arine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 has a long and proud tradition of being part of carrier aviation. Except for

a few land-based deployments, they have by and large deployed on aircraft carriers.

Part of the 3rd Marine Air Wing (MAW), VMFA-323 technically flew in support of Carrier Air Wing 11 through build-up exercises. But once on deployment they are under the operational command of the air wing, although they remain under the administrative command of 3rd MAW.

The squadron was commissioned Aug. 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C. They were trained to fly the new Chance-Vought F4U Corsair, the distinctively gull-winged aircraft that is still a part of the squadron’s insignia.

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MARINE FIGHTER ATTACK SQUADRON (VMFA) 323DEATH RATTLERSPh

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For her outstanding performance, Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Rodneika Byrd, a native of Kenner, La., was selected as the Sailor of the Day (SOD) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) July 11.

“This was unexpected,” said Byrd. “I think it’s a real accomplishment for me.”

Byrd performed her demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner as the petty officer in charge of the ship’s sail loft. She was personally responsible for the completion of 200 naugahyde and herculite covers including line reel covers, ready room chairs, privacy curtains and casualty power cable covers throughout the ship

“I didn’t think anyone was really watching what

I do that closely,” said Byrd. “But hey, this just means I’m one step closer to being Sailor of the Year.”

Her dedication to duty and professionalism ensured that each reupholstered item look as if a civilian vendor manufactured it.

Additionally, Byrd serves as one of the primary under way replenishment riggers and under instruction rig captains for all replenishment at sea/fueling at sea evolutions.

Her efforts guaranteed the safe and expeditious transfer of five million gallons of JP-5 and 3,900 lifts of munitions and supplies.

“My advice to other Sailors would be to keep doing what you’re doing,” said Byrd. “You never know when someone is watching you.”

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Editor

MC2 (SW) Jason Behnke

Lead Designer

MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. ”Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

Public Affairs Officer

LCDR Karin Burzynski

Commanding Officer

CAPT Jeff Ruth

Executive Officer

CDR John Cummings

Command Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Sailor of the Day

At that time, the other part of the squadron’s insignia was also settled on; an emblem which inspired the squadron’s nickname as well.

“When the squadron was founded, the squadron pilots killed a six-foot rattlesnake that was inside their tents,” said Maj. Shawn Williams, executive officer of VMFA-323. “So they became the ‘Death Rattlers.’”

The squadron quickly found themselves fighting in the Pacific. There they supported the fight for Okinawa. They shot down 124 Japanese planes in air engagements without a loss of their own against Japanese pilots.

But to the infantry on Okinawa, the Corsairs overhead came to be known as “the Angels of Okinawa” because of their close ground support.

Still flying the Corsair, they also served in Korea, and though afterward they transitioned to various jet aircraft, the Corsair continues to be used on the unit’s patch.

Today the squadron continues to add to its legacy.

“A ‘Death Rattler,’ first and foremost, is a United States Marine. Our main job is to support the troops on the ground,” said Williams. “We’re there to meet the ground commander’s intent. And that doesn’t always mean to deploy weapons. If we can get the bad guys to stop shooting at our guys via a low pass, then that’s a win.”

“We are all trained as basic riflemen, and every Marine is at least a tan belt in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew Ohlrich, maintenance controller for VMFA-323. “I never really thought of how it affects the identity of the unit, because it is just who we are as Marines. It doesn’t matter if it is a rifle or a tool box in our hands, we are proficient at both.”

As they approach their 70th anniversary, the “Death Rattlers” continue in the proud tradition of the Marines who came before them.

“The mission at its core remains the same, but based on technological changes it has become more broad,” said Williams. “We’re more lethal, and more survivable.”

Marines conduct maintenance on an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck.

Continued from page 1

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Around the Fleet

The X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completed its first carrier-based arrested landing on board USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) off the coast of Virginia July 10.

"It isn't very often you get a glimpse of the future. Today, those of us aboard USS George H.W. Bush got that chance as we witnessed the X-47B make its first ever arrested landing aboard an aircraft carrier," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "The operational unmanned aircraft soon to be developed have the opportunity to radically change the way presence and combat power are delivered from our aircraft carriers."

Today's demonstration was the first time a tailless, unmanned autonomous aircraft landed on a modern aircraft carrier.

This test marks an historic event for naval aviation that Navy leaders believe will impact the way the Navy integrates manned and unmanned aircraft on the carrier flight deck in the future.

"Today we witnessed the capstone moment for the Navy UCAS program as the team flawlessly performed integrated carrier operations aboard USS George H.W. Bush with the X-47B aircraft," said Capt. Jaime Engdahl, Navy UCAS Program Manager. "Our precision landing performance, advanced autonomous flight controls and digital carrier air traffic control environment are a testament to the innovation and technical excellence of the Navy and Northrop Grumman team."

The July 10 landing was the beginning of the final part of three at-sea test periods for X-47B during the last eight months, culminating a decade of Navy unmanned integration efforts that show the Navy's readiness to move forward with unmanned carrier aviation says Rear Adm. Mat Winter, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons in Patuxent River, Md.

"This demonstration has enabled us to merge industry and government technologies together which

will enable the U.S. Navy to pursue future unmanned aviation carrier capabilities," said Winter, who witnessed the historic landing. "The government engineering and testing team in partnership with our Northrop Grumman team members have matured the technologies in this X-47B system to position us for today's event, which marks a milestone in naval aviation."

During today's testing, the X-47B completed the 35-minute transit from Pax River to the carrier and caught the 3 wire with the aircraft's tailhook. The arrested landing effectively brought the aircraft from approximately 145 knots to stop in less than 350 feet.

Shortly after the initial landing, the aircraft was launched off the ship using the carrier's catapult. The X-47B then proceeded to execute one more arrested landing.

On the third approach to Bush the X-47B aircraft self detected a navigation computer anomaly that required the air vehicle to transit to the assigned shore based divert landing site, Wallops Island Air Field. The X-47B navigated to and landed without incident.

"We have been using the same [carrier] landing technology for more than 50 years now and the idea that we can take a large UAV and operate in that environment is fascinating," said Engdahl.

"Across the entire spectrum of military operations, an integrated force of manned and unmanned platforms is the future," said Ray

ONESTEPCLOSER THE FIRST TAILLESS, UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT TO LAND ON A MODERN CARRIER.

By MC3 Brandon VinsonUSS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

4

Mabus. "The X-47B's autonomous arrested landing aboard USS George H.W. Bush shows how the Navy and Marine Corps are riding the bow wave of technological advances to create this 21st century force."

The X-47B spent several weeks aboard aircraft carriers in recent months. The Navy UCAS program successfully completed CVN deck operations aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in December 2012 and aboard Bush in May. During the May underway period, the X-47B completed its first-ever catapult launch. Since May, the integrated test team conducted a number of shore-based arrestments at Pax River in preparation for the demonstration aboard the ship.

"We have learned a lot from our flight deck operations, our shore-based flight test and extensive modeling and simulation," Engdahl added. "Our team has executed all major program objectives and developed the concept of operations and demonstrated technologies for a future unmanned carrier-based aircraft capability. [Today] we have proven we can seamlessly integrate unmanned systems into the carrier environment."

"We have certainly come a long way in the 102 years since Eugene Ely made the first arrested landing aboard an aircraft carrier. Naval aviators have always been at the forefront of operational and tactical innovation, and today was no exception," said Mabus. "People make unmanned aviation possible and it is people who will provide the fresh thinking and new ideas so crucial to successes like the X-47B program and the unmanned aircraft of the future."

For more information, visit Navy.mil.

It isn’t very often you get a glimpse of the future.”

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator completes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

Photo by MC3 Kevin J. SteinbergUSS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

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- MABUS5

Through the Lens

An F/A-18E prepares to launch from the flight deck.

ABE2 Kimberly O’Donnell, left, conducts arresting gear engine operator training with ABE3 Kassandra Rebello.

AEAN Sizsaun McCloud, left, and AE Benjamin White disassemble a radar from an F/A-18 in an avionics shop.

AD1 Donovan Ahuna, right, instructs AOAN Uriah Deutsch how to perform a daily inspection on an F/A-18C Hornet. ABH2 Andre Taylor carries a chock on the flight deck.

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