Jackpot Hooligan II, accomplished on Christmas Eve, was the fruits of greater than a yr of relationship and techniques, strategies and procedures, experimentation, evaluation, and implementation at sea and ashore between models of the U.S. Navy, Air Power, and North Dakota Air Nationwide Guard (NDANG). The work accomplished by the Sailors and Airmen of Command Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL), Provider Air Wing (CVW) 7, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, and the 178th Assault Squadron underscored the worth of interpersonal relationships and the significance of collaborative, joint warfighting growth on the tactical stage for operational-level influence.
“Throughout the strike group, the mission of honing our warfighting capabilities and strengthening our nationwide protection is a precedence,” stated Rear Adm. Dennis Velez, commander, CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. “Joint warfare is essential to sustaining a aggressive benefit in opposition to our adversaries and making certain we make the most of the complete vary of capabilities throughout U.S. navy in protection of America and our allies is how we stay forward.”
This relationship between the Navy and Air Power started in the summertime of 2021 when Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 accomplished train Victory Hooligan with the USAF, NDANG, and North Dakota Army Nationwide Guard in Fargo, North Dakota.
“Working with Air Power and Nationwide Guard parts within the early phases of the partnership was important to growing a stable operational basis,” stated Cmdr. Jason “Fisheye” Papadopoulos, commanding officer of VFA-103. “The trouble we put in early continues to pay dividends as we foster joint relationships and defy technological warfighting expectations.”
In early 2022, VFA-103, CVW-7, NDANG, and Command Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL), MQ-9s started their first-ever detachment at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia. At the moment, the squadrons of CVW-7 have been additionally finishing pre-deployment coaching prematurely of a commonly scheduled deployment that started on Aug. 10, 2022 embarked aboard USS George H.W. Bush as a part of the George H.W. Bush Provider Strike Group.
The detachment at NAS Oceana additional highlighted the talents of the MQ-9 to go with CVW-7 in a number of maritime area mission areas. Realizing the untapped capabilities of the MQ-9 obtainable to CVW-7 as the results of their work, the following step was growth of modern techniques and at sea testing.
To additional the hassle, NDANG 1st Lt. Mitchell “Twig” Mazaheri, MQ-9 Liaison Officer (LNO), embarked aboard the Nimitz-class plane provider USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) through the ship and Provider Strike Group’s pre-deployment certification train, – a Composite Coaching Unit Train – within the late spring and summer season of 2022, with the intention to refine techniques and to arrange for operational testing. It was the primary time an MQ-9 liaison officer built-in with a provider strike group at sea.
“One main takeaway from the MQ-1/9 neighborhood’s mission through the World Conflict on Terror was the importance of face-to-face integration with the troopers, Marines, and Sailors on the bottom previous to their deployments,” stated Mazaheri. “The relationships that have been fashioned because of this allowed for a extra seamless integration course of all through their deployments. Now as we transition to see and near-peer risk, the significance of using the processes we constructed over the previous 20 years is much more important and the maritime area is an space the place we carry goal worth.”
Along with constructing relationships in an more and more joint setting, proving the MQ-9s capability to conduct maritime strikes is a aggressive benefit for Provider Strike Teams and their warfare commanders.
“That is the kind of skilled teamwork and technological integration that enables Provider Air Wing 7 to ship decisive fight victories in protection of the strike group and its allies,” stated Capt. Thomas Bodine, commander, CVW-7. “The significance of collaboration throughout the Division of Protection and the correct utility of all property to attain mission success can’t be overstated.”
Throughout train Jackpot Hooligan I – an artificial coaching train that preceded Jackpot Hooligan II – personnel from throughout the strike group, associate branches, and a number of warfare commanders inside the strike group, have been in a position to combine and study from one another’s experience – collectively elevated their functionality whereas limiting danger to personnel and property
“The power to work as a cohesive workforce is paramount to the success of the U.S. navy,” stated Mazahari. “The relationships and information every occasion dropped at the desk helped create paths for enchancment for our respective communities shifting ahead.”
The expertise gained from the repeat integration of VFA-103, CVW-7, CSG-10, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 and the MQ-9 neighborhood enabled clean integration throughout train Jackpot Hooligan II.
“Because the air wing’s devoted strike asset, F/A-18s can simply combine with the MQ-9 and enhance our general capabilities,” stated Lt. Cmdr. Brandon “Meatwad” Allgood, assistant operations officer for VFA-103. “In coordination with the MQ-9s, the F/A-18s have been in a position to rapidly and precisely conduct their strike, mitigating any potential collateral injury within the course of.”
The previous, current, and future workout routines between joint forces strengthen the tactical capabilities needed for the U.S. to meet strategic priorities at house and overseas. For CSG-10, employment of the MQ-9 provides important fight capabilities to the strike group’s air and maritime strike arsenal, enabling it to raised perform its mission within the U.S. Sixth Fleet space of operations.
The George H.W. Bush CSG is on a scheduled deployment within the U.S. Naval Forces Europe space of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied, and associate pursuits.
George H.W. Bush is the flagship of CSG-10, George H.W. Bush CSG. CSG-10 is comprised of George H.W. Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26, the Info Warfare Commander, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55).
The ships of DESRON-26 inside CSG-10 are the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119).
The squadrons of CVW-7 embarked aboard the George H.W. Bush are the “Sidewinders” of VFA-86, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103, the “Nighthawks” of VFA-136, the “Pukin Canine” of VFA-143, the “Bluetails” of Provider Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, the “Patriots” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 5, and the “Grandmasters” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46.
For over 80 years, NAVEUR-NAVAF has solid strategic relationships with allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of accountability. U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF, and employs maritime forces by the complete spectrum of joint and naval operations.
