A
Carrier Air Wing (abbreviated
CVW) is an operational naval aviation organization composed of several aircraft
squadronA squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, armour, aircraft , or warships.-Army and Marines:A cavalry squadron , typically consists of four troops.-United States:...
s and detachments of various types of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. Organized, equipped and trained to conduct
modern US Navy carrier air operationsModern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or non-combat missions. Modern US aircraft carrier flight operations are highly evolved, based on nearly 70 years of experience...
while embarked aboard aircraft carriers, the various squadrons in an air wing have different, complementary (and sometimes overlapping) missions, and provide most of the striking power and
electronic warfareElectronic warfare refers to any action involving the use of the electromagnetic spectrum or directed energy to control the spectrum or to attack the enemy. The purpose of electronic warfare is to deny the opponent the advantage of, and ensure friendly unimpeded access to, the EM spectrum...
capabilities of a
carrier battle groupA carrier battle group consists of an aircraft carrier and its escorts.-History:The CVBG was first used in World War II, primarily in conflicts between the United States and Japan in the Pacific...
(CVBG). Until 1963, Carrier air wings were known as Carrier Air Groups (CAGs). Carrier air wings are what the
United States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the U.S. armed forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on 18 September 1947 under the National Security Act of 1947 - 80 P.L....
would call “composite” wings, and should not be confused with Navy
Type Wings (such as
Strike Fighter Wing AtlanticStrike Fighter Wing, U.S. Atlantic Fleet is the Navy's largest type wing with 18 squadrons flying more than 300 aircraft composed of six different variants of the FA-18 Hornet and Super Hornet...
), which are administrative commands composed of squadrons of the same type of aircraft. Carrier air wings integrate closely with their assigned aircraft carriers, forming a "carrier/air wing team" that trains and deploys together. There are currently ten U.S. Navy air wings, five based at NAS Oceana, Virginia, four based at NAS Lemoore, California, and one forward deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan. These air wings are occasionally reassigned to different aircraft carriers based on carrier maintenance schedules. A modern air wing consists of roughly 2,500 personnel and roughly 60-65 aircraft.
Wing aircraft composition
The air wing composition is designed to allow for broad striking power hundreds of miles from the carrier's position, while providing defense in depth of the battle group through early warning and detection of airborne, surface and subsurface targets. No two U.S. Navy carrier air wings are identical in composition, but a typical modern air wing consists of:
- One Strike Fighter (VFA) squadron with 12-14 F/A-18F Super Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. The F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of...
s;
- One Strike Fighter (VFA) squadron with 12-14 F/A-18E Super Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. The F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of...
s;
- Two Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) of 10-12 F/A-18C Hornets
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. The F/A-18 was derived from the YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Hornet is also used by the air forces of...
, with one of these often provided by the U.S. Marine CorpsThe United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for providing force projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
(VMFA);
- One Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) of 4-6 EA-6B Prowlers
The EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft manufactured by Grumman as a modification of the basic A-6 Intruder airframe.-Development:...
;
- One Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) of 4-6 E-2C Hawkeyes
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-based tactical Airborne Early Warning aircraft. The twin turboprop aircraft was designed and developed in the 1950s by Grumman for the United States Navy as a replacement for the E-1 Tracer...
;
- A detachment from a Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) of C-2 Greyhound
The C-2 Greyhound is a twin-engine cargo aircraft, designed to provide critical logistics support to aircraft carriers of the United States Navy. Its primary mission is Carrier onboard delivery .-Development:...
s;
- One Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) of 6-8 SH-60F & HH-60H Seahawks
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the airframe of the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard...
.
Staff organization
A U.S. Navy air wing has a small staff of 16-20 officers and approximately 20 enlisted personnel. It is headed by the "CAG" (a legacy term from the earlier term for the Air Wing) who is a Navy Captain or a Marine Corps
ColonelColonel is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country in the world. It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. Second in command is the Deputy Commander (DCAG), also a Captain aviator, who "fleets up" to the CAG position after about 18 months. Also on the staff are an Operations Officer (typically a Commander or Lieutenant Commander), a number of warfare specialists (typically Lieutenant Commanders or Lieutenants), two Wing
Landing Signal OfficerLanding Signal Officers are naval aviators specially trained to facilitate the "safe and expeditious recovery" of naval aircraft aboard aircraft carriers.- "Paddles" :...
s, an Intelligence Officer, and a Maintenance Officer. The air wing staff is often supplemented with squadron personnel, such as the squadron intelligence officers. The CAG reports to a
Rear AdmiralRear Admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a Commodore and Captain, and below that of a Vice Admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "Admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "Flag officers" and/or "Flag ranks"...
in the position of Commander,
Carrier Strike GroupA carrier battle group consists of an aircraft carrier and its escorts.-History:The CVBG was first used in World War II, primarily in conflicts between the United States and Japan in the Pacific...
and is coequal in stature with the Commanding Officer of the carrier as well as the embarked Destroyer Squadron (
DESRONDESRON is the United States Navy abbreviation for Destroyer Squadron. A DESRON usually consists of three or more destroyers or frigates. A CRUDESRON is a Cruiser Destroyer Squadron and includes cruisers in the ships under its control...
) Commander. The CAG serves as the Strike Group's Strike Warfare Commander, responsible for all offensive strike operations (including Tomahawk Missiles). CAGs are typically qualified to fly at least two types of aircraft in the Carrier Air Wing inventory.
Active Carrier Air Wings / identification
Currently, Atlantic Fleet air wings have an "A" as the fist letter of their tailcode identification, while those of the Pacific Fleet have an "N". The "A" or "N" is followed by a letter that uniquely identifies the air wing (e.g., CVW-1 aircraft, part of the Atlantic Fleet, have a tail code of "AB").
| Airwing | Insignia | Tailcode | Assigned Aircraft Carrier | Homeport |
|---|
| CVW-1 |
 |
AB |
USS Enterprise (CVN-65) |
NAS Oceana |
| CVW-2 |
 |
NE |
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) |
NAS Lemoore |
| CVW-3 |
 |
AC |
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)USS Harry S. Truman is the eighth Nimitz-class supercarrier of the United States Navy, named after the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman...
|
NAS Oceana |
| CVW-5 |
 |
NF |
USS George Washington (CVN-73)USS George Washington is the sixth ship in the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered supercarriers, and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, first President of the United States...
|
NAF Atsugi |
| CVW-7 |
|
AG |
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)USS Dwight D. Eisenhower , nicknamed "Ike", is the second of 10 Nimitz-class supercarriers in the United States Navy, named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Originally, she was named Eisenhower, much like her sister, Nimitz. On 25 May 1970, the name...
|
NAS Oceana |
| CVW-8 |
 |
AJ |
USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) |
NAS Oceana |
| CVW-9 |
 |
NG |
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...
|
NAS Lemoore |
| CVW-11 |
|
NH |
USS Nimitz (CVN-68)USS Nimitz is a supercarrier in the United States Navy, the lead ship of its class. She is one of the largest warships in the world. She was laid down, launched and commissioned as CVAN-68, but was redesignated CVN-68 on 30 June 1975 as part of the fleet realignment of that year.The ship was...
|
NAS Lemoore |
| CVW-14 |
 |
NK |
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the service of the United States Navy. The ninth ship of her class, she is named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 to 1989...
|
NAS Lemoore |
| CVW-17 |
 |
AA |
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)The USS Carl Vinson is the third a United States Navy Nimitz class supercarrier and is named after Carl Vinson, a Congressman from Georgia. Carl Vinson's callsign is "Gold Eagle"...
|
NAS Oceana |
See
List of United States Navy aircraft wings.
Carrier Air Group organization, naming, and identification
The first
Carrier Air Groups (as they were then called) were activated in 1937. Initially, the commander of the air group (known as the "CAG") was the most senior commanding officer of the embarked squadrons and was expected to personally lead all major strike operations, co-ordinating the attacks of the carrier's fighter, bomber, and torpedo planes in combat. The CAG was a department head of the ship reporting to the carrier's commanding officer.
From July 1937 to mid-1942 Carrier Air Groups were permanently assigned to and identified by their parent aircraft carrier, and group squadrons were numbered according to the carrier's hull number. For example, the
Enterprise Air Group, assigned to
USS Enterprise (CV-6)USS Enterprise , colloquially referred to as the "Big E", was the sixth aircraft carrier of the United States Navy and the seventh U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. Launched in 1936, she was a ship of the Yorktown class, and one of only three American carriers commissioned prior to World War II to...
, were all numbered "2":
Fighting Squadron (VF) 6The VF-6 is a variable fighter referenced in fictional stories based on The Super Dimension Fortress Macross Japanese animated series.See VFA-6 Alpha for the unrelated attack fighter in the fictional Robotech setting.-External links:* at the *...
, Bombing Squadron (VB) 6, etc. In 1942 air groups were no longer named for their carrier but were given unique numbers according to their assigned carriers' hull number (i.e., the Enterprise Air Group became CAG-6). This numbering scheme was also soon scrapped as carrier groups (now abbreviated CVGs) frequently moved from carrier to carrier. At this point, the carrier groups simply retained their number designation regardless of the carrier assigned.
The first formal system for air group identification (
Visual Identification System for Naval Aircraft) was established in January 1945. This consisted of geometric symbols that identified the parent carrier, not the air group. As there were just too many carriers and the symbols were hard to remember or to describe over the radio, a single or double letter system was introduced in July 1945. The use of single letters was discontinued in 1957.
On 20 December 1963, Carrier Air Groups were redesignated
Attack Carrier Air Wings" (CVW – CV
is the hull designation for fixed wing carriers).
From 1960 to 1974 the U.S. Navy also operated Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Groups (CVSG). These typically consisted of two fixed-wing anti-submarine squadrons (VS), a helicopter squadron anti-submarine (HS), and two smaller squadrons of 3-4 aircraft for airborne early warning (VAW) and self defense (VA, VMA, VSF). In 1973 the anti-submarine squadrons were integrated into the Attack Carrier Air Wings, leading to the simple designation "Carrier Air Wing".
In 1983, Secretary of the Navy
John LehmanJohn F. Lehman, Jr. is an American investment banker and writer who served as Secretary of the Navy in the Reagan administration and in 2003-4 was a member of the 9/11 Commission...
elevated the CAG to be coequal with the Captain of the ship with both officers reporting directly to the embarked Commander of the
Carrier Battle GroupA carrier battle group consists of an aircraft carrier and its escorts.-History:The CVBG was first used in World War II, primarily in conflicts between the United States and Japan in the Pacific...
. The CAG was then referred to as a "Super CAG" and a Deputy CAG (DCAG) position was added who "fleets up" to the CAG position. This system is still in place, although the term "Super CAG" was soon reverted back to CAG.
Air Group/Wing historical composition
Air wing composition has changed continuously and no two air wings are configured exactly the same.
WWII
Typical air group composition at the beginning of
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
consisted of approximately 90 aircraft:
- 1 bombing squadron (VB) composed of 18 Douglas SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was supplanted, although not entirely replaced, by the SB2C Helldiver....
dive bombers
- 1 fighter squadron (VF) composed of 18 Grumman F4F Wildcats or F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F bore a family resemblance to the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the...
s
- 1 scouting squadron (VS) composed of 18 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers
- 1 torpedo squadron (VT) composed of 18 Douglas TBD Devastator, TBF
TBF can refer to:*TBF Avenger, a World War II torpedo bomber*Tingle's Balloon Fight, a game for the Nintendo DS*The Beat Fleet, a rap group*To be fair, internet slang*Token bucket filter*Total Batters Faced , a baseball statistic...
or TBMTBM may stand for:*Socata TBM, a single engine turboprop aircraft*Tactical ballistic missile*TBM Avenger, the designation given to Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber airframes produced by General Motors....
torpedo bomberA torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with aerial torpedoes, but they could also carry out conventional bombings. Torpedo bombers existed almost exclusively prior to and during World War II when they were an important player in many famous battles, notably the...
s
During the course of the war in the Pacific the compositions of the air groups changed drastically. The scouting squadrons were disestablished by early 1943 and the number of fighter planes was increased continuously. Typically in 1943 an Essex class carrier carried 36 fighter planes, 36 bombers and 18 torpedo planes.
By the end of WWII, a typical Essex air group was over 100 aircraft, consisting of :
- 2 fighter squadrons of 36 F6Fs
- 1 bomber squadron of 15 SB2Cs
- 1 torpedo squadron of 18 TBM Avengers
Korea
Carrier Air Groups typically had four fighter squadrons with 58 planes and an attack squadron of 14 planes. New to the air wings were special duty squadrons of 2-4 aircraft for photographic reconnaissance (VAP/VFP, RVAH), airborne early warning (VAW), night attack and fighters, electronic countermeasures (VAQ) and helicopters.
- 2-3 jet fighter/fighter bomber squadrons flying the F9F Panther
The Grumman F9F Panther was the manufacturer's first jet fighter and the U.S. Navy's second carrier jet fighter. The Panther was the most widely used U.S. Navy jet fighter of the Korean War. It flew 78,000 sorties and was responsible for the first air kill by the US Navy in the war—the downing of a...
- 1-2 piston fighter squadrons flying F4U Corsair
The Chance Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and Brewster-built aircraft F3A. The Corsair served in smaller air forces until the 1960s, following the longest production...
s
- 1 heavy attack squadron flying AD Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the 1950s and early 1970s. It was a propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a World War I fighter...
s
Vietnam
During the
Vietnam WarThe Vietnam War or the Second Indochina War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1959 to 30 April 1975...
Attack Carrier Air Wings typically consisted of approximately 70 aircraft, including two fighter squadrons and three attack squadrons, plus the special squadrons.
In 1965, a typical air wing consisted of:
- 2 fighter squadrons (VF) flying F-8 Crusader
The F-8 Crusader was a single-engine aircraft carrier-based air superiority fighter aircraft built by Vought. It replaced the Vought F-7 Cutlass. The first F-8 prototype was ready for flight in February 1955, and was the last American fighter with guns as the primary weapon, principally serving in...
s
- 2 light attack squadrons (VA) flying A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas...
s
- 1 attack squadron (VA) flying A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the 1950s and early 1970s. It was a propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a World War I fighter...
s
- 1 heavy attack squadron (VAH) flying A-3 Skywarrior
The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was a strategic bomber built for the United States Navy and among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. For many years after its introduction, it was also the heaviest aircraft ever flown from an...
s
- 2-3 RF-8 Crusader or RA-5C Vigilante reconnaissance planes
- 2-3 E-1 Tracer
The E-1 Tracer was the first purpose built airborne early warning aircraft used by the United States Navy. It was a derivative of the C-1 Trader and first entered service in 1958. It was replaced by the more modern E-2 Hawkeye in the early 1970s....
airborne early warning aircraft
By the end of the Vietnam War in 1973, a typical air wing consisted of ~90 aircraft:
- 2 fighter squadrons (VF) flying F-4 Phantoms or F-8 Crusaders (on Essex class carriers)
- 2 light attack squadrons (VA) flying A-7 Corsairs or A-4 Skyhawks
- 1 medium/all weather attack squadron (VA) flying A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder is a twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather replacement for the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider medium attack aircraft. A specialized electronic warfare derivative, the...
s
- 1 electronic warfare squadron (VAQ) flying EKA-3B Skywarriors
The Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was a strategic bomber built for the United States Navy and among the longest serving carrier-based jet aircraft. It entered service in the mid-1950s and was retired in 1991. For many years after its introduction, it was also the heaviest aircraft ever flown from an...
- 3-4 E-2 Hawkeye
The Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, aircraft carrier-based tactical Airborne Early Warning aircraft. The twin turboprop aircraft was designed and developed in the 1950s by Grumman for the United States Navy as a replacement for the E-1 Tracer...
airborne early warning aircraft
- Detachments of RA-5C Vigilante
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a powerful, highly advanced carrier-based supersonic bomber designed for the United States Navy. Its service in the nuclear strike role to replace the A-3 Skywarrior was very short; however, as the RA-5C, it saw extensive service during the Vietnam War in the...
reconnaissance aircraft, SH-3s or UH-2The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...
s helicopter combat support (HC), RF-8G light photographic reconnaissance (VFP) Crusaders, and KA-3B tankers
An anti-submarine air group (CVSG) aboard the Essex-class anti-submarine carriers (CVS) operated five squadrons:
- 2 anti-submarine squadrons (VS) flying S-2 Tracker
The Grumman S-2 Tracker was the first purpose-built, single airframe anti-submarine warfare aircraft to enter service with the US Navy....
s
- 1 helicopter anti-submarine squadron (HS) flying SH-3A Sea Kings
- 1 early warning squadron (VAW) of 4 E-1 Tracer
The E-1 Tracer was the first purpose built airborne early warning aircraft used by the United States Navy. It was a derivative of the C-1 Trader and first entered service in 1958. It was replaced by the more modern E-2 Hawkeye in the early 1970s....
s
- a detachment of 4 A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. The delta winged, single turbojet-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas...
s for self defence from various squadrons (VSF, VA, VMA, H&MS)
1983 Invasion of Grenada
By the early 1980s, typical air wings were replacing F-4s with
F-14 TomcatThe Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing aircraft. The F-14 was the United States Navy's primary maritime air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor and tactical reconnaissance platform from 1974 to 2006...
s,
KA-6DThe Grumman A-6 Intruder is a twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather replacement for the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider medium attack aircraft. A specialized electronic warfare derivative, the...
s and A-7s had replaced A-3 as tankers, and EA-6B Prowlers had largely replaced EA-3s.
- 2 fighter squadrons (VF) of 14 F-4s or F-14As
- 2 attack squadrons (VA) of 12-14 A-7Es
- 1 all-weather attack squadron (VA) 10-12 A-6E (including 4 KA-6D tankers).
- 1 early warning squadron (VAW) of 4-6 E-2Cs
- 1 tactical electronic warfare squadron (VAQ) of 4-6 EA-6Bs
- 1 anti-submarine squadron (VS) of 10 S-3A Vikings
The Lockheed S-3 Viking was a jet aircraft used by the United States 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 surveillance capabilities...
- 1 helicopter anti-submarine squadron (HS) of 6 SH-3H Sea Kings
- detachments of EA-3B air reconnaissance and RF-8G light photographic reconnaissance aircraft
1991 Gulf War
The Gulf War marked the largest concentrated use of carrier air wings since World War II. All F-4s had been retired and A-7Es had largely been replaced with FA-18 Hornets.
- 2 fighter squadrons (VF) of 14 F-14s, including TARPS photo reconnaissance aircraft
- 2 strike fighter squadrons (VFA) of 12-14 FA-18 Hornets
- 1 all-weather attack squadron (VA) 10-12 A-6Es (including 4 KA-6D tankers).
- 1 early warning squadron (VAW) of 4-6 E-2Cs
- 1 tactical electronic warfare squadron (VAQ) of 4-6 EA-6Bs
- 1 anti-submarine squadron (VS) of 10 S-3A Vikings
The Lockheed S-3 Viking was a jet aircraft used by the United States 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 surveillance capabilities...
- 1 helicopter anti-submarine squadron (HS) of 6 SH-3H Sea Kings
- detachments of ES-3A electronic surveillance aircraft
2003 Iraq War
By 2003, A-6s had been retired with their tanking duties being assumed by S-3s, ES-3s had been retired, and F-14s were being phased out.
- 1 fighter squadron (VF) of 12 F-14A/B/D
- 3 strike fighter squadrons (VFA) of 12 F/A-18Cs (often one of these is a USMC squadron)
- 1 early warning squadron (VAW) of 3-4 E-2Cs
- 1 tactical electronic warfare squadron (VAQ) of 3-4 EA-6Bs
- 1 sea control squadron (VS) of 8 S-3Bs (primary tankers)
- 1 helicopter anti-submarine squadron (HS) of 4 SH-60F
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the airframe of the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard...
and 2 HH-60H
Future
The Navy has described an air wing for 2020 as follows:
- 40-50 strike fighters (FA-18s or F-35 Lightning II
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable multirole fighter, that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air defense missions...
s)
- 4-6 EA-18G Growler
The Boeing EA-18G Growler is an American carrier-based electronic warfare plane, a specialized version of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. It began production in 2007 and is slated for fleet deployment in 2009...
s replacing EA-6B ProwlersThe EA-6B Prowler is a twin-engine, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft manufactured by Grumman as a modification of the basic A-6 Intruder airframe.-Development:...
- 4-6 advanced E-2D Hawkeyes
- 10 MH-60R Seahawks, including detachments on Strike Group escort ships
- 12 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle
An unmanned combat air vehicle or "combat drone" is an experimental class of unmanned aerial vehicle . They differ from ordinary UAVs, because they are designed to deliver weapons – possibly with a great degree of autonomy...
s (UCAV)
Literature
- Gordon Swanborough; Peter M. Bowers: United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis (Maryland) 1990, ISBN 0870217925.
- Rene Francillion: US Navy Carrier Air Groups: Pacific 1941-1945. (Osprey Airwar 16). Osprey, London 1978, ISBN 0850452910.
- Bert Kinzey; Ray Leader: Colors and Markings of U.S. Navy and USMC CAG Aircraft. Part 1: Fighters! F-8 Crusader, F-4 Phantom, F-14 Tomcat" (Colors and Markings, Bd. 10). Airlife Publishing, Shrewsbury 1988, ISBN 185310602X.
- Bert Kinzey; Ray Leader: Colors and Markings of U.S. Navy CAG Aircraft. Part 2: Attack Aircraft. A-6 Intruder, A-7 Corsair" (Colors and Markings, Bd. 16). Airlife Publishing, Shrewsbury 1990, ISBN 1853106232.
- Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Die Luftwaffe der U.S. Navy und des Marine Corps. J.F. Lehmanns, Munich, Germany, 1974, ISBN 3469004668.
- Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Flugzeugtraeger der U.S. Navy. Bernard & Graefe, 2nd edition, Munich, Germany, 1986, ISBN 3763758038.
- Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Jahrbuch der U.S. Navy 1988/89 (Schwerpunkt: Luftwaffe der U.S. Navy und des Marine Corps). Bernard & Graefe, Munich, Germany, 1988, ISBN 3763747923.
- Stefan Terzibaschitsch: Seemacht USA. Bd. 1. 2nd revised edition, Bechtermünz, Augsburg, Germany, 1997, ISBN 3860475762.
External links