When the crew of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) departed for a sustainment exercise, not only were they joined by Carrier Air Wing 3, Destroyer Squadron 26 and Carrier Strike Group 10, but they soon welcomed some fresh-faced guests from the Naval Academy, March 31.

The midshipmen were brought aboard Ike for an extensive tour of the aircraft carrier conducting flight operations to see the full range of roles involved in its mission. They worked with a squadron and learned from junior officers who work in various fields they might choose to pursue. The midshipmen paired up with their squadron for their entire day to get a better understanding of the challenges they will be facing when they transition into the fleet as commissioned officers.

"This is the first time we've actually done this," said Lt. Caroline Johnson, aviation operations officer at the Naval Academy. "This trip is meant to expose midshipmen to carrier aviation life and the ship's company team. We wanted to reveal to them the incredible opportunities out here. At the academy they don't really get to see how the entire team comes together to execute the mission. Here they can see, hear and smell what naval aviation really is."

The midshipmen were shown almost all aspects of flight operations from many of the perspectives that contribute to the overall effort. They were given tours of the flight deck and primary flight control, and given time to speak with both commissioned and enlisted leadership.

"Coming out here has been a very eye-opening experience," said Midshipmen Brandon Penafiel. "I definitely want to go aviation, and after coming out here to see an aircraft carrier in action, I've seen that there are many more people involved than just the pilot. I recognize the importance of Sailors, the air crew and the team effort involved."

Even though the entire event took place in a day, the lessons learned are invaluable in helping these future officers take a step in the right direction.

"This is a very unique and rewarding experience for these future officers," said Chief Personnel Specialist Ken Black, Ike's training department leading chief petty officer. "For them to get a peek into the relationship between the officers and enlisted Sailors will provide a perspective that will make them stronger leaders as they enter the fleet."

While the midshipmen have been deciding which field to specialize in, instructors and academy leadership have concerns the aviation community is not properly represented in the classroom. This trip allowed the incorporeal concepts the students are told of to become flesh and steel. The midshipmen will soon have a second stay aboard a ship for an entire underway to work, instead of just observe particular jobs. At this point they will decide which occupation to list as their preference.

"It's been a great opportunity for them to talk with junior and senior officers who are able to expose them to leadership at sea, which is not something you can do in the classroom," said Naval Academy instructor Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Cleary. "This is the only chance for them to gain first-hand exposure before their junior year. During that summer they get a chance to go on a ship and start to differentiate between which communities they want to enter."

Once they embark the transport aircraft, and are launched into the air from the ship's steam catapults, the students will no doubt have much to think on and much to tell their colleagues upon their return.

Ike and its carrier strike group are underway conducting a sustainment exercise in support of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan (OFRP).

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