SHUTTLEtheUSS Enterprise (CVN 65) -Wednesday June 8, 2011

Photo by MC3 Alex R. Forster

welcome to the

grand club

the Page 3Wednesday June 8, 2011

Enterprise NewsSHUTTLE

By MC3 Jared M. KIngUSS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea – A weapon systems officer assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 joined the ranks of a select group of naval aviators June 7, when he made his 1,000th carrier arrested landing, or “trap,” on the flight deck of the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Lt. Cmdr. Patrick J. Fernandes, a weapon systems officer assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, achieved the milestone. Landing in a 40-thousand pound aircraft traveling more than 120 miles an hour on such a small area once is an incredible feat; however, doing that same process 1,000 times is something to celebrate. Naval aviators and flight officers who achieve this are called members of the “Grand Club.” “I may have been in the jet, but it’s the maintenance crews, and the people who support what we do that really deserve the credit,” said Fernandes. After his trap, Fernandes thanked the crews of maintainers and specialists below the flight deck who made, and continue to make, air operations on Big ‘E’ possible. “I’ve never missed a sortie, and my plane is always ready to go. That’s the hard work of all the people on deck and below deck who deserve just

as much recognition,” said Fernandes. Fernandes started out as an enlisted service member, climbed the ranks to Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class and soon after was selected for commissioning. During his time as an enlisted service member, Fernandes performed maintenance on tailhooks, which is the very same piece of equipment that allowed him to make his 1,000 traps. “Looking back, I went from maintaining tailhooks, to flying in the jets that use them,” he said. Fernandes’ first commissioned tour was

aboard the aircraft carrier USS Constellation (CV 64), where he made his first trap in early 2001. “Originally I was trained on the S-3 platform, but soon after that I transitioned to the Super Hornet,” said Fernandes. Since then, Fernandes has been stationed at mostly seagoing commands. “I’ve been on sea duty for a while, so I’d have to say that’s the major factor in reaching my 1,000th trap,” said Fernandes. “Usually commanding officers achieve this at that point in their career, so I think it’s a great honor.” Fernandes shared his moment with his maintainers

VFA-11 weapon systems officer makes 1,000th trap

Photo by MC3 Alex R. Forster

and the crew in the squadron’s ready room. Enterprise’s Commanding Office, Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne, also a member of the Grand Club, announced his achievement on the ship’s loudspeaker saying, “This is a great milestone for any naval aviator and is especially important for him as a Lt. Cmdr. since that milestone is usually not reached until much later in one’s career.” Fernandez is just the 10th Lt. Cmdr. to achieve this milestone. Since his first carrier arrested landing aboard Constellation, Fernandes has accumulated more than 3,140 flight hours.

Lt. Cmdr. Patrick J. Fernandes, a weapon systems officer assigned to the “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, gets into his F/A-18E Super Hornet prior to flying. Fernandes joined a select group of naval aviators when he made his 1,000th carrier arrested landing, or “trap,” June 7.

the Wednesday June 8, 2011Page 4 SHUTTLE

FUN ZONE!

Sailors of the DayLegalman 2nd ClassErica Marie Keels- Palmetto, FL

Photos by MCSN Jesse Gonzalez

LN2 (AW) Keels, a non-judicial punishment clerk for Enterprise’s Legal Department, joined the Navy nine years and 11 months ago to “travel the world and see different cultures and religions, and I stayed because I enjoy serving my country.” To Keels, the most rewarding aspect of her job is “getting Sailors back on the right path.” Keels aspires to become a first class petty officer and earn her enlisted surface warfare specialist pin. When she returns from deployment, Keels plans to go to the beach with her kids and volunteer as a Pop Warner cheerleader coach.

AEAN Werner, an F/A-18E Super Hornet plane captain for Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, joined the Navy two and a half years ago because he had always thought about joining the military. To Werner, the most rewarding aspect of his job is knowing that it helps those around him, adding “it’s just nice to make other people’s day.” Werner plans to earn a college degree in electricial engineering in the future. In his spare time, Werner likes to play basketball and “chill with my friends.”

Aviation Electrician’s Mate AirmanNicholas P. Werner- West Bend, WI

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