Commander, CVW-5 Makes Historic 1,000th Trap
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 23, 2009) – Commander, Carrier Air Wing 5 (CAG 5) Capt. Michael “Magwai” White makes his 1000th carrier arrested landing aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington, the Navy's only permanently forward deployed aircraft carrier, is underway conducting its Combat Operations Efficiency evaluation in the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Phillip Pavlovich/RELEASED)
Released and written by U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
Posted: May 26, 2009
WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN - Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Capt. Michael S. White joined the ranks of a select group of Naval aviators May 23, when he made his 1000th carrier arrested landing, or “trap,” on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73).
The landing is a career milestone for the 24-year Naval aviator. “I was very humbled,” he said. “The privilege of getting 1,000 traps is a testament to our Sailors’ professionalism and the way they do their jobs right every day.”
GW Commanding Officer, Capt. David A. Lausman was on the flight deck to congratulate White afterwards. “I told him it was an honor for me to have it happen on my ship, and that the deck was his all day,” Lausman said. After his trap, White was quick to thank the professionals on and below the flight deck who make naval aviation possible. “I couldn’t have stopped today, or any of the previous 999 times, without an arresting gear team that knew exactly what they were doing, because there is little room for error,” he said.
White shared his moment at a reception and cake-cutting ceremony in one of GW’s arresting gear machinery rooms. “Every one of the wires we catch is because of you guys,” he told the crowd. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class John Ray said he was touched to get the first piece of cake, which traditionally would go to White. “It was an honor, not only to get the cake, but to be topside during an historic moment,” said Ray.
The trap gave White a chance to reflect on his Naval career, his time in command of CVW-5, and his relationship with Deputy Commander CVW-5, Capt. Ross A. Myers.
The two previously served together in CVW-5 when Myers was a landing signal officer (LSO) and White was on staff. “Today, he [Capt. Myers] was able to go out to the platform and be my LSO as I came in for my thousandth trap,” White said. “It took us back 16 years—it was very special for me.”
A native of Denver, White graduated from the University of Colorado and received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in November 1984. He earned his aviator’s wings in September 1985. White rejoined CVW-5 as deputy commander in September 2006 and assumed command in May 2008. He has made 10 deployments on seven different aircraft carriers, including GW, the Navy’s only permanently forward-deployed carrier.
