America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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EMBARKED IRCRAFT F-14A Tomcat The F-14A Tomcat is a two seat, twin-engine all- weather aircraft capable of flying twice the speed of sound. Its mission is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft in order to establish and maintain local air superiority. The Tomcat can carry long-range Phoe- nix missiles in addition to Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, and can engage multiple targets simul- taneously. Fighter Squadron VF-102, based at NAS Oceana, Virginia, flies the F-14A from AMERICA. A-6E Intruder The A-6E Intruder is a two-seat, subsonic, low- level, medium attack bomber with the capability to deliver bombs on target with pinpoint accuracy deep into hostile territory. Its mission is the de- struction, in all weather conditions day or night, of moving or fixed land targets. The A-6E is flown from AMERICA by Attack Squadron VA-85, based at NAS Oceana, Virginia. FXA-18C Hornet The F X A-18C is a high-performance, all-weather, multi-mission tactical aircraft. It is a single-seat, twin-engine jet which can undertake fighter, attack and reconnaissance missions. It's targets may be enemy ground installations, aircraft or naval units. Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-82 and VFA-86, based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, fly the FXA-18C from AMERICA. 24 USS America

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EA-6B Prowler . The EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat, all-weather aircraft with the primary mission of providing elec- tronic. warfare support to the fleet by detecting and Jamming enemy radar signals. Modern anti-air de- fense systems, whether they use missiles, gunfire or fighter interceptors, rely heavily on radar for track- 1ng and guidance. By denying the enemy the use of his radars, the Prowler can effectively screen friendly strike aircraft and neutralize enemy weap- on systems. Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-137, based at NAS Whidbey Island, Wash- ington, flies the EA-6B from AMERICA. S-3B Viking The S-3B Viking is the first completely com- puterized, carrier-based, anti-submarine jet air- craft. It has the all-weather capability to search for, localize and destroy enemy submarines. It is de- signed to carry an array of ordnance, including homing torpedoes, mines, depth charges, rockets and missiles. Equipped with the latest ASW sen- sors, it is capable of searching large areas of ocean and detecting modern nuclear submarines. The Vi- king is flown from AMERICA by Air Anti- Submarine Warfare Squadron VS-32, based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. E-2C Hawkeye I The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin-engi fe turboprop aircraft designed to provide fleet units with early warning and detection of approaching enemy forc- es. It is an airborne combat information center which extends task force defense perimeters. The Hawkeye provides strike and traffic control, area radar surveillance, search and rescue guidance, navigational assistance and communications relay. Carrier Early Warningiquadron VAW-123, based at NAS Norfolk, Virginia, flies the E-2C from AMERICA. SH-3H Sea King The SH-3H Sea King is a gas turbine powered helicopter used primarily for anti-submarine war- fare. It also provides search and rescue and logistics support to the carrier battle group as required. Ca- pable of staying airborne for more than five hours, the Sea King is equipped with sonar, magnetic anomaly detection, sonobuoys and multi-channel relay equipment. Helicopter Squadron HS-11, based at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, flies the Sea King from AMERICA. Teamwork 25