U.S. Navy Carrier Air Wing 5 completes training in Japan before deployment on aircraft carrier George Washington.

During the period of May 19 to 31, 2025, aircrews from Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), the only forward-deployed air wing of the United States Navy, successfully completed a critical qualification milestone through Field Carrier Landing Practices (FCLPs) at Iwo To, Japan. This intensive training was conducted ahead of their deployment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). The types of aircraft involved in the FCLPs included F-35C Lightning IIs, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and E-2D Hawkeyes, all of which play a central role in ensuring operational readiness and tactical superiority in carrier-based missions across the Indo-Pacific region.
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A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, as the aircraft conducts a “touch-and-go” during a field carrier landing practice (FCLP) at Iwo To, Japan, May 25, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. DoD)

Field Carrier Landing Practices are vital to preparing naval aviators for the demanding task of landing on a moving aircraft carrier at sea. The training replicates the precise flight profiles, visual cues, and time-critical decisions required during actual carrier landings, reinforcing muscle memory and flight discipline. For CVW-5, FCLPs are not only a requirement but a cornerstone of mission assurance, providing both pilots and landing signal officers (LSOs) the opportunity to sharpen coordination and recover aircraft safely under high-stress conditions. This process has been essential to U.S. Navy operations for decades, including during the air wing’s earlier deployments aboard the USS Midway (CV 41), where the foundation of forward-deployed carrier aviation was forged in the Western Pacific.

The training conducted at Iwo To simulated both day and night carrier landing scenarios, providing a realistic environment that closely mirrors conditions aboard a carrier at sea. Captain William Fallon, assistant chief of staff for Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, highlighted the realism and complexity of the exercises, noting that even a large carrier like the George Washington can feel exceptionally small when executing precision landings, especially at night. He praised the professionalism of the pilots and support crews, emphasizing the critical role of Iwo To in preparing aircrews to meet operational demands in one of the world’s most strategically significant maritime domains.

The FCLPs also provided essential training for CVW-5’s Landing Signal Officers, who practiced using the Manually Operated Visual Landing Aid System (MOVLAS), a backup system employed when automated guidance tools are unavailable. This capability is vital for maintaining flight safety under challenging conditions, such as heavy seas or technical malfunctions, ensuring that LSOs can continue to guide aircraft to safe recovery during dynamic ship operations.

Despite its effectiveness, Iwo To presents several operational challenges. Its remote location and limited infrastructure mean that aircraft cannot divert to alternate airfields in case of emergencies or adverse weather. Captain Fallon underscored the importance of maintaining access to mainland FCLP sites, which offer greater logistical support and enhanced safety margins, especially during high-tempo pre-deployment training cycles.

Carrier Air Wing 5 is a U.S. Navy carrier air wing composed of multiple squadrons operating from both sea and land, integrating advanced fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to provide a wide range of mission capabilities including strike warfare, electronic attack, airborne early warning, and logistics support. Its current components include the F-35Cs of Strike Fighter Squadron 147, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of VFA-102, the EA-18G Growlers of VAQ-141, the E-2D Hawkeyes of VAW-125, and MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters of HSC-12. Permanently based in Japan since 1973, CVW-5 plays a crucial role in the U.S. Navy’s strategic posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Embarked aboard the USS George Washington, the air wing represents a forward-deployed force capable of rapid response, power projection, and sustained air operations. The successful completion of FCLPs at Iwo To reinforces CVW-5’s combat readiness and its pivotal role in safeguarding freedom of navigation and maritime security across the Indo-Pacific theater.