A strategic hull swap between USS George Washington (CVN 73) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has opened a unique window for Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) to complete its Air Wing Fallon (AWF) training with full participation. This rare occurrence, stemming from the transition in the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) in the Indo-Pacific region, marks the first time in over nine years that the entire air wing has trained together at the Navy’s premier tactical aviation training facility.
Typically, CVW-5’s operational demands in the Indo-Pacific limit its participation in comprehensive stateside training. However, the scheduling opportunity created by the carrier swap allowed for this exceptional full-strength training event, significantly enhancing the air wing’s combat readiness and integration.
Capt. Patrick Corrigan, commander of CVW-5, emphasized the significance of this opportunity: “Air Wing Fallon delivers the highest caliber of tactical training that naval aviation provides to carrier air wings prior to deployment. As CVW-5 is stationed in Japan, it’s been over nine years since the entire team completed the course.”
The air wing had just four weeks to integrate new assets, including the F-35C Lightning II, upgraded EA-18G Growlers, and DSSC 4.0 E-2D Hawkeyes, before commencing the rigorous AWF training. This condensed timeline added an extra layer of complexity to an already demanding program.
Preparing for South China Sea Operations
The completion of AWF training ensures that CVW-5 remains fully prepared to support missions in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the South China Sea. “This process rigorously tested every element of mission planning, tactical execution and debriefing, and as a result, we are now a more lethal air wing,” Capt. Corrigan stated.
The training at Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada, lasted five weeks and included mission planning, virtual environment rehearsals, tactical plan refinement, and live-flight missions. The Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center (NAWDC) provided top-tier tactical instruction through its hand-selected junior officer weapons and tactics instructors (WTIs) from every CVW platform.
Strategic Implications of the Carrier Swap
The hull swap between USS George Washington and USS Ronald Reagan is more than just a rotation of assets. It represents the Navy’s commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Capt. John Stigi, strike department head at NAWDC, highlighted the strategic focus of the training: “The true value of the AWF course and training at NAWDC stems from our ability to test the air wing in effectively countering peer threats through the synchronization of kinetic and non-kinetic fires while fully integrating all air wing platforms.”
Looking Ahead
As USS George Washington prepares to take over as the forward-deployed carrier, it will return to Yokosuka, Japan, with a fully trained and ready air wing. CVW-5’s complement includes squadrons operating F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning IIs, EA-18G Growlers, C-2 Greyhounds, and E-2D Hawkeyes.
This carrier swap and the enhanced readiness of CVW-5 underscore the U.S. Navy’s commitment to providing security and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific region. As tensions persist in areas like the South China Sea, the presence of these advanced naval aviation assets serves as a powerful deterrent and a ready force for any contingency.
The successful completion of AWF training and the upcoming carrier transition demonstrate the adaptability and readiness of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed forces, ensuring they remain at the forefront of naval aviation capabilities in one of the world’s most strategically important regions.
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