NAS Lemoore has two parallel runways, almost a mile apart, with one used primarily for landing and the other for take-off. Each runway is around 2.5 miles long and they are busy. For this is home to all of the US Navy’s carrier fighter squadrons assigned to the four west coast Carrier Air Wings, together with the one assigned to the far east and shore based in Japan. Of the 18 squadrons flying from Lemoore, currently all but one fly the F/A-18E/F model. It means that around 250 Super Hornets are shore based there. Couple that with this being the base for the first of the U S Navy’s Squadrons to convert to the new F-35C Lightning II, and NAS Lemoore is the premier jet fighter base for the U S Navy. (NAS Oceana will shortly follow in its footsteps as more of the newer model E-s and F-s become available to replace the C’s and D’s that some squadrons still fly).
The Squadrons based at NAS Lemoore are currently:
VFA-2 Bounty Hunters
VFA-14 Tophatters
VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks
VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet
VFA-41 Black Aces
VFA-86 Sidewinders
VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes
VFA-97 Warhawks
VFA-113 Stingers
VFA-122 Flying Eagles
VFA-125 Rough Raiders (the training unit flying the F-35C)
VFA-136 Knighthawks
VFA-137 Kestrels
VFA-146 Blue Diamonds
VFA-147 Argonauts
VFA-151 Vigilantes
VFA-154 Black Knights
VFA-192 Golden Dragons
There is also the Search and Rescue squadron, the Wranglers, flying four MH-60s in support of those fleet squadrons.
Furthermore, Lemoore provides support, as said, for the four F/A-18E/F Squadrons assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5, based in Japan, these are:
VFA-27 Royal Maces
VFA-102 Diamondbacks
VFA-115 Eagles
VFA-195 Dambusters
Whilst the majority of the Lemoore squadrons are assigned to West Coast Carrier Air Wings, some fly in support of those on the East Coast. The disposition can change but, to give an idea of the current position:
Carrier Air Wing 2 comprises CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson with VFA-2, 137 and 192
Carrier Air Wing 9 comprises CVN-74 USS John C Stennis with VFA-14, 41, 97 and 151
Carrier Air Wing 11 comprises CVN-68 USS Nimitz with VFA-146, 147 and 154
Carrier Air Wing 17 comprises CVN-71 USS Theodore Roosevelt with VFA-22, 94 and 113
VFA-25 and 86, although shore based at Lemoore are assigned to East Coast Carrier Air Wing 7. Similarly, VFA-136 is assigned to East Coast Carrier Air Wing 1.
To complete the picture, in the far east is Carrier Air Wing 5 comprising USS Ronald Reagan with the four F/A-18E/F Squadrons VFA-27, 102, 115 and 195 supported by Lemoore.
The weather permits prolific flying here, with in excess of 200,000 movements annually. Many of these will be conducted by VFA-122, the West Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron. This Squadron is larger than the others, with around 60 aircraft. It has several functions. It provides the pilots and weapon systems officers for the Fleet Squadrons. There are approximately 150 students undergoing training and, for example, the conversion course for a pilot transitioning from the T-45 Goshawk takes between 8-12 months. VFA-122 also provides replacement aircraft for the west coast fleet squadrons, provides refresher training for their pilots and WSO’s and provides training for maintenance personnel.
In final preparation for embarkation Squadrons will ‘work up’ at NAS Fallon, across the border in Northern Nevada.
The aircraft are worked hard at Lemoore, probably harder when at Fallon and certainly harder when at sea. That they are able to do so and mostly without incident, is due to the maintenance and the logistical support work, often unseen, which underpins all of the flying that takes place. The public may see a jet fighter in the air and take it for granted. The pilots and WSO’s do not. They know and appreciate the teamwork that enables them to get off the ground or the deck.
What struck your correspondent most when talking with some of the personnel at this base and seeing them going about their tasks, was their complete professionalism, be that of the aircrew, those maintaining the aircraft they fly and those in the host of supporting functions. Calm and measured, these people know their jobs and inspire confidence at all levels which is particularly important in an area of activity which, at the sharp end, is an inherently dangerous one.
As I write this I am aware of a plan for NAS Lemoore to hold an airshow on 21-22 September 2019. If you have the opportunity, do go along. Meet some of those who work there, take a look at some of the wide range of activities and hopefully, some of the flying. The Blue Angels do have that date in their calendar at the moment – so you would get to see some ‘Legacy’ Hornets as well as Super Hornets!
Aviation Reporting would like to thank VFA-122 for hosting our ramp tour and PAO Lydia Bock for taking the time out of her very busy schedule to escort us around base and allowing us next to the LSO shack for some up-close photography.
Author-Peter Nelson
Photography- Mark Forest & Steven Fenton
