Carrier Air Wing Two

Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) 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 Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

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]

Subordinate units

CVW-2 consists of 9 Squadrons^[2]

History

Korean War

Carrier Air Wing Two's motto, "For Liberty, We Fight" is appropriate for a military organization that has served the cause of liberty since the end of World War II. Established 1 May 1945 as CVBG-74, the new "Battle Air Group" originally comprised 96 F4U-4/FG-1D Corsairs and 46 SBW-4E Helldivers. Redesignated CVBG-1 on 15 November 1946, the first true deployment took the Air Group to the Mediterranean Sea from October 1947 to March 1948. Renamed CVG-2 in 1948, the Air Group saw action during the Korean War in support of the Inchon invasion, the bombing of Seoul, securing the Kimpo Airfield, as well as leading four Carrier Air Groups on a long-range strike coordinated with USAF jets against the Suiho Dam on 23 – 24 June 1952.

In 1961, the first A4D-2 Skyhawks came aboard while patrolling the Formosa Straits during tensions between Taiwan and Mainland China. In late 1963, the Air Group's first deployment with F-4 Phantoms began, and on 20 December the Air Wing was redesignated Attack Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2).

Vietnam

The first of seven combat deployments to Southeast Asia began in 1965. Air Wing Two was credited with the first three confirmed Mig-17 kills over North Vietnam. In July 1966, the Air Wing marked its first all-Phantom deployment and E-2A Hawkeyes joined the team. Coordinated carrier operations in the Gulf of Tonkin earned the Air Wing the Navy Unit Commendation in February 1967.

Peacetime

CVW-2 began a long affiliation with USS Ranger during the 1967-68 deployment. New A-7A Corsairs and A-6A Intruders made CVW-2 the first all jet Attack Carrier Air Wing. CVW-2 spent thirty days of the deployment in the Sea of Japan reacting to North Korea's seizure of USS Pueblo (AGER-2), earning the Air Wing the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. During its last Vietnam deployment, which began in December 1972, CVW-2 introduced laser-guided bombs (LGBs) to Navy combat operations with great success. Strikes by VA-145 destroyed fourteen of fifteen targeted bridges within three hours. CVW-2 made its first peacetime deployment in over twelve years in 1974. CVW-2 was then redesignated Carrier Air Wing Two as part of the CV concept. In 1979, anti-submarine combat units joined the team with VS-29 flying S-3A Vikings and HS-2 in SH-3D Sea Kings. VF-1 and VF-2 flying the F-14A Tomcat were assigned for the September 1980 deployment, four months of which were spent in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf awaiting the release of the U.S. hostages in Iran. The Air Wing made its tenth straight deployment aboard USS Ranger in 1982 before reassignment to USS Kitty Hawk.

CVW-2 returned to Ranger in 1987, largely composed of Grumman aircraft. The "Grumman Air Wing" deployed to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean in July 1987 flying many "Earnest Will" escort missions into the Persian Gulf. CVW-2 also flew in support of U.S. military assaults on oil platforms used as staging bases for Iranian militia attacking tankers in the Persian Gulf. From February to August 1989, RANGER/CVW-2 conducted normal patrol operations in the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean. Following that deployment, VMA(AW)-121 left CVW-2 and was replaced by VA-155.

Gulf War

1 April 1997, 18 June 1999 and 16 March 2001 marked the beginnings of Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployments for CVW-2 and the USS Constellation. Throughout these combined 18 months of deployed time, CVW-2 has successfully conducted a total of over 33 weeks of high tempo operations in the Persian Gulf, including more than 13,000 sorties while in Fifth Fleet’s Area of Responsibility. Operations during the last three deployments have included joint-combined exercises with forces from allied countries in the Persian Gulf region, as well as exercises with Saudi Arabian, Qatari, Kuwait, and Bahrain. In addition to flying training missions, CVW-2 has flown over 3,500 sorties in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the no-fly zone over Southern Iraq and CVW-2 aircrew lead the opening strikes on Baghdad at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. CVW-2 and the USS Constellation flew 26 continuous days of combat over Iraq, clearing the way for our ground force advance on Baghdad.

Port calls during the past three deployments have included stops in Sydney and Perth, Western Australia, Manama (Bahrain), Jebel Ali (United Arab Emirates), Singapore, Kelang (Malaysia), Hong Kong (China), Pusan (Korea), Yokosuka (Japan), and Hawaii.^[3]

After USS Constellation decommissioned in August 2003, Carrier Air Wing Two shifted carriers to the USS Abraham Lincoln. CVW 2 joined Abraham Lincoln by September 2005.

Current force

Fixed-wing aircraft

• F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
• F/A-18C Hornet
• EA-6B Prowler
• E-2C Hawkeye
• C-2 Greyhound

Rotary wing aircraft

• MH-60R Seahawk
• MH-60S Seahawk

See also

• List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
• History of the United States Navy

References

External links

• [1] (official site)