Carrier Air Wing Six

Carrier Air Wing Six
CVW-6 Insignia
Active 1 January 1943 – 1 April 1993
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Type Carrier air wing
Engagements World War II
Cold War
• Operation Nickel Grass
• Operation Urgent Fury
• Operation Earnest Will
• Operation Provide Comfort
Vietnam War
Decorations Navy Unit Commendation (1968)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3)

Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing whose operational history spans from the middle of World War II to the end of the Cold War. Established in 1943 as Carrier Air Group Seventeen (CVG-17), it would be re-designated several times during its establishment, including Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) as the second unit to be so designated. The first Carrier Air Group Six served for just over two years during World War II, but drew on the history of the Enterprise Air Group established in 1938 and active in the early battles of the Pacific War, being disestablished after the first year of the conflict. During its time in USS Enterprise (CV-6), it was the Navy’s only carrier-based air group to carry out three complete tours of duty during World War II.[1]

History

Carrier Air Wing SIX was established on 1 January 1943 as Carrier Air Group SEVENTEEN (CVG-17).

Carrier Air Group SEVENTEEN (CVG-17) and (CVBG-17) (1943-1946)

The Air Group served throughout WWII as CVG-17. After the War, on 22 January 1946 the group was redesignated CVBG-17, the "B" indicating it was configured to be assigned to one of the new Midway class Aircraft Carriers.

Battle Carrier Air Group FIVE (1946-1948)

On 15 November 1946 the Navy instituted a new Carrier Air Group designation scheme and all Air Groups assigned to the smaller WWII Essex class carriers were designated CVAG and all configured for the larger Midway class carriers were designated CVBG. The three CVBGs were numbered from 1 through 5 with CVBG-17 becoming CVBG-5. CVBG-5 participated in the shakedown cruises for Essex-class fleet carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45) and the Midway-class battle aircraft carrier[Note 1] USS Coral Sea (CVB-43).[2]

Deployments

The Battle Carrier Air Group Five deployments, 1946–1948
 Table 3 denotes the deployments of CVBG-5.[2]

Aircraft Carrier Deployment Duration Operational Area Operating Force
USS Valley Forge (CV-45) 24 January 1947 – 18 March 1947 South Atlantic Shakedown cruise
USS Coral Sea (CVB-43) 19 January 1948 – 5 April 1948 South Atlantic Shakedown cruise

Carrier Air Group Six (1948–1963)

NATO Operation Strikeback (1957)

On 1 September 1948 the Navy again changed the Carrier Air Group designation scheme redesigning all CVAGs and CVBGs to CVGs and CVBG-5 became Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) (it was the second use of the CVG-6 designation, the first air group designated CVG-6 was a WWII air group which existed from March 1943 to October 1945). CVG-6 participated in three major NATO naval exercises, 1952's Operation Grand Slam,[3] 1952's Operation Mainbrace[4] and 1957's Operation Strikeback (pictured).[5] as well as making ten deployment to the Mediterranean Sea (see Table 4 below).[6] VF-33 joined CVG-6 aboard Midway in 1954.

The Group flew on board the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the recently commissioned USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), on 22 June 1962. CVG-6 participated with the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in LantFlex 2-62, a nuclear strike exercise from 6–12 July, providing eight “pre-planned” strikes and six call strikes while operating off the Virginia capes, against targets ranging from the Tidewater area to central Florida. The air group also participated in RipTide III from 3–5 August, which involved long-range simulated nuclear strikes against targets off the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, including 14 strikes and nine call strikes, all opposed.[7]

The Group embarked on board the Enterprise during its first deployment to the Mediterranean, passing the Rock of Gibraltar on 16 August 1962. CVG-6 participated n Lafayette II, 7 September, which involved 14 scheduled conventional strikes coordinated with aircraft from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) against multiple targets in southern France, with opposition provided by French air force and naval aircraft. The air group was involved in Indian Summer from 7–8 September, comprising three long-range, simulated nuclear strikes, with fighter escort by F-4Bs from VF-102, against Spanish targets defended by USAF and Spanish commands assigned to NATO. Carrier Air Group Six also provided air support during FallEx/High Heels II from 6–20 September as well as Fall Trap from 23–27 September, which was a NATO amphibious exercise. Enterprise arrived back at Norfolk Naval Station on 11 October 1962.[7]

Carrier Air Group Six subsequently participated in the naval operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as part of Task Force 135, a two-carrier strike force consisting of CAG-6's home carrier, the Enterprise, and the supercarrier USS Independence (CVA-62), operating south of the Windward Passage, between Cuba and the island of Hispaniola and southward, in the vicinity of Latitude 18ºN, Longitude 74º30'W.[7][8] CAG-6 was augmented with ten additional A4D-4N Skyhawks of Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) during the night of 26/27 October 1962.[9][10] For its participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carrier Air Groups Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.[10]

Deployments

The deployments of CVG-6 are listed below.[6]

Aircraft Carrier Deployment Duration Operational Area Operating Force
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) 27 October 1949 – 23 November 1949 North Atlantic U.S. Second Task Fleet
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVB-42) 10 January 1951 – 18 May 1951 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Midway (CVB-41) 9 January 1952 – 5 May 1952 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Midway (CVB-41) 25 February 1952 – 16 March 1952 Operation Grand Slam CINCAFSOUTH
USS Midway (CVB-41) 26 August 1952 – 8 October 1952 Operation Mainbrace SACLANT
USS Midway (CVA-41) 1 December 1952 – 19 May 1953 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Midway (CVA-41) 9 January 1954 – 4 August 1954 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39) 9 October 1955 – 3 April 1956 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Intrepid (CVA-11) 3 September 1957 – 22 October 1957 Operation Strikeback SACLANT
USS Intrepid (CVA-11) 13 February 1959 – 20 August 1959 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Intrepid (CVA-11) 4 August 1960 – 17 February 1961 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Intrepid (CVA-11) 3 August 1961 – 1 March 1962 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) 3 August 1962 – 11 October 1962 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) 19 October 1962 – 6 December 1962 Caribbean Task Force 135
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) 6 February 1963 – 4 September 1963 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet

Air group composition

Operation Grand Slam (1952)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Midway (CVB-41) during NATO Operation Grand Slam:[6]

  • Fleet Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12) Detachment 41
  • Fleet Composite Squadron 33 (VC-33) Detachment 41
  • Fleet Composite Squadron 62 (VC-62) Detachment 41
  • Utility Helicopter Squadron 2 (HU-2) Detachment 41
Operation Mainbrace (1952)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Midway (CVB-41) during NATO Operation Mainbrace:[6]

  • Fleet Composite Squadron 8 (VC-8)
  • Fleet Composite Squadron 12 (VC-12) Detachment 41
  • Fleet Composite Squadron 33 (VC-33) Detachment 41
  • Fleet Composite Squadron 62 (VC-62) Detachment 41
  • Utility Helicopter Squadron 2 (HU-2) Detachment 41
Operation Strikeback (1957)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Intrepid (CVA-11) during NATO Operation Strikeback:[6]

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during the Cuban Missile Crisis:[6]

Carrier Air Wing Six (1963–1993)

Operation Sea Orbit (1964)
VF-33 - Vietnam (1968)

On 20 December 1963 all Carrier Air Groups were redesignated Carrier Air Wings and Carrier Air Group Six became Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6).[6][11] The air wing participated in Operation Sea Orbit, the first around-the-world voyage made by nuclear-powered surface ships, in 1964 (pictured).[9]

CVW-6 embarked on the new supercarrier USS America (CVA-66) for its 1965 shakedown cruise, and during that ship's second deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, CVW-6 was operating with the U.S. Sixth Fleet when the Six Day War broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbors on 5 June 1967. America's escorting destroyers detected an unknown submarine contact on 7 June, and a Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS-9) assisted in tracking this contact. CVW-6 aircraft provided air cover for the stricken USS Liberty (AGTR-5), which had been attacked by Israeli military forces, and it also dispatched two helicopters to evacuate the seriously injured to the America.[12]

Carrier Air Wing Six made its first combat deployment in 1968 upon the America. During this deployment, CVW-6 spent a total of 112 days at Yankee Station, attacking roads, waterways, trucks, bridges, as well as lighters, barges, and other logistical support watercraft. They also attacked petroleum storage areas, truck parks, and cave storage areas to impede the flow of men and war materials to the south during the Tet Offensive. On 10 July 1968, Lt. Roy Cash, Jr. (pilot) and Lt. (j.g.) Joseph E. Kain, Jr. (radar intercept officer), flying in an F-4J Phantom from Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33), downed a MiG-21 about 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Vinh, North Vietnam. This was the first MiG "kill" in the Vietnam War for CVW-6. America and Carrier Air Wing Six were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for this deployment.[12]

CVW-6 then left the America for another carrier, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). This carrier, along with USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7), stood by to execute the possible evacuation of foreign civilians during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973.[13] CVW-6 provided air cover during the 1983 invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) while embarked on board the USS Independence (CV-62). During that ship's subsequent deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, CVW-6 conducted air strikes against Syrian positions that were attacking U.S. Marine positions in Lebanon.[14] Carrier Air Group Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Urgent Fury.[15]

Beginning in 1986, Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on board the USS Forrestal (CV-59). It participated in a joint U.S.-Egyptian training exercise (Operation Sea Wind) and Display Determination '86, which featured low-level coordinated strikes and air combat maneuvering training over Turkey. CVW-6 subsequently participated in Ocean Safari '87, a six-week cruise in the North Atlantic which was highlighted by operations with NATO forces posing as aggressors lurking in Norwegian fjords. A year later, the air wing participated in Ocean Venture ’88 in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, and then provided air support for Operation Earnest Will.[16][17]

During its final overseas deployment, CVW-6 participated in three multi-lateral exercises (Harmonie Sud Est, Iles D’Or, and Display Determination ‘91), and also provided air support for Operation Provide Comfort.[18] Carrier Air Group Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Provide Comfort. (see Table 5 below).[17]

Deployments

The deployments of CVW-6 are listed below.[6][11]

Aircraft Carrier Deployment Duration Operational Area Operating Force
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) 8 February 1964 – 31 July 1964 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) 31 July 1964 – 3 October 1964 Operation Sea Orbit Task Force One
USS America (CVA-66) 1 May 1965 – 1 July 1965 South Atlantic/Caribbean Shakedown cruise
USS America (CVA-66) 29 November 1965 – 10 July 1966 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS America (CVA-66) 10 January 1967 – 20 September 1967 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS America (CVA-66) 10 April 1968 – 16 December 1968 Yankee Station Task Force 77
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) 2 January 1970 – 27 July 1970 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) 29 January 1971 – 18 July 1971 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) 15 February 1972 – 11 December 1972 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) 14 September 1973 – 17 March 1974 Mediterranean/Operation Nickel Grass U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) 3 January 1975 – 16 July 1975 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS America (CV-66) 15 April 1976 – 25 October 1976 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS America (CV-66) 10 June 1977 – 19 July 1977 South Atlantic Task Group 20.4
USS America (CV-66) 25 September 1977 – 25 April 1978 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Independence (CV-62) 28 June 1979 – 14 December 1979 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Independence (CV-62) 19 November 1980 – 10 June 1981 Mediterranean/Indian Ocean COMUSNAVEUR
USS Independence (CV-62) 7 June 1982 – 21 December 1982 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Independence (CV-62) 25 October 1983 – 2 November 1983 Operation Urgent Fury U.S. Second Fleet
USS Independence (CV-62) 18 October 1983 – 11 April 1984 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Independence (CV-62) 16 October 1984 – 19 February 1985 Mediterranean/Indian Ocean COMUSNAVEUR
USS Forrestal (CV-59) 4 June 1986 – 10 November 1986 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Forrestal (CV-59) 28 August 1987 – 8 October 1987 Ocean Safari '87 SACLANT
USS Forrestal (CV-59) 25 April 1988 – 7 October 1988 Mediterranean/Indian Ocean NAVCENT
USS Forrestal (CV-59) 4 November 1989 – 12 April 1990 Mediterranean U.S. Sixth Fleet
USS Forrestal (CV-59) 30 May 1991 – 21 December 1991 Operation Provide Comfort NAVCENT

Air wing composition

Operation Sea Orbit (1964)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during Operation Sea Orbit:[11]

Six Day War (1967)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS America (CVA-66) during the Six Day War:[11]

  • Fighter Squadron 104 (VF-104)
  • Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33)
  • Attack Squadron 66 (VA-66)
  • Attack Squadron 64 (VA-64)
  • Attack Squadron 36 (VA-36)
  • Reconnaissance Attack Squadron 5 (RVAH-5)
  • Heavy Attack Squadron 10 (VAH-10 ) Detachment 66
Vietnam War (1968)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS America (CVA-66) during the Vietnam War:[11]

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) during the Yom Kippur War:[11]

Operation Urgent Fury (1983)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Independence (CV-62) during Operation Urgent Fury:[11]

Ocean Safari 1987

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during NATO exercise Ocean Safari 1987:[11]

  • Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31)
  • Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11)
  • Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176)
  • Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105)
  • Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37)
Operation Earnest Will (1988)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during Operation Earnest Will:[11]

  • Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31)
  • Fighter Squadron 11 (VF-11)
  • Attack Squadron 176 (VA-176)
  • Attack Squadron 105 (VA-105)
  • Attack Squadron 37 (VA-37)
Operation Provide Comfort (1991)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during Operation Provide Comfort:[11]

Disrestablishement

F/A-18A - VFA-137 (1991)

Carrier Air Wing Six shifted to USS Forrestal (CV-59) when USS Independence (CV-62) underwent its Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1986. Following the completion of its SLEP, Independence sailed to its new homeport at the San Diego Naval Base with Carrier Air Wing 5. With the shifting of Forrestal to a naval aviation training role as AVT-59, plus post-Cold War budget cutbacks, Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) was disestablished on 1 April 1993.[19]

Final composition

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked in USS Forrestal (CV-59):[19]

Awards and commendations

Other Groups associated with the CVG-6 designation

On 15 March 1943 the first Carrier Air Group to bear the designation Carrier Air Group SIX (CVG-6) was established. It served through the remainder of WWII and was disestablished on 29 October 1945, that air group replaced the Enterprise Air Group aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6). The Enterprise Air Group had been established on 1 July 1938 and disestablished on 1 September 1942. Due to the manner in which the United States Navy determines unit lineage, in which a unit's lineage begins at establishment and ends at disestablishment, the Enterprise Air Group, Carrier Air Group SIX, and Carrier Air Wing SIX are three separate and distinct units and do not share lineages.[21]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "Battle aircraft carrier" was used to refer to the new 'big' carriers that came out after the Essex class carriers.

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.
  1. ↑ St. John, Philip A. (2004). USS Hancock CV/CVA-19: Fighting Hannah. Nashville, Tennessee: Turner Publishing Company. p. 66. ISBN 978-1-56311-420-5.
  2. 1 2 "Appendix 15: Evolution of Carrier Air Groups and Wings" (PDF). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons, Volume 1. Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 6 September 2008.; "Carrier Air Group Six". GoNavy.jp. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  3. ↑ "U. S. Navymen Work on NATO Team" (PDF). All Hands. BuPers (427): 35. September 1952. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "Operation Mainbrace". Time. 22 September 1952. Retrieved 21 October 2008.
  5. ↑ "Intrepid". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Carrier Air Group Six". GoNavy.jp. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  7. 1 2 3 "Enterprise". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 14 April 2008.
  8. ↑ "The Naval Quarantine of Cuba, 1962: Wednesday, 24 October". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  9. 1 2 "The Naval Quarantine of Cuba, 1962: Wednesday, 27 October". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  10. 1 2 "U.S. Navy Ships and Units Which Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Carrier Air Wing Six". GoNavy.jp. Retrieved 5 September 2008.
  12. 1 2 3 "America". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
  13. ↑ "USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42)". A Brief History of Aircraft Carriers. United States Navy. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  14. ↑ "USS Independence (CV-62)". A Brief History of Aircraft Carriers. United States Navy. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
  15. 1 2 "Grenada, 1983, Operation Urgent Fury: List of US Navy Ships Participating (23 October - 21 November 1983)". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  16. ↑ "Yearly Chronologies of the United States Marine Corps - 1988". The Patriot Files. Retrieved 30 October 2008.
  17. 1 2 3 "The 80's (page 1 of 2)". USS Forrestal Association. Retrieved 29 September 2008.
  18. ↑ "USS Forrestal (CV-59)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 2008-10-045. Check date values in: |access-date= (help)
  19. 1 2 Polmar, Norman (1993). The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 15th edition. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute Press. p. 375. ISBN 978-1-55750-675-7.
  20. ↑ "U.S. Navy Ships and Units Which Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  21. ↑ Grossnick, Roy A. United States Naval Aviation 1910-1920 Volume II Statistics. Naval History and Heritage Command.

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