Carrier Qualified

Erik has been gone for a couple weeks, back on the boat for short detachment. But hallelujah, say goodbye to the mustache, folks: this guy is carrier qualified!

Standing in front of "the ball" or "the meatball"... basically the lighting system that helps pilots land on carriers.

Erik and the NFO he was paired up with for CQ. Growler in the background

The flight deck of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

As far as next moves, Erik is finishing his time up at the RAG and then will have a squadron selection sometime in January or so. We're pretty sure he's not going to get Japan again and we're pretty sure he's not going to the squadron deploying in late January. Plus we're pretty sure he'll get a boat squadron like he wants (as opposed to an expeditionary squadron). [For as much as he complains about the boat, he rather be on it than land. Ask him to explain it all sometime.] So basically his hard work is once again paying off. So when you see him, give the guy a handshake and a pat on the back!

Welcome home, Daddy-sans-mustache!