Hawkeyes!

[kmac]

So who wants to be an E2-C FO? Has anyone been aboard an E-2 know how much personal cargo space there is? I hear that on a det you can take a set of golf clubs. Also, how do the FO's get divided up for the different parts of the mission; that is, in training is there at all a pipeline difference or can you fill any of the 3 jobs in the rear?

 

[ryan77]

Hey kmac, I'm afraid I can't answer any of your questions but I wonder how great of an aircraft it is for NFOs. There would be 4 other aviation officers on board - maybe egos would make it less pleasant than other planes. I heard E/P-3s are better NFO assignments because they really run the show and the crew is large.

But it seems like there is enough room to store gear, as they can do in a couple other smaller carrier based aircraft.

 

[cman]

I've thought about which is the better platform from an NFO standpoint as well. I'm sure each has it's good and bad points. Fighters are probably a little more exciting if you're a thrill seeker, but those platforms that focus on the electronics aspect of the mission seem pretty interesting and challenging too. For myself, Prowlers are appealing, but I don't know how much longer they are going to be around. I'd hate to get transitioned out of the navy after 10 years. I agree with you though ryan, E/P-3s sound pretty choice as well.

Chris

 

[grouch]

Hey Cman, have you read Ironclaw by Sherman Baldwin? Oh man it is cool! It is written by a prowler driver but it gives a good insight to the nfo's job. After reading what the prowler did in the Gulf, I don't see the navy getting rid of it for a long time. Bottom line, the fighters and bombers could not have done their jobs without the prowlers. That goes without saying but it really hits home after you read the book. Check it out!
Grouch out.

 

[cman]

Grouch, thanks for the info on the book. I had heard it mentioned before and plan on checking it out.

Yeah, Prowlers sound pretty cool to me. I remember reading something on this forum about how amazing and advanced the electronics are for that platform. And if you're looking for a thrill, try going flying over hostile area with no air to air capabilities except for the Hornets escorting you.

I only mentioned the navy getting rid of the Prowler because I've heard conflicting things about if it's staying or going. It does provide great mission support like you said. You can bet that if I eventually make it to OCS and through API, Prowlers won't be on the bottom of my list.

Chris

 

[cman]

Grouch, I have a question for you if you don't mind me asking. I know you were accepted for SNFO. What did your package look like?

Like everyone else who has yet to send in their package, I'm currious as to how I stack up to those who have already been accepted. Like I said, if you don't mind me being a little nosey, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[joefoe]

Seeking info on Norfolk, Hawkeyes

I'll soon be reporting to VAW-120 for training on the Hawkeye. I am wondering where I should be looking for a place to live, and what life in Virginia is like. I'm also wondering about the the training and the platform. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[webmaster]

I can't speak to the training, but I was stationed in Norfolk at the submarine side. In my experience, alot of people had negative things to say about the Hampton Roads area and being stationed there in general. For myself and my family, we loved being in Virginia, a lot of stuff to do. We lived in VA beach (which can mean just about everything since it is so large). I imagine that you will be up at Oceana, havent been there in years, have heard that it has experienced a lot of growth encroaching on the base. I have also heard that a lot of work has been put into building back up and beautifying downtown Norfolk on the waterfront, though I havent seen that first hand.

Things to do:

- Ocean city and some gambling to the north, an fun weekend getaway
- DC, Richmond, Potomac Mills (a very large outlet to get dragged around by the better half, bring sneakers) to the North
- Nags Head and the beaches (outer island chains) of North Carolina, have had a lot of fun renting beach cottages there
- Whole Virginia Beach, Tidewater, Hampton Roads area is one big suburb, you have like 5 malls there (Lynnhaven, Greenbrier....)
- Kings Dominion and Water Country USA (?) are close by
- Plus all the historical landmarks and battlefields

We had a lot of fun there, and wouldn't hesitate to go back, it gets cold in the winter, but it is nice to see the seasons change, vice the constant paradise of Hawaii! Best of luck in training.

 

[twidget]

joefoe,

I've been stationed in Norfolk for going on 4 years now, and I have to agree with the webmaster. It's a decent place to live. You don't want to live in Portsmouth and probably not Hampton or Newport News if you're going to be at Oceana. The drive through the tunnels is horrific, on a good day, not to mention the high crime rates. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach have excellent schools, but Chesapeake may be a long drive to Oceana also unless you live in the northeast.

The beaches, local museums and amusements, and malls are about it in the Hampton Roads area for entertainment. As the last poster said there's lots of other things to do within a 3-4 hour drive. We had a BLAST at the Outer Banks in a rented cottage, expensive, but KICK @SS!

I know a lot of people in Real Estate here so if you need some help just PM me. Housing is very reasonable compared to a lot of areas in the country. I've been stationed in San Diego and Connecticut, so this was a welcome change. However, the cost of owning a house has skyrocketed in the past few years in some of the more desirable areas (Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, of course).

There is a Navy Website for finding out information about new duty stations that can help you with some key information: Standard Installation Topic Exchange Service (SITES) https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/swg/owa/WebGuard.Login?APPL=9004&RULE=01
You should be able to access it if you're in DEERS already.

Also, check out the local installation sites:
http://www.nasoceana.navy.mil/http://www.cnrma.navy.mil/
http://www.navstanorva.navy.mil/http://www.nsa-norva.navy.mil/
http://www.nablc.navy.mil/

Here's the Virginian Pilot, the main local paper:
http://www.hamptonroads.com

There are no major sports in the area, just the Tides, the AAA affiliate of the Mets. The stadium is very nice, and it's pretty cheap for military (4 bucks if you buy your tickets on base). There's also Arena Football and a minor league hockey team and several local universities; Norfolk State, Hampton (made an NCAA tournament appearance last year), and Old Dominion University (my school, Go Monarchs!? )

Most bands stop here, there are several large venues. I highly recommend Disney on Ice and Sesame Steet Live (sorry, 3 and 5 year old kids)

Let me know if you need any more info, or someone to call when you get to town to ask "Where in the hell is..." I don't leave for OCS until April.

Bill

 

[kmac]

Just some heads up.... Hawkeyes are at NAS Norfolk, not Oceana. Thanks though for the info both of you have provided. I will use that knowledge about sporting and civic events.

 

[medictroy]

They also offer a lot of "Free" concerts during the summer festivals. The food is excellent. If you like fishing, there is plenty around..watch out for the "Blues" they are like giant pirhana's.
In the summer always something to do, starting with the azalea festival. (if memory serves me right).

Stay away from Willoughby Spit, Ocean View, Downtown Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, and Newport News. Lots of historical stuff to visit like Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown. If you go to Yorktown they have old brick buildings that actually have the cannonballs still embedded in the brick structure. It is an awesome and humbling experience.

You have Busch Gardens Williamsburg, but I highly reccomend Kings Dominion if you like coasters and thrill rides, it is worth the drive.

Also you have the air shows each year..which you will be a part of no doubt. Gotta love that!

The nicest area of Virginia Beach is the Sandbridge area. Expensive, but worth it!!! Chesepeakes Bainbridge area is not bad either.

Good luck!

medictroy

 

[Enishi1983]

just my two cents: i didn't like Hampton Roads b/c it was sooo polluted! yuck, i hated that place. also, no offense, but it is GHETTO there. i lived right next to Old Dominion, and there were gangs walking around 3 in the morning; it scared the crap out of me!

 

[twidget]

Polluted? Wow, you haven't seen pollution like I have then. I've never heard any smog index report on the news around here, and I've only seen the beaches closed once or twice in the past few years. Of course I've got places like Cleveland (Cuyahoga River Fire), and San Diego (Brown Air, and ocean contaminated by the untreated sewage dumped into the Tijuana River), to compare this to.

As for Hampton Roads being "ghetto", I graduated from ODU, but I would never want to live near it. In fact, I would never want to live in a city again. There are gangs in every city. When I lived in Connecticut, one of the scariest places in New Haven was on the streets and campus of Yale University.

 

[Enishi1983]

haha, at least you know what i felt down in odu twidget. my friends' bike seats were stolen almost everyday. the first time i went to take a tour in odu, i saw about a dozen of bikes either without wheels or bike seats. now THAT'S GANGSTA.

 

[Chubby]

Hawkeye's

I was wondering what the "typical" E-2C cruise is like for a JO pilot. What do the missions consist of for the pilots? How many hours can you expect to log in a month (beaucoup, or too many pilots to fly type stuff)? Is LSO an option, if so can you fully qualify, go on to CAG Paddles etc.? Is it fun to fly, or is it more like "I swear, if I have to fly in one more circle I'm going to shoot myself in the face"? Hard to trap, fun to trap? Is instructing at a Jet VT a viable option, or will you hear "I wouldn't hold my breath"? Really any insight would be nice, I haven't found too many Hawkeye drivers to pick their brains and get a good feel for the single anchor side of the community. Thanks.