NAS Key West High-Intensity Jet Training Scheduled

Navy and Marine Corps student aviators flying T-45 Goshawks will conduct Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) at NAS Key West’s Boca Chica Field beginning Friday, Dec. 6, and continuing through Thursday, Dec. 12.

FCLP training will be scheduled as required during daylight hours beginning at 7 a.m.

This training is required for all Navy and Marine Corps aviators prior to actual landing qualification on at-sea aircraft carriers. The aviators are scheduled to be training at sea with aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) off the coast of the Florida Keys.

Boca Chica Field has three runways that are painted to simulate the deck of an aircraft carrier.

“It’s important that these students be proficient flying ‘the pattern’ ashore before they do it for real on an aircraft carrier at sea,” said Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Steve McAlearney. “Landing on aircraft carriers is a very perishable skill, and while they’ve practiced extensively at their home fields, the landings they get here in Key West will be the students’ last chance to fine tune before they attempt to land on the ship.”

Residents in the neighborhoods surrounding the air station might notice an increase in jet noise during the FCLP training periods.

“We want to get this information out to everyone as early as possible so residents will know what is happening and be able to plan accordingly,” said McAlearney.

To voice concerns regarding operations at the air station, please call (305) 293-2166.

-USN-