Being a part of naval aviation takes years of training, and when News 2’s Shelby Mac came aboard the CVN-77 pilots were doing aircraft carrier qualifications.

Being an F-18 pilot takes hours of training and practice. After pilots have made a specific score on landing and taking off during the day, the lights turn off, and the stakes are higher.

Petty Officer First Class Evan Hammonds joined the Navy 15 years ago after leaving Kingsport, Tennessee. He has become a part of the Brown Water Navy.