VAW-120

Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron 120

VAW-120 insignia
Active 1 April 1967 - Present
Country  United States of America
Branch United States Navy
Type Airborne early warning
Carrier Onboard Delivery
Part of Fleet Replacement Squadron
Garrison/HQ Naval Station Norfolk
Nickname(s) Greyhawks
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander Evan L. Morrison
Aircraft flown
Electronic
warfare		 E-2 Hawkeye
C-2 Greyhound

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 (VAW-120) is a United States Navy airborne early warning (AEW) squadron. Nicknamed The Greyhawks, they fly the E-2 Hawkeye along with the C-2A Greyhound in order to provide early warning and battlefield information back to the carrier battle group.

Squadron History

The history of VAW-120 starts on 6 July 1948 when Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO (VAW-2) was created at NAS Oceana. It later relocated to NAS Norfolk.[1]

1960s

In July 1966, VAW-12 received the first E-2A Hawkeye, and was supplying detachments utilizing two different aircraft aboard ten Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers in addition to training personnel for those detachments. With over 200 officers and 800 enlisted personnel, VAW-12 was reorganized as an Air Wing, and on 1 April 1967, Admiral T.E. Moore, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, commissioned Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve with six operating squadrons. Later renamed RVAW-120, it became the Atlantic Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS)[1]

1970s

The squadron received the E-2B Hawkeye aircraft in 1970, followed by the arrival of the E-2C on 31 May 1973. With the delivery of the first Advanced Radar Processing System (ARPS) aircraft in 1978, RVAW-120 trained Naval Flight Officers (NFO), Flight Technicians and maintenance personnel in both the APS-120 and APS-125 radars. This continued until 1980 when all east coast VAW squadrons completed transition to the APS-125.[1]

1980s

E-2C Hawkeye VAW-120 at NAS Oceana in 1989

In 1983, RVAW-120 officially became VAW-120, reflecting the task load of a fleet squadron and a training squadron. NFO training was moved to a new site in April 1983. Pilot training was also moved to the new E-2 Training Building in late 1984 for consolidation of the training mission.[2]

A U.S. Navy Grumman C-2A Greyhound from VAW-120 Greyhawks at the Naval Air Station Oceana, on 1 August 1989.

In June 1985, VAW-120 received the first re-procured C-2As delivered to the Navy. This delivery marked the commencement of a long range procurement program designed to greatly enhance the Carrier On-board Delivery (COD) capability for Carrier Battle Groups. The addition of the re-procured C-2A Greyhound brought the added responsibility of creating a new training program for the pilots and aircrew of Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons VRC-30 and VRC-40 which included the first ever C-2A night carrier qualifications.[2]

1990s

In November 1993, VAW-120 received its first E-2C+ aircraft. The E-2C continued its technological growth and in February 1994 the command took custody of its first E-2C (Group II) aircraft. This version of the E-2C introduced the powerful and innovative APS-145 radar and an impressively accurate Global Positioning System (GPS) to aid in navigation. VAW-120 became the single site Fleet Replacement Squadron in September 1994 when VAW-110, its west coast counterpart, was decommissioned.[2]

2000s

VAW-120 E-2C ready for launch

In response to the events of Sept 11, 2001, VAW-120 launched aircraft in support of homeland defense operations. Their missions included airborne surveillance, ground communication relay, and track management along the east coast.[1]

2010s

In 2010, VAW-120 received its first C-2A Greyhound aircraft upgraded with a new 8-bladed.. In addition, VAW-120 received the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the most advanced Airborne Command and Control platform in the world.[1]

An E-2C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-120 lands aboard the aircraft carrier George Washington.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "History of VAW-120 Greyhawks". www.public.navy.mil. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  2. 1 2 3 "Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-120)". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2015-11-05.

External Linnk

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