After more than a decade of training Electronic Warfare Officers at NAS Whidbey Island, the Aviation Electronic Warfare School (AVEWS) graduated its final class of seven students Aug. 4. AVEWS has graduated over 1,300 officers from its highly specialized course, providing highly qualified electronic warfare officers to the fleet.

Formerly part of Fleet Aviation Specialized Operational Training Group Pacific, AVEWS was recently aligned with Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU), Whidbey Island. AVEWS was established at NAS Whidbey Island in 1999, consolidating instruction that had previously been conducted at Naval Training Center Corry Station in Pensacola, Fla.

All officer aircrew assigned to fly in electronic warfare aircraft, including both EA-6B and EP-3E airframes, were sent to NAS Whidbey for five to 10 weeks of intense training. The curriculum focused on the fundamentals of electronic warfare, including Command and Control, Information Warfare, Radar Theory and Integrated Air Defense Systems architecture. 

“The school was designed to prepare EA-6B and EP-3E aircrew for the unique and challenging world of electronic warfare,” said AVEWS instructor Lt. Devin Lavery. “The initial training provided by AVEWS helps prepare our future aviation officers for their chosen platforms and the fleet,” he added. 

After five weeks of basic instruction, pilot students graduated to their aircraft-specific training squadron, while Naval Flight Officers continued at AVEWS for five additional weeks of advanced signals recognition training.

“AVEWS was a great overview of the mission information we need to know for the fleet. I look forward to using the knowledge I gained there while flying the EA-6B Prowler,” said 1st Lt. Matthew Kaczynski of VAQ-129, a recent graduate of AVEWS. 

The training previously provided by AVEWS has been incorporated into the fleet replacement squadron’s aircraft specific curriculum. All future electronic warfare designated aviation officers will receive training at VAQ-129.