Squadron Integration Program

CAPT. Asra Kron by a VT-10 PC-21 Pilatus BuNo 19013 at NAF Boonootoo, July 2019.

 
In order to integrate new naval aviators and naval flight officers in Third Fleet squadrons we are implementing a new program that verifies and complements with local considerations the officers' OCS and Basic Flight Training with a hands on time sensitive protocol. This protocol is named Squadron Integration Program, or SIP.

When arriving to the Fleet and prior to deployment with their intended squadrons, NAs and NFOs will go through two fast paced, concise stages of integration. Stage one consists of theory and practical assessments with TRAWING 6 instructors at Naval Air Facility Boonootoo, using VT-10 and HT-28 assets. Stage two consists of a series of practical assessments made by senior officers from the officers squadrons of deployment, using those squadron assets and a variety of locations depending on the nature of each assessment. For illustration purposes we will use VF-84 as the deployment squadron in this rundown of the Squadron Integration Program.

NAFBO hangar with all aircraft types visible, July 2019.

 
S.I.P.
Squadron Integration Program

1. TRAWING 6 - NAF Boonootoo, Nautilus, COMNAVAIRNAU

1.a. 2 hours - Naval Officer conduct and customs
1.b. 3 hours - Theory of Naval Operations
1.c. 6 hours - Practice with VT-10 (PC-21 and T-2C) or HT-28 (MD-900)
1.d. 1 hour - Oral Test

2. VF-84 "Jolly Rogers" - NAS Patuxent River, Jeogeot, COMNAVAIRJEO

All practices with F-14A Tomcats and F-4J Phantoms (Vietnam)
2.a. 2 hours - Ground protocols and ATC
2.b. 6 hours - Continental navigation
2.c. 4 hours - Multi-aircraft air operations
2.d. 2 hours - Carrier operations qualification

Aerial view of NAFBO at Paragon Residential Airport, Boonootoo.

Notes on SIP evaluation.

Stage one is evaluated through successful completion of an oral test. Stage two is evaluated by four marks given to the NA or NFO by the deployment squadron evaluating officer, rated 1 to 5 points. In order to clear SIP, the attending officers must pass Stage One test and achieve a minimum of 13 marks during Stage Two.

Notes on Stage Two marks.

Top rating at 20 points with all marks at 5 points:
  5+5+5+5 points
High rating under 20 and above 16 points with no mark under 3 points:
  from 5+5+5+4 to 5+4+4+4 points
Medium rating equal or under 16 and above 13 points with no mark under 3 points:
  from 4+4+4+4 to 4+4+3+3  points
Minimum rating at 13 points with no mark under 3 points:
  4+3+3+3 points *

* Officers passing SIP with minimum rating are referred to as "Lucky Thirteens"

CAPT. Asra "Cougar" Kron at NAFBO, July 2019.

Details on each stage and respective assessments to be added here prior to the first SIP.
Best regards to all in the naval service in Second Life.

CAPT. Asra Kron
SL United States Navy, Third Fleet

   

Action Shot 05/17

NAS Miramar Order of Battle

This is Naval Air Station Miramar order of battle.
Our present is as precious as our past and we treasure it as we decisively move forward into the future. Our squadrons are manned by capable and proud Naval Aviators and Student Naval Aviators and those who are now on hold will rise again. Naval squadrons are made of pilots, dedication, service, purpose and history, and Miramar has a proud past, a solid present and a hopeful future on all counts. Make no mistake about that.

Here is to many more missions and blue skies!

VFC-13 "Saint Adversary"

The aggressor squadron of the NFWS. Current pilots are nos. 20 and 21, respectively CAPT. Kron and CAPT. Kuhn; former pilots are CDR. Hewitt and LT. Vayandar. Its role: to provide adversaries and hard targets for TOPGUN attending crews.

VF-84 "Jolly Rogers"

The front line carrier based fighter squadron of NAS Miramar, first assigned to the USS Nimitz, CVN-68, it is now awaiting deployment with a different CVW. Current pilots are nos. 201, 202 and 203, respectively CAPT. Kron, LCDR. Zane and LCDR. Kaz; current RIOs: LCDR. Rainbow. No pilots ever left this squadron; former RIOs: ENS. Smith. Its role: to provide close/medium range eyes on, intercept and protection for NAS Miramar and the USS Enterprise. To provide interception, LRP and deep strike to the USS Enterprise. To provide high altitude patrols in NAS Miramar's area of influence (Tuarua Fiji).

VF-101 "Grim Reapers"

Visiting squadron ashore from the USS Nimitz during 2016 and the first quarter of 2017. No current pilots due to unfortunate recent events. Former pilots from the USS Nimitz CSG 11 were: CAPT. Kron, CAPT. Kuhn, LCDR. Zane, LTJG. Jericho and ENS. Fenring (CMDMC Fenring enlisted in the Navy as O-1 - see "Margot"), returning to the service with her SICG rank of MCPO. Its role: No current role. The squadron remains with the USS Nimitz with active duty pilots, and most of the pilots mentioned have unfortunately been dismissed from CSG 11, where they maintained until their dismissal replacement/reserved status with the Grim Reapers, with the exception of LTJG. Jericho who transferred from NAS Miramar to redeploy from Third Fleet command in the first quarter of 2016. So ends a chapter in the Grim Reapers history. May they fly strong and true for years to come.

VF-154 "Black Knights"

The most hard hit squadron at NAS Miramar, the Black Knights are the fixed wing squadron with the greatest number of pilots and the greatest ordeals. After losing the Hornets and reverting to Skyhawks, the squadron that was always meant to deploy with the USS Carl Vinson (which prompted RADM. Harcassle, at the time Third Fleet's CO, to make Third Fleet's East Sea aircraft carrier the CVN-70) it only briefly saw deployment aboard the Flying V. As the Carl Vinson sailed with 2nd. Fleet, recently, the squadron is being reassigned to a new carrier as rotation unit. Current pilots pilots are nos. 300 and 301, respectively CAPT. Kuhn and CAPT. Kron. Former pilots were: CDR. Hewitt, LTJG. Spaartza, ENS. Sax Kron, ENS. McCloud (*) and ENS. Tracer. Its role: to provide close/medium range eyes on, intercept and protection for NAS Miramar and the mother carrier. To provide LRP and deep strike to the mother carrier. To provide high altitude patrols in NAS Miramar's area of influence (Tuarua Fiji). The squadron was mothballed after the last 301 pilot left and briefly returned to active duty with the CVN-70 short lived deployment. It is now to be mothballed again, waiting for new pilots.
(*) ENS. McCloud was on RL extended leave is now returning to the Fleet - update required.

VAQ-129 "Vikings"

Carrier Attack Squadron ashore awaiting deployment with the USS Midway, CV-41. The Vikings were established following the deployment at Miramar of an alleged EA-6B crew member. It was then (first quarter of 2017) in implementation stages and had three pilots, a prospect ACW and a prospect pilot. Current pilots are nos. 800/900 and 802, with a NB in nos. 800 and no. 900 and a prospect NB/ATW in no. 802 and no. 900, respectively CAPT. Kron, LCDR. Kaz, LT Crooft (*) and SN. Breathe. Former pilots and prospect pilots were: ENS. O'Mara and Ms. Fairport, a civilian contractor test pilot that is now in the service with 2nd. Fleet, not having returned to NAS Miramar after OCS. Its role: To provide support to 3rd. Fleet air and surface operations in the AWACS and AEW roles (EA-6B). To provide 3rd. Fleet medium range support in the attack, "Iron Hand" and AAR roles (A-6E, A-6A and KA-6A/E).
(*) LT. Crooft was on authorized extended leave and remains very much a part of Third Fleet.

VRC-01 "Lifters"

The Lifters fly CV-22 Ospreys out of NAS Miramar. Due to the absence of qualified pilots, the squadron remains as COD option with a single aircraft; hopefully more SNAs will develop an interest for this ugly duck. There is only one current pilot, no. 28, CAPT. Kron. Former pilots were: CDR. Hewitt, LTJG. Spaartza and LTJG. Ryder. Its role: To support the fleet in the carrier on board delivery role. To provide medium/low altitude patrols in NAS Miramar's area of influence (Tuarua Fiji).

VP-4 "Skinny Dragons"

The long range, medium/high altitude maritime patrol squadron of NAS Miramar. Current pilots are nos. 901/22, 902 and 903 (*), respectively CAPT. Kron, LCDR. Rainbow and LT. Crooft (*). No former pilots. Its role: To provide the fleet with long range patrol capability. To provide the fleet with light transport of persons and cargo. To provide medium/high altitude patrols in NAS Miramar's area of influence (Tuarua Fiji).
(*) LT. Crooft was on authorized extended leave and remains very much a part of Third Fleet.

VR-54 "Revellers"

The transport/logistics/tanker high capacity squadron of NAS Miramar. Current pilot is at the moment no. 03, CAPT. Kron. Former prospect pilot: Mr. McMillan, a civilian contractor test pilot that is now in the service with 2nd. Fleet, not having returned to NAS Miramar after OCS. Its role: To provide the fleet with high capacity transport of personnel,cargo and AAR. To serve the fleet in long range maritime patrols when necessary. This squadron has been on hold for lack of invested pilots. No. 03 will soon be replaced by a sister aircraft of smaller dimensions to fulfill this role as needed.

VT-10 "Eagles"

Fixed wing training squadron, the Eagles fly for IFT (Intermediate Flight Training) as part of NATC. They are one of NAS Miramar's oldest squadrons and has had quite a few pilots/instructors. Current pilots/instructors are nos. 600, 601, 602 (*) and 603, respectively CAPT. Kron, CAPT. Kuhn, LCDR. Zane (*) and LCDR. Kaz. Former pilots were: LTJG. Spaartza. Its role: Intermediate Fixed Wing Flight Training.
(*) The 602 assigned to LCDR. Zane was LTJG. Spaartza's aircraft.

VX-1 "Pioneers" 

The fixed wing test squadron of the USNTPS (United States Naval Test Pilot School), based at NAS Miramar. Current pilots flying various X-planes are CAPT. Kron and LCDR. Kaz. Former prospect pilots were Ms. Fairport and Mr. McMillan, civilian contractor test pilots that are now in the service with 2nd. Fleet, not having returned to NAS Miramar after OCS. Its role: To provide the fleet with new fixed wing aircraft assessment and testing of assets for future adoption. To provide instruction to future naval test pilots.

HS-4 "Black Knights"

Helicopter multi-role squadron based at NAS Miramar, awaiting rotations aboard a carrier. Current pilots are nos. 00/20, 21, 60, 61, 66 (*), respectively CAPT. Kron, CAPT. Kuhn, Squadron Aircraft, LCDR. Rainbow and CAPT. Kron (*). No former pilots. Its role: To provide ASW, SAR, CSAR to the fleet and serve in various utility roles.
(*) No. 66 is Sea King BuNo 152711 (historic), the "old Six Six", and is assigned to the station commander.

HSC-9 "Tridents"

Helo multi-purpose maritime squadron in formation after the retirement of HSC-22 "Sea Kinghts" as USS Nimitz ashore squadron. The Tridents will be ashore at NAS Miramar, but will deploy as a rotation squadron with a new CVW. [update required as it becomes active]

HSC-13 "Rays"

The front line helo squadron of NAS Miramar. Current pilots are nos. 50/51/69, 57, 70, 73, 74, respectively CAPT. Kron, Squadron Aircraft, MCPO Fenring, LCDR. Zane and LCDR. Rainbow. Former pilots were: ex-LCDR. Kashmal (now an Army Colonel - unconfirmed), LTJG. Spaartza, ENS. McCloud (*), ENS. Smith and ENS. Coventry. Its role: To support the fleet in the maritime multi-mission role, including ASW, SAR, CSAR and patrol. To provide low altitude patrols in NAS Miramar's area of influence (Tuarua Fiji). To serve aboard Dauntless class frigates of the fleet.
(*) ENS. McCloud was on RL extended leave is now returning to the Fleet - update required.

HSC-22 "Sea Knights"

Visiting aircraft from the USS Nimitz in early to mid 2017. Due to unfortunate recent events, aircraft from this unit are no longer ashore at NAS Miramar. HSC-22 will be replaced by HSC-9 "Tridents", ashore at NAS Miramar. The Sea Knights remain a CSG 11, USS Nimitz, CVN-68, squadron.

HT-28 "Hellions"

Rotor training squadron, the Hellions fly for IFT (Intermediate Flight Training) as part of NATC.
Current pilots/instructors are nos. 551, 552 and 555, respectively CAPT. Kron, LCDR. Rainbow and a Squadron Aircraft. No former pilots. Its role: Intermediate Rotary Wing Flight Training.

HX-21 "Blackjack"

Rotary wing test squadron of the USNTPS (United States Naval Test Pilot School), based at NAS Miramar. Current pilots flying various X-helos are CAPT. Kron, LCDR. Rainbow and LCDR. Kaz. Former prospect pilots were: Ms. Fairport, a civilian contractor test pilot that is now in the service with 2nd. Fleet, not having returned to NAS Miramar after OCS. Its role: To provide the fleet with new rotary wing aircraft assessment and testing of assets for future adoption. To provide instruction to future naval test pilots.


For units in other Third Fleet locations refer to the local CO for information and details.
- NAF Eagles Nest: CAPT. Vickster "Speed" Kuhn (NAFENCO)
- NAF Xeeko: CDR. Christina "Steady" Dehner (NAFXECO)
- NAF Bagheera (outpost): CDR. Christina "Steady" Dehner (NAFBAGCO)

For the complete list of Third Fleet squadrons see: "Squadrons of Third Fleet".
For the complete NAS Miramar squadron line up see: "NASM Inventory - Aircraft - by Unit"

CAPT. Asra Kron,
NASMCO