Mark Kirk: “seven carriers and air wings are deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I want to focus on a Carrier Reserve Squadron…”

“seven carriers and air wings are deployed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. I want to focus on a Carrier Reserve Squadron being assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight aboard the USS Roosevelt. The Squadron is Strike Fighter 201, VFA-201, flying the F-18 Hornet. They are part of the 11th Carrier Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing Reserve 20, headquartered in Atlanta. This is the first naval reserve F-18 squadron ever mobilized aboard a carrier with an active duty wing, and 201's combat record demonstrates the capability of our reserve air crews. Since October VFA-201 mobilized over 100 Reservists transitioning to the F/A-18 Alpha Plus and deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in January. Every aviator has crews and combat experience of over 1,000 flight hours, many logging more than 2,000 hours in type. Reservists of 201 provide leadership to the wing in strike planning, flight execution, and carrier operations. Their experience in operations around the world and in adversary tactics aid Air Wing readiness. This reserve squadron's boarding rate and landing grades exceeded all other active duty Air Wing Eight squadrons. Early in the morning of March 23, the ``hunters'' of VFA-201 made history carrying out our initial strikes and destroyed a communications complex south of Baghdad. The pilots, sailors, and jets are performing magnificently. Morale is high and they are continuing to operate Air Wing Eight in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.”