Strike Fighter Squadron 34 (VFA-34) of Carrier Air Wing 17, currently embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) deployed to the Middle East region in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, recently dropped the Navy’s first two 500-pound JDAMs - the newest weapon in the service’s inventory - during combat operations in Iraq.

The Navy’s newest JDAM - known as a GBU-38 - provides the warfighter with greater flexibility and accuracy. The JDAM guidance kit converts existing unguided bombs into precision-guided "smart" munitions.

VFA-34’s weapons destroyed the target where insurgents were known to be operating in Iraq. The successful strike was the culmination of a noteworthy effort by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Commander, Fleet Forces Command, and Commander, Fifth Fleet, to rapidly test, procure, and deploy a new weapon system to satisfy an emergent operational requirement.

The GBU-38 completed its initial operational evaluation September 28 from NAVAIR test ranges in southern California. The successful evaluation resulted in an early operational capability on October 8, eight months ahead of its scheduled initial operational capability, ultimately bringing this capability to the warfighter much sooner than expected.

NAVAIR test pilot, Maj. Timothy Burton, USMC, commented, “the use of this precise weapon opens up target sets that might not otherwise be available.”

Navy JDAM program manager, Capt. Dave Dunaway further commented, “the 500-pound JDAM is perfect for the urban warfare that’s taking place now in Iraq. Precision, reliability, and accuracy is exactly what the warfighter was asking for and we are pleased that we could respond quickly.”

The John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group deployed June 7 and consists of USS Spruance (DD 963), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Vicksburg (CG 69), USS Seattle (AOE 3), USS Toledo (SSN 769) and 70 planes from embarked Carrier Air Wing 17. The Kennedy Group arrived in theater July 10 to support ground troops fighting anti-Iraqi insurgents and to support Multi-National Corps-Iraq and Iraqi forces, who are working hard to bring stability to the sovereign government of Iraq.