Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115
United States Navy airborne command-and-control squadron operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
VAW-115 is a United States Navy airborne early warning and control squadron known by the nickname “The Liberty Bells.” The unit was established on 20 April 1967 as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 and initially operated the E-2A Hawkeye. Its primary function is to provide airborne battle-management, surveillance, command-and-control, communications, and early-warning support for carrier strike groups and other naval and joint forces. In January 2020, the Navy redesignated its VAW squadrons as Airborne Command and Control Squadrons, although VAW-115 remains the unit’s established designation and historical identity. The squadron began its operational career with Attack Carrier Wing 2 and deployed aboard USS Ranger. It transitioned to the E-2B in 1971, joined Carrier Air Wing Five, and conducted combat deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin aboard USS Midway during the Vietnam War. In April 1975, its aircraft supported Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, by providing airborne command-and-control assistance during the withdrawal. During the following years, the squadron made numerous deployments to the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea, operating amid regional crises including the Iranian seizure of the United States embassy in Tehran. VAW-115 became part of the United States Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces after Carrier Air Wing Five moved to Yokosuka, Japan, in 1973. This arrangement gave the squadron a long-term role in Pacific and Indian Ocean operations alongside a carrier air wing based outside the continental United States. In the 1980s, it supported rescue and salvage activity associated with the 1983 Korean Air Lines Flight 007 shootdown, received the E-2C Hawkeye in 1985, and participated in freedom-of-navigation missions and Operation Earnest Will, which protected reflagged Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf. During the late-1989 and early-1990 deployment of the Midway Battle Group, it also supported Operation Classic Resolve in response to a coup attempt in the Philippines. The squadron supported operations connected with the 1990–1991 Gulf crisis, flying 179 combat sorties during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. After USS Midway was decommissioned in 1991, Carrier Air Wing Five moved to USS Independence. VAW-115 subsequently conducted several Persian Gulf deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch, the enforcement of a no-fly zone over southern Iraq, and took part in contingency operations related to United Nations sanctions in 1998. That year it transitioned to E-2C Group II Navigation Upgrade aircraft and moved with its air wing to USS Kitty Hawk. In 2003, VAW-115 returned to the Persian Gulf for Operation Southern Watch and flew 46 combat sorties before the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the invasion and ensuing operations, its aircraft flew 363.8 hours supporting Army and Marine Corps forces on the ground. The squadron later participated in major multinational and bilateral exercises, including Valiant Shield, Malabar, Talisman Saber, Annualex, Keen Sword, and RIMPAC. During RIMPAC 2008, it supplied airborne battlespace command and control for a large multinational force involving 49 naval vessels, 150 aircraft, and units from ten countries. The unit began receiving the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 in 2010. In 2017, VAW-125 replaced VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS Ronald Reagan, ending VAW-115’s 44-year association with the Japan-based deployment structure. The squadron relocated to Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, during the summer of that year. It later conducted two forward deployments with Carrier Air Wing Eleven aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, VAW-115 transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, the squadron’s current aircraft. Its record includes 24 years and 50,000 Class-A mishap-free flight hours, along with multiple Battle Efficiency “E,” AEW Excellence, and Safety “S” awards.
History
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 was established on 20 April 1967 and initially flew the E-2A Hawkeye. Assigned to Attack Carrier Wing 2, it deployed aboard USS Ranger before transitioning to the E-2B in 1971 and joining Carrier Air Wing Five. The squadron conducted two combat deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin between May 1971 and April 1973 aboard USS Midway. In September 1973, Carrier Air Wing Five moved to Yokosuka, Japan, becoming part of the United States Navy’s Forward Deployed Naval Forces. VAW-115 consequently developed a sustained operational relationship with Japan and the Western Pacific. Its E-2B aircraft supported Operation Frequent Wind in April 1975, helping provide command-and-control support during the evacuation of Saigon. The squadron also made eleven deployments to the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea during a period marked by major regional instability, including the 1979 seizure of the United States embassy in Tehran. During the 1980s, VAW-115 participated in rescue and salvage operations following the 1983 shootdown of Korean Air Lines Flight 007. It received the E-2C in 1985 and supported freedom-of-navigation operations in the Sea of Japan and Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf. During deployments with the Midway Battle Group in 1989 and 1990, the squadron supported Operation Classic Resolve, an effort to assist the Philippine government during a coup attempt. The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait led to a Persian Gulf deployment in October 1990 for Operation Desert Shield. When that operation became Operation Desert Storm in January 1991, VAW-115 flew 179 combat sorties. Following USS Midway’s decommissioning in August 1991, Carrier Air Wing Five moved to USS Independence. VAW-115 later deployed four times to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, enforcing a no-fly zone over southern Iraq. In 1998, it supported contingency operations connected with United Nations sanctions and transitioned to E-2C Group II Navigation Upgrade aircraft while moving with Carrier Air Wing Five to USS Kitty Hawk. The squadron returned to the Persian Gulf in February 2003 for Operation Southern Watch. It flew 46 combat sorties before the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then recorded 363.8 flight hours supporting Army and Marine Corps forces operating on the ground. In the following years, VAW-115 participated in exercises including Valiant Shield, Malabar, Talisman Saber, Annualex, Keen Sword, and RIMPAC. At RIMPAC 2008, the squadron provided airborne battlespace command and control for a large force comprising ships, aircraft, and military units from ten countries. In February 2010, VAW-115 began reequipping with the E-2C Hawkeye 2000, which improved detection, processing, identification, communications, and navigation capabilities. In 2017, VAW-125 replaced it in Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS Ronald Reagan. VAW-115 then moved to Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California, after 44 years of forward deployment with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The squadron conducted forward deployments with Carrier Air Wing Eleven aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt in 2020 and 2021. In 2020, the Navy changed the formal designation of its VAW squadrons to Airborne Command and Control Squadrons. VAW-115 transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye in 2022 and remains an active Navy airborne command-and-control unit.
- 2022
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye transition
[1]The squadron transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, its current aircraft.
- 2017
End of Carrier Air Wing Five assignment
[1]VAW-125 replaced VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five, and VAW-115 relocated to Naval Air Station Point Mugu.
- 2010
E-2C Hawkeye 2000 reequipping
[1]VAW-115 began receiving the upgraded E-2C Hawkeye 2000.
- 2003
Operation Iraqi Freedom support
[1]The squadron flew 363.8 hours supporting Army and Marine Corps forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
- 1991
Desert Storm combat operations
[1]VAW-115 flew 179 combat sorties during Operation Desert Storm.
- 1985
E-2C introduced
[1]The squadron received the E-2C Hawkeye while serving with the forward-deployed naval forces in Japan.
- 1975
Operation Frequent Wind
[1]VAW-115 supported the evacuation of Saigon with airborne command-and-control operations.
- 1971
Transition to E-2B and Carrier Air Wing Five
[1]The squadron transitioned to the E-2B and joined Carrier Air Wing Five for deployments aboard USS Midway.
- 1967
Squadron established
[1]Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 was established on 20 April and began operations with the E-2A Hawkeye.
Products and positioning
A specialized United States Navy airborne command-and-control unit providing persistent surveillance, early warning, communications, and battle-management support to carrier and joint forces.
Airborne early warning aircraft · 1967
Grumman E-2A Hawkeye
The E-2A was the first aircraft operated by VAW-115 after its establishment in 1967. It provided the squadron’s original airborne early warning and carrier command-and-control capability.
Airborne early warning aircraft · 1971
Grumman E-2B Hawkeye
Introduced when the squadron transitioned in 1971, the E-2B supported combat deployments over Southeast Asia and later missions in the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea.
Airborne early warning aircraft · 1985
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye
VAW-115 operated the E-2C from 1985 through 2017. The aircraft supported Persian Gulf operations, freedom-of-navigation missions, no-fly-zone enforcement, and carrier strike group command and control.
Upgraded airborne early warning aircraft · 2010
E-2C Hawkeye 2000
The Hawkeye 2000 upgrade introduced improved capabilities in detection, processing, identification, communications, and navigation. VAW-115 began receiving this version in 2010.
Airborne command-and-control aircraft · 2022
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye is VAW-115’s current aircraft. It supports airborne early warning, surveillance, communications, and battle-space command and control for carrier and joint forces.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008RIMPAC
Pacific Ocean
VAW-115 provided airborne battlespace command and control during the multinational Rim of the Pacific exercise.
Outcome. It supported a force involving 49 naval vessels, 150 aircraft, and units from ten countries.
- 2003Operation Iraqi Freedom
Iraq · Persian Gulf
After flying Southern Watch missions, VAW-115 supported Army and Marine Corps forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Outcome. The squadron recorded 363.8 flight hours supporting forces on the ground.
- 1991Operation Desert Storm
Persian Gulf
VAW-115 conducted airborne command-and-control missions during the coalition campaign against Iraq.
Outcome. The squadron flew 179 combat sorties.
- 1991Operation Southern Watch
Southern Iraq · Persian Gulf
VAW-115 made multiple deployments supporting enforcement of the no-fly zone over southern Iraq.
Outcome. The squadron supported four Persian Gulf deployments connected with the operation.
- 1990Operation Desert Shield
Persian Gulf
The squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait.
Outcome. The operation transitioned into Desert Storm in January 1991.
- 1975Operation Frequent Wind
Vietnam
VAW-115 provided airborne command-and-control support during the evacuation of Saigon in April 1975.
Outcome. The squadron supported the withdrawal and evacuation effort.
Brand decisions
2022
Transition to E-2D Advanced HawkeyeGeneration changeBackground
The Navy was modernizing its carrier airborne command-and-control fleet.
Action taken
VAW-115 transitioned to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.
Aftermath
The E-2D became the squadron’s current aircraft and supports its active airborne early warning and command-and-control mission.
2017
Relocation from the forward-deployed carrier structureStrategyBackground
VAW-125 replaced VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS Ronald Reagan after VAW-115’s long association with the Japan-based force.
Action taken
VAW-115 moved to Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.
Aftermath
The relocation ended 44 years of deployment with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and preceded later Carrier Air Wing Eleven deployments.
2010
Reequipping with E-2C Hawkeye 2000Generation changeBackground
The squadron required improved detection, processing, identification, communications, and navigation capabilities.
Action taken
VAW-115 began reequipping with the E-2C Hawkeye 2000.
Aftermath
The upgrade extended the squadron’s E-2C operational capability before its later transition to the E-2D.
1985
Transition to E-2C HawkeyeGeneration changeBackground
The forward-deployed squadron required a more capable airborne early warning platform.
Action taken
VAW-115 began operating the E-2C while attached to the forward-deployed naval forces in Japan.
Aftermath
The E-2C supported missions in the Pacific and Persian Gulf for more than three decades.
1971
Transition from E-2A to E-2B HawkeyeGeneration changeBackground
The squadron was preparing for expanded carrier and combat deployments with Carrier Air Wing Five.
Action taken
VAW-115 replaced its initial E-2A aircraft with the E-2B and joined Carrier Air Wing Five.
Aftermath
The change supported deployments aboard USS Midway and subsequent operations in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.
Recent events
- 2022
VAW-115 transitions to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye[1]
Product generation · Product launch
The squadron began operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, replacing its E-2C Hawkeye capability with the Navy’s newer airborne early warning and command-and-control aircraft.
- 2020
VAW squadrons redesignated as Airborne Command and Control Squadrons[1]
Other
The United States Navy redesignated all VAW squadrons as Airborne Command and Control Squadrons, reflecting the broader command-and-control role of the units.
- 2020
VAW-115 deploys with USS Theodore Roosevelt[1]
Other
The squadron conducted a forward deployment attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt.
- 2017
VAW-125 replaces VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five[1]
Leadership change · Other
VAW-125 arrived in Japan to replace VAW-115 in Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS Ronald Reagan, ending VAW-115’s long association with the forward-deployed carrier air wing.
- 2017
VAW-115 relocates to Naval Air Station Point Mugu[1]
Other
After leaving its long-standing forward-deployed role with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, the squadron moved to Naval Air Station Point Mugu, California.
Sources1 sources
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