VAW-121
Encyclopedia
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121), also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) squadron operating the E-2C Hawkeye based at Naval Air Station Norfolk. Currently a part of Carrier Air Wing 7, the Bluetails deploy aboard the .
Like VAW-122
, VAW-123
and VAW-120
, VAW-121 was created out of the "super squadron" VAW-12 on 1 April 1967. Until then, VAW-12 had deployed 4-plane detachments to accompany carrier air wings. Unlike its siblings, VAW-121 would fly the E-1B Tracer, deploying dets until the mid-1970s. This was due to the fact there were still carriers in the inventory that were not configured (USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
)nor capable to handle the much larger E-2C (essentially all those of the so-called "27C" class such as the USS Lexington
).
In 1977 VAW-121 made its first deployment as part of CVW-7 on the newly commissioned USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
, but it wasn't until the next deployment in 1980 that they really began to set records. That year saw VAW-121 deployed for 347 days at sea with IKE/CVW-7 setting a modern day record that would not be broken until the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning from this extended deployment, the Bluetails were sent to Iceland to relieve the Reserve E-2B squadrons who had picked up the North Atlantic AEW watch when the E-3 AWACS were re-deployed to Saudi Arabia. Returning from a three month winter deployment to Iceland, the Bluetails found themselves again in the North Atlantic conducting three CVBG operations with USS Forrestal and HMS Hermes, the later deploying with the new Sea Harrier. During the course of this three year period, 1979-1981 VAW-121 set unprecedented levels of performance by winning the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" for Excellence and AEW Excellence awards for three straight years and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S" for two straight years.
In the years since the Bluetails have been in the forefront of AEW/Battle Management from operations over Iraq to Bosnia. Along the way they have amassed an enviable flight safety record of over 40 years and 72,000 hours of accident free flight ops -- the best of any East Coast squadron and second best in all of US Naval Aviation, an especially noteworthy achievement given their high risk operating environment.
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Flight Log http://www.naval-air.org/flightlog/squadrons/vaw-121.htm
History
Although officially known as the "Griffins," VAW-121 is more commonly known as the "Bluetails" as shown in their distinctive markings. VAW-121 is presently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) which it has been since it began flying the E-2C Hawkeye in 1977.Like VAW-122
VAW-122
VAW-122 was an East Coast VAW squadron that was stood up on 1 April 1967 and dis-established March 30, 1996...
, VAW-123
VAW-123
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 also known as the World Famous "Screwtops" is a United States Navy Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. The "Screwtops" are an operational fleet squadron flying the E-2C Hawkeye...
and VAW-120
VAW-120
The Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven are a United States Navy airborne early warning squadron. Nicknamed The Greyhawks, they fly the E-2 Hawkeye along with the C-2A Greyhound in order to provide early warning and battlefield information back to the carrier...
, VAW-121 was created out of the "super squadron" VAW-12 on 1 April 1967. Until then, VAW-12 had deployed 4-plane detachments to accompany carrier air wings. Unlike its siblings, VAW-121 would fly the E-1B Tracer, deploying dets until the mid-1970s. This was due to the fact there were still carriers in the inventory that were not configured (USS Franklin D. Roosevelt
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42)
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was the second of three Midway class aircraft carriers. To her crew, she was known as the "Swanky Franky," "Foo-De-Roo," or "Rosie," with the last nickname probably the most popular. Roosevelt spent most of her active deployed career operating in the Mediterranean Sea as...
)nor capable to handle the much larger E-2C (essentially all those of the so-called "27C" class such as the USS Lexington
USS Lexington (CV-16)
USS Lexington , known as "The Blue Ghost", is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship, the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, is named in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington...
).
In 1977 VAW-121 made its first deployment as part of CVW-7 on the newly commissioned USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D....
, but it wasn't until the next deployment in 1980 that they really began to set records. That year saw VAW-121 deployed for 347 days at sea with IKE/CVW-7 setting a modern day record that would not be broken until the deployment of the USS Theodore Roosevelt during Operation Enduring Freedom. After returning from this extended deployment, the Bluetails were sent to Iceland to relieve the Reserve E-2B squadrons who had picked up the North Atlantic AEW watch when the E-3 AWACS were re-deployed to Saudi Arabia. Returning from a three month winter deployment to Iceland, the Bluetails found themselves again in the North Atlantic conducting three CVBG operations with USS Forrestal and HMS Hermes, the later deploying with the new Sea Harrier. During the course of this three year period, 1979-1981 VAW-121 set unprecedented levels of performance by winning the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" for Excellence and AEW Excellence awards for three straight years and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S" for two straight years.
In the years since the Bluetails have been in the forefront of AEW/Battle Management from operations over Iraq to Bosnia. Along the way they have amassed an enviable flight safety record of over 40 years and 72,000 hours of accident free flight ops -- the best of any East Coast squadron and second best in all of US Naval Aviation, an especially noteworthy achievement given their high risk operating environment.
Sources
Dossel, Carl W. "History of VAW" The Hook, Summer 1983National Museum of Naval Aviation, Flight Log http://www.naval-air.org/flightlog/squadrons/vaw-121.htm
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