VAW-123
Encyclopedia
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 123 (VAW-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. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing One
(CVW-1) deployed aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
.
VAW-123 did not loose any personnel nor did she have any personnel injured in the fire aboard Forrestal. Some of the squadrons E-2A aircraft had very minor damage from the fire and explosions aboard the ship.
Initially attached to CVW-17 aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
, the squadron became an integral part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) and remained there throughout the 1970s. In October 1980, the squadron transferred to CVW-11 aboard the USS America (CVA-66). Following a 1981 Indian Ocean
deployment, VAW-123 transferred to CVW-1 on 12 November 1981. Since that time, the Screwtops have made several extended Indian Ocean
, Mediterranean Sea
, and North Atlantic deployments as an integral part of the CVW-1/CVA-66 team, until the decommissioning of the USS America in the Spring of 1997.
Throughout the years, VAW-123 has consistently been at the forefront of the Airborne Early Warning community. In addition to being recipients of many awards, including eleven Battle "E's"
and nine "Safety S's," the eleventh Battle "E" being awarded for 1999. Highlights of the command's history include the successful employment of the E-2C in 1973 and the first operational deployment of the E-2C ARPS (Advanced Radar Processing System) in 1978. In March 1996, the Screwtops became the first E-2 squadron on the East Coast to transition to the E-2C Group II aircraft, with its significantly upgraded avionics and engines. In November 1998, the Screwtops again led the way by becoming the first operational squadron on the East Coast to accept delivery of the Navigation Upgrade E-2C Group II's.
The Screwtops have successfully met many challenging assignments and maintained a watchful eye on world events, ever ready to support national policy. The Screwtops were key participants in the 1986 Gulf of Sidra operations off the coast of Libya, and were directly involved in the first combat use of the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and Harpoon weapon systems. The Screwtops supported Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and were the only E-2 squadron to operate in both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The Screwtops have also flown in support of Operations Deny Flight
and Deliberate Force over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch
over Iraq.
The Screwtops, along with the rest of Carrier Air Wing One
(CVW-1), attached to the USS George Washington (CVN-73)
for one deployment cycle, returning home on 2 April 1998.
On 18 May 1998, Carrier Air Wing One transferred off the USS George Washington, bringing the Screwtops to their a home aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67). During July and August 1998, VAW-123 detached to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico
, in support of the United States' ongoing efforts to stem the flow of narcotics through the Caribbean.
In November and December 1998, the Screwtops detached to the newly commissioned USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) in support of her shakedown cruise and Orange Air operations against the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group.
The Screwtops are currently deployed aboard the .
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...
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, 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...
. The "Screwtops" are an operational fleet squadron flying the E-2C Hawkeye. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing One
Carrier Air Wing One
Carrier Air Wing One 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 .-Mission:...
(CVW-1) deployed aboard the 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...
.
History
The history of VAW-123 begins in 1945 with the commissioning of VC-12, officially known as Composite Squadron Twelve. VC-12 was redesignated VAW-12, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve, in 1956. During its history, the organization of VAW-12 changed internally many times. The last change resulted in the establishment of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve (CAEWW-12) and the commissioning of all E-2A detachments as independent squadrons. As a result of this reorganization, CAEWW-12, Detachment 59 was commissioned VAW-123 on April 1,1967, at NAS Norfolk, Va. under the command of CDR Lucio W. Hill. The commissioning date of April 1, 1967 makes VAW-123 the oldest VAW Squadron in the United States Navy. In June 1967 VAW-123 set sail aboard USS Forrestal for Viet Nam, thus becoming the first East Coast VAW squadron to go to war. On July 29, 1967 while serving in the Gulf of Tonkin, Forrestal suffered a hugh fire with the loss of 134 crew members, many crew members injured, many aircraft destroyed and millions of dollars in damage to the ship. Forrestal could not continue to serve in the condition the fire left her. She returned to Norfolk along with VAW-123 and the rest of the ships crew and Airwing.VAW-123 did not loose any personnel nor did she have any personnel injured in the fire aboard Forrestal. Some of the squadrons E-2A aircraft had very minor damage from the fire and explosions aboard the ship.
Initially attached to CVW-17 aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
USS Forrestal (CVA-59)
The USS Forrestal , formerly AVT-59 and CVA-59, is a supercarrier that was named after former Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal and was the lead ship of her class of aircraft carriers. The other carriers of her class were the , and...
, the squadron became an integral part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60) and remained there throughout the 1970s. In October 1980, the squadron transferred to CVW-11 aboard the USS America (CVA-66). Following a 1981 Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
deployment, VAW-123 transferred to CVW-1 on 12 November 1981. Since that time, the Screwtops have made several extended Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, 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 North Atlantic deployments as an integral part of the CVW-1/CVA-66 team, until the decommissioning of the USS America in the Spring of 1997.
Throughout the years, VAW-123 has consistently been at the forefront of the Airborne Early Warning community. In addition to being recipients of many awards, including eleven Battle "E's"
Battle Efficiency Award
The Battle Effectiveness Award , commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of U.S...
and nine "Safety S's," the eleventh Battle "E" being awarded for 1999. Highlights of the command's history include the successful employment of the E-2C in 1973 and the first operational deployment of the E-2C ARPS (Advanced Radar Processing System) in 1978. In March 1996, the Screwtops became the first E-2 squadron on the East Coast to transition to the E-2C Group II aircraft, with its significantly upgraded avionics and engines. In November 1998, the Screwtops again led the way by becoming the first operational squadron on the East Coast to accept delivery of the Navigation Upgrade E-2C Group II's.
The Screwtops have successfully met many challenging assignments and maintained a watchful eye on world events, ever ready to support national policy. The Screwtops were key participants in the 1986 Gulf of Sidra operations off the coast of Libya, and were directly involved in the first combat use of the HARM (High speed Anti-Radiation Missile) and Harpoon weapon systems. The Screwtops supported Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and were the only E-2 squadron to operate in both the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. The Screwtops have also flown in support of Operations Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Deliberate Force over Bosnia-Herzegovina and 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...
over Iraq.
The Screwtops, along with the rest of Carrier Air Wing One
Carrier Air Wing One
Carrier Air Wing One 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 .-Mission:...
(CVW-1), attached to the USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS George Washington is an American nuclear-powered supercarrier, the sixth ship in the Nimitz class and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, the first President of the United States...
for one deployment cycle, returning home on 2 April 1998.
On 18 May 1998, Carrier Air Wing One transferred off the USS George Washington, bringing the Screwtops to their a home aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67). During July and August 1998, VAW-123 detached to Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, in support of the United States' ongoing efforts to stem the flow of narcotics through the Caribbean.
In November and December 1998, the Screwtops detached to the newly commissioned USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) in support of her shakedown cruise and Orange Air operations against the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group.
The Screwtops are currently deployed aboard the .
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