America (CV 66) - Naval Cruise Book

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EA-6B Prowler S-3B Viking The S-3B Viking is the first completely computerized, carrier-based, anti-submarine jet aircraft. It has the all-weather capability to search for, localize and destroy enemy submarines. It is designed to carry an array of ordnance, including homing torpedoes, mines, depth charges, rockets and missiles. Equipped with the latest ASW sensors, it is capable of searching large areas of ocean and detecting modern nuclear submarines. The Viking is flown from AMERICA by Air Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron VS-32, based at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. The EA-6B Prowler is a four-seat, all-weather aircraft with the primary mission of providing electronic warfare support to the fleet by detecting and jamming enemy radar signals. Modern anti-air defense systems, whether they use missiles, gunfire or fighter interceptors, rely heavily on radar for tracking and guidance. By denying the enemy the use of his radars, the Prowler can effectively screen friendly strike aircraft and neutralize enemy weapon systems. Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron VAQ-137, based at NAS Whidbey Island, Washington, flies the EA-6B from AMERICA. Length - 59' Height -16.2' Span - 53' Speed -516 Kts Length - 49.5' Height -15.6' Span - 69' Speed - 400 Kts

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AMERICA’S Airwing Carrier Air wing One The F-I4A 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 Phoenix missiles in addition to Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles. and can engage multiple targets simultaneously. Fighter squadrons VF-33 and VF-102, based at NAS Oceana. Virginia, fly the F-14 from AMERICA. F-14A Tomcat Length - 62' Height-16' Span -64.1' Speed - Mach 2+

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Carrier Flight Operations Like a well-choreographed ballet, aircraft operations on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier require precision and coordination between the performers. More than 200 men respond to the call to flight quarters and move to the skillfully orchestrated ballet of man and machine. In what appears to be total chaos to an observer, the men, who arc identified by their various colored jerseys, perform their jobs professionally, rapidly and safely. Airplanes move at the direction of the yellow shirts, and weapons arc loaded by the red-shirted ordnancemen. Green shirts maintain the catapults and arresting gear, blue shirts chock and chain the aircraft. and the purple-shirted “grapes provide J P-5 fuel to the aircraft. Safety checks on aircraft prior to launch are done by the white shirts. In order to land on the pitching flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the pilot must bring his aircraft in at an exact predetermined speed, altitude and angle. One of four arresting cables on the flight deck brings the plane to a stop from 150 mph within a distance of about 350 feet. A catapult launch from one of AMERICA’S four catapults sends a 22-ton aircraft 260 feet from zero to 180 mph in two seconds. The tempo of operations can be exhausting, with a launch as often as every minute, and a recovery as often as every 45 seconds. Day and night, underway in all weather conditions, the men of AMERICA and CVW-1 respond to the challenge of the world's most dangerous job.