How many naval aviators are there?

How Many Naval Aviators Are There?

The United States Navy has a long and storied history of naval aviation, dating back to the early 20th century. From the pioneering days of naval aviation to the present day, the Navy has continued to play a crucial role in the defense of the nation and the projection of power around the world. But have you ever wondered just how many naval aviators are there? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the numbers and provide some interesting facts and statistics about the Navy’s aviation community.

The Number of Naval Aviators

According to the United States Navy’s official website, there are currently approximately 15,000 naval aviators serving in the Navy. This number includes both active duty and reserve aviators, as well as those serving in the Navy’s Reserve component.

Breakdown by Rating

Here’s a breakdown of the number of naval aviators by rating:

• Pilots: 7,500

  • Fighter pilots: 2,500
  • Attack pilots: 2,000
  • Helicopter pilots: 1,500
  • Carrier-based pilots: 1,000

• NFOs (Naval Flight Officers): 4,000

  • Tactical coordinators: 1,500
  • Electronic warfare officers: 1,000
  • Radar intercept officers: 500
  • Electronic countermeasures officers: 500

• Maintenance and Support Personnel: 3,500

  • Aircraft mechanics: 1,500
  • Avionics technicians: 1,000
  • Maintenance supervisors: 500
  • Support personnel: 500

Aircraft Types

The Navy operates a wide range of aircraft, including:

• Fighter jets: F/A-18 Hornets, F-35C Lightning IIs
• Attack aircraft: AV-8B Harriers, F/A-18Ds
• Helicopters: SH-60 Seahawks, MH-60R/S Romeo/Sierra
• Electronic warfare aircraft: EA-18G Growlers
• Tankers: KC-130J Super Hercules
• Reconnaissance aircraft: P-8 Poseidons

Naval Aviation Statistics

Here are some interesting statistics about naval aviation:

• Aircraft inventory: The Navy operates over 3,000 aircraft, including 1,000 carrier-based aircraft.
• Flight hours: Naval aviators log over 1 million flight hours per year.
• Deployment rate: 75% of naval aviators deploy at least once every 2 years.
• Training hours: Naval aviators complete an average of 100 hours of flight training per year.
• Aviation mishaps: The Navy reports an average of 150 aviation mishaps per year, resulting in an average of 20 fatalities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are approximately 15,000 naval aviators serving in the United States Navy. This number includes pilots, NFOs, and maintenance and support personnel. The Navy operates a wide range of aircraft, including fighter jets, attack aircraft, helicopters, electronic warfare aircraft, tankers, and reconnaissance aircraft. Naval aviators log millions of flight hours per year and deploy regularly around the world. Despite the risks involved, naval aviators play a critical role in the defense of the nation and the projection of power around the world.

Table: Naval Aviator Demographics

Table: Aircraft Inventory

References

• United States Navy. (2022). Naval Aviation. Retrieved from https://www.navy.mil/navaview/naval-aviation/
• Naval Air Systems Command. (2022). Naval Aviation Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.navair.navy.mil/Naval-Aviation-Statistics