Navy directs Growler, Super Hornet squadrons to resume flight ops

Naval Air Forces have directed both Growler and Super Hornet squadrons to resume flight operations after an operational pause that was put into effect following a Growler mishap on Friday.

The E/A-18G aircraft suffered an "on-deck emergency" at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA, which resulted in injuries to both the pilot and electronic warfare officer, according to Naval Air Forces spokeswoman Cmdr. Jeanette Groeneveld.

"After Naval Air Systems Command and Boeing engineers investigated and identified several factors that likely contributed to the mishap, Naval Air Forces directed mitigation measures to be implemented across the F-18 Fleet, since there are some similarities in the component designs for the affected systems in the recent Growler mishap," Groeneveld told Inside Defense Dec. 19. "Once individual squadrons have briefed and incorporated these mitigation measures, they may resume normal flight operations."

The mitigation measures were issued to the squadrons late last night, Groeneveld added.

"The mitigation measures include changes to aircraft water-wash procedures and updates to the Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) ground emergency procedures," she said. "The Growler mishap is under investigation."