OSCO/001/16 WOC/T2 Assessment

To all instructors and Naval Aviator Candidates,

WOC/T2 Assessment is to be carried out throughout the coming weekend.
Cadets are to report to the NASMCO for evaluation, schedule your times with CDR. A. Kron as soon as possible.

This assessment has two parts; on the first part, the candidate is allowed a "weapon of choice" * (WOC), meaning he or she will perform the required drills in his or her own aircraft. If the WOC is a single seat, the evaluating officer will fly on the candidate's wing or remain on the ground while execution lasts; on the second part, the exact same set of drills will be executed on a VT-10 T-2C.

WOC required drill set:

1. Bounce set of 3 on NASM runway 18 L. Score and time evaluated.
2. NASM landing set of 3 over 85 score on runway 18 L. 85 score 3 landings out of possible 4.
3. GOTO NAFA. Navigate to NAF Avignon. Landing at NAFA ends this drill. One attempt.
4. CVN-68 Trap/Short landing. 2 successful landings on the USS Nimitz deck on 3 attempts.
VT-10 T-2C required drill set:
1. CVN-68 Trap/Short landing. 1 successful landing on the USS Nimitz deck on 1 attempt.
2. GOTO NASM. Navigate to NAS Miramar. Landing at NASM ends this drill. One attempt.
3. Bounce set of 3 on NASM runway 18 L. Score and time evaluated.
4. NASM landing set of 3 over 80 score on runway 18 L. 80 score 3 landings out of possible 5.

Upon completion of the WOC/T2 assessment the candidate will be V rated and assigned to HT-28 for rotor training.

Do the deed. Hooyah.


CDR. Asra Kron

NASMCO


* Thought you might enjoy Mr. Christopher Walken's little flight.

New OSCO procedure

All stations,

A new orders relay system will be implemented, effective February 12th, 2016, zero hundred hours.
Named OSCO (Orders from Station Commanding Officer), these will be posted on the website for execution within the orders timeline.
Remember to check the website regularly.
It is highly recommended you should place this site on your watch list, so you get heads up on each update. That is the best way for you to keep posted on new and/or current events.

note: Checking the website does NOT exempt you from group notices check.

CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO

Action Shot 01/16

The Super-Hornet saga continues...

Following the downgrade of VF-154 to the trainer/armed trainer variant of the A-4 F, the efforts to bring the F/A-18 back to the squadron started immediately. Even if the decision was made out of the need to make VF-154 operational, having to retire the existing F/A-18 F's and C's with no upgrade of the same class was frowned upon by all NASM aviators, up and down the chain of command.

CDR. Kron performs a power stall over Miramar with AE&W's A/F-18 X prototype.

In the wake of this decision, AEB&W has decided to trust one of its prototypes to a Miramar aviator, none other than VF-154's squadron commander, LTJG. Mitch Spaartza. It turns out this prototype is the next block of AEB&W's F/A-18, one we will name "X" for now. It could not have come at a better moment.

The F/A-18 X prototype evaluated at NAS Miramar. Improved frame and avionics.

AEB&W's effort to upgrade its Block A of the F/A-18 were visible at first glance.

NASM command is proud that its aviators are called upon to test prototypes for several of Second Life frame manufacturers and engine developers. The station's condition and nature, along with the experience of its aviators, make this a very productive arrangement. The prototype was brought to Miramar during trials and flown by LTJG. Mitch Spaartza and CDR. Asra Kron, the initial impression being very satisfactory. LTJG. Spaartza will carry on a series of trials throughout this week, reporting his findings to the manufacturer/developer.

LTJG. Spaartza sharing his findings with CDR. Kron prior to the duo test flight.

As it is to be expected, the results of all prototype trials carried out by NAS Miramar aviators are classified, so don't expect to read high praises or hard comments on any technical issues encountered during these tests. However, on a general note, and although the TA-4 J remains in front line service with VF-154 for the moment, it is safe to say upon the initial series of AEB&W's prototype flights that the Black Knights will not be without Super Hornets much longer.

CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO

Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk 'Lover Boy'

Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk ‘Lover Boy’ was stationed at NAS Miramar awaiting deployment to USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Part of Carrier Air Wing One Seven (CVW-17), this aircraft served in regular GOTO and FRE missions in its armed variant, also serving as an advanced trainer for the aviators
that would be deployed to VF-154 after basic. AK-301 is the squadron leader’s aircraft, Lieutenant
Junior Grade Mitch Spaartza, nick named after his call sign, as it is usual with VF-154 birds.
Mentioned as RIO/Co-Pilot is Cadet Becky Sax, who would transition to VF-154 and assigned AK-303. The A-4’s replaced the F/A-18 F’s and F/A-18 C’s that were to be the Black Knights mainstay due to technical issues involving manufacturer fleet compliance.

Note:
US Navy SL requirements call for the used of the "armed version" of the TA-4 J, as an unlikely but effective substitute for the F/A-18 F's and C's.
The TA-4 J in real life was a dedicated trainer version based on A-4F, but lacking weapons systems, and with down-rated engine, 277 built new, and most TA-4Fs were later converted to this configuration.

 Real life notes:

The TA-4J Skyhawk model entered production in June 1969. It became the longest-serving of the Skyhawks as the US Navy’s standard advanced jet trainer until replaced in the early 1990’s with the T-45A Goshawk. The TA-4J descended from the Navy and Marine Corps single-seat light attack aircraft designed in the early 1950s by a team of Douglas Aircraft engineers lead by Ed Heinemann. The first Skyhawk prototype flew in June 1954. The Skyhawk was one of the most successful attack aircraft in US Navy and Marine Corps service. Single-seat Skyhawks were much used by Navy and Marine Corps squadrons during the Vietnam War. Its low delta wing of 27 feet 6 inches (8.4m) was small enough not to require folding on aircraft carrier decks.
During service, the Skyhawk acquired several nicknames, including Heinemann's Hot Rod, Mighty Mite, Scooter, Tinker Toy, and Bantam Bomber.


CDR Asra Kron
NASMCO

VF-154 gets new "old" birds

The full line up of VF-154 on February 5, 2016, at NAS Miramar. AK-300 to AK-303.

The Black Knights are one of the three carrier based fighter squadrons nesting at Miramar and they were originally assigned Super Hornets. Much as we would like to keep an active F-18 squadron the reality is manufacturers have so far not answered US Navy SL requirements in place at NAS Miramar, preventing the correct display of each aircraft identity.

Aesthetics aside, to have unique liveries, which display not only the aircraft unique BuNo but also the squadron ID and insignia - sometimes even the Aviator's - is a great visual aid when flying and, on a more personal note, nothing puts me off more than a formation of 3 or more exactly similar aircraft with no distinction whatsoever. It's just not good.

After weeks of waiting and researching, I decided to submit Jade's Shana Carpool powered Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk dual place to the consideration of VF-154 Sqdrn. CO and that of our senior engineer officer. After trials, and having established that the livery can be changed to meet our requirements, I have decided to park the F/A-18 F’s and F/A-18 C’s and equip the Black Knights with the TA-4 J.

An initial batch of 4 has been ordered, BuNo's 16028, 16029. 16030 and 16031.

The bird was also a constant at the real life Miramar, much more so than the F-18, so in a way, poetic justice was exacted. We will, however, keep pursuing the objective of having a fully operational Super Hornet squadron at Miramar.

CDR. Asra Kron
NASMCO

Note: See Douglas TA-4 J Skyhawk 'Lover Boy' for details.

Intro

"There was a demon that lived in the air. They said whoever challenged him would die. Their controls would freeze up, their planes would buffet wildly, and they would disintegrate. The demon lived at Mach 1 on the meter, seven hundred and fifty miles an hour, where the air could no longer move out of the way..."

The Right Stuff (1983)

From the start, there was the need...
To achieve an environment where you could become what you dreamed of one day, and have a background that would immerse you in that dream as if it was real.

We choose to be what we once dreamed of becoming, and chase the demon beyond what we imagined... To be Naval Aviators.

Doing so in Second Life, using the mirror image of a real life institution as magnificent and proud as the United States Navy is a challenge we rise to. We honor the lives we mirror and serve with the respect we once hoped to in reality. The flag that waves above us at Miramar is as real as it gets. We remember that every time we suit up. This is U.S. Navy SL. And we are proud of it.

Hooyah.

CDR. Asra "Cougar" Kron
NASMCO