Hornet Crew Life

After spending enough time around hornet squadrons, I learned that aircraft movement is only a small part of the story. Photos I share online might show the aircraft but what they often miss is everyone who made that very moment happen.

That is where my focus and my interest in capturing aviation has changed over time. I wanted to make a difference for all and to share for all and not that of capturing the aircraft for “likes and views”.

When I first started taking photos of military aircraft, specifically legacy hornets, I was like most people. I wanted the launches, the carrier break with vapor, the noise, afterburners, and the exciting stuff all at once. There is still nothing wrong with that. Those moments are what pull a lot of people into being excited about an aviation future. But with that comes time, I think perspective shifts with time as well because of who we interact and talk to.

I started to notice the people behind the operation, the guys who get it done before the aircraft moves. I notice the people rarely centered in the photos published in squadrons, even though they are the backbone in everything happening. 

Moments like this are when aviation photography starts becoming more than collecting cool photos.

The Right Rhythm

The Marines who get it done. The Marines who walk up and down the ramp in the morning. The Marines who are working tasks beyond what many can comprehend doing on a daily basis. They never notice and they probably never will. I hope to change that. By the time people notice, jets are at their 12 o'clock soaring in the sky heading to a training range.

The jet returns, and hours later the same pilot flies the same jet again with the help of, you guessed it, maintenance personnel. I respect repetition and those who get it done.

The Next Task

Landing an aircraft is never the end. Inside a squadron with the USMC, it is just the beginning of the next phase for the active hornets. The ladders come down, panels open, and attention is focused at the tasks needed to get done. Fluids, and leaks. 

As the old saying goes….. If it’s not leaking, it’s not working.

These moments speak louder than what one can share about a perfect takeoff with full burner.

MALS-11 Interview

Now, I want to dive deeper into what keeps these hornet crews moving. The people truly behind the scenes. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview SSgt Miranda, a Gunnery Sergeant from Marine Aviation Logistic Squadron 11 (MALS-11). His words gave me a whole new appreciation for the dedication and complexity involved in keeping the aging legacy hornet fleet flying. 

The importance of having aircraft ready is something that the Marines who are behind everyday flights are passionate about. SSgt Miranda told me maintenance on a daily basis is “Getting gear in, gear out, and knowing what I am doing impacts the flight.”

Taking Care of the Crew

Beyond the aircraft, beyond the maintenance. Staff Sergeant Miranda explained how it's very important to keep track of the well being of all the personnel of the team. Knowing when someone needs a break or to take a step back so that they’re not “bulldogged” into exhaustion. His leadership and empathy is vital to creating a healthy environment for his Marines.

When I asked for advice on people who plan on taking a maintenance like position in aviation he told me that you can expect long hours, be ready to be called at any time, and always bring your subject matter expertise. The ability to “roll with the punches” and adapt to whatever challenges come is essential for mission success in a demanding environment.

VMFA-112

Now turning paths to ordinance. A few years ago I got to experience ordinance with VMFA-112 “Cowboys” from Ft Worth, Texas. The precision, skill, and expertise of offloading hornets showed through their actions. 

There was no wasted movement, no confusion between each other, and no attention drawn to one person. It was a team effort. Every action had purpose. And equipment was moved with confidence and strength. I noticed how direct communication between one another was and everyone understood the program.

It can look simple but up close it is so much more.

When you’re around live munitions, heavy equipment, and vehicles it leaves no room for any sort of shortcut. Every Marine has to have trust with each other. Besides, maintaining aircraft, this is one of the most demanding jobs.

One thing that struck out to me was that they trusted each other and took turns when they felt burned out. Like SSgt Miranda said in my interview with him it's important that marines aren't bulldogged into exhaustion.

Readiness is built through trust, teamwork, and taking care of your people. SSgt Eric Kilpatrick during my tour also helped out marines during my visit. He did it as a helping hand which is something I haven't seen leadership wise before with my time documenting the F/A-18C/D's. He is someone who is known for his fantastic military aviation photos and one of the public affairs personnel of VMFA-112.

VMFAT-101: More Than Pilot Training

Before its decommissioning, VMFAT-101 was often recognized for training hornet aviators, but this reached much further than the cockpit alone.

VMFAT-101 was crucial in developing an ecosystem required to operate the aging F/A-18 fleet. That included future pilots, but Marines that work in maintenance, avionics, powerplants, and other technical specialties required to keep aircraft mission and operationally capable on a daily basis.

Every sortie of the squadron depended on more than the person in the seat.

Behind every flight were Marines learning systems, engine procedures, inspections, servicing, electrical, flightline operations, and standards that were expected of them when they got to the fleet.

The ramp at VMFAT-101 reflected that of instruction. It connected classroom instruction to applying those learned values on real experiences. It gave accountability for the many aviators and a chance to learn in an environment where mistakes most likely couldn't be corrected. 

The decommissioning carried meaning for so many people and even the civilian contractors. Civilians contractors help work alongside the Marines that fly the hornets at MCAS Miramar. They help keep the flow and routine of daily operations. I think this is a pretty unique aspect and vital to everyday flying because these civilians mean so much more to the ACE component than what they know. These civilians also pass knowledge from one generation to the next. Many of which have been working on these birds in service prior to becoming a civilian. Some love the job so much they want to come back as a civilian and continue their passion of working on these birds in a smaller capacity.

Maintainers were moving between aircraft topping off hydraulic fluid, checking and servicing engine oil, securing panels, running through final inspections with the same seriousness expected of any operational sortie. Crew chiefs walked beside the aircraft raising their arms and signaling pilots through various checkout procedures. Refueling probes extended and retracted on all four aircraft. Arresting hooks were lowered and inspected. You could see the flight controls cycled through bit checks.