Last modified Wed., November 24, 2004 - 03:21 PM
Originally created Thursday, November 25, 2004

Viking Tactics Instructor Class 2-04 graduates

From SCWS

Members of Viking Tactics Instructor Class 2-04 graduated Nov. 10. From left, Cmdr. Mark Sturges, Lt. Cmdr Kevin Quarderer, Lt. Nicholas Hudson, Lt. j.g. Christopher Edwards, Lt. Russ Crawford, Lt. Joseph Cuba, Lt. Timothy Gantz, Lt. Carolyn Crary, Lt. Nathan Strang and Lt. Jeff Abbadini.
Photo courtesy of SCWS

While the nation focused on the excitement of professional sports events and the presidential election throughout October and November, a group of naval aviators and flight officers in the S-3B community focused on their tactical and professional development in graduate level training.

Nominated by their squadron commanding officers and endorsed by Sea Control Wings Atlantic and Pacific commodores, nine S-3B Viking aircrew, Class 2-04, accepted the challenge and participated in the five and a half week Viking Tactics Instructor (VTI) course.

Led by Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Quarderer of VS-32, the senior member of Class 2-04, Lts. Jeff Abbadini of Sea Control Weapons School (SCWS), Carolyn Crary (NSAWC), Russ Crawford of VS-32, Joseph Cuba of SCWS, Timothy Gantz of VS-32, Nicholas Hudson of VS-24, Nathan Strang of VS-24 and Lt. j.g. Christopher Edwards of VS-31, became new members of a select few.

On Nov. 10, at a graduation ceremony held at NAS Jax, each earned the coveted VTI patch. Designated as air combat weapons tactics instructors, these newly designated VTIs will bring the latest tactical acumen and doctrine to their respective commands.

The VTI course began in early October with a week of instruction at Naval Strike Air and Warfare Center, Fallon, Nev., lectures in professional briefing techniques and tactical updates and overviews of all naval aviation communities.

Class 2-04 returned to SCWS at NAS Jax for four more weeks of graduate level tactics and weapons lectures, simulators, and eight tactical flights.

The flight events allowed the class to put their training to work which included advanced time sensitive SLAM ER missions, utilizing the captive air training missile, torpedo employment on a remote target simulating a threat submarine, and expended over 21,000 pounds of ordnance on both land and sea targets.

Their training was culminated on the last flight with a simulated war at sea strike in which the class utilized the planning and weapons employment tactics learned throughout the course.

As VTIs, each member of the class is now tasked with providing this important training to their own commands. Each will be personally responsible for maintaining the high standards set by SCWS. They will act as their commanding officer's liaison to SCWS and are expected to be the information source for new advancements in tactics and training.

SCWS would like to thank VS-24, VS-31 and VS-32 for providing outstanding support during the flight phase of VTI Class 2-04.