VAW-117
Encyclopedia
Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven (or VAW-117) is a United States Navy
(USN) airborne early warning
(AEW) squadron. Nicknamed The Wallbangers (formerly The Nighthawks), it flies the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the USN’s only carrier-based command and control platform. The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Point Mugu
, California
and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11) on board the .
on board the in February 1979.
during which an Iranian ship was destroyed. In addition, the squadron provided command and control during attacks on oil platforms and small ships.
. VAW-117 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for its efforts in assisting in the evacuation. In 1999, VAW-117 was selected to provide operational testing for the Navy’s newest AEW upgrade, the MCU/ACIS (Mission Computer Upgrade/ Advance Computer Information System). This new computer system in the E-2 has given the squadron a distinct advantage in its command and control capabilities.
The extensive radar and communication equipment on board the E-2C Hawkeye allowed the squadron to become a vital part of the anti-terrorist operations. It continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and clearance from commercial air routes. The squadron's Hawkeyes served as an information-clearing house, providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne.
VAW-117 was the first fleet squadron to receive the HE-2K variant of the Hawkeye. In addition, it was also the first fleet Hawkeye squadron to receive the Cooperative Engagement Capability system (CEC).
In April 2007 VAW-117 deployed on WESTPAC 2007. The squadron flew 101 sorties and 227 hours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It also took part in several exercises including Valiant Shield and Malabar
.
In January 2008 the squadron deployed on a four-month surge to the Western Pacific, where it took part in Exercise Foal Eagle 08. During the course of the cruise VAW-117 demonstrated its aviation skills, earning the CVW-11 Top Hook Award for the first time in nearly eight years.
There are approximately 190 enlisted and officer personnel that encompass the Wallbanger team. In May 2010, CDR Brent Trickel relieved CDR Valerie Overstreet as Commanding Officer.
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...
(USN) airborne early warning
Airborne Early Warning
An airborne early warning and control system is an airborne radar system designed to detect aircraft at long ranges and control and command the battle space in an air engagement by directing fighter and attack plane strikes...
(AEW) squadron. Nicknamed The Wallbangers (formerly The Nighthawks), it flies the Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, the USN’s only carrier-based command and control platform. The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Point Mugu
Naval Air Station Point Mugu
Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu or NBVC Point Mugu is a military airbase located in Point Mugu, Ventura County, California, United States. Due to realignment actions which occurred in 2000, the base is now part of Naval Base Ventura County , a consolidated organization that also includes...
, 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...
and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 11 (CVW-11) on board the .
Mission
The Hawkeyes of VAW-117 provide radar coverage for every facet of battle group defense. Though a Hawkeye can operate independently, it normally functions as an extension of existing air defense systems. All data obtained on board the airplane can be relayed to surface command posts for display and decision-making. The E-2C Hawkeye, particularly with the new improvements in the Hawkeye 2000, has allowed the squadron to give air defense commanders the most complete, up-to-the-minute picture of theater operations possible.1970s
The squadron was established at NAS North Island, California on 1 July 1974, as part of Fighter Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet. The squadron received its first E-2B aircraft in October 1974 and in October the following year deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on board the . The squadron made its first Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment with Carrier Air Wing TwoCarrier Air Wing Two
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 .-Mission:...
on board the in February 1979.
1980s
During its 1988 WESTPAC deployment on board the , VAW-117 played a key role in Operation Praying MantisOperation 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....
during which an Iranian ship was destroyed. In addition, the squadron provided command and control during attacks on oil platforms and small ships.
1990s
Years later, the squadron was still maintaining its rapid operational pace. The onset of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm led to the most accelerated turn around training cycle ever. On board the ’s maiden WESTPAC voyage in May 1991, VAW-117 assisted in the evacuation of dependents from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo during Operation Fiery VigilOperation 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...
. VAW-117 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for its efforts in assisting in the evacuation. In 1999, VAW-117 was selected to provide operational testing for the Navy’s newest AEW upgrade, the MCU/ACIS (Mission Computer Upgrade/ Advance Computer Information System). This new computer system in the E-2 has given the squadron a distinct advantage in its command and control capabilities.
2000s
In July 2001, VAW-117 was the first squadron to deploy with the new MCU/ACIS system. WESTPAC 2001-02 on board the proved to be an active deployment. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, aircraft from VAW-117 and CVW-11 were among the first aircraft to lead the strikes on Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron flew an unprecedented number of combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.The extensive radar and communication equipment on board the E-2C Hawkeye allowed the squadron to become a vital part of the anti-terrorist operations. It continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and clearance from commercial air routes. The squadron's Hawkeyes served as an information-clearing house, providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne.
VAW-117 was the first fleet squadron to receive the HE-2K variant of the Hawkeye. In addition, it was also the first fleet Hawkeye squadron to receive the Cooperative Engagement Capability system (CEC).
In April 2007 VAW-117 deployed on WESTPAC 2007. The squadron flew 101 sorties and 227 hours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It also took part in several exercises including Valiant Shield and Malabar
Malabar 2007
Exercise Malabar is a multilateral naval exercise involving the United States, India, Japan, Australia, and Singapore. The annual MALABAR series began in 1992, and includes diverse activities, ranging from fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, through Maritime Interdiction Operations...
.
In January 2008 the squadron deployed on a four-month surge to the Western Pacific, where it took part in Exercise Foal Eagle 08. During the course of the cruise VAW-117 demonstrated its aviation skills, earning the CVW-11 Top Hook Award for the first time in nearly eight years.
There are approximately 190 enlisted and officer personnel that encompass the Wallbanger team. In May 2010, CDR Brent Trickel relieved CDR Valerie Overstreet as Commanding Officer.
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