come from different aircraft communities, for instance like that CO being from fighters and the XO a helo pilot (or some other combo), does the Navy intentionally (ish?) try to get CO/XOs from different communities or is that something no one cares about? Is there a similar system for CAG/DCAG (if there is one at all)?

 

[Brett327]

If I may be so bold webmaster, they taught be in high school civics and again in Naval History that the constitution provides clear and obvious remedies for carrier XOs and COs flying.



Not to go off topic but since it came up on a question thread about them, can I ask if that's a common practice to have Carrier COs and XOs serving together come from different aircraft communities, for instance like that CO being from fighters and the XO a helo pilot (or some other combo), does the Navy intentionally (ish?) try to get CO/XOs from different communities or is that something no one cares about? Is there a similar system for CAG/DCAG (if there is one at all)?

The platform backgrounds of CVN XOs and COs are not coordinated, nor is that particularly necessary. Though there’s nothing in writing that suggests CAG/DCAG pairings are orchestrated, anecdotally, non VFA CAGs are oftentimes paired with VFA DCAGs, etc. You want some strike expertise in that billet.

 

[jmcquate]

My post works just as well in this thread as the one it was intended for.............may be even better, I stand by it.

 

[cfam]

I’m interpreting what he said for someone who obviously misunderstood the jist of his statement.

Thanks Brett. @Short, I'll reword for the sake of clarity (I know you understand all of this based on your background, but for the larger group). Based on the VAQ CDRE's role as the reporting senior for those COs, he is nominally in charge of all four of those squadrons (something you can't say for the majority of other communities). Additionally, although he isn't as involved with those squadrons on a daily basis, I've seen VAQ CDREs do some CAG like things (visiting exped squadrons at LFEs and on deployment, and flying with them semi-regularly).

 

[Gatordev]

Thanks Brett. @Short, I'll reword for the sake of clarity (I know you understand all of this based on your background, but for the larger group). Based on the VAQ CDRE's role as the reporting senior for those COs, he is nominally in charge of all four of those squadrons (something you can't say for the majority of other communities). Additionally, although he isn't as involved with those squadrons on a daily basis, I've seen VAQ CDREs do some CAG like things (visiting exped squadrons at LFEs and on deployment, and flying with them semi-regularly).

I understood what you meant, but small point of order...the helo communities also function in a similar matter for EXPEDs. And the CDRE/DCDREs will even fly with the CVW squadrons when their home, as well.

 

[Flash]

...the four expeditionary squadrons...

When did they go back to four expeditionary squadrons, did one of the CVW's go away?

 

[cfam]

When did they go back to four expeditionary squadrons, did one of the CVW's go away?

Not sure of the exact date, it was during my JO tour (between 2011-2015). 132, 134, 135, and 138 are the expeditionary squadrons now. 134 went from expeditionary to boat for their last Prowler cruise, then back to expeditionary post transition. One of the more senior guys can chime in to confirm, but I'm fairly certain the other three went from boat to expeditionary post transition as well.

 

[Flash]

Not sure of the exact date, it was during my JO tour (between 2011-2015). 132, 134, 135, and 138 are the expeditionary squadrons now. 134 went from expeditionary to boat for their last Prowler cruise, then back to expeditionary post transition. One of the more senior guys can chime in to confirm, but I'm fairly certain the other three went from boat to expeditionary post transition as well.

Did a CVW go away in the meantime or is one missing a VAQ squadron now? The 'original' expeditionary squadrons were 128, 133, 134 and 142 (and for a very short time, 143).

 

[Brett327]

CVW-14 was disestablished last year.

 

[JWL]

I can see what one of the posters

It’s also routine in VAQ land (especially because our CDRE essentially acts as the CAG for the four expeditionary squadrons). In answer to the OP’s previous question, I think the best way to put it would be that aviators on the CVN track don’t get to fly as frequently as CAG/DCAG, but it’s still a tour that allows for flying. In theory, aviators (both CAG and CVN CO background) can still fly after their CVN CO tour if they end up commanding a CSG. One of my CSG admirals flew several times a week during work ups and deployment. However, I’m not aware of any other flag officer billets that allow regular opportunities to fly.

And yes, the instructors in nuke school are junior to the O-5s/O-6s that are on the CVN track.

Thanks. I wonder if that is awkward to have instructors that are junior in rank?

I was not aware that admirals could still fly. Would they actually fly in a combat situation? Or, would that be unheard of/too risky?

 

[Python]

I can see what one of the posters


Thanks. I wonder if that is awkward to have instructors that are junior in rank?

I was not aware that admirals could still fly. Would they actually fly in a combat situation? Or, would that be unheard of/too risky?

There are junior instructors in all kinds of courses all the time. Frequently aviators are instructed by enlisted experts in their field. Proper courtesies and respect continue to flow both ways.

Admirals rarely fly, but it does happen. As you’ve seen in this thread, one of them did fly a combat mission once. It’s not a matter of risk, it’s just not a part of their job anymore.

 

[JWL]

Thanks, Python.

 

[robav8r]

The latest episode of "Chain of Command" on the National Geographic channel has the CSG commander (RDML Whitesell) and CAG flying. Good episode.

 

[RadicalDude]

Thanks Brett. @Short, I'll reword for the sake of clarity (I know you understand all of this based on your background, but for the larger group). Based on the VAQ CDRE's role as the reporting senior for those COs, he is nominally in charge of all four of those squadrons (something you can't say for the majority of other communities). Additionally, although he isn't as involved with those squadrons on a daily basis, I've seen VAQ CDREs do some CAG like things (visiting exped squadrons at LFEs and on deployment, and flying with them semi-regularly).

Biting my tongue here...