Both
crew of an F/A-18F Hornet belong to VFA-102, pilot
Lt. j.g. Jon Vanbragt and WSO Lt. Cmdr. Markus Gudmundsson
successfully ejected using Martin-Baker NACES ejection seats following
an accident
on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier
USS Kitty Hawk.
The accident took place approximately 100 miles southeast of Yokosuka, Japan
U.S. Navy photo
by Photographer's Mate Lamel J. Hinton
USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63), At Sea (Jan. 30, 2005)- Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (NAC) Jerard Cook and Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class (NAC) Bennie Romiti stand in between Lt. Cmdr. Markus Gudmundsson and Lt. J.g. Jon Vanbragt of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102. Cook and Romiti were honored by Capt. Tom A. Parker, USS Kitty Hawk's (CV 63) commanding officer, and Rear Adm. James D. Kelly, commander of Carrier Strike Group 5, for the rescue of Lt. Cmdr. Gudmundsson and Lt.j.g. Vanbragt the night before. Romiti and Cook are assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 14, which is attached to Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW) 5. Currently conducting carrier qualifications in the western Pacific Ocean, Kitty Hawk demonstrates power projection and sea control as the U.S. Navy's only permanently forward-deployed aircraft carrier, operating from Yokosuka, Japan.