Originally created Thursday, October 30, 2008
HSL-46 Det. 4 Successfully Completes WOWU
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Flying a minimum of 12 hours per crewmember during the course of six days, Detachment Four totaled 39.2 of flight time to quickly hone their skills. Using two helicopters to fly this large number of hours means a significant amount of maintenance, keeping the seventeen "Dark Knight" maintainers as busy as the pilots.
Included in the schedule for WOWU was the full gamut of helicopter operations, supported by all ships in the strike group.
Onboard Vicksburg, the detachment practiced VERTREP, HIFR, and smokelight and ELVA (Emergency Low Visibility) approaches.
Following the successful completion of WOWU, Vicksburg and Detachment Four sailed in concert with the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. To further hone their skills, Vicksburg's detachment flew multiple PAX transfers as well as landing cross-deck on a DDG to transfer parts and personnel.
When not actively being tasked, the aircrews practiced their VID observation techniques and monitored Vicksburg's VBSS training for the upcoming 5th Fleet deployment.
Each of the Helicopter Second Pilots (H2P) stood Landing Safety Officer (LSO) under-instruction when not flying, learning the skills necessary to control the takeoff and landing of the aircraft.
When qualified, they will be able to share the LSO duties with the two Helicopter Aircraft Commanders (HACs) and AIRBOSS. Running through an exhausting schedule of DLQ's (Daylight Landing Qualifications), un-aided night landings, and NVG-assisted landings, the "Dark Knights" accomplished their WOWU training smoothly and without incident. Integration of the Air Department comprises a crucial element of Vicksburg's "go anywhere, do anything" capabilities, adding another substantial dimension to achieve mission accomplishment.
The aircraft assets, expertise, and level of professionalism the "Dark Knights" of HSL 46 Det 4 bring to the ship are key components of high-flying success for the Vicksburg team.
