Kennett Square native helping to train Navy’s best pilots

FALLON, NEV. » In Nevada’s high desert is the Navy’s premiere tactical air warfare training center, home to the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center and it’s Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, known to the world as TOPGUN.

A 1988 David Lister High School, England, graduate and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, native is part of the Navy’s finest aviation fighter training facility in the world.

Petty Officer First Class Tracey Giger is a logistics specialist working with the Fighter Squadron Composite 13 stationed aboard Naval Air Station Fallon, Nevada.

A Navy logistics specialist is responsible for managing inventories of repair parts while also operating the financial systems for the command.

“The tragic events on 9/11 inspired me to join the military and I knew I wanted to go to sea,” said Giger. “Joining the Navy has allowed me to see the world and build a career.”

TOPGUN began 48 years ago with the determination of nine pilots, the skepticism of the government and almost no budget as history would recall. In the early years it turned the tide of a losing air war in Vietnam, revolutionized military doctrine, inspired a Hollywood blockbuster and attracted and trained the best allied pilots and air crew from all over the world.

Giger plays a crucial role in the overall mission that flies over 5,000 adversary sorties per year in support of the Navy and Marine Corp Active and Reserve fleet and replacement squadrons, carrier air wings and marine aircraft groups including the United States Air Force, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard and Canadian Forces.

“Nowhere in the world does the Navy have the ability to train as we do in NAS Fallon,” said NAS Fallon Commanding Officer, Capt. David Halloran. “The Navy specifically chose NAS Fallon as the location for Top Gun and the Naval Special Warfare Tactical Ground Mobility Training Center because of the desert climate, mountainous terrain, and sophisticated ranges available in northern Nevada. Every Carrier Air

Wing and Navy Seal Team is required to receive the essential training provided here prior to being deployed in theater.”

According to Navy officials, TOPGUN is highly competitive and exposes Navy and Marine Corps pilots to the most demanding training scenarios in fighter aviation lead by some of the most talented pilots in the world. Each pilot is hand-selected for air-to-air and airto-ground training and subsequently,

as a TOPGUN instructor.

“My father was a career intel officer in the British Army, my grandfather served in World War II, and I have extended family serving in the Merchant Marines,” said Giger, explaining that military service was a family tradition. “I’m proud to have been the first female in air operations at the logistical supply group for a naval special warfare group.”

Giger also said they are

proud to serve at the center of excellence for naval aviation, training and tactics development.

The future of U.S. aviation depends on the Navy’s ability to achieve their vision for defeating tomorrow’s air threats with the support of the ground crews and pilots.

“I’m so proud to serve the country that has been home for 23 years,” added Giger. “It’s allowed me to provide for my three sons.”

Petty Officer First Class Tracey Giger