Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112, commonly designated VAW-112 and nicknamed the Golden Hawks, was a United States Navy airborne command-and-control unit. It was established on 20 April 1967 and was initially assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9. The squadron operated the E-2 Hawkeye family of carrier-based airborne early warning aircraft, whose mission was to extend a carrier strike group's radar coverage, coordinate aircraft, support air defense, relay communications, and provide battlespace management for naval and joint forces. VAW-112 entered service during the Vietnam War era and made three Western Pacific combat deployments aboard USS Enterprise while flying the E-2A. In 1970 it was temporarily placed in stand-down status. The squadron was reactivated on 3 July 1973, subsequently flying E-2B aircraft and serving with Carrier Air Wing 2 aboard USS Ranger. It later joined Carrier Air Wing 8 aboard USS Nimitz for Mediterranean and Indian Ocean operations. In May 1979, VAW-112 transitioned to the E-2C, and in 1981 it returned to Carrier Air Wing 9. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Golden Hawks conducted repeated Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, Caribbean, and counter-narcotics deployments. Its ships included USS Constellation, USS Ranger, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Nimitz, and USS John C. Stennis. The squadron also participated in exercises and operational detachments involving air-defense readiness, joint control procedures, counter-narcotics missions, and surveillance of maritime or regional airspace. It received Battle Efficiency recognition for several periods and was recognized for flight safety and airborne early warning performance. The squadron's operational tempo increased after the September 11, 2001 attacks. VAW-112 supported Operation Noble Eagle by flying air-defense missions over the western United States, then deployed ahead of schedule aboard USS John C. Stennis with Carrier Air Wing 9. It operated over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later made extended deployments supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, including airborne communications-relay and command-and-control duties for troops, convoys, close-air-support missions, and aerial refueling coordination. The unit also served during Operation Southern Watch, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Spartan Shield. VAW-112 was an aviation operator rather than a commercial consumer brand. Its principal capability was the delivery of airborne early warning and battle-management services to a carrier strike group. Aircraft modernization was central to its later history. The squadron transitioned through E-2C Plus configurations, received mission-computer and navigation upgrades, adopted the NP2000 eight-blade propeller modification, incorporated Automatic Identification System and intra-battle-group networking equipment, and later received E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. Beginning in 2013, its aircraft underwent Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management modernization and weapons-system software upgrades. The squadron's final deployment took place in 2012–2013 aboard USS John C. Stennis as part of Carrier Air Wing 9. It supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield and returned in May 2013. In February 2016, plans were reported to deactivate the unit in fiscal year 2017. VAW-112 was deactivated on 31 May 2017 and is therefore no longer an active United States Navy squadron.

VAW-112 was established on 20 April 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9. Its first operational period coincided with the Vietnam War, during which it made three Western Pacific combat deployments aboard USS Enterprise while operating the E-2A Hawkeye. The squadron was temporarily disestablished and placed in stand-down status in May 1970, then reactivated on 3 July 1973. After reactivation, VAW-112 flew E-2B aircraft and joined Carrier Air Wing 2. It made three Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments aboard USS Ranger before later joining Carrier Air Wing 8 for a Mediterranean and Indian Ocean deployment aboard USS Nimitz. The unit transitioned to the E-2C in May 1979 and returned to Carrier Air Wing 9 in February 1981. During the following decade it deployed aboard USS Constellation, USS Ranger, USS Kitty Hawk, and USS Nimitz. It received Battle Efficiency awards for 1979 and 1985 and became the first West Coast squadron to transition to the E-2C Plus in 1989. The squadron's 1990s activities combined carrier deployments, expeditionary detachments, exercises, and counter-narcotics operations. It participated in a South America transit known as an Around the Horn cruise, supported Joint Task Force 4 operations from Howard Air Force Base, and conducted exercises including Roving Sands, Red Flag, Maple Flag, and other air-control and joint-force events. In 1991 it supported Operation Desert Storm aboard USS Nimitz. In 1993 it supported Operation Southern Watch in the Persian Gulf and subsequently transitioned to the E-2C Plus Group II. Its later 1990s activities included operations connected with the Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, counter-narcotics missions in Puerto Rico, and an around-the-world deployment. In 1997 the squadron received Battle Efficiency, the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award, and an airborne early warning excellence award. It moved from Naval Air Station Miramar to Naval Air Station Point Mugu in July 1998. In January 2000, VAW-112 deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis for a Western Pacific and Indian Ocean cruise, including flight operations supporting Operation Southern Watch. It also conducted counter-narcotics work in Puerto Rico and carrier qualifications near Mazatlan. Following the September 11 attacks in 2001, it stood alert and flew western United States air-defense missions under Operation Noble Eagle. It then accelerated its training schedule and deployed in November 2001 aboard USS John C. Stennis. From December 2001 through its return in May 2002, it supported Operation Enduring Freedom over Afghanistan, recording more than 2,095 flight hours, 500 sorties, and 666 arrested landings according to the squadron history. VAW-112 subsequently received the Mission Computer Upgrade and Advanced Controller-Indicator Set navigation-upgrade configuration for its E-2C Plus aircraft. It made an early deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson in 2003 and took part in a broad Western Pacific cruise. In 2004 it conducted carrier training, air-wing exercises, and workups for operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During its 2005 deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson, the squadron flew missions over Iraq as an airborne battlefield communications relay, completing more than 480 sorties and nearly 1,500 flight hours. After returning, VAW-112 and Carrier Air Wing 9 transferred to USS John C. Stennis while USS Carl Vinson entered overhaul. The squadron became the first West Coast unit to incorporate the NP2000 eight-blade propeller modification in November 2005. It later added Automatic Identification System and intra-battle-group wireless-network capabilities. In 2007 it deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, coordinating close-air-support and aerial-refueling missions. The unit reported more than 950 sorties, over 1,800 flight hours, and a 98 percent sortie completion rate, and received a Battle Efficiency award. It subsequently received four E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft with updated electronic, flight, and command-and-control systems. On 18 December 2011, a VAW-112 E-2C conducted the final U.S. command-and-control mission over Iraq, marking the end of U.S. naval support for Operation New Dawn. The squadron then completed a compressed workup cycle and deployed in September 2012 aboard USS John C. Stennis. It supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield before returning in May 2013. From that year, its aircraft received CNS/ATM modernization and weapons-system software upgrades. The Navy announced plans to deactivate the squadron in fiscal year 2017, and VAW-112 was deactivated on 31 May 2017.

• 2017

  Deactivated

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 was deactivated on 31 May.

• 2013

  Completed final deployment

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron returned in May from its final deployment, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield.

• 2011

  Final U.S. command-and-control mission over Iraq

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  On 18 December, a squadron E-2C flew the final U.S. command-and-control mission over Iraq for Operation New Dawn.

• 2007

  Received Battle Efficiency recognition

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  After a deployment supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, VAW-112 received a Battle Efficiency award.

• 2005

  Adopted NP2000 propeller modification

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron became the first West Coast squadron to incorporate the NP2000 eight-blade propeller system.

• 2002

  Supported Operation Enduring Freedom

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 conducted carrier-based airborne command-and-control missions over Afghanistan.

• 2001

  Supported Operation Noble Eagle

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  Following the September 11 attacks, the squadron flew air-defense missions over the western United States.

• 1998

  Moved to Naval Air Station Point Mugu

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 relocated from Naval Air Station Miramar to Naval Air Station Point Mugu in July.

• 1991

  Supported Operation Desert Storm

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron deployed aboard USS Nimitz in support of operations associated with the Gulf War.

• 1989

  Transitioned to E-2C Plus

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 became the first West Coast squadron to transition to the E-2C Plus aircraft.

• 1979

  Transitioned to E-2C

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron began operating the E-2C Hawkeye in May.

• 1973

  Reactivated

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 was reactivated on 3 July and resumed operations with E-2B aircraft.

• 1970

  Placed in stand-down status

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron was temporarily disestablished and placed in stand-down status in May.

• 1967

  Squadron established

  [1]VAW-112en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-112 was established on 20 April and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9.

A carrier-based naval aviation unit specializing in airborne early warning, air-defense coordination, communications relay, and command-and-control support rather than a commercial product or service brand.

• Airborne early warning aircraft

  E-2A Hawkeye

  The E-2A was the first Hawkeye variant operated by VAW-112. During the squadron's early combat deployments in the Western Pacific, it provided carrier-based radar surveillance, air-defense warning, aircraft control, and command-and-control support for naval operations.

• Airborne early warning aircraft

  E-2B Hawkeye

  Following reactivation in 1973, VAW-112 operated E-2B aircraft on Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean deployments. The aircraft served as the squadron's airborne sensor and battle-management platform for carrier air wings.

• Airborne early warning aircraft · 1979

  E-2C Hawkeye

  The E-2C became VAW-112's principal aircraft after its 1979 transition. It supported air defense, surveillance, communications relay, and aircraft-control missions across carrier deployments and land-based detachments.

• Upgraded airborne early warning aircraft

  E-2C Plus and Hawkeye 2000

  Later aircraft incorporated improved mission computers, controller displays, navigation equipment, communications, networking, and electronic systems. The squadron received four Hawkeye 2000 aircraft after its 2007 deployment and used upgraded platforms for its final operational period.

• 2012Operation Spartan Shield

  Middle East

  The squadron deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis in September 2012 and supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield.

  Outcome. VAW-112 returned in May 2013, completing its final deployment.

  Source
• 2007Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom

  Persian Gulf · Northern Arabian Sea · Iraq · Afghanistan

  VAW-112 coordinated close-air-support and aerial-refueling missions during a seven-month deployment.

  Outcome. The squadron reported more than 950 sorties, over 1,800 flight hours, and a 98 percent sortie completion rate, and received the Battle Efficiency award.

  Source
• 2005Operation Iraqi Freedom

  Persian Gulf and Iraq

  During its 2005 deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson, VAW-112 provided airborne battlefield communications relay and supported troops and convoys in Iraq.

  Outcome. The squadron completed more than 480 sorties and nearly 1,500 flight hours with a reported 98 percent sortie completion rate.

  Source
• 2001Operation Noble Eagle

  Western United States

  After the September 11 attacks, VAW-112 stood alert and flew air-defense missions covering the western United States.

  Outcome. The unit then accelerated its training and prepared for an overseas combat deployment.

  Source
• 2001Operation Enduring Freedom

  Afghanistan and surrounding waters

  VAW-112 deployed early aboard USS John C. Stennis and began combat operations over Afghanistan in December 2001.

  Outcome. The squadron returned in May 2002 after recording more than 2,095 flight hours and 500 sorties.

  Source
• 1993Operation Southern Watch

  Persian Gulf

  VAW-112 deployed aboard USS Nimitz and flew more than 1,000 hours supporting the enforcement mission over southern Iraq.

  Outcome. The squadron subsequently transitioned to the E-2C Plus Group II configuration.

  Source
• 1991Operation Desert Storm

  Western Pacific · Indian Ocean · Northern Persian Gulf

  Deployed aboard USS Nimitz, VAW-112 supported coalition operations associated with the Gulf War.

  Outcome. The deployment extended the squadron's air-control role into major post-Cold War combat operations.

  Source
• 1967Vietnam War deployments

  Western Pacific

  VAW-112 made three combat deployments aboard USS Enterprise while operating E-2A aircraft in support of U.S. Navy operations during the Vietnam War.

  Outcome. The squadron established its early operational record as a carrier-based airborne warning and control unit.

  Source

• 2017

  Squadron deactivationStrategy

  Background

  The Navy planned to deactivate VAW-112 as part of its force-structure decisions.

  Action taken

  VAW-112 was deactivated on 31 May 2017.

  Aftermath

  The Golden Hawks ceased to exist as an active Navy squadron.

  Source

• 2013

  CNS/ATM and weapons-system software upgradeGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron's aircraft required continued modernization during the final years of active service.

  Action taken

  Beginning in May 2013, all VAW-112 aircraft underwent Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management and weapons-system software upgrades.

  Aftermath

  The work updated the aircraft for the squadron's final period before deactivation.

  Source

• 2006

  Networking and identification upgradesGeneration change

  Background

  Improved coordination within a carrier battle group required updated identification and data-network capabilities.

  Action taken

  The squadron added Automatic Identification System and Intra Battle Group Wireless Network equipment to its aircraft.

  Aftermath

  The equipment was first employed during the squadron's integrated training cycle.

  Source

• 2005

  NP2000 propeller modificationGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron adopted an updated propeller system as part of broader E-2C modernization.

  Action taken

  VAW-112 became the first West Coast squadron to incorporate the NP2000 eight-blade propeller modification.

  Aftermath

  The modification became part of the unit's modernized Hawkeye configuration.

  Source

• 2002

  Mission computer and navigation modernizationGeneration change

  Background

  After its Afghanistan deployment, the squadron continued updating its E-2C Plus aircraft.

  Action taken

  VAW-112 completed training for the Mission Computer Upgrade and Advanced Controller-Indicator Set navigation-upgrade configuration.

  Aftermath

  The aircraft received improved displays, a more capable mission computer, and more reliable navigation equipment.

  Source

• 1989

  Adoption of the E-2C PlusGeneration change

  Background

  Advances in carrier air defense and command-and-control required improved Hawkeye systems.

  Action taken

  VAW-112 became the first West Coast squadron to transition to the E-2C Plus.

  Aftermath

  The upgrade expanded the squadron's ability to support surveillance and battle-management missions.

  Source

• 1979

  Transition to the E-2C HawkeyeGeneration change

  Background

  The squadron needed a more capable airborne warning and control platform for carrier operations.

  Action taken

  VAW-112 transitioned from the E-2B to the E-2C in May 1979.

  Aftermath

  The E-2C became the foundation of the squadron's operations for the remainder of its active service.

  Source

1. 1VAW-112en.wikipedia.org