CVN 77 Completes Carrier Qualifications

NORFOLK (NNS) (NNS) -- The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) returned to its homeport of Norfolk following a two-week carrier qualification (CQ) underway period, April 29.

During the underway period, George H.W. Bush completed more than 1,700 arrested landings supporting Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) and Training Command (TRACOM) CQ evolutions.

"It took a lot of variables to reach our goal of 1,700 traps," said Lt. Kent Davis. "With great weather, perfect chemistry and everyone working together we pulled it off."

In the FRS portion, which lasted five days, 45 pilots completed 390 day arrested landings and 206 night arrested landings. Bush went on to complete 615 day arrested landings during the TRACOM portion. Overall the ship completed a total of 1,737 arrested landings including Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD), FRS and TRACOM CQ.

George H.W. Bush also set a personal CQ record of 95 night arrested landings, and a personal TRACOM record of more than 240 arrested landings.

"Our hardworking departments all came together to get the job done," said Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Hughes, the ship's aircraft handling officer. "We overcame obstacles to achieve all of our goals on time or ahead of schedule."

During this underway, they were also evaluated on their ability to maintain equipment throughout the ship with maintenance spot checks and an evaluation by Naval Air Forces Atlantic (AIRLANT). Sailors were tested on their knowledge of the Navy's Material Data System, while spot checks validated the correct performance of maintenance using a specified format, as listed on maintenance requirement cards (MRC).

"Our ship scored above all other carriers on this evaluation," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Donavon Gray. "We're doing a great job and constantly gaining knowledge to make us even better in the future."

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is in port conducting training operations in preparation for the upcoming underway schedule.

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