Carrier Air Wing Eleven
Encyclopedia
Carrier Air Wing Eleven is a United States Navy
aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore
, California
. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
, 1942 as Carrier Air Group Eleven. CVW-11 recorded a large number of “firsts”, establishing its place as the US Navy’s top fighting Air Wings. In June 1943, pilots from CVW-11 conducted the first daylight raids during the fighting in the Solomon Islands
and New Georgia
operations during World War II
. CVW-11 also participated in operations over Leyte Gulf
, Indochina
, Formosa Island (Japanese occupied Taiwan
) and China. For these operations, CVW-11 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Carrier Air Wing Eleven was previously known as Air Group eleven circa 1947.
, CVW-11 was the first Air Wing to shoot down MiG
’s, and was instrumental in keeping the Pusan Perimeter from collapsing during the early stages of the war, and participated in various other significant operations such as the Inchon Invasion, the Wonson landing and the highly successful movement from the Chosin Reservoir.
and the E-2 Hawkeye
. With these new additions, CVW-11 deployed on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
with the Seventh Fleet in October of that year. Between December 1965 and May 1966, CVW-11 conducted air strikes against targets during the Vietnam War
and delivered more ordnance then any other air wing in the navy. In November 1966, the Air Wing and USS Kitty Hawk was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
for their actions during they deployment to the region. CVW-11 deployed for a 1966 to 1967 cruise to Asia, which earned them another Navy Unit Commendation in August 1967. The Kitty Hawk and CVW-11 became the first battle group to be awarded the Presidential Unit Commendation for performance during the Vietnam War, the citation was approved during operations between December 1966 through June 1968.
CVW-11 set numerous records for the Vietnam War, including a 61 day line period, which was the longest for the war. Prior to the limited bombing announcement, CVW-11 bombed targets in North Vietnam
, striking enemy power plants, rail yards and lines of transports and communications. CVW-11’s sustained presence in the region was instrumental in the defense of Khe Sanh
. CVW-11 broke all records for combat sorties flown and ordnance dropped during its sixth WESTPAC deployment during November 1970 and July 1971, although it was short lived as the air wing broke its own record during the following deployment in 1972, as they were deployed due to the Communist offensive, where CVW-11 deployed 107 aircraft, the largest Air Wing ever under the new Air Wing concept, which included tactical aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft on the same carrier. The 1972-1973 deployment was high lighted by an air power demonstration for the Shah of Iran
and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
while deployed to the Indian Ocean.
During the 1975 deployment, CVW-11 and Kitty Hawk deployed for their first non-combat cruise in nine years, which followed with two more deployments in 1975 and 1977. The 1977 cruise was the first with the F-14 Tomcat
, S-3 Viking
, the A-6E version of the Intruder and the E-2C version of the Hawkeye. The Air Wing made one last deployment of the decade in 1979 with the USS America (CV-66)
.
between 1982 and 1990. With high lights such as the deployment to the Northern Pacific during FLEETEX ‘84, a three-carrier operation, and the 1986 cruise saw the Air Wing deploy to the Indian Ocean, where F-14s often intercepted Soviet and Indian aircraft. Due to operations against Libya
in the spring of 1986 it was decided that the battle group would head for the Mediterranean Sea
and the “Line of Death”, where CVW-11 aircraft would fly patrols for two months, although encounters with Libyan jets where rare. The carrier group got to visit Naples
and Toulon
, and instead of returning through the Suez Canal
which they had used to transit to the Mediterranean, USS Enterprise transited through the Strait of Gibraltar
and cruised the southern cape of Africa
before venturing across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific back home.
The 1988 cruise saw action in the Persian Gulf
in support of Operation Praying Mantis
where CVW-11 conducted strikes against Iran
ian naval vessels and oil platforms. CVW-11, repelled a Boghammer fast attack boat raid on the Mubarak Oil Platform, sunk the Iranian frigate Sahand and severely damaged the frigate Sabalan, and F-14s scared away a section of Iranian F-4 Phantom’s. CVW-11 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award
for its actions.
The Air Wing made its final deployment with the Enterprise from September 1989 to March 1990, which included several exercises with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Naval and Air Forces
, USAF
and USMC
and the largest assemblage of US Naval air and sea power since WW2 with three carrier groups, compromised of the Enterprise, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
and USS Constellation (CV-64)
. The Air Wing also supported Operation Classic Resolve in December 1989 near Manila Bay
. The mission was to support US interests following the 1989 Philippine Coup d' état. The cruise ended with the USS Enterprise switching from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet.
’s were replaced by F/A-18 Hornets, and the SH-3 Sea Kings were replaced with SH-60’s while the E-2Cs and the A-6Es received major upgrades. CVW-11’s first deployment was USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
’s maiden voyage, cruising around South America to its new home in California
. The 1991 Gulf War
accelerated CVW-11s training schedule and a deployment began in May 1991. Enroute to the Persian Gulf, CVW-11 participated in Operation Fiery Vigil
, the evacuation from Subic Bay
during the Mt Pinatubo eruptions
in the Philippines
.
The 1993 deployment saw VF-213 as the sole F-14 squadron as the air wing supported Operation Southern Watch
and Operation Restore Hope. Another deployment followed on board the Lincoln for the 1995 cruise, supporting OSW once again. CVW-11 switched to the USS Kitty Hawk for a 1997 cruise, another OSW deployment and supporting United Nations Security Council Resolution 986
, the Oil for Food program. After the 1997 cruise, CVW-11 switched to the USS Carl Vinson and VF-213 transitioned to the F-14D Super Tomcat.
CVW-11 supported Operation Desert Fox
during the 1998-1999 cruise. The Air Wing participated in strikes during the last day of the operation, VF-213 delivered four GBU-24’s with 100% accuracy (first combat use of the F-14D), VFA-22
and VFA-94
F/A-18s scored direct hits with eight GBU-16', while EA-6B’s from VAQ-135
and F/A-18s from VFA-97
provided AGM-88 support during the strike.
During the following three months, CVW-11 supported Operation Southern Watch, conducting 15 strikes during this period. On 5 January 1999, two F-14Ds launched two AIM-54 Phoenix
missiles against two Iraqi MiG-25
’s that violated the no-fly zone, as soon as the missiles were launched, the MiGs escaped home and the missiles failed to hit their targets, this was the first use of the missile in combat. On 25 January, three aircraft from VFA-22 and VFA-94 employed the JSOW against a surface-to-air-missile complex which had plagued Coalition aircraft for nine years since the Gulf War, a total of 17 were dropped during missions over Iraq. During the deployment, VFA-22, VFA-94, VFA-97 and VF-213 dropped a total of 41,000 pounds of ordnance on SAM sites and communication sites, and additionally F/A-18s and EA-6Bs fired 20 HARMs. The Air Wing returned home safely in May 1999.
forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After returning home, CVW-11 was reassigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five and the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in January 2002. The Air Wing bid farewell to the F-14 Tomcat
, as VF-213 changed air wings to Carrier Air Wing Eight
. VFA-14
and VFA-41
, whom had been part of CVW-8, had transitioned to the F/A-18 Super Hornet and were attached to CVW-11, and VFA-22 was sent to CVW-9
. CVW-11 made its first deployment with the Nimitz in March 2003 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, as only the second air wing to deploy Super Hornets. The Nimitz remained on-station until September before returning home in November 2003.
After its return, VFA-97 was replaced by VMFA-232
flying the F/A-18C Hornet, and VS-29 flying the S-3B Viking
was decommissioned. CVW-11 was among the first air wings deploying as the new “all-Hornet” air wing of the future, which included a flight deck certification of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
, during her maiden voyage from Norfolk
, Virginia
to San Diego, California. In May 2005, CVW-11 deployed on board the Nimitz supporting OIF and OEF and multinational exercises with Japan, Egypt
and India until November 2005. This deployment was depicted in the documentary film Carrier
.
In 2007 CVW-11 deployed on board the USS Nimitz for a WESTPAC cruise and participated in Operation Valiant Shield, a joint-force exercise in the vicinity of Guam
.
On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on board the Nimitz. On 11 February, during their 2008 WESTPAC cruise, a Russian Tu-95 bomber was intercepted by four F/A-18s as it flew 2000 feet (609.6 m) over the USS Nimitz. CVN-68/CVW-11 made a port visit to Busan
, South Korea on 28 February in conjunction with military exercises Key Resolve
/Foal Eagle
. On 5 March, it was again reported that a Russian bomber overflew the Nimitz off the Korean coast, two F/A-18s were sent up and intercepted the Russian aircraft as it was three to five nautical miles (9 km) from the carrier at an altitude of 2000 feet (609.6 m).
On 19 May 2009 just before midnight, an HH-60H
helicopter from the air wing crashed into the ocean 13 miles (20.9 km) south of San Diego and about 76 nautical miles (140.8 km) from Nimitz. As of 20 May, three crewmembers were confirmed dead with two more still missing.
On July 28 it was announced that CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group was to depart for a seven month deployment on July 31.
Nimitz Strike Group, including CVW-11, departed the States for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 31 July 2009, and began to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on September 21.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California. Lemoore Station, California, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz.
Mission
To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of seven air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations.Subordinate units
CVW-11 consists of 8 Squadrons| Code | Insignia | Squadron | Nickname | Assigned Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFA-86 |  |
Strike Fighter Squadron 86 VFA-86 Strike Fighter Squadron 86 is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Known as the Sidewinders, they fall under the command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven... |
Sidewinders | F/A-18C Hornet F/A-18 Hornet The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and... |
| VMFA-323 |  |
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 VMFA-323 Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. The squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing but deploys with Carrier Air Wing 14.-World... |
Death Rattlers | F/A-18C Hornet F/A-18 Hornet The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and... |
| VAW-117 |  |
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 VAW-117 Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven is a United States Navy airborne early warning squadron. Nicknamed The Wallbangers , it flies the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the USN’s only carrier-based command and control platform... |
The Wallbangers | E-2C Hawkeye E-2 Hawkeye The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the... |
| VAQ-142 |  |
Electronic Attack Squadron 142 VAQ-135 Electronic Attack Squadron 135 is a United States Navy electronic attack squadron. Known as the Black Ravens, the squadron operates the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft... |
Gray Wolves | EA-6B Prowler |
| VRC-30 |  |
Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 VRC-30 Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 30 , also known as the "Providers", is a United States Navy Fleet Logistics Support squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island consisting of 5 detachments.-History:... , Detachment 3 |
Providers | C-2A Greyhound |
| HS-6 |  |
Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron HS-6 HS-6 Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six Indians is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy established in 1956. The squadron was comissioned as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six and completed transition to Helicopter Sea Combat on 8 July, 2011... |
Indians | SH-60F Seahawk SH-60 Seahawk The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The... and HH-60H Seahawk SH-60 Seahawk The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The... |
World War II
Carrier Air Wing Eleven was commissioned on Navy DayNavy Day
Several nations observe or have observed a Navy Day to recognize their navy. The term is also used in Britain to mean an open day at a dockyard such as HMNB Portsmouth, when the public can visit military ships and see air displays, roughly along the lines of an American Fleet Week .- Argentina...
, 1942 as Carrier Air Group Eleven. CVW-11 recorded a large number of “firsts”, establishing its place as the US Navy’s top fighting Air Wings. In June 1943, pilots from CVW-11 conducted the first daylight raids during the fighting in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
and New Georgia
New Georgia
New Georgia is the largest island of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands.-Geography:This island is located in the New Georgia Group, an archipelago including most of the other larger islands in the province...
operations during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. CVW-11 also participated in operations over Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf
Leyte Gulf is a body of water immediately east of the island of Leyte in the Philippines, adjoining the Philippine Sea of the Pacific Ocean, at . The Gulf is bounded on the north by the island of Samar, which is separated from Leyte on the west by the narrow San Juanico Strait, and on the south by...
, Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
, Formosa Island (Japanese occupied Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
) and China. For these operations, CVW-11 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Carrier Air Wing Eleven was previously known as Air Group eleven circa 1947.
Korean War
During the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, CVW-11 was the first Air Wing to shoot down MiG
Mig
-Industry:*MiG, now Mikoyan, a Russian aircraft corporation, formerly the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau*Metal inert gas welding or MIG welding, a type of welding using an electric arc and a shielding gas-Business and finance:...
’s, and was instrumental in keeping the Pusan Perimeter from collapsing during the early stages of the war, and participated in various other significant operations such as the Inchon Invasion, the Wonson landing and the highly successful movement from the Chosin Reservoir.
Vietnam War and the 1970s
In 1965, CVW-11 attached squadrons received new aircraft, such as RA-5C Vigilante, A-6 IntruderA-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
and the E-2 Hawkeye
E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
. With these new additions, CVW-11 deployed on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
The supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk , formerly CVA-63, was the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered airplane flight...
with the Seventh Fleet in October of that year. Between December 1965 and May 1966, CVW-11 conducted air strikes against targets during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
and delivered more ordnance then any other air wing in the navy. In November 1966, the Air Wing and USS Kitty Hawk was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
for their actions during they deployment to the region. CVW-11 deployed for a 1966 to 1967 cruise to Asia, which earned them another Navy Unit Commendation in August 1967. The Kitty Hawk and CVW-11 became the first battle group to be awarded the Presidential Unit Commendation for performance during the Vietnam War, the citation was approved during operations between December 1966 through June 1968.
CVW-11 set numerous records for the Vietnam War, including a 61 day line period, which was the longest for the war. Prior to the limited bombing announcement, CVW-11 bombed targets in North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
, striking enemy power plants, rail yards and lines of transports and communications. CVW-11’s sustained presence in the region was instrumental in the defense of Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh
Khe Sanh is the district capital of Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam, located 63 km west of Đông Hà.Khe Sanh Combat Base was a United States Marine Corps outpost in South Vietnam used during the Vietnam War. The airstrip was built in September 1962...
. CVW-11 broke all records for combat sorties flown and ordnance dropped during its sixth WESTPAC deployment during November 1970 and July 1971, although it was short lived as the air wing broke its own record during the following deployment in 1972, as they were deployed due to the Communist offensive, where CVW-11 deployed 107 aircraft, the largest Air Wing ever under the new Air Wing concept, which included tactical aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft on the same carrier. The 1972-1973 deployment was high lighted by an air power demonstration for the Shah of Iran
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi
Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavi, Shah of Iran, Shah of Persia , ruled Iran from 16 September 1941 until his overthrow by the Iranian Revolution on 11 February 1979...
and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
while deployed to the Indian Ocean.
During the 1975 deployment, CVW-11 and Kitty Hawk deployed for their first non-combat cruise in nine years, which followed with two more deployments in 1975 and 1977. The 1977 cruise was the first with the F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, S-3 Viking
S-3 Viking
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat twin-engine jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface...
, the A-6E version of the Intruder and the E-2C version of the Hawkeye. The Air Wing made one last deployment of the decade in 1979 with the USS America (CV-66)
USS America (CV-66)
The USS America was one of four Kitty Hawk-class super carriers built for the United States Navy in the 1960s. Commissioned in 1965, she spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but did make three Pacific deployments serving in the Vietnam War. She also served in operations...
.
1980s
In 1982 the Air Wing deployed once more on board the America before CVW-11 switched carriers once again and deployed four times with USS Enterprise (CVN-65)USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...
between 1982 and 1990. With high lights such as the deployment to the Northern Pacific during FLEETEX ‘84, a three-carrier operation, and the 1986 cruise saw the Air Wing deploy to the Indian Ocean, where F-14s often intercepted Soviet and Indian aircraft. Due to operations against Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
in the spring of 1986 it was decided that the battle group would head for the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and the “Line of Death”, where CVW-11 aircraft would fly patrols for two months, although encounters with Libyan jets where rare. The carrier group got to visit Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
and Toulon
Toulon
Toulon is a town in southern France and a large military harbor on the Mediterranean coast, with a major French naval base. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, Toulon is the capital of the Var department in the former province of Provence....
, and instead of returning through the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
which they had used to transit to the Mediterranean, USS Enterprise transited through the Strait of Gibraltar
Strait of Gibraltar
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain in Europe from Morocco in Africa. The name comes from Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq , albeit the Arab name for the Strait is Bab el-Zakat or...
and cruised the southern cape of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
before venturing across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific back home.
The 1988 cruise saw action in the Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in support of Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis was an attack on April 18, 1988, by U.S. naval forces within Iranian territorial waters in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf during the Iran Iraq war and the subsequent damage to an American warship....
where CVW-11 conducted strikes against Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian naval vessels and oil platforms. CVW-11, repelled a Boghammer fast attack boat raid on the Mubarak Oil Platform, sunk the Iranian frigate Sahand and severely damaged the frigate Sabalan, and F-14s scared away a section of Iranian F-4 Phantom’s. CVW-11 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982...
for its actions.
The Air Wing made its final deployment with the Enterprise from September 1989 to March 1990, which included several exercises with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Naval and Air Forces
Military of South Korea
The Republic of Korea Armed Forces or ROK Armed Forces, is the armed forces of the Republic of Korea...
, USAF
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and USMC
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
and the largest assemblage of US Naval air and sea power since WW2 with three carrier groups, compromised of the Enterprise, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)
The USS Carl Vinson is the third United States Navy Nimitz class supercarrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia. Carl Vinson's callsign is "Gold Eagle". It played host to the first NCAA basketball game on an aircraft carrier on 11/11/11 between the University of North...
and USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation , a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the "new constellation of stars" on the flag of the United States and the only naval vessel ever authorized to display red, white, and blue designation numbers...
. The Air Wing also supported Operation Classic Resolve in December 1989 near Manila Bay
Manila Bay
Manila Bay is a natural harbor which serves the Port of Manila , in the Philippines.The bay is considered to be one of the best natural harbors in Southeast Asia and one of the finest in the world...
. The mission was to support US interests following the 1989 Philippine Coup d' état. The cruise ended with the USS Enterprise switching from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet.
1990s
The 1990s followed with major changes to the air wing. The A-7EA-7 Corsair II
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
’s were replaced by F/A-18 Hornets, and the SH-3 Sea Kings were replaced with SH-60’s while the E-2Cs and the A-6Es received major upgrades. CVW-11’s first deployment was USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Abraham Lincoln , is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington.-Construction:...
’s maiden voyage, cruising around South America to its new home in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The 1991 Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
accelerated CVW-11s training schedule and a deployment began in May 1991. Enroute to the Persian Gulf, CVW-11 participated in Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil was the emergency evacuation of all non-essential military and United States Department of Defense civilian personnel and their dependents from Clark Air Base and U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay during the June 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines...
, the evacuation from Subic Bay
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
during the Mt Pinatubo eruptions
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
.
The 1993 deployment saw VF-213 as the sole F-14 squadron as the air wing supported Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
and Operation Restore Hope. Another deployment followed on board the Lincoln for the 1995 cruise, supporting OSW once again. CVW-11 switched to the USS Kitty Hawk for a 1997 cruise, another OSW deployment and supporting United Nations Security Council Resolution 986
United Nations Security Council Resolution 986
United Nations Security Council Resolution 986, adopted unanimously on April 14, 1995, after reaffirming all resolutions on Iraq and noting the serious humanitarian situation with the Iraqi civilian population, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, established a...
, the Oil for Food program. After the 1997 cruise, CVW-11 switched to the USS Carl Vinson and VF-213 transitioned to the F-14D Super Tomcat.
CVW-11 supported Operation Desert Fox
Operation Desert Fox
The December 1998 bombing of Iraq was a major four-day bombing campaign on Iraqi targets from December 16–19, 1998 by the United States and United Kingdom...
during the 1998-1999 cruise. The Air Wing participated in strikes during the last day of the operation, VF-213 delivered four GBU-24’s with 100% accuracy (first combat use of the F-14D), VFA-22
VFA-22
VFA-22, Strike Fighter Squadron 22, also known as the "Fighting Redcocks", are a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore...
and VFA-94
VFA-94
Strike Fighter Squadron 94 , also known as the "Mighty Shrikes", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Currently a land-based "Unit Deployment Program" squadron, they deploy with no tail code assigned...
F/A-18s scored direct hits with eight GBU-16', while EA-6B’s from VAQ-135
VAQ-135
Electronic Attack Squadron 135 is a United States Navy electronic attack squadron. Known as the Black Ravens, the squadron operates the EA-18G Growler carrier-based electronic warfare jet aircraft...
and F/A-18s from VFA-97
VFA-97
Strike Fighter Squadron 97 , also known as the "Warhawks", are a United States Navy F/A-18C fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The first Navy F/A-18 squadron to be expeditionary land-based, the "Warhawks" deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as part of USN/USMC TACAIR Integration...
provided AGM-88 support during the strike.
During the following three months, CVW-11 supported Operation Southern Watch, conducting 15 strikes during this period. On 5 January 1999, two F-14Ds launched two AIM-54 Phoenix
AIM-54 Phoenix
The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile , carried in clusters of up to six missiles on F-14 Tomcats, its only launch platform. The Phoenix was the United States' only long-range air-to-air missile. The weapons system based on Phoenix was the world's first to allow...
missiles against two Iraqi MiG-25
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 is a supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft that was among the fastest military aircraft to enter service. Designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich bureau the first prototype flew in 1964 with entry into service in 1970...
’s that violated the no-fly zone, as soon as the missiles were launched, the MiGs escaped home and the missiles failed to hit their targets, this was the first use of the missile in combat. On 25 January, three aircraft from VFA-22 and VFA-94 employed the JSOW against a surface-to-air-missile complex which had plagued Coalition aircraft for nine years since the Gulf War, a total of 17 were dropped during missions over Iraq. During the deployment, VFA-22, VFA-94, VFA-97 and VF-213 dropped a total of 41,000 pounds of ordnance on SAM sites and communication sites, and additionally F/A-18s and EA-6Bs fired 20 HARMs. The Air Wing returned home safely in May 1999.
2000s
In 2001 another deployment followed, which was planned to support OSW, but soon after 11 September 2001, the Vinson and CVW-11 departed for the Indian Ocean and aircraft from the air wing as among the first to launch strikes against Taliban and Al-QaedaAl-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After returning home, CVW-11 was reassigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five and the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in January 2002. The Air Wing bid farewell to the F-14 Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, as VF-213 changed air wings to Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W...
. VFA-14
VFA-14
The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 "Tophatters" are a United States Navy fighter attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919...
and VFA-41
VFA-41
Strike Fighter Squadron 41 also known as the "Black Aces", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California ....
, whom had been part of CVW-8, had transitioned to the F/A-18 Super Hornet and were attached to CVW-11, and VFA-22 was sent to CVW-9
CVW-9
Carrier Air Wing Nine is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS John C Stennis...
. CVW-11 made its first deployment with the Nimitz in March 2003 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, as only the second air wing to deploy Super Hornets. The Nimitz remained on-station until September before returning home in November 2003.
After its return, VFA-97 was replaced by VMFA-232
VMFA-232
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232 is a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet squadron. Nicknamed the "Red Devils", the squadron is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California and fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 11 and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing...
flying the F/A-18C Hornet, and VS-29 flying the S-3B Viking
S-3 Viking
The Lockheed S-3 Viking is a four-seat twin-engine jet aircraft that was used by the U.S. Navy to identify, track, and destroy enemy submarines. In the late 1990s, the S-3B's mission focus shifted to surface warfare and aerial refueling. The Viking also provided electronic warfare and surface...
was decommissioned. CVW-11 was among the first air wings deploying as the new “all-Hornet” air wing of the future, which included a flight deck certification of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the service of the United States Navy. The ninth ship of her class, she is named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 to 1989...
, during her maiden voyage from Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
to San Diego, California. In May 2005, CVW-11 deployed on board the Nimitz supporting OIF and OEF and multinational exercises with Japan, Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
and India until November 2005. This deployment was depicted in the documentary film Carrier
Carrier (documentary)
Carrier is an Emmy Award-winning 10-hour documentary television series about a six-month deployment of a United States Navy aircraft carrier in 2005 from the United States to the Middle East and back...
.
In 2007 CVW-11 deployed on board the USS Nimitz for a WESTPAC cruise and participated in Operation Valiant Shield, a joint-force exercise in the vicinity of Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
.
On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on board the Nimitz. On 11 February, during their 2008 WESTPAC cruise, a Russian Tu-95 bomber was intercepted by four F/A-18s as it flew 2000 feet (609.6 m) over the USS Nimitz. CVN-68/CVW-11 made a port visit to Busan
Busan
Busan , formerly spelled Pusan is South Korea's second largest metropolis after Seoul, with a population of around 3.6 million. The Metropolitan area population is 4,399,515 as of 2010. It is the largest port city in South Korea and the fifth largest port in the world...
, South Korea on 28 February in conjunction with military exercises Key Resolve
Key Resolve
Key Resolve is the new name for the military exercise previously known as RSOI, which stands for Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, Integration...
/Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
. On 5 March, it was again reported that a Russian bomber overflew the Nimitz off the Korean coast, two F/A-18s were sent up and intercepted the Russian aircraft as it was three to five nautical miles (9 km) from the carrier at an altitude of 2000 feet (609.6 m).
On 19 May 2009 just before midnight, an HH-60H
SH-60 Seahawk
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.The...
helicopter from the air wing crashed into the ocean 13 miles (20.9 km) south of San Diego and about 76 nautical miles (140.8 km) from Nimitz. As of 20 May, three crewmembers were confirmed dead with two more still missing.
On July 28 it was announced that CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group was to depart for a seven month deployment on July 31.
Nimitz Strike Group, including CVW-11, departed the States for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 31 July 2009, and began to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on September 21.
Fixed-wing aircraft
- F/A-18E/F Super HornetF/A-18E/F Super HornetThe Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a twin-engine carrier-based multirole fighter aircraft. The F/A-18E single-seat variant and F/A-18F tandem-seat variant are larger and more advanced derivatives of the F/A-18C and D Hornet. The Super Hornet has an internal 20 mm gun and can carry air-to-air...
- F/A-18 Hornet
- EA-6B Prowler
- E-2 HawkeyeE-2 HawkeyeThe Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the...
- C-2 Greyhound
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
- Carrier Strike Group ElevenCarrier Strike Group ElevenCarrier Strike Group Eleven, abbreviated CSG-11 or CARSTRKGRU 11, is one of six U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet. U.S...
External links
- CVW-11 - U.S. Navy (Navy.mil)
- Focus on Carrier Air Wing 11 - U.S. Navy (Navy.mil)
- Command History – Carrier Air Wing Eleven
- Carrier Air Wing Eleven by Rick Llinares - Naval Aviation News - January–February 2005