Airborne Command & Control Squadron 116

Airborne Command & Control Squadron 116, designated VAW-116 and popularly known as the Sun Kings, is a United States Navy aviation squadron specializing in airborne early warning, battle management, surveillance, communications relay, and command-and-control support for carrier strike groups. Unlike a commercial brand, VAW-116 is an operational military unit whose principal capability is delivered through personnel, aircraft, sensors, communications systems, and deployed aviation detachments. The squadron is based at Naval Base Ventura County, California, and operates under the administrative cognizance of Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing. It deploys with a Navy carrier air wing and has been associated in recent years with Carrier Air Wing Seven and USS George H. W. Bush, while earlier service included long periods with Carrier Air Wings Two, Eight, Nine, Fifteen, and Seventeen. The squadron was established on 20 April 1967 and initially flew the E-2A Hawkeye. Its early operational history was shaped by repeated Pacific and Far East deployments, followed by assignments involving the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. In the 1970s it moved through the E-2B generation and changed carrier-air-wing affiliations as the Navy reorganized its carrier aviation forces. In the early 1980s it transitioned to the E-2C, a platform that became the foundation of its service for subsequent decades. The aircraft provides a carrier group with a high-altitude radar and command node capable of detecting and tracking airborne and maritime activity, coordinating friendly aircraft, managing battlespace information, and extending the carrier force's situational awareness beyond the horizon. VAW-116's deployment record includes support for Iranian contingency operations, Operation Earnest Will, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Restore Hope, Joint Interagency Task Force East counter-narcotics surveillance, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Unified Assistance after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, and Operation Inherent Resolve. During Desert Storm, the squadron reportedly flew 1,364 hours and spent 93 days on station in the Persian Gulf. In Iraq and Afghanistan, its duties included airborne battlefield command and control, airspace management, and coordination of strike and support aircraft. Technology modernization has been a recurring feature of the unit's history. VAW-116 moved from E-2C Group 0 aircraft to Group II aircraft in the early 1990s, completed its transition to the Hawkeye 2000 configuration in 2004, incorporated the eight-bladed NP2K propeller system in the mid-2000s, and later adopted the CNS/ATM Hawkeye 2000 variant with an all-glass cockpit. These changes improved avionics, communications, navigation, propulsion, and crew interfaces while preserving the squadron's central role in carrier-based airborne command and control. The squadron also gained unusual public visibility through morale and recruiting videos produced by its sailors. A 2006 remake of the Black Eyed Peas video “Pump It,” created aboard ship, became widely viewed online and was followed by remakes of “Hey Ya!” and “Move Along.” The unit's insignia features a maroon circle, a white-and-gold sun, and a central fasces above a banner bearing the squadron designation. The current commanding officer identified in the supplied reference material is Commander Phillip J. Sheridan.

VAW-116 was established on 20 April 1967 as a United States Navy airborne early-warning squadron equipped with the E-2A Hawkeye. Its first years were defined by carrier operations in the Pacific and Far East. The unit completed three Far East deployments with Attack Carrier Air Wing Fifteen and two further deployments with Attack Carrier Air Wing Nine. The squadron changed to the E-2B between July 1970 and its 1971 deployment with Carrier Air Wing Nine aboard USS Constellation. In July 1975 it transferred to Attack Carrier Air Wing Eight. Around the same period, West Coast VAW squadrons moved from Naval Air Station North Island to Naval Air Station Miramar. VAW-116 subsequently operated in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean, and aboard USS Nimitz and USS Forrestal as carrier-wing assignments changed. In 1980 the squadron transitioned to the E-2C and undertook a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment aboard USS Constellation in support of Iranian contingency operations. It joined Carrier Air Wing Two in July 1981 and later deployed aboard USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk. A 1987 Western Pacific and Indian Ocean cruise included support for Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf. The 1989 deployment involved activities with the Oman Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force. In December 1990, VAW-116 deployed aboard USS Ranger in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. During Desert Storm it flew 1,364 hours and spent 93 days on station in the Persian Gulf. The 1990s brought continued involvement in Middle Eastern surveillance, counter-narcotics operations, and aircraft modernization. The squadron supported Operation Southern Watch over Iraq and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and conducted surveillance detachments at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads for Joint Interagency Task Force East. In 1993 it began converting from E-2C Group 0 to E-2C Group II aircraft, gaining improvements in avionics, communications, propulsion, and navigation. The squadron also supported joint operations in Panama, participated in RIMPAC 1994, monitored activity near North Korea and Iraq, and conducted exercises with the Pakistan Air Force. Its 1999 Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” followed a deployment supporting Southern Watch. During the early 2000s, VAW-116 continued Roosevelt Roads surveillance work and deployed aboard USS Constellation in 2001 for airborne early-warning support over Iraq. After the September 11 attacks, it also operated from Naval Air Station Norfolk in support of Operation Noble Eagle, helping maintain air-defense coverage over the East Coast. In 2002–03, its airborne battlefield command-and-control missions supported the invasion of Iraq and the advance toward Baghdad. The unit began transitioning to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 in November 2003 and completed the change in August 2004. While deployed with USS Abraham Lincoln, it was diverted to Operation Unified Assistance following the December 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Squadron sailors contributed to relief efforts ashore, including distribution of food and medical supplies. Subsequent modernization included the NP2K eight-bladed propeller system, completed in 2007, and later the CNS/ATM Hawkeye 2000 all-glass cockpit configuration. VAW-116 returned to sustained combat support in the late 2000s and 2010s. A 2008 deployment aboard USS Abraham Lincoln included 266 combat missions in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The squadron provided tanker and airspace-management services and received Carrier Air Wing Two recognition during the deployment. It deployed again in 2010–11 for Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn, followed by an around-the-world deployment beginning in December 2011. In 2012 it joined Carrier Air Wing Seventeen as part of Carrier Strike Group One aboard USS Carl Vinson. From October 2014 to March 2015, it supported Operation Inherent Resolve with the Carl Vinson carrier group. The squadron's public profile expanded in 2006 when sailors produced a music-video remake of “Pump It” as a shipboard morale project. The video became a major online success and was followed by productions based on “Hey Ya!” and “Move Along.” VAW-116 remains an active Navy airborne command-and-control squadron, operating from Naval Base Ventura County and deploying as part of a carrier air wing.

• 2012

  Joined Carrier Air Wing Seventeen

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron joined Carrier Air Wing Seventeen within Carrier Strike Group One aboard USS Carl Vinson.

• 2008

  Fifth Fleet combat deployment

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-116 flew 266 combat missions in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

• 2007

  NP2K propeller upgrade completed

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron completed installation of the eight-bladed New Propeller 2000 system.

• 2004

  Hawkeye 2000 transition completed

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-116 completed conversion to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 after receiving its fourth aircraft.

• 1993

  E-2C Group II conversion

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began replacing E-2C Group 0 aircraft with the more capable Group II configuration.

• 1991

  Desert Storm operations

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-116 supported Operation Desert Storm with 1,364 flight hours and 93 days on station in the Persian Gulf.

• 1980

  Transition to E-2C

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron adopted the E-2C and deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in support of Iranian contingency operations.

• 1975

  Transfer to Carrier Air Wing Eight

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-116 transferred to Attack Carrier Air Wing Eight and moved with the West Coast VAW community to NAS Miramar.

• 1970

  Transition to E-2B

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began moving to the E-2B Hawkeye before its 1971 deployment aboard USS Constellation.

• 1967

  Squadron established

  [1]VAW-116en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-116 was established on 20 April and began operations with the E-2A Hawkeye.

A carrier-based U.S. Navy airborne command-and-control specialist providing early warning, surveillance, battle management, and communications support to carrier strike groups and joint operations.

• Airborne early-warning aircraft · 1967

  E-2A Hawkeye

  The first Hawkeye variant operated by VAW-116 after its 1967 establishment. It provided the squadron's initial airborne radar, surveillance, and carrier-group command-and-control capability.

• Airborne early-warning aircraft · 1970

  E-2B Hawkeye

  VAW-116 transitioned to the E-2B around 1970–71. The aircraft extended the squadron's ability to provide airborne surveillance and coordination during Pacific, Atlantic, and Mediterranean carrier deployments.

• Airborne early-warning aircraft · 1980

  E-2C Hawkeye

  Adopted in 1980, the E-2C became the squadron's principal platform for decades. It supported air and maritime surveillance, battle management, communications relay, and carrier strike-group operations across the Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean, Pacific, and other theaters.

• Airborne command-and-control aircraft · 2003

  E-2C Hawkeye 2000

  VAW-116 completed its conversion to the Hawkeye 2000 configuration in 2004. The configuration incorporated modernized avionics and communications, later complemented by the CNS/ATM all-glass cockpit and NP2K propeller upgrade.

• 2006Pump It morale and recruiting video

  United States · International online audiences

  VAW-116 sailors produced a shipboard remake of the Black Eyed Peas video “Pump It” to improve morale. It later attracted millions of online views and received national and international media attention, functioning informally as a recruiting showcase.

  Outcome. The video became the squadron's best-known public-culture project and was followed by remakes of “Hey Ya!” and “Move Along.”

  Source

• 2011

  CNS/ATM Hawkeye 2000 cockpit transitionGeneration change

  Background

  The Navy continued updating E-2C aircraft for modern communications, navigation, and air-traffic-management requirements.

  Action taken

  The squadron transitioned to the CNS/ATM Hawkeye 2000 all-glass cockpit variant during April and May.

  Aftermath

  The change modernized crew interfaces and supported continued expeditionary operations.

  Source

• 2006

  NP2K propulsion upgradeOther

  Background

  The squadron's Hawkeye aircraft required a modernization of their propeller system.

  Action taken

  VAW-116 upgraded its aircraft with the eight-bladed New Propeller 2000 system, completing the work in March 2007.

  Aftermath

  The squadron subsequently completed carrier qualification with the upgraded aircraft aboard USS Harry S. Truman.

  Source

• 2003

  Transition to Hawkeye 2000Generation change

  Background

  The Navy was modernizing its carrier airborne early-warning fleet with improved Hawkeye systems.

  Action taken

  VAW-116 began transitioning to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 and completed the change in August 2004.

  Aftermath

  The squadron entered later deployments with improved aircraft systems and communications capability.

  Source

• 1993

  Conversion to E-2C Group IIGeneration change

  Background

  The Group II weapons system offered improvements in avionics, communications, propulsion, and navigation compared with the Group 0 aircraft.

  Action taken

  The squadron began transitioning from E-2C Group 0 to E-2C Group II aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The upgrade strengthened the squadron's surveillance and command-and-control capability for later joint and carrier operations.

  Source

• 1980

  Adoption of the E-2C HawkeyeGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron required a more capable airborne early-warning platform for increasingly demanding Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf operations.

  Action taken

  VAW-116 transitioned from earlier Hawkeye variants to the E-2C.

  Aftermath

  The E-2C became the squadron's core aircraft for subsequent decades of carrier deployments.

  Source

1. 1VAW-116en.wikipedia.org