VAW-115

Last updated

Liberty Bells
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 (US Navy) patch.png
VAW-115 insignia
Active20 April 1967 – present
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg United States Navy
Type Airborne Early Warning
Garrison/HQ Naval Air Station Point Mugu
Nickname(s)"Liberty Bells"
"Snapper"
Motto(s)"We Are, Liberty Bells!"
"Everyone Loves a Hummer!"
ColorsGreen, Red, White
Mascot(s)Liberty Bell
Engagements Vietnam War
Gulf War
Operation Southern Watch
Third Taiwan Strait Crisis
Operation Enduring Freedom
Iraq War
Northern Edge
Commanders
Current
commander		CO: CDR Glenn "SLaP" Smith
Ceremonial chiefXO: CDR Charles "BUM" Diehl
Colonel of
the Regiment		CMC: CMDCM William L. Greene III
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare 		E-2A/B/C/D Hawkeye / Advanced Hawkeye

Airborne Command and Control Squadron 115 (VAW-115), also known as the "Liberty Bells", is a United States Navy airborne early warning and control squadron that flies the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. All VAW-squadrons were originally since 1948.

Contents

Squadron history

The squadron was originally established as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 (VAW-115) on 20 April 1967, flying the E-2A Hawkeye. It was assigned to Attack Carrier Wing 2 and deployed on board USS Ranger. [1]

1970s

VAW-115 E-2B in flight in 1974 E-2B Hawkeye of VAW-115 in flight in 1974.jpg
VAW-115 E-2B in flight in 1974

VAW-115 transitioned to the E-2B and joined CVW-5 in 1971 and made two combat deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin between May 1971 and April 1973 on board USS Midway. In September 1973, CVW-5 moved to Yokosuka, Japan as a component of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces, and the only air wing home ported outside the continental United States. [1]

VAW-115 E-2B Hawkeyes performed a command and control role in Operation Frequent Wind, supporting the evacuation of Saigon in April 1975. VAW-115 made eleven deployments to the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea, a period which saw such tumultuous events as the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran. [1]

1980s

In 1983, VAW-115 participated in rescue and salvage operations following the Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shootdown. Two years later, the squadron received the E-2C and supported Freedom of Navigation operations, both for USS Oldendorf in the Sea of Japan and for Operation Earnest Will, protecting Kuwaiti re-flagged tankers through the Straits of Hormuz. During the 1989-90 deployments with the Midway Battle Group, the squadron and their E-2C Hawkeyes participated in Operation Classic Resolve, supporting the democratic government of the Philippines against a coup attempt. [1]

1990s

In response to the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait, VAW-115 deployed to the Persian Gulf in October 1990 as part of Operation Desert Shield. In January 1991, Desert Shield transitioned to Desert Storm and saw VAW-115 flying 179 combat sorties. In August 1991, USS Midway was decommissioned and CVW-5 embarked on USS Independence. During the ensuing years, the squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf four times in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing a No-Fly Zone over the skies of southern Iraq. In January 1998, VAW-115 and the Independence Battle Group were called upon to participate in various Persian Gulf contingency operations in support of United Nations sanctions. After transitioning to the E-2C Group II Navigation Upgrade aircraft, VAW-115 cross-decked with CVW-5 to USS Kitty Hawk in mid 1998. [1]

2000s

In February 2003, the squadron was once again called to the Persian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch and flew 46 combat sorties until the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. During that operation, the squadron flew 363.8 hours in support of Army and Marine Corps units on the ground. [1]

In the years that followed, VAW-115 participated in exercises such as Valiant Shield, Malabar, and Talisman Saber as well as Exercises Annualex and Keen Sword with the Japanese Air and Maritime Self Defense Forces. VAW-115 took part in joint and multi-national RIMPAC 2008, providing Airborne Battle Space Command and Control to 49 naval vessels, 150 aircraft, and 29 other foreign and U.S. units from 10 participating countries. [1]

2010s

VAW-115 E-2C is launched from USS George Washington in July 2014. E-2C of VAW-115 is launched from USS George Washington (CVN-73) in July 2014.JPG
VAW-115 E-2C is launched from USS George Washington in July 2014.

In February 2010 the squadron began reequipping with the E-2C Hawkeye 2000. The improved E-2C Hawkeye 2000 carries advanced capabilities over its predecessor in the areas of detection, processing, identification, communication and navigation. [2]

VAW-115 has achieved 24 years and 50,000 hours [3] of Class-A mishap-free flight hours receiving eight Battle Efficiency "E" awards, seven AEW Excellence awards, and six Safety "S" awards. [1]

On 2 February 2017, VAW-125 arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to replace VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. [4] In the summer of 2017 the squadron moved to Naval Air Station Point Mugu.

2020s

On 1 January 2020 all VAW-squadrons were redesignated Airborne Command and Control Squadron. [5] In 2022, VAW-115 transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye</span> Airborne early warning and control aircraft

The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) 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 earlier, piston-engined E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. The aircraft's performance has been upgraded with the E-2B and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth major version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed specifically for AEW, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAQ-136</span> Military unit

Electronic Attack Squadron 136 (VAQ-136) "Gauntlets" is a United States Navy Electronic attack squadron flying the EA-18G Growler and is currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Two, deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions including F2T2EA. The squadron is currently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-122</span> Military unit

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 122 (VAW-122) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1 September 1967 to 31 March 1996. Originally nicknamed the "Hummer Gators" and later as "Steeljaws" was a U.S. Atlantic Coast Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron stationed at NAS Norfolk. During its 30 years of existence, the squadron was deployed around the world and saw action from Vietnam to Desert Storm, conducting operations from the Arctic to the tropics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-127</span> Military unit

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron127 (VAW-127), nicknamed the "Seabats", was an aviation unit of the United States Navy in service from 1983 to 1991. The squadron was equipped with the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye and was assigned only to Carrier Air Wing 13 (CVW-13) on the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CV-43).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-121</span> Military unit

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 (VAW-121), also known as the "Bluetails", is an Airborne Early Warning (AEW) and Command and control (C2) squadron of the United States Navy, operating the E-2D Hawkeye. Established in 1967, the squadron is based at NAS Norfolk. It is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 and deploys aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Nine</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Air Wing is currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). The Tail Code of aircraft assigned to CVW-9 is NG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-115</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115) is known as the "Eagles", callsign "Talon", a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. Their tail code is NF. It was established as Torpedo Squadron VT-11 on 10 October 1942, redesignated VA-12A on 15 November 1946, VA-115 on 15 July 1948, then finally VFA-115.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Three</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3), known as the "Battle Axe", is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The wing was created on 1 July 1938 and has seen service in World War II, the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, Lebanon, against Libya, and the Global War on Terror.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Five</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. It was initially formed in 1943. It has participated in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Gulf War, Operation Southern Watch, the War in Afghanistan, and the War in Iraq.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Air Wing Fourteen</span> Military unit

Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW-14), was a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-123</span> Military unit

Airborne Command and Control Squadron 123 (VAW-123) is based at Naval Station Norfolk, flying the E-2C Hawkeye. They are attached to Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) while deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. The squadron nickname is the Screwtops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-116</span> US Navy Command and Control Squadron

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 116 (VAW-116) is a US Navy Command and Control Squadron that deploys aboard USS Nimitz as part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, flying the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. VAW-116 is stationed at Naval Base Ventura County under the cognizance of Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing (COMACCLOGWING). The current commanding officer is Commander Phillip J. Sheridan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-117</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 117 (VAW-117) is an airborne early warning (AEW) and command and control (C2) squadron. Nicknamed "The Wallbangers,” it flies the E-2D Hawkeye, the only carrier-capable command and control aircraft. The squadron is based in NAS Point Mugu and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) on board USS Abraham Lincoln.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-113</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113 (VAW-113), known as "Black Eagles", was established on 20 April 1967 flying the E-2A Hawkeye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-125</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 125 (VAW-125), known as the "Torch Bearers" or "Tigertails", was established on 1 October 1968, at Naval Air Station Norfolk. The squadron's initial supporting command was Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) deploying aboard USS Saratoga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-126</span> Military unit

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126), nicknamed the "Seahawks", is a carrier airborne early warning squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron is based at NS Norfolk, equipped with five E-2D Hawkeye aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-112</span> Inactive United States Navy squadron

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 (VAW-112) is an inactive United States Navy squadron. It was nicknamed the "Golden Hawks". VAW-112 flew the E-2C Hawkeye out of NAS Point Mugu and last deployed in 2013 as part of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) on board USS John C. Stennis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-124</span> Military unit

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 124 (VAW-124) "Bear Aces" is a United States Navy airborne early warning and control squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia. It flies the Northrop Grumman E-2D Hawkeye and is currently attached to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VAW-114</span> World Famous Hormel Hawgs

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 114 (VAW-114), nicknamed the "Hormel Hawgs". It was established on 20 April 1967, based out of NAS North Island, at which time it was already flying missions over the Tonkin Gulf in Vietnam. The squadron was disestablished on 31 March 1995 while attached to NAS Miramar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter Squadron 1 (United States Navy)</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established on 14 October 1972 it was disestablished on 30 September 1993. It was the fifth US Navy squadron to be designated VF-1. Known as the "Wolfpack" the squadron saw combat during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The squadron was de-activated and its personnel reassigned in 1993 when its carrier, USS Ranger, was decommissioned.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "U.S. Naval Aviation Squadron Aircraft Carrier Deployments". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  2. ↑ "CVW 5 Continues Capability Upgrades with Arrival of New Hawkeye 2000". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 3 November 2015.
  3. ↑ After 44 years, 'Liberty Bells' head home, Ashley Bunch, NavyTimes.com, 2017-06-02
  4. ↑ "E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Arrives in Japan". Commander, Naval Forces Japan. Retrieved 13 February 2017.
  5. ↑ "VAW-120 Command History". VAW-120. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  6. ↑ https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Airborne-Command-Control-Squadron-VAW-115/About-Us/ About Us] Archived 10 January 2023 at the Wayback Machine – CVW-11 – U.S. Navy – Access Date 9 January 2023
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.