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The
mission of Carrier Air Wing EIGHT (CVW-8) is to conduct offensive and
defensive air operations against land and sea targets, as directed by
higher authority, while also providing Carrier Strike Group defense.
Currently assigned to Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO, CVW-8
employs a mix of sophisticated aircraft to perform strike warfare,
amphibious warfare, electronic warfare, airborne early warning, airborne
command and control, sea control, air refueling, antisubmarine warfare and
combat search and rescue missions.
The
Air Wing consists of eight squadrons, two detachments, 72 aircraft and
over 2,200 personnel. The
strike and amphibious warfare missions are fulfilled by Strike Fighter
Squadrons THIRTY ONE (VFA-31) and TWO ONE THREE (VFA-213) flying the
F/A-18E and F/A-18F "SUPER HORNET” and Strike Fighter Squadrons
FIFTEEN (VFA-15) and EIGHTY SEVEN (VFA-87) flying the F/A-18C
"HORNET." The
electronic warfare mission is performed by Tactical Electronic Warfare
Squadron ONE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE (VAQ-141) flying the EA-6B “PROWLER.”
The airborne early warning and command and control missions are the
responsibility of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE HUNDRED
TWENTY FOUR (VAW-124) flying the E-2C "HAWKEYE.”
Sea Control and organic air refueling is the responsibility of Sea
Control Squadron TWENTY FOUR (VS-24) flying the S-3B "VIKING."
Antisubmarine warfare and combat search and rescue is the domain of
Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron THREE (HS-3) flying the H-60
“SEAHAWK” helicopter. Detachments
from Carrier Onboard Delivery Squadron FORTY (VRC-40) flying the C-2A
“GREYHOUND” and Helicopter Support Squadron Light FORTY FOUR (HSL-44)
flying the H-60 “SEAHAWK” helicopter provide carrier onboard delivery
logistics support along with anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare
support.
CVW-8
began operations on 1 June 1943 from the Naval Air Station Norfolk,
Virginia and was initially assigned to USS INTREPID.
CVW-8 was decommissioned in 1945 following World War II,
recommissioned for a short period and decommissioned again in 1949.
CVW-8 was recommissioned in April 1951 and has been in continuous
operation since that date.
CVW-8
has been assigned to the Atlantic Fleet and has made deployments in
support of the FIRST, SECOND, FIFTH, SIXTH and SEVENTH Fleets. The
Air Wing has embarked in: USS INTREPID, USS BUNKER HILL, USS CORAL SEA,
USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN, USS FORRESTAL, USS SHANGRI-LA, USS AMERICA, USS CARL
VINSON, USS NIMITZ, USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, USS JOHN C.
STENNIS, USS ENTERPRISE and USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
During World War II, CVW-8 distinguished itself in combat in the Pacific,
winning five Battle Stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic
combat action while embarked in USS BUNKER HILL.
CVW-8 was the first Carrier Air Wing composed of reserve squadrons
to transition from propeller to jet aircraft.
In 1959, CVW-8 aircraft provided an aerial demonstration to
celebrate the opening of the
Saint Lawrence Seaway
. During 1960 and 1961, CVW-8
accumulated over 49,000 flight hours and 20,000 carrier arrested landings
without a mishap while assigned to the FIRST and SEVENTH Fleets.
In 1970, while embarked in USS SHANGRI-LA, CVW-8 was awarded the
Meritorious Unit Commendation for combat operations in
Southeast Asia
. Following a Mediterranean
Cruise in 1971, CVW-8 embarked in USS AMERICA and deployed to and
conducted combat operations in
Southeast Asia
from June 1972 to March 1973. After
an extended Mediterranean deployment in 1974 while embarked in USS
AMERICA, CVW-8 embarked in USS NIMITZ for her maiden deployment in 1975.
Between June 1976 and May 1980, CVW-8 embarked in
USS NIMITZ for three Mediterranean deployments.
During their third Mediterranean deployment and in response to the
Iranian hostage crisis
and the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan
, the NIMITZ / CVW-8 Team left
Naples
,
Italy
in January 1980 and sailed around the Cape of Good Hope into the
Indian Ocean
. Established at "GONZO
STATION," the USS NIMITZ / CVW-8 team supported the Iranian hostage
rescue attempt while remaining at-sea for more than 140 consecutive days.
Returning to the
United States
in May 1980, CVW-8 embarked once again in USS NIMITZ for the North
Atlantic NATO exercise "TEAMWORK 80" from August to November
1980. CVW-8 embarked in USS NIMITZ in April 1981 for
Caribbean
operations, followed by another SIXTH Fleet Mediterranean deployment.
It was during this deployment that two CVW-8 F-14's from Fighter
Squadron FORTY-ONE engaged and destroyed two Libyan SU-22 aircraft
following an unprovoked air-to-air missile attack over the international
waters of the
Gulf of Sidra
.
Returning
to
Norfolk
,
Virginia
, CVW-8 embarked in the Navy's newest carrier, USS CARL VINSON for her
maiden voyage in March 1982. CVW-8
squadrons returned to USS NIMITZ later in 1982 for Carrier Refresher
Training followed by Caribbean operations and an extended Mediterranean
deployment from November 1982 to May 1983 which included air operations in
support of the multi-national force in
Beirut
,
Lebanon
.
In
March 1985, CVW-8 embarked again in USS NIMITZ for a Mediterranean
deployment which included participation in several exercises including
DISTANT HAMMER, POOP DECK, and BRIGHT STAR.
During this deployment, USS NIMITZ and CVW-8 were stationed off the
coast of
Beirut
,
Lebanon
for 69 consecutive days during the terrorist hijacking of a TWA airliner.
The prompt response and threat of contingency strike operations by
the USS NIMITZ / CVW-8 team helped coerce the Iranian-backed terrorists
into releasing their hostages.
In
1986, CVW-8 became the first East Coast Air Wing to transition to the
Senior Air Wing Commander or "SUPER CAG" concept.
In August 1986, CVW-8 embarked in USS NIMITZ to the
North Atlantic Ocean
for Battle Group Training and a NATO exercise.
This two-month deployment took NIMITZ and CVW-8 above the Arctic
Circle to
Vestfjord
,
Norway
where CVW-8 participated in NATO Exercise NORTHERN WEDDING / NORTHERN
ENGAGEMENT with port calls to
Wilhelmshaven
,
West Germany
and
Brest
,
France
.
In
December 1986, CVW-8 embarked in USS NIMITZ for the last time and deployed
to the
Mediterranean Sea
. At the end of this
deployment the USS NIMITZ / CVW-8 team sailed around the tip of South
America as the carrier changed its homeport from
Norfolk
,
Virginia
to
Everett
,
Washington
. In June 1987, CVW-8 aircraft
launched for the last time from USS NIMITZ while off the coast of
San Diego
,
California
to return to their respective homeports.
In
August 1988, CVW-8 embarked in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT for TEAMWORK 88, the
largest multi-national exercise of the decade and operated in the North
Atlantic with port calls in
Vestfjord
,
Norway
and
Wilhelmshaven
,
West Germany
. In December 1988, CVW-8
embarked in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT for a Mediterranean deployment where
they participated in 10 NATO exercises including DRAGON HAMMER, NATIONAL
WEEK, and JUNIPER STALLION. CVW-8
distinguished itself during this deployment by flying over 22,000 flight
hours and 10,000 sorties without a mishap.
Following
the August 1990 invasion of
Kuwait
by Iraqi armor and infantry forces, CVW-8 rapidly prepared for possible
combat operations. In four short months, intense training enabled the USS
THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team to deploy on 28 December to join five
other U.S. Carrier Battle Groups in the largest display of sea power since
World War II for Operation DESERT STORM.
After
participating in combat operations in
Iraq
in support of Operations DESERT STORM and PROVIDE COMFORT, CVW-8 returned
home on 28 June 1991 for a brief stand down.
During the winter of 1991, CVW-8 provided opposition forces from
NAS Roosevelt Roads,
Puerto Rico
in support of Carrier Battle Group training.
In July 1992, CVW-8 was the first Air Wing to receive and
incorporate a Marine Corps F/A-18C squadron, the “CHECKERBOARDS” of
Marine Fighter Attack Squadron THREE TWELVE (VMFA-312).
In December 1992, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team operated
for the very first time in Naval Aviation history as a Special Marine Air
/ Ground Task Force.
CVW-8
embarked in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in March 1993 and participated in
Operations PROVIDE PROMISE and DENY FLIGHT in support of NATO sanctions in
Bosnia-Herzegovina. In June
1993, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team passed through the Suez
Canal for Red Sea duty in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH over
Iraq
. CVW-8 returned to the
Adriatic Sea in July 1993 to continue NATO operational tasking until
returning to
Norfolk
,
Virginia
in September 1993.
CVW-8
embarked again in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in March 1995 and operated in the
Mediterranean Sea, North Red Sea, Arabian Gulf and
Adriatic Sea
. CVW-8 responded to threats
from
Iraq
by conducting joint operations with the Royal Jordanian Air Force and also
enforced No-Fly Zones over Bosnia-Herzegovina as part of Operation DENY
FLIGHT. On 29 August 1995,
CVW-8 commenced air-to-ground offensive operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina
during Operation DELIBERATE FORCE to include the first ever Navy combat
use of the GBU-24 2,000 pound laser-guided penetrator bomb and the first
combat use of the F-14 “TOMCAT” to deliver air-to-ground ordnance.
The USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team returned home on 22
September 1995 and on 1 November 1995, CVW-8 was reassigned under the
operational control of the KENNEDY Battle Group, forming the team of USS
JOHN F. KENNEDY and CVW-8.
In
February 1996, CVW-8 embarked in USS JOHN C. STENNIS for a Joint Fleet
Exercise. This was followed by
deployed operations to the North Atlantic while embarked in USS JOHN F.
KENNEDY with port calls to
Dublin
,
Ireland
and
Portsmouth
,
England
.
In
April 1997, CVW-8 embarked in USS JOHN F. KENNEDY for a Mediterranean Sea
/
Persian Gulf
deployment. During this
deployment, CVW-8 participated in numerous exercises and detachments
including INFINITE ACCLAIM, BEACON FLASH and INVITEX.
During INVITEX the Air Wing completed over 350 sorties including
203 sorties in a single day of surge operations.
This deployment also included operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina in
support of Operation DELIBERATE GUARD and over
Iraq
in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
CVW-8
was once again reassigned and embarked in USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in
January 1999. The USS THEODORE
ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team participated in Operation ALLIED FORCE and
conducted 55 consecutive days of combat operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina
flying over 4,300 sorties and 10,000 flight hours while dropping over 800
tons of ordnance. The Air Wing
instituted new and innovative tactics utilizing cooperative targeting
between the F-14’s employing the LANTIRN precision targeting system and
Forward Air Controllers (Airborne) and FA-18C’s delivering laser
Maverick weapons in a high threat environment.
CVW-8 was also the first Air Wing to employ the Joint Standoff
Weapon. The THEODORE ROOSEVELT
/ CVW-8 team also transited the Suez Canal during this deployment and
proceeded to the Arabian Gulf to fly over 2,600 missions over
Iraq
in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.
The Air Wing returned from this deployment on 22 September and was
reassigned to the ENTERPRISE Battle Group on 1 November 1999.
In
2001, CVW-8 embarked in USS ENTERPRSE and completed a six and one half
month deployment
culminating in the initial strikes of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in
Afghanistan
. The deployment began with
detachments in
Tunisia
, Corsica, and
Israel
, as well as half-dozen port-visits throughout the
Mediterranean
. During the second half of
the deployment, the Air Wing flew in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH
expending over 29,000 pounds of ordnance against Iraqi targets.
The USS ENTERPRISE / CVW-8 team were wrapping up operations in the
FIFTH Fleet area of operations on 11 September 2001, remained on station
and eventually flew 16 days of combat operations over Afghanistan to
include 680 sorties that delivered over 770,000 pounds of precision guided
munitions during the initial stages of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
On
19 February 2002, the Air Wing was reassigned back to the ROOSEVELT Battle
Group. In July 2002, CVW-8
began accelerated work-up operations leading to a combat deployment in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In
October 2002, CVW-8 integrated Strike Fighter Squadron TWO HUNDRED ONE
(VFA-201), a reserve Navy FA-18A+ squadron, and embarked in USS THEODORE
ROOSEVELT in January of 2002 for
Caribbean
training operations. The
THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in
March, at the conclusion of Caribbean training operations, and
participated in combat operations in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM
flying over 1,000 sorties and 5,000 hours that delivered over 1,000,000
pounds of precision-guided weapons. The
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team returned from deployment in May 2003
and was chosen as the test platform for the Chief of Naval Operations
Fleet Response Plan initiative.
In
March 2004, CVW-8 began workups and on 1 September 2005, CVW-8 embarked
again in USS THEORDORE ROOSEVELT for an extended deployment in support of
Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Maritime Security Operations in the
Arabian Gulf
. The Air Wing safely executed
16,000 sorties and 38,980 flight hours, achieved an unprecedented 97.3%
sortie completion rate, and expended over 61,000 pounds of ordnance during
this deployment. In response
to time-sensitive targeting and operational requirements, the Air Wing
provided forward deployed support from Al Asad Air Base,
Iraq
and Ali Al
Salem Air Base,
Kuwait
to coalition ground forces.
The superior efforts of the CVW-8 and USS THEODORE ROOSEVLT team
were recognized by award of the “JIG DOG” Ramage Award for the best
performance by an integrated unit, and the Admiral James H. Flatley Award
for Safety Excellence. This
was the last deployment of the F-14 “TOMCAT” as Fighter Squadrons
THIRTY ONE (VF-31) and TWO THIRTEEN (VF-213), the Navy’s final two F-14
squadrons, began transitioning to the FA-18E/F “SUPER HORNET” shortly
after their return. On 11
March 2006, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT / CVW-8 team returned to their
homeport of
Norfolk
,
Virginia
, where they stand ready to answer the call to serve.
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