Nearly 30 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) cadets toured Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana facilities April 27.

The students, enrolled in a course specializing in automotive and mechanical repair at Parkersburg South High School in Parkersburg, West Virginia, received briefs and demonstrations of F/A-18E/F Super Hornet systems after meeting with Cmdr. Gary Shelley, the CNATTU Oceana executive officer.

"It gives me an overwhelming sense of excitement, giving our talented training personnel an opportunity to showcase exactly how we impact future Sailors heading to the fleet," Shelly said. "Nothing gives me more joy than seeing the spark of imagination flow through these young cadet's minds, which may very well serve to them becoming a future member of our armed forces."

Parkersburg South High School offers numerous avenues for students to learn technical skills, according to school administrators. Ten percent of the high school's JROTC participants join the U.S. armed forces after graduation.

CNATTU Oceana's training facilities are designed to provide instruction on various F/A-18E/F and EA-F18G systems. Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Denis DeMichiel delivered a presentation on the F/A-18E/F landing gear and arresting hook systems, providing a live demonstration using one of CNATTU Oceana's Maintenance Training Suites (MTS). The MTS trainer provides a real-world scenario which showcases the complexity of the timing and rigging of more than 100 different aircraft components working together.

The visiting students were also able to observe CNATTU Oceana's newest type of trainer, the Interactive Virtual Electronic Maintenance Trainer (IVEMT). Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Jerrid Mutter provided students a hands-on experience, allowing them to sit in the trainer's seat while observing how the IVEMT delivers an authentic feel of being in the control station of the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The IVEMT is a highly versatile trainer due to its ability to simulate multiple systems and operations on an aircraft, allowing instructors to have an all-in-one training suite.

Mutter also used the IVEMT to display a visualization of the Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera system on the monitors of the trainer, showing the visiting students the highly sophisticated night vision capability of the aircraft's weapon delivery system.

Students also received a presentation on the basic operation of the F/A-18 F404-GE-404 turbine jet engine and the in-flight refueling system from Aviation Machinists Mate 1st Class Corbin Dawkins, who explained the basics of a jet engine, using the "Inlet, Compression, Combustion, Exhaust" method to explain the roles of the different sections of the engine. Dawkins also explained the Super Hornet's fuel system utilizing the Fuel Cell trainer, allowing the students to observe the fuselage fuel cells while briefing them about the system.

The final stop on the half-day tour included a demonstration of CNATTU Oceana's Paint and Final Finish course. Presenter Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Joshua Heger explained the critical importance of being able to expertly paint aircraft, and also discussed how effective the paint and final finish techniques are in maintaining aircraft viability.

Shelley added that having the opportunity to showcase what the CNATTU Oceana military and civilian employees do each day is an honor for the staff.

"Opportunities such as this visit provide an insight into naval aviation maintenance and can serve to spark an interest in learning about something to which they might not ordinarily be exposed," said Shelley.

CNATTU Oceana provides specialized technical training to aviation maintenance professionals for F/A-18 Hornets and automated test equipment in direct support of genuine and emerging fleet requirements.

CNATTU Oceana is part of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, which provides single site management for Navy and Marine Corps aviation technical training.

CNATTU is a technical training agent for the Naval Aviation Enterprise, an organization designed to advance and sustain naval aviation warfighting capabilities at an affordable cost under Naval Education and Training Command.


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