VAW-117

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Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven
VAW-117 insignia
Active	July 1, 1974 - present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Airborne early warning
Size	190+
Part of	Carrier Air Wing 11
Garrison/HQ	NAS Point Mugu
Nickname	The Wallbangers
Engagements	Operation Praying Mantis Operation Fiery Vigil Operation Restore Hope Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	LtCdr James P. Laingen

The Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven (VAW-117) are a United States Navy airborne early warning (AEW) squadron. Nicknamed The Wallbangers, they fly the E-2 Hawkeye. The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California and deploy as part of Carrier Air Wing 11 onboard the USS Nimitz (CVN-68).

1 History
- 1.1 Global War on Terror
2 See also
3 References

[edit] History

The squadron was established at Naval Air Station North Island, California on July 1, 1974 as part of Fighter Airborne Early Warning Wing, United States Pacific Fleet, and received its first E-2B Hawkeye aircraft in October 1974. This was followed by their first deployment in October of 1975 to the Mediterranean Sea onboard the USS Independence (CV-62).

In 1988, while onboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), VAW-117 played a key role in Operation Praying Mantis during which an Iranian ship was destroyed. In addition, the Wallbangers excelled in providing command and control during the attacks on oil platforms and small ships. In October on 1993, the Wallbangers were called to provided air traffic control services for over 400 aircraft daily while supporting Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.

[edit] Global War on Terror

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Wallbangers and Carrier Air Wing 11 were among the first aircraft to lead in the strikes on Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Wallbangers continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and deconfliction with commercial airways. They served as an information clearing house, providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne. What began as an operation that consisted mainly of carrier-based naval air assets evolved into a multi-service and multi-faceted, joint operation.

In 2005 the Wallbangers successfully completed a WESTPAC cruise. The squadron flew nearly 500 total sorties with 194 sorties and 728 hours flown in direct support of Operation Sea Dragon III, a component of Operation Iraqi Freedom.