Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120

VAW-120 is a United States Navy aviation training unit whose formal designation has changed as its responsibilities expanded from airborne early-warning operations to a broader air command-and-control and carrier logistics training mission. Based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, the squadron serves as a Fleet Replacement Squadron, preparing pilots, naval flight officers, flight technicians, and maintenance personnel for operational units flying the E-2 Hawkeye and, historically, the C-2A Greyhound. The unit traces its lineage to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO, established on 6 July 1948 at Naval Air Station Oceana. Its early mission centered on developing and sustaining carrier-based airborne early-warning detachments for the Atlantic Fleet. The arrival of the E-2A Hawkeye in 1966 represented a major technological transition, replacing earlier warning platforms with an aircraft designed to provide long-range radar surveillance, battle management, and communications support for carrier forces. At that time, the organization supported detachments operating from numerous Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers while also training the personnel needed to staff them. The scale of this work led to organizational changes in the late 1960s. In 1967, the former VAW-12 structure was reorganized into Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve, containing several operating squadrons. The training element subsequently became known as RVAW-120 and functioned as the Atlantic Fleet replacement squadron. During the 1970s, it absorbed successive Hawkeye upgrades, including the E-2B and E-2C, and developed instruction for increasingly sophisticated radar and mission systems. The squadron also trained naval flight officers, flight technicians, and maintainers on different generations of the APS radar family. In 1983, the unit returned to the VAW-120 designation. Training facilities and specialized instruction were consolidated during the middle of that decade. The squadron's responsibilities broadened further in 1985 when it received re-procured C-2A Greyhound aircraft. This made VAW-120 responsible not only for Hawkeye replacement training but also for preparing aircrews for the Navy's carrier onboard delivery mission. Its C-2A curriculum supported Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons VRC-30 and VRC-40 and included night carrier qualification training. The 1990s brought additional Hawkeye modernization. VAW-120 received E-2C+ aircraft in 1993 and E-2C Group II aircraft in 1994. The Group II configuration incorporated the APS-145 radar and GPS-assisted navigation, requiring corresponding changes in instruction and maintenance training. In September 1994, the squadron became the Navy's single-site Fleet Replacement Squadron for this mission after the decommissioning of its West Coast counterpart, VAW-110. Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, VAW-120 launched aircraft in support of homeland-defense activity along the United States East Coast. These missions included airborne surveillance, communications relay, and management of radar tracks. In the 2010s, the unit continued to modernize its training fleet, receiving C-2A aircraft fitted with eight-bladed propellers and beginning operations with the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. The E-2D introduced a newer radar and mission-system architecture, reinforcing VAW-120's role as a central Navy institution for preparing carrier airborne command-and-control crews and associated maintainers.

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 120 originated on 6 July 1948, when Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO was established at Naval Air Station Oceana. The unit later moved to Naval Air Station Norfolk and developed into an Atlantic Fleet training and replacement organization for carrier airborne early-warning aviation. A decisive change came in July 1966, when the organization received its first E-2A Hawkeye aircraft. The Hawkeye enabled carrier forces to extend radar surveillance and coordinate air operations from an airborne command platform. VAW-12 supported detachments aboard ten Atlantic Fleet carriers while training the officers and enlisted specialists who staffed those detachments. Its size and responsibilities prompted a major reorganization: on 1 April 1967, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve was commissioned with six operating squadrons. The training component later became RVAW-120 and was designated the Atlantic Fleet Fleet Replacement Squadron. The squadron received E-2B aircraft in 1970 and the E-2C on 31 May 1973. During the late 1970s it introduced training for aircraft equipped with the Advanced Radar Processing System and supported instruction on APS-120 and APS-125 radar configurations. By 1980, East Coast VAW squadrons had completed their transition to APS-125 systems. In 1983, RVAW-120 officially became VAW-120, reflecting its combined identity as both a fleet-level operational organization and a replacement-training squadron. Naval flight officer instruction moved to a separate training site in April of that year, while pilot instruction was consolidated in a dedicated E-2 training building in late 1984. The unit expanded beyond the Hawkeye mission in June 1985, when it received the first of the Navy's re-procured C-2A Greyhound aircraft. The Greyhound supported carrier onboard delivery, transporting personnel, mail, and cargo between shore facilities and aircraft carriers. VAW-120 established training for pilots and aircrew assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadrons VRC-30 and VRC-40, including the Navy's first C-2A night carrier qualification program. Modernization continued during the 1990s. The squadron received its first E-2C+ in November 1993 and its first E-2C Group II aircraft in February 1994. Group II introduced the APS-145 radar and GPS navigation capabilities. In September 1994, VAW-120 became the Navy's single-site Fleet Replacement Squadron for the mission after VAW-110, its West Coast counterpart, was decommissioned. After 11 September 2001, VAW-120 aircraft supported homeland-defense operations along the East Coast, performing surveillance, communications relay, and track-management functions. During the 2010s, the squadron received upgraded C-2A aircraft with eight-bladed propellers and began receiving the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. Through these successive transitions, VAW-120 remained a central training organization for carrier airborne early-warning, command-and-control, and carrier logistics aviation.

• 2010

  E-2D era begins

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  VAW-120 received the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye while also receiving C-2A aircraft equipped with eight-bladed propellers.

• 1994

  Single-site Fleet Replacement Squadron

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  After VAW-110 was decommissioned, VAW-120 became the Navy's single-site replacement squadron for the mission.

• 1985

  C-2A Greyhound training added

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  The unit received re-procured C-2A aircraft and assumed training responsibilities for carrier onboard delivery aircrews.

• 1983

  Designation returned to VAW-120

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  RVAW-120 was redesignated VAW-120 as its replacement and fleet-support responsibilities expanded.

• 1973

  E-2C transition

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  The first E-2C aircraft arrived on 31 May, introducing a further Hawkeye capability upgrade.

• 1970

  E-2B transition

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  The squadron received E-2B Hawkeye aircraft for replacement training.

• 1967

  Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing Twelve commissioned

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  The expanding organization was reorganized into an air wing with six operating squadrons.

• 1966

  First E-2A Hawkeye received

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  The organization received its first E-2A Hawkeye and supported Atlantic Fleet detachments while training their personnel.

• 1948

  Squadron established

  [1]VAW-120en.wikipedia.org

  Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO was established on 6 July at Naval Air Station Oceana.

A specialized United States Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron supporting carrier aviation readiness through aircraft transition, qualification, mission-system, and maintenance training.

• Carrier airborne early-warning and command-and-control aircraft · 1966

  E-2 Hawkeye

  The E-2 Hawkeye is a carrier-based airborne early-warning and command-and-control aircraft. VAW-120 has trained crews and maintainers across multiple generations, including the E-2A, E-2B, E-2C, E-2C+, E-2C Group II, and E-2D Advanced Hawkeye.

• Carrier onboard delivery aircraft · 1985

  C-2A Greyhound

  The C-2A Greyhound is a carrier logistics aircraft used to transport personnel, cargo, and mail between shore facilities and aircraft carriers. VAW-120 added C-2A replacement and carrier-qualification training in the 1980s, supporting VRC-30 and VRC-40.

• 2010

  Transition to newer carrier aviation equipmentGeneration change

  Background

  The Navy was modernizing both its Hawkeye command-and-control fleet and its C-2A logistics aircraft.

  Action taken

  VAW-120 received the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and C-2A aircraft fitted with eight-bladed propellers.

  Aftermath

  The squadron continued as a key transition and qualification center for updated carrier aviation systems.

  Source

• 1985

  Expansion into C-2A Greyhound trainingStrategy

  Background

  The Navy's re-procurement of C-2A aircraft created a requirement for a dedicated carrier onboard delivery training program.

  Action taken

  VAW-120 received C-2A aircraft and established training for Fleet Logistics Support Squadron aircrews, including night carrier qualifications.

  Aftermath

  The squadron's remit expanded from airborne early-warning replacement training to include carrier logistics aviation.

  Source

• 1967

  Reorganization into Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing TwelveStrategy

  Background

  The introduction of the E-2 Hawkeye and the need to support multiple Atlantic Fleet carrier detachments substantially increased the organization's personnel and training workload.

  Action taken

  The Navy reorganized the former VAW-12 structure into an air wing containing six operating squadrons.

  Aftermath

  The training element evolved into RVAW-120, the Atlantic Fleet Fleet Replacement Squadron.

  Source

1. 1VAW-120en.wikipedia.org