USS John C. Stennis -- The Black Knights of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 314 (VMFA-314) are currently conducting combat operations over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). They are attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine on board USS John C. Stennis operating in the North Arabian Sea.

The Black Knights have been flying combat missions since mid-December when their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Jim Stalnaker, led the squadron's first OEF mission.

"The success of these missions is a direct reflection of the focused efforts of the entire team during the turnaround cycle," the commanding officer reflected. "This squadron is prepared to take on any task and reach every goal that it has set."

Black Knight pilots have participated in a variety of combat actions using both the Guided Bombed Unit, a 500-pound laser guided bomb and the 2,000-pound Global Positioning System guided Joint Direct Attack Munition.

All attacks against Taliban and Al Qaeda targets have been conducted in coordination with, or in direct support of, Forward Air Controllers (FACs) in locations throughout southern and eastern Afghanistan. American units in Afghanistan have been under the constant threat of attack by hostile forces.

By filling armed-reconnaissance and close-air support roles, the Black Knights provided vital security for ground Marines and special forces units.

In addition to the direct employment of precisions weapons on hostile targets, some of VMFA-314 recent combat operations have been conducted without expending any ordnance at all. When a crowd of several hundred Afghanis confronted a convoy of friendly troops, the convoy's progress was halted and a very volatile situation developed.

Two Black Knights were nearby and were called in to help. The pilots flew several low passes over the crowd to impress upon them the potential consequences of any hostile actions on the part of that crowd directed at the coalition ground forces. The crowd quickly dispersed and the convoy was able to continue its mission.

To reach their targets in Afghanistan from the Stennis, pilots have to fly distances of 400 to 800 miles from the ship, with flights lasting from 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.

On occasion, poor weather has provided additional challenges to the pilots of the Black Knights, as they rendezvous with tanker aircraft in cloudy and turbulent conditions. Every flight the pilots must contend with long hours, usually on night-vision goggles, as well as multiple aerial refuelings. At the end of it all, they must land on the ship's pitching deck.

"The flights are long, but they are never routine," said Squadron Safety Officer Capt. Peter McArdle. "It is important to be able to maintain your focus and intensity throughout the flight, from the cat shot to the trap."

According to McArdle, the typical sortie involves a late night or early morning brief given by the lead flight officer who lays out the conduct of the "hop" and presents the lay of the land on the ground to include friendly locations and potential hostile positions.

Then pilots man-up in the near dark on the windy flight-deck aided by the luminescence of the yellowish flight deck lighting. Man-up and start-up are followed by a "cat shot" into the dark of night, (that is hopefully aided by the presence of a bit of moonlight). The pilots then execute a night rendezvous and proceed to their first period of in flight refueling.

Fuel may be from a Navy S-3, an Air Force KC-10 Extender or a British Royal Air Force L-1011, which allows them to fly such long missions.

After "topping off," the fighter/attack jets find their way to their area of responsibility. Sometimes, the mission involves working with a FAC on the ground to employ ordnance.

Often, they conduct armed reconnaissance by looking for possible enemy positions using various sensors on the aircraft.

The fighter/attack element cycles back and forth between the assigned tankers and the target area until directed to return to the aircraft carrier. The hour to hour-and a-half transit back to the ship provides time to catalogue the events of the mission and contemplate the impending night landing on the Stennis.

Flying combat missions over Afghanistan presents many challenges, but the pilots of VMFA-314 are well trained and have proven themselves to be equal to the task.

"We feel very fortunate," said Capt. Chad Vaughn, squadron schedules officer. "We know the importance of our mission. It is very rewarding to be a part of this campaign and to be able to provide support to our Marine brothers on the ground."

Squadron Flight Officer, Capt. Jason Woodworth, echoed these sentiments.

"There are a lot of Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing flying over Afghanistan," said Woodworth. "It is an awesome feeling that we are all serving together as part of a larger crusade against evil."

Proud to be flying missions in defense America's freedom, the Black Knights will continue to face any challenge and undertake any mission tasked.