Carrier Air Wing Nine

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Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVN-9)

Active	March 26, 1952 - Present
Country	United States
Branch	US Navy
Type	Carrier Air Wing
Part of	United States Pacific Fleet
Garrison/HQ	NAS Lemoore USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
Nickname	Shogun
Battles/wars	Vietnam War Korean War Operation Desert Storm Operation Southern Watch Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	Captain Roe Massey
Ceremonial chief	CMDCM (AW/SW) Mario M. Bautista

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 attached to the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).

1 Mission
2 Subordinate units
3 History
4 Current force
- 4.1 Fixed wing aircraft
- 4.2 Rotary wing aircraft
5 See also
6 References

[edit] Mission

To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of seven air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations.^[1]

[edit] Subordinate units

CVW-9 consists of 9 Squadrons^[2]

Strike Fighter Squadron 146
Strike Fighter Squadron 147
Strike Fighter Squadron 154
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 138
Carrier Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 112
Fleet Logistics Support Suqadron 30 Det. 4
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 8
Sea Control Squadron 31

[edit] History

The CVW-9 was commissioned on 26 March 1952, making its first tour aboard USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) in January 1953 participating in operations at the close of the Korean War. From 1954 to 1958, CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard USS Hornet (CV-12) and two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Oriskany (CV-34) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).

CVW-9 naval aviator/flight observer shoulder patch.

In February 1960, CVW-9 embarked on USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a seven month Western Pacific cruise. The aircraft complement at the time included F-8 Crusader, F2H Banshee, A-4 Skyhawk, FJ-1 Fury and AD-1 Spad. Three additional deployments to Western Pacific aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61) included two Vietnam cruises. CVW-9 made seven subsequent Vietnam deployments aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS America (CVA-66) and USS Constellation (CV-64). Later, the Air Wing made peacetime cruises to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation, USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) between June 1974 and June 1987. CVW-9 was assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in July 1987, completing the first Nimitz/Nine Western Pacific cruise in February 1989.

The Air Wing completed a West to East Coast transit aboard USS Constellation in April of 1990 before returning to USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to participate in post-Desert Storm operations from March to August 1991. From February through August 1993, and again in November 1995 through May 1996, the Nimitz/Nine team completed deployments to the Persian Gulf, supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. During the May 1996 deployment, the Battle Group sortied from the Gulf to conduct contingency operation off the coast of Taiwan. One month into their 1997/1998 around the world cruise, the Nimitz/Nine team responded to the Secretary of Defense's order to proceed to the Persian Gulf at best speed to reinforce the Southern "No Fly Zone" over Iraq and provide a presence in the midst of Iraqi challenges to United Nation Sanctions. CVW-9 ended its association with USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Stennis/Nine team provided air protection to the West Coast of the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Shortly after, the Stennis/Nine team deployed to North Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean flying combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before returning to homeport May 2002.

CVW-9 made another deployment less than nine months after returning home in January 2003 to the Western Pacific aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Operations included maritime patrol, security operations and participation with allied navies in joint operations and training.

In 2005 CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). During this cruise the air wing supported combat operations for Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations with allied forces in the Persian Gulf. Several squadrons within the air wing participated in forward deploying their aircraft to better support Central Commands missions.

On January 12, 2006 aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) Carrier Air Wing Nine held a historic change of command where United States Marine Corps Colonel Doug 'Smash' Yuroveich became the first Marine commanding officer of a Navy carrier air wing after relieving Captain Michael Spence.

CVW-9 is (as of March, 2007) currently deployed aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility.