Submitted by TEAM Public Affairs, PEO (W)

January 16, 2001

In a continuous effort to hone their proficiency with advanced weapons, eight aircrew from Carrier Air Wing Eight and Carrier Air Wing Two conducted successful launches of two Standoff Land Attack Missile Expanded Response (SLAM-ER) exercise missiles this month.

The launches were conducted at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Sea Test Range, at the San Nicolas Island site. This event marked the first Fleet SLAM-ER training firings at the sea test range.

The strike was planned and performed in two waves by a total of eight F/A-18 aircraft. In the first wave Falcon 11, piloted by Lt. "Cruiser" Christie, launched SLAM?ER at a preplanned launch point. In the second wave Pride 11, piloted by Lt. "Fish" Hartkop, launched another SLAM-ER at a preplanned launch point. After the second launch, Switch 11, piloted by Lt. "Face" McFarland, controlled the first missile to impact. Capt. "Pig" Kisselburgh, U.S. Marine Corps, was designated as the back-up controller. Four minutes later, Party 13, piloted by Lt. "Lurch" Rouland, controlled the second missile to impact, with Lt. "Fu" Barr as the designated back-up controller.

The targets for the coordinated strike, a simulated revetted aircraft and simulated mobile radar, were both assessed as destroyed by the precision attack.

Safe separation for the strike was provided by Falcon 12, Lt. "Gump" Young and Switch 12, Lt. "Kazoo" Cason. Tanker support for the operation was provided by a KC-135 aircraft, Earl 11, from the 92nd Air Refueling Wing, Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Wash.

These launches were the culmination of a rigorous training evolution for the Fleet aircrew provided by the SLAM-ER Tiger Team, consisting of Weapons Systems Evaluation Division personnel from Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division Point Mugu, Calif., led by Lt. Keith Henry. Training consisted of eight hours of classroom briefings on the weapon system, hands-on tactics, scenario development on the Tactical Automated Mission Planning System, and captive carry runs on the sea test range.

This training evolution marked the first successful end-to-end training evolution on SLAM-ER for fleet units. The SLAM-ER Fleet Interface team and the program office recognize all participants and support personnel for their efforts in completing this important event. Capt. A.J. Benn, SLAM-ER program manager summed-up the event and the ongoing SLAM-ER readiness training program by saying, "we can be proud in knowing that the fleet is well trained and will be successful in their employment of SLAM-ER, should they be required to do so."

The SLAM-ER program is managed by the Standoff Missile Systems program office, which is part of the Program Executive Office, Strike Weapons and Unmanned Aviation (PEO (W)). For more information on PEO (W) log on to www.strikenet.js.mil.