Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113
A United States Navy airborne command-and-control squadron known as the Black Eagles.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113, designated VAW-113 and known as the Black Eagles, is a United States Navy aviation unit specializing in airborne early warning, battle management, command and control, and communications support. The squadron was established on 20 April 1967 and initially operated the E-2A Hawkeye. Its aircraft provide carrier strike groups with long-range radar surveillance, identification and tracking of airborne and maritime contacts, battlespace coordination, and links between naval, joint, and coalition forces. The squadron deployed to the Western Pacific shortly after its formation aboard USS Constellation and served extensively during the Vietnam War. One of its most significant early missions came in April 1975, when it supported Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel and endangered civilians from Saigon. During the 1980s, VAW-113 supported carrier battle-group operations and tanker escort missions in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman, including activities associated with Operation Earnest Will. Its operational role expanded during the 1990s. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the squadron supported Operation Desert Shield from the Gulf of Oman, providing sea and air coverage for Battle Group Delta and allied forces. It participated in the Roving Sands integrated air-defense exercises in 1992 and 1995, helping demonstrate the capabilities of the E-2C Group II Hawkeye. That aircraft introduced major improvements over earlier Hawkeye variants, including the APS-145 radar, Joint Tactical Information Distribution System, enhanced processing, and upgraded engines. VAW-113 also supported Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf, worked with United States Air Force E-3A Sentry and RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft, and supplied liaison officers to joint command organizations. In 1995, a detachment supported Joint Inter-Agency Task Force East's counter-drug mission from Puerto Rico. The squadron also developed expertise in integrating the E-2C into airborne and tactical control roles, including Direct Air Support Center-Airborne, Tactical Air Control-Airborne, and Airborne Battlefield Command, Control and Communications missions. During the 2000s, the Black Eagles continued carrier deployments supporting Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and multinational exercises. The unit operated from several major carriers, including USS Carl Vinson, USS Abraham Lincoln, USS John C. Stennis, and USS Ronald Reagan. Its record included repeated Battle Efficiency awards, aviation safety recognition, maintenance awards, and high sortie-completion rates. In 2011, the squadron was diverted from its planned deployment to assist with Operation Tomodachi, the United States military humanitarian response to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. From 2018 through 2019, VAW-113 transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. After carrier qualification aboard USS John C. Stennis and subsequent certification, it became the first E-2D squadron on the United States West Coast. The unit was redesignated Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113 in 2020, reflecting the broader command-and-control mission beyond the traditional carrier airborne early-warning designation. In 2024, it deployed to the Indo-Pacific aboard USS Carl Vinson as part of Carrier Air Wing Two.
History
VAW-113 was established on 20 April 1967 as a United States Navy carrier airborne early-warning squadron equipped with the E-2A Hawkeye. Only one week after its establishment, it deployed to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation. The squadron served in the Vietnam War from 1967 through 1975, culminating in its participation in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation operation conducted during the fall of Saigon in April 1975. In the 1980s, the Black Eagles supported carrier battle-group operations in the North Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. In 1987, it received recognition for operational performance during Battle Group Delta activities and tanker escort missions. The squadron returned to the region in December 1988 in support of Operation Earnest Will, monitoring and coordinating tanker-escort operations. The 1990s brought sustained activity in the Persian Gulf and expanded experimentation with the E-2C platform. During a 1990 Western Pacific deployment, VAW-113 was among the early naval units responding to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. It supported Operation Desert Shield for more than three months before returning to San Diego in December. In 1992, the squadron and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen participated in Roving Sands, a major integrated air-defense exercise and the first operational employment of the E-2C Group II technology. The upgraded aircraft incorporated the APS-145 radar, JTIDS data-link equipment, enhanced processing, and improved engines. In 1994, VAW-113 deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson and supported Operation Southern Watch. Its aircrews also acted as Navy command-and-control liaison officers with Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, Air Force E-3A Sentry aircraft, and RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft. A 1995 detachment to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads supported Joint Inter-Agency Task Force East's counter-drug mission. The squadron also became the first E-2C squadron to graduate a Weapons Tactics Instructor from a Marine Air Weapons Tactics Squadron course. This experience contributed to broader use of the Hawkeye in airborne control and communications roles. Further deployments supported Operation Desert Strike, Operation Southern Watch, and multinational exercises. The squadron moved from Naval Air Station Miramar to Naval Air Station Point Mugu after its 1998 deployment aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. During that cruise it supported Operation Southern Watch and received the Battle Efficiency E award. Its 2000–2001 deployment again focused on Operation Southern Watch and enforcement of economic sanctions against Iraq. The squadron received additional recognition, including another Battle Efficiency E, a Chief of Naval Operations aviation safety award for E-2 squadrons, and the Rear Admiral Frank Akers Award for airborne early-warning excellence. VAW-113 returned to the Persian Gulf in 2003. Its carrier group was redirected from the return voyage to Australia and then back to the Gulf for the opening phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2004, the unit deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis for Operation Northern Edge, RIMPAC, and a joint air-and-sea exercise with USS Kitty Hawk. In 2006 and 2007, it operated aboard USS Ronald Reagan during Western Pacific and Persian Gulf-related deployments, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and associated exercises. In 2006, the squadron became the first to employ the ALQ-217 electronic-support-measures system and flew more than 100 sorties in support of ground convoys, with a reported 99 percent combat sortie-completion rate. The 2008 deployment supported Operation Enduring Freedom and humanitarian efforts in the Philippines after a typhoon. The squadron reported more than 400 sorties and a 98 percent completion rate, while also receiving maintenance and Battle Efficiency recognition. During its 2009 surge deployment, it reported a 99.6 percent mission-completion rate and earned another Battle Efficiency E and another CVW-14 Golden Wrench award. After completing the multinational RIMPAC 2010 work-up cycle, VAW-113 deployed in February 2011 aboard USS Ronald Reagan in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan redirected the carrier group into Operation Tomodachi. Using Hawkeye 2000 aircraft, the squadron provided airborne command and control for the relief effort and received a Battle Efficiency E award for its performance. Between 2018 and 2019, VAW-113 prepared to operate the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Carrier qualification aboard USS John C. Stennis in late 2019 was followed by the aircraft's return to Point Mugu. After achieving safe-for-flight certification, the unit became the first E-2D squadron on the United States West Coast. In 2020, it was redesignated Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113. The new designation emphasized its command, communications, and battle-management responsibilities in addition to airborne early warning. In 2024, the squadron deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson with Carrier Air Wing Two for an Indo-Pacific deployment.
- 2024
Indo-Pacific deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson
[1]VAW-113 deployed with Carrier Air Wing Two aboard USS Carl Vinson.
- 2020
Redesignation as Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113
[1]The squadron adopted its current designation to reflect its broader mission.
- 2019
Transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
[1]After carrier qualification and certification, VAW-113 became the first E-2D squadron on the United States West Coast.
- 2011
Operation Tomodachi
[1]The squadron provided airborne command and control for the United States relief response after Japan's earthquake and tsunami.
- 2006
First employment of ALQ-217
[1]VAW-113 became the first squadron to employ the ALQ-217 electronic-support-measures system.
- 1998
Move to Naval Air Station Point Mugu
[1]Following its deployment aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, the squadron ended its basing at NAS Miramar and relocated to NAS Point Mugu.
- 1995
Counter-drug and tactical-integration detachment
[1]A detachment supported Joint Inter-Agency Task Force East from Puerto Rico, while the squadron expanded Hawkeye employment in airborne control roles.
- 1992
Roving Sands E-2C Group II employment
[1]VAW-113 participated in the first operational employment and successful test of E-2C Group II technology during Roving Sands.
- 1975
Operation Frequent Wind
[1]The squadron supported the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon.
- 1967
Squadron established
[1]VAW-113 was established on 20 April and began operations with the E-2A Hawkeye.
Products and positioning
A carrier-based naval aviation unit positioned as a high-end airborne sensor, communications, and battle-management capability for United States Navy and joint-force operations.
Airborne early-warning aircraft · 1967
E-2A Hawkeye
The E-2A Hawkeye was the squadron's initial aircraft after its establishment in 1967. It provided carrier-based airborne early warning and supported the unit's first Western Pacific and Vietnam War deployments.
Airborne early-warning and battle-management aircraft
E-2C Hawkeye
The E-2C became the squadron's principal platform during the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. Group II improvements included the APS-145 radar, JTIDS data link, enhanced processing, and upgraded engines. VAW-113 used the aircraft for carrier air defense, maritime surveillance, tactical control, communications, and joint-force coordination.
Upgraded airborne command-and-control aircraft
Hawkeye 2000
The Hawkeye 2000 configuration supported VAW-113 during the 2011 Operation Tomodachi response. Its airborne sensors and communications systems enabled the squadron to coordinate relief activity across a large disaster area.
Advanced airborne command-and-control aircraft · 2019
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is the squadron's current aircraft. VAW-113 transitioned to the platform between 2018 and 2019, completed carrier qualification aboard USS John C. Stennis, and became the first E-2D squadron on the United States West Coast after safe-for-flight certification.
Marketing campaigns
- 2011Operation Tomodachi
Japan
The squadron used Hawkeye 2000 aircraft to provide airborne command and control for the United States humanitarian response to the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.
Outcome. The squadron received a Battle Efficiency E award for its contribution to the relief effort.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Persian Gulf · Iraq
The squadron's carrier group was redirected to the Persian Gulf for the opening phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. VAW-113 supported carrier and coalition operations during the initial phase of the conflict.
- 1994Operation Southern Watch
Persian Gulf · Saudi Arabia
Operating from USS Carl Vinson, VAW-113 supported the enforcement mission over southern Iraq and coordinated with joint airborne command-and-control assets.
Outcome. The squadron supplied airborne early warning, liaison, and command-and-control support.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield
Gulf of Oman · Persian Gulf
VAW-113 supported Battle Group Delta and allied forces after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.
Outcome. The squadron remained in the Gulf of Oman for more than three months before returning to San Diego.
- 1988Operation Earnest Will
North Arabian Sea · Gulf of Oman
The squadron monitored tanker-escort operations in support of United States maritime security activity.
Outcome. VAW-113 contributed airborne surveillance and coordination during the deployment.
- 1975Operation Frequent Wind
Vietnam
VAW-113 supported the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon during the final phase of the Vietnam War.
Outcome. The evacuation was completed, with the squadron contributing airborne command-and-control support.
Brand decisions
2020
Redesignation to emphasize airborne command and controlStrategyBackground
The squadron's operational responsibilities had expanded beyond traditional carrier airborne early warning to include communications, battle management, and joint-force coordination.
Action taken
The unit was redesignated Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113.
Aftermath
The new title aligned the formal designation with the squadron's broader mission while retaining the VAW-113 identifier and Black Eagles identity.
2018
Transition to the E-2D Advanced HawkeyeGeneration changeBackground
The United States Navy prepared VAW-113 to operate the next-generation E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Action taken
The squadron conducted conversion training and completed carrier qualification aboard USS John C. Stennis in 2019.
Aftermath
After safe-for-flight certification, VAW-113 became the first E-2D squadron on the West Coast.
1992
Operational adoption of E-2C Group II capabilitiesGeneration changeBackground
The squadron participated in Roving Sands as the first operational user and successful test participant for E-2C Group II technology.
Action taken
VAW-113 employed the upgraded Hawkeye with APS-145 radar, JTIDS, enhanced processing, and improved engines in an integrated air-defense exercise.
Aftermath
The deployment demonstrated the platform's expanded value for air defense, data sharing, and battlespace management.
Sources1 sources
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