The effect of catapults launching aircraft can be felt and heard reverberating throughout aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) at all hours, day or night.

The officers who pilot these aircraft operate under high pressure and must be able to endure very stressful situations almost daily.

However, the "Wildcats" pilots of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131 have adapted to their high-velocity missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

"The best part of this job is doing good work and seeing the results," said Lt. Cmdr. William Kelly, a pilot with the Wildcats. "It has been extremely rewarding to be on Ike."

Kelly said the aviators also find real enjoyment in their lives aboard the ship.

"My favorite thing day-to-day is getting to be with my team in the ready room," Kelly said. "We don't always get along; there are good times and bad times, but at the end of the day we always care for each other."

Even in the midst of flying combat missions, Kelly and his fellow Wildcats do have the occasional day of free time to get in a little rest and relaxation.

"The gyms aboard Ike are really great, and we like to workout a lot," said Kelly. "However, ice cream in the wardroom is the best way to decompress!"

Lt. John Rademacher, who has flown with VFA-131 for 1 1/2 years, enjoys the work he does in the squadron immensely.

Rademacher gained a commercial pilot's license before receiving a commission in the Navy.

"I had perfect timing when it came to this cruise," said Rademacher. "I was able to hit all of the work-ups, make close friends inside the squadron, and gain more experience in respect to understanding the F/A-18C."

It is, according to Rademacher, the people who help maintain the aircraft who make it possible for pilots to not only do their jobs, but rest easy knowing they are in good hands.

"It is amazing what the maintenance people do every day," said Rademacher. "The professionalism that our squadron, and the air wing in general, exhibits is truly superlative."

Ike, the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, and the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) are deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

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