Carrier Air Wing Two
Encyclopedia
Carrier Air Wing Two 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 Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
.
CVW-2 consists of 9 Squadrons
organization that has served the cause of liberty since the end of World War II
. Established 1 May 1945 as CVBG-74, the new "Battle Air Group" originally comprised 96 F4U-4/FG-1D Corsairs
and 46 SBW-4E Helldivers. Redesignated CVBG-1 on 15 November 1946, the first true deployment took the Air Group to the Mediterranean Sea
from October 1947 to March 1948. Renamed CVG-2 in 1948, the Air Group saw action during the Korean War
in support of the Inchon invasion, the bombing of Seoul
, securing the Kimpo Airfield, as well as leading four Carrier Air Groups on a long-range strike coordinated with USAF jets against the Suiho Dam
on 23 – 24 June 1952.
In 1961, the first A4D-2 Skyhawks
came aboard while patrolling the Formosa Straits during tensions between Taiwan and Mainland China. In late 1963, the Air Group's first deployment with F-4 Phantoms began, and on 20 December the Air Wing was redesignated Attack Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2).
. In July 1966, the Air Wing marked its first all-Phantom deployment and E-2A Hawkeyes
joined the team. Coordinated carrier operations in the Gulf of Tonkin
earned the Air Wing the Navy Unit Commendation
in February 1967.
and A-6A Intruders
made CVW-2 the first all jet Attack Carrier Air Wing. CVW-2 spent thirty days of the deployment in the Sea of Japan reacting to North Korea's seizure of USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
, earning the Air Wing the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
and Meritorious Unit Commendation
. During its last Vietnam
deployment, which began in December 1972, CVW-2 introduced laser-guided bombs (LGBs) to Navy combat operations with great success. Strikes by VA-145 destroyed fourteen of fifteen targeted bridges within three hours. CVW-2 made its first peacetime deployment in over twelve years in 1974. CVW-2 was then redesignated Carrier Air Wing TWO as part of the CV concept. In 1979, anti-submarine combat units joined the team with VS-29 flying S-3A Vikings
and HS-2 in SH-3D Sea Kings
. VF-1 and VF-2 flying the F-14A Tomcat
were assigned for the September 1980 deployment, four months of which were spent in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf
awaiting the release of the U.S. hostages in Iran. The Air Wing made its tenth straight deployment aboard USS Ranger in 1982 before reassignment to USS Kitty Hawk
.
CVW-2 returned to Ranger in 1987, largely composed of Grumman aircraft. The "Grumman Air Wing" deployed to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean in July 1987 flying many "Earnest Will" escort missions into the Persian Gulf
. CVW-2 also flew in support of U.S. military assaults on oil platforms used as staging bases for Iranian militia attacking tankers in the Persian Gulf. From February to August 1989, RANGER/CVW-2 conducted normal patrol operations in the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean. Following that deployment, VMA(AW)-121 left CVW-2 and was replaced by VA-155.
. Throughout these combined 18 months of deployed time, CVW-2 has successfully conducted a total of over 33 weeks of high tempo operations in the Persian Gulf, including more than 13,000 sorties while in Fifth Fleet’s Area of Responsibility. Operations during the last three deployments have included joint-combined exercises with forces from allied countries in the Persian Gulf region, as well as exercises with Saudi Arabian, Qatari, Kuwait
, and Bahrain
. In addition to flying training missions, CVW-2 has flown over 3,500 sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch
, enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq
and CVW-2 aircrew lead the opening strikes on Baghdad
at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. CVW-2 and the USS Constellation flew 26 continuous days of combat over Iraq
, clearing the way for our ground force advance on Baghdad
.
Port calls during the past three deployments have included stops in Sydney and Perth, Western Australia
, Manama
(Bahrain), Jebel Ali
(United Arab Emirates), Singapore
, Kelang (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Pusan (Korea), Yokosuka (Japan), and Hawaii.
After USS Constellation decommissioned in August 2003, Carrier Air Wing Two shifted carriers to the USS Abraham Lincoln
. CVW 2 joined Abraham Lincoln by September 2005.
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....
. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier 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:...
.
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
See also: List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons.CVW-2 consists of 9 Squadrons
| Code | Insignia | Squadron | Nickname | Assigned Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFA-2 | Strike Fighter Squadron 2 VFA-2 Strike Fighter Squadron 2 also known as the "Bounty Hunters" is a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Their tail code is NE and their callsign is "Bullet"... |
Bounty Hunters | F/A-18F Super Hornet | |
| VFA-34 | Strike Fighter Squadron 34 VFA-34 Strike Fighter Squadron 34 , also known as the "Blue Blasters", is a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 2 and are attached to the... |
Blue Blasters | 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... |
|
| VFA-137 |  |
Strike Fighter Squadron 137 VFA-137 Strike Fighter Squadron 137 , also known as the "Kestrels", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore... |
Kestrels | F/A-18E Super Hornet |
| VFA-151 |  |
Strike Fighter Squadron 151 VFA-151 The Strike Fighter Squadron One Five One Vigilantes are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 2 and are attached to the USS Abraham Lincoln... |
Vigilantes | 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-116 |  |
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116 VAW-116 VAW-116 is a US Navy Command and Control Squadron that deploys aboard USS Abraham Lincoln as part of Carrier Air Wing Two. VAW-116 flies the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. The VAW-116 Commanding Officer is Commander Mike S. Fitzpatrick. The "Sun Kings" of VAW-116 are stationed at Naval Base Ventura... |
Sun Kings | 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-131 |  |
Electronic Attack Squadron 131 VAQ-131 Electronic Attack Squadron 131 , also known as the "Lancers", is an United States Navy EA-6B Prowler squadron based at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Part of Carrier Air Wing 2, the Lancers deploy aboard the . Their radio callsign is "Skybolt".... |
Lancers | 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:... Det. 2 |
Providers | C-2A Greyhound |
| HSC-12 |  |
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12 | Golden Falcons | MH-60S 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... |
| HSM-77 | Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron 77 | Saberhawks | MH-60R 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... |
Korean War
Carrier Air Wing TWO's motto, "For Liberty, We Fight" is appropriate for a militaryMilitary
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
organization that has served the cause of liberty since the end of 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...
. Established 1 May 1945 as CVBG-74, the new "Battle Air Group" originally comprised 96 F4U-4/FG-1D Corsairs
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
and 46 SBW-4E Helldivers. Redesignated CVBG-1 on 15 November 1946, the first true deployment took the Air Group to 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...
from October 1947 to March 1948. Renamed CVG-2 in 1948, the Air Group saw action during the Korean War
Korean 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...
in support of the Inchon invasion, the bombing of Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, securing the Kimpo Airfield, as well as leading four Carrier Air Groups on a long-range strike coordinated with USAF jets against the Suiho Dam
Attack on the Sui-ho Dam
The attack on the Sui-ho Dam was the collective name for a large series of air attacks by United Nations Command air forces on thirteen hydroelectric generating facilities that took place June 23 and June 24, 1952, during the Korean War...
on 23 – 24 June 1952.
In 1961, the first A4D-2 Skyhawks
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
came aboard while patrolling the Formosa Straits during tensions between Taiwan and Mainland China. In late 1963, the Air Group's first deployment with F-4 Phantoms began, and on 20 December the Air Wing was redesignated Attack Carrier Air Wing TWO (CVW-2).
Vietnam
The first of seven combat deployments to Southeast Asia began in 1965. Air Wing TWO was credited with the first three confirmed Mig-17 kills over North VietnamNorth 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...
. In July 1966, the Air Wing marked its first all-Phantom deployment and E-2A Hawkeyes
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...
joined the team. Coordinated carrier operations in the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
earned the Air Wing 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...
in February 1967.
Peacetime
CVW-2 began a long affiliation with USS Ranger during the 1967-68 deployment. New A-7A CorsairsA-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...
and A-6A Intruders
A-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...
made CVW-2 the first all jet Attack Carrier Air Wing. CVW-2 spent thirty days of the deployment in the Sea of Japan reacting to North Korea's seizure of USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo (AGER-2)
USS Pueblo is an American ELINT and SIGINT Banner-class technical research ship which was boarded and captured by North Korean forces on January 23, 1968, in what is known as the Pueblo incident or alternatively as the Pueblo crisis or the Pueblo affair. Occurring less than a week after President...
, earning the Air Wing the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is a military award of the United States military, which was first created in 1961 by Executive Order of President John Kennedy...
and Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
. During its last Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
deployment, which began in December 1972, CVW-2 introduced laser-guided bombs (LGBs) to Navy combat operations with great success. Strikes by VA-145 destroyed fourteen of fifteen targeted bridges within three hours. CVW-2 made its first peacetime deployment in over twelve years in 1974. CVW-2 was then redesignated Carrier Air Wing TWO as part of the CV concept. In 1979, anti-submarine combat units joined the team with VS-29 flying S-3A Vikings
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...
and HS-2 in SH-3D Sea Kings
H-3 Sea King
The Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It served with the United States Navy and other forces, and continues to serve in many countries around the world. The Sea King has been built under license in Italy and Japan, and in the United Kingdom as the...
. VF-1 and VF-2 flying the F-14A 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...
were assigned for the September 1980 deployment, four months of which were spent in the Indian Ocean and 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...
awaiting the release of the U.S. hostages in Iran. The Air Wing made its tenth straight deployment aboard USS Ranger in 1982 before reassignment to USS Kitty Hawk
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...
.
CVW-2 returned to Ranger in 1987, largely composed of Grumman aircraft. The "Grumman Air Wing" deployed to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean in July 1987 flying many "Earnest Will" escort missions into 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...
. CVW-2 also flew in support of U.S. military assaults on oil platforms used as staging bases for Iranian militia attacking tankers in the Persian Gulf. From February to August 1989, RANGER/CVW-2 conducted normal patrol operations in the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean. Following that deployment, VMA(AW)-121 left CVW-2 and was replaced by VA-155.
Gulf War
1 April 1997, 18 June 1999 and 16 March 2001 marked the beginnings of Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployments for CVW-2 and the USS ConstellationUSS 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...
. Throughout these combined 18 months of deployed time, CVW-2 has successfully conducted a total of over 33 weeks of high tempo operations in the Persian Gulf, including more than 13,000 sorties while in Fifth Fleet’s Area of Responsibility. Operations during the last three deployments have included joint-combined exercises with forces from allied countries in the Persian Gulf region, as well as exercises with Saudi Arabian, Qatari, Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
, and Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
. In addition to flying training missions, CVW-2 has flown over 3,500 sorties in support of 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...
, enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and CVW-2 aircrew lead the opening strikes on Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. CVW-2 and the USS Constellation flew 26 continuous days of combat over Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
, clearing the way for our ground force advance on Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
.
Port calls during the past three deployments have included stops in Sydney and Perth, Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Manama
Manama
Manama is the capital and largest city of Bahrain, with an approximate population of 155,000 people.Long an important trading center in the Persian Gulf, Manama is home to a very diverse population...
(Bahrain), Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali
Jebel Ali is a port town, located 35 kilometres southwest of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates . The village has a thriving expatriate community with over 300 residents. The area is also home to "5,500 companies from 120 countries"....
(United Arab Emirates), Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Kelang (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Pusan (Korea), Yokosuka (Japan), and Hawaii.
After USS Constellation decommissioned in August 2003, Carrier Air Wing Two shifted carriers to the USS Abraham Lincoln
USS Abraham Lincoln
Various ships have borne the name Abraham Lincoln, in honor of the 16th President of the United States.-United States Navy:* The , was a ballistic missile submarine.* The , is an aircraft carrier currently in service.-Fictional:...
. CVW 2 joined Abraham Lincoln by September 2005.
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-18C Hornet
- EA-6B Prowler
- E-2C Hawkeye
- C-2 Greyhound
See also
- List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
- 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...
External links
- http://cvw-2.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/ (official site)