Airborne Command & Control Squadron 124
A United States Navy airborne early warning and command-and-control squadron known as the Bear Aces.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Airborne Command & Control Squadron 124, commonly identified by its designation VAW-124 and nickname the Bear Aces, is a United States Navy carrier aviation unit based at Naval Air Station Norfolk in Virginia. The squadron operates the Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and is assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8. Its principal mission is to provide airborne early warning, battle management, tactical command and control, surveillance, communications relay, and coordination for carrier strike groups and joint or coalition forces. The unit was commissioned on 1 September 1967 as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124, initially using the nickname Bullseye Hummers. In its early years it joined carrier air wings for deployments aboard USS Independence and USS America, supporting operations in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia. Its airborne warning aircraft provided commanders with a broad radar picture, helped direct fighter aircraft, coordinated strike packages, and contributed to search-and-rescue activities. During the Vietnam-era deployment aboard USS America in 1972–1973, the squadron accumulated extensive operational experience in the Gulf of Tonkin and remained present when the Paris Peace Accords took effect in January 1973. The squadron acquired the Bear Aces nickname after a 1980 deployment to Iceland, where its aircraft directed repeated intercepts of Soviet Tupolev Tu-95 reconnaissance aircraft. VAW-124 also supported the Gulf of Sidra incident in August 1981, when F-14 Tomcats controlled by the squadron intercepted and destroyed two Libyan Su-22 aircraft. In 1985, its crews helped track the hijacked TWA Flight 847 across the Mediterranean. The unit later established a lengthy mishap-free flying record and received repeated Atlantic Fleet and airborne early warning awards. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, VAW-124 supported Carrier Air Wing 8 from USS Theodore Roosevelt. It supplied airborne early warning, command and control, and search-and-rescue coordination for a large number of coalition strike missions. The squadron reported 331 combat sorties and more than 1,150 combat flight hours during the conflict, including more than 750 hours in a single thirty-day period. Later deployments included combat operations over Kosovo during Operation Allied Force and enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zone during Operation Southern Watch. After the September 11 attacks, a 2001 deployment aboard USS Enterprise was redirected toward the Northern Arabian Sea in preparation for Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron subsequently supported operations connected with Iraq and Afghanistan, including deployments aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2003, 2005, and 2008. During the 2008–2009 deployment it provided transit control and airborne command and control for coalition operations in Afghanistan, while also participating in multinational exercises with Bahrain and Qatar. In 2011 and 2014, the squadron deployed aboard USS George H. W. Bush. The 2011 deployment supported operations and exercises involving the Mediterranean, the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, and Iraq. The 2014 deployment initially supported Operation Enduring Freedom before the deteriorating security situation in Iraq prompted a rapid redeployment. VAW-124 provided tactical command and control during the opening phase of Operation Inherent Resolve and participated in the initial air campaign against the Islamic State. The squadron operated successive variants of the E-2C Hawkeye before transitioning from the Hawkeye 2000 to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in 2021. Around the same period, the Navy changed the formal designation of its VAW units from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron to Airborne Command & Control Squadron, reflecting the broader command, control, communications, and battlespace-management role of the aircraft. Carrier Air Wing 8 was subsequently associated with USS Gerald R. Ford. VAW-124 remains an active naval aviation unit rather than a commercial brand, and its identity is tied to operational service, carrier deployments, aircraft modernization, and the Bear Aces squadron tradition.
History
VAW-124 was commissioned on 1 September 1967 as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 124. The squadron initially used the nickname Bullseye Hummers and joined Attack Carrier Air Wing 7 in 1968 for a deployment aboard USS Independence. Its early role centered on airborne radar surveillance, fighter direction, command-and-control support, and coordination of carrier air operations. In April 1970, VAW-124 deployed with Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard USS America to Southeast Asia. A further deployment aboard America began in June 1972 and extended into January 1973. During this period the squadron operated in the Gulf of Tonkin and accumulated seven line periods and 147 combat days. It was present when the Paris Peace Accords took effect on 28 January 1973. Later deployments with Carrier Air Wing 6 aboard USS America took place in 1976 and 1977. The squadron received Atlantic Fleet recognition, including the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle Efficiency Award and a Command Retention Silver Anchor Award. In December 1980, the unit received urgent orders to deploy to Naval Air Station Keflavik in Iceland. Its aircraft repeatedly directed interceptions of Soviet Tu-95 Bear reconnaissance aircraft. These missions led to the Bear Aces nickname, which became the squadron's enduring identity. On 19 August 1981, during the Gulf of Sidra confrontation, VAW-124 controllers directed F-14 Tomcats that intercepted and shot down two Libyan Su-22 aircraft. In June 1985, the squadron contributed airborne tracking of TWA Flight 847 after the aircraft was hijacked and moved across the Mediterranean. By the end of 1987, it had earned another COMNAVAIRLANT Battle Efficiency Award and had completed more than 16 years and 32,000 hours of mishap-free flying. The squadron's most demanding early-1990s operation was Desert Storm. From USS Theodore Roosevelt, VAW-124 provided the carrier air wing with airborne early warning, battle management, command and control, and search-and-rescue coordination. It flew 331 combat sorties and more than 1,150 combat hours in support of 1,220 strikes against 531 targets in the Kuwait theater. More than 750 of those hours were flown in a single thirty-day period. After the cease-fire, the squadron supported Operation Provide Comfort from the eastern Mediterranean and returned to Norfolk in June 1991. It subsequently received the Navy's AEW Excellence Award for 1991. In 1999, VAW-124 deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt for Operation Allied Force against targets in Kosovo. The deployment continued into the Persian Gulf, where the squadron supported Operation Southern Watch and enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zone. In 2001, it deployed aboard USS Enterprise. After the September 11 attacks, the carrier abandoned its planned port itinerary and moved to the Northern Arabian Sea, where VAW-124 prepared to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit continued to operate extensively in the Middle East during the 2000s. It deployed to the Mediterranean aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in early 2003 as regional tensions escalated toward the Iraq War. In 2005, it supported Operation Sea Dragon Three in the Persian Gulf, supplying airborne warning and command-and-control coverage for Carrier Air Wing 8 and USS Theodore Roosevelt. During the 2008 deployment, also aboard Theodore Roosevelt, it supported Operation Enduring Freedom by providing transit control for the Afghanistan Joint Operations Area and directing missions for coalition ground forces. The squadron flew over 400 sorties and more than 2,000 flight hours and received the CNO Safety S. The 2011 deployment aboard USS George H. W. Bush supported Exercise Saxon Warrior, Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. The squadron also supported Exercise Nautical Artist through an aircrew detachment in Saudi Arabia and helped coordinate the coalition drawdown from Iraq. It completed 552 sorties and 2,643 mishap-free flight hours, earning the Battle E, East Coast Top Hook Award, and Blue M distinctions for that year. VAW-124 returned aboard George H. W. Bush in February 2014. The deployment initially supported Operation Enduring Freedom, but the collapse of the Iraqi government caused the carrier to shift rapidly toward Iraq. The squadron provided tactical command and control during the first response of Operation Inherent Resolve and participated in early attacks against ISIS. It returned to Norfolk on 15 November 2014 and later received the 2014 CNAL Battle E, Safety S, and Akers Award for AEW Excellence. The squadron's equipment evolved along with the Navy's airborne warning fleet. The last U.S. Navy E-2C Group II aircraft were retired in November 2019. VAW-124 continued with the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 until 1 June 2021, when it completed conversion to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Around 2021, the Navy changed the formal designation of its VAW units from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron to Airborne Command & Control Squadron. Carrier Air Wing 8 was subsequently associated with USS Gerald R. Ford. The unit's continuing function is to provide airborne sensing, communications, surveillance, and command-and-control support to carrier and joint operations.
- 2021
E-2D transition and designation change
[1]The squadron transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and its unit category adopted the Airborne Command & Control Squadron designation.
- 2019
E-2C Group II retirement milestone
[1]The final U.S. Navy E-2C Group II aircraft were retired in November.
- 2014
Operation Inherent Resolve support
[1]The squadron supported the initial carrier response to the Iraq crisis and early Operation Inherent Resolve strikes.
- 2011
George H. W. Bush maiden deployment
[1]VAW-124 joined USS George H. W. Bush for the carrier's maiden deployment and completed 552 sorties and 2,643 mishap-free flight hours.
- 2009
CNO Safety S recognition
[1]The squadron received the Chief of Naval Operations Safety S after its 2008–2009 deployment.
- 2001
Redirection after September 11
[1]The squadron's deployment aboard USS Enterprise shifted to the Northern Arabian Sea after the September 11 attacks.
- 1999
Kosovo and Iraqi no-fly-zone operations
[1]VAW-124 supported Operation Allied Force and subsequently Operation Southern Watch.
- 1991
Desert Storm combat operations
[1]The squadron flew 331 combat sorties and more than 1,150 combat hours in support of coalition strikes during Operation Desert Storm.
- 1985
TWA Flight 847 tracking
[1]VAW-124 assisted in tracking the hijacked TWA Flight 847 as it moved through the Mediterranean.
- 1981
Gulf of Sidra interception
[1]The squadron controlled F-14 aircraft involved in the interception and destruction of two Libyan Su-22 aircraft during the Gulf of Sidra incident.
Products and positioning
A carrier-based United States Navy airborne command-and-control specialist that extends the battlespace awareness and coordination capability of carrier strike groups and joint forces.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft · 2021
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The squadron's current aircraft, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, is a carrier-capable airborne warning and command-and-control platform. It uses long-range sensing, communications, and battle-management systems to provide a shared air and maritime picture, direct fighter operations, coordinate strike activity, and connect carrier forces with wider joint and coalition networks.
Airborne early warning and control aircraft
E-2C Hawkeye 2000
The Hawkeye 2000 variant formed the squadron's principal airborne command-and-control platform before the transition to the E-2D. It supported carrier air-wing operations through radar surveillance, aircraft control, communications relay, and coordination of combat and support missions.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Operation Inherent Resolve
Iraq and the broader Middle East
VAW-124 supported the rapid redeployment of USS George H. W. Bush and provided tactical command and control during the initial response to the Iraq crisis.
Outcome. The squadron participated in the initial strikes against ISIS and returned to Norfolk in November 2014.
- 2001Operation Enduring Freedom
Northern Arabian Sea and Afghanistan region
Following the September 11 attacks, VAW-124 supported the carrier strike group's preparation for and participation in Operation Enduring Freedom.
Outcome. The squadron shifted from its planned deployment itinerary to operational support in the Arabian Sea.
- 1999Operation Allied Force
Kosovo and the Balkans
Operating from USS Theodore Roosevelt, VAW-124 supported NATO air operations against targets in Kosovo.
Outcome. The deployment continued with Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf.
- 1999Operation Southern Watch
Iraqi airspace and Persian Gulf
The squadron supported enforcement of the Iraqi no-fly zone after the Kosovo operation.
Outcome. VAW-124 completed the carrier deployment while providing airborne surveillance and command-and-control support.
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Kuwait theater and Persian Gulf
VAW-124 supplied airborne early warning, command and control, and search-and-rescue coordination for Carrier Air Wing 8 during coalition combat operations against Iraq.
Outcome. The squadron completed 331 combat sorties and more than 1,150 combat hours before supporting Operation Provide Comfort.
Brand decisions
2021
Transition from E-2C Hawkeye 2000 to E-2D Advanced HawkeyeGeneration changeBackground
The Navy was modernizing its carrier-based airborne early warning fleet and broadening the mission designation of VAW units.
Action taken
VAW-124 completed its conversion to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and adopted the Airborne Command & Control Squadron designation.
Aftermath
The squadron gained a newer platform intended to improve sensing, networking, communications, and battlespace-management capabilities.
1980
Expansion of northern maritime surveillance activityStrategyBackground
The squadron received immediate orders to deploy to Iceland during a period of frequent Soviet long-range reconnaissance activity.
Action taken
VAW-124 conducted repeated airborne interceptions and control missions against Soviet Tu-95 aircraft.
Aftermath
The missions established the Bear Aces nickname and reinforced the squadron's identity as a specialist in long-range airborne surveillance and fighter control.
Sources1 sources
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