Posted on by laststandonzombieisland Leave a comment
Carrier Strike Group Twelve just posted some great images of the mission symbol nose art applied to some of the birds of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Eight as they returned on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) following an historic and successful 11-month (326 day), 57,713 nautical mile, deployment to the Central Command, European Command and Southern Command across U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleet AORs.
During the cruise, the wing made 11,500 cats from EMALS, 12,200 flight launches when the rotors are included, logged more than 5,760 flight hours, and took part in NATO Exercise Neptune Strike and Operations Southern Spear, Absolute Resolve, and Operation Epic Fury.
For reference, when it comes to Modexes on CVW-8 during this epic cruise, 100s are the Ragin’ Bulls of VFA-37, 200s are the Black Lions of VFA-213, 300s are the Felix-the-cat carrying Tomcatters of VFA-31, 400s are the Golden Warriors of VFA-87, and 500s are the Growler-riding Gray Wolves of VAQ-142.
HSC-9’s well-known tattooed color bird, Bu no 167834, MH-60S Knighthawk
With tallies for what look to be four missions on tankers. Note that HSC-9 are the Tridents.
VFA-37 loaded with bombs and JASSM marks
VFA-37
Black Lions color bird
Tomcatters Rhino with both bomb and JASSM marks
Golden Warriors of VFA-87, showing spears and a tomahawk, which is a unit thing that is doubtless open to interpretation
Nice
As this is a Growler, those should be for HARM missiles.
Somebody in VFA-37 has been busy!