Editing William C. McCool (section)

== Flight experience ==

McCool completed flight training and was designated a [[Naval Aviator]] in August 1986. He was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 129 ([[VAQ-129]]) at [[NAS Whidbey Island]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], for initial [[EA-6B Prowler]] training. McCool's first operational tour was with Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 133 ([[VAQ-133]]), where he made two deployments aboard the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Coral Sea|CV-43|6}} to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and received designation as a wing-qualified [[landing signal officer]] (LSO). In November 1989, McCool was selected for the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School/[[United States Naval Test Pilot School|Test Pilot School]] (TPS) Cooperative Education Program.<ref name="NASA-JSC" />

After graduating from TPS in June 1992, McCool worked as a [[TA-4J]] and EA-6B test pilot in Flight Systems Department of Strike Aircraft Test Directorate at [[NAS Patuxent River]], [[Maryland]]. He was responsible for the management and conduct of a wide variety of projects, ranging from airframe fatigue life studies to numerous avionics upgrades. However, McCool's primary efforts were dedicated to flight test of the [[Advanced Capability EA-6B|Advanced Capability (ADVCAP) EA-6B]]. Following his Patuxent River tour, McCool returned to Whidbey Island, and was assigned to Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 132 ([[VAQ-132]]) aboard the carrier {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}. He served as Administrative and Operations Officer with the squadron through their work-up cycle, receiving notice of his NASA selection while embarked on ''Enterprise'' for her final pre-deployment at sea period.<ref name="NASA-JSC" />

McCool accumulated over 2,800 flight hours in 24 aircraft as well as more than 400 carrier arrestments, also known as "traps".<ref name=usnamh>{{cite web|title=William C. McCool, CDR, USN |url=https://usnamemorialhall.org/index.php/WILLIAM_C._MCCOOL,_CDR,_USN#:~:text=McCool%20accumulated%20over%202%2C800%20hours,flight%20assignment%20as%20a%20pilot.|publisher=U.S. Naval Academy Memorial Hall|access-date=November 25, 2022}}</ref>