View source for Carrier Air Wing Two

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Carrier Air Wing Two
| image                         = CVW-2 Emblem.svg
| image_size                    = 
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 1 May 1945 – Present
| country                       = {{USA}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{navy|USA}}
| type                          = [[Carrier air wing|Carrier Air Wing]]
| role                          = 
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = {{nowrap|[[File:Seal of Carrier Strike Group One.png|30px|]][[Carrier Strike Group 1]]}}
| garrison                      = {{nowrap|[[File:NAS Lemoore Emblem.svg|30px|]][[NAS Lemoore]]}}
| commander1                    = CAPT Eric J. Bell
| commander1_label              = Commander
| commander2                    = CAPT Douglas Oldham
| commander2_label              = Deputy Commander
| commander3                    = CMDCM Trey Hauptmann
| commander3_label              = Command Master Chief
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = 
| identification_symbol_2       = <!-- Culture and history -->
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = "For Liberty, We Fight"
| colors                        = NE
| colors_label                  = [[Tail Code]]
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = [[Navy Unit Commendation]]<br />[[Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal]]<br />[[Meritorious Unit Commendation]]
| battle_honours                = [[Korean War]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Iranian Hostage Crisis]]<br />[[Operation Desert Storm]]<br/>[[Unified Task Force|Operation Restore Hope]]<br />[[Operation Southern Watch]]<br />[[Operation Iraqi Freedom]]<br/>[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]<br/>[[Operation Unified Assistance]]<br />[[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]<br/>[[Operation Poseidon Archer]]
}}

'''Carrier Air Wing Two''' (CVW-2) is a [[United States Navy]] aircraft carrier air wing based at [[Naval Air Station Lemoore]]. The air wing is currently attached to the aircraft carrier {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70}}.

==Subordinate units==
{{See also|List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons}}

CVW-2 consists of 8 squadrons and 1 detachment (VRM-30).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Squadrons - Carrier Air Wing 2 |url=https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Carrier-Air-Wing-CVW-2/Squadrons/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802010118/https://www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/Carrier-Air-Wing-CVW-2/Squadrons/ |archive-date=2024-08-02 |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=www.airpac.navy.mil}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Code !! Insignia !! Squadron !! Nickname !! Assigned Aircraft
|-
|VFA-2
|[[File:VFA-2 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VFA-2|Strike Fighter Squadron 2]]
|Bounty Hunters
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]
|-
|VFA-97
|[[File:VFA-97 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VFA-97|Strike Fighter Squadron 97]]
|Warhawks
|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|F-35C Lightning II]]
|-
|VFA-113
|[[File:VFA-113 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VFA-113|Strike Fighter Squadron 113]]
|Stingers
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
|-
|VFA-192
|[[File:VFA-192 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VFA-192|Strike Fighter Squadron 192]]
|Golden Dragons
|[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
|-
|VAW-113
|[[File:VAW-113 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VAW-113|Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113]]
|Black Eagles
|[[E-2 Hawkeye|E-2D Hawkeye]]
|-
|VAQ-136
|[[File:VAQ-136 Emblem.svg|center|40px]]
|[[VAQ-136|Electronic Attack Squadron 136]]
|Gauntlets
|[[Boeing EA-18G Growler|EA-18G Growler]]
|-
|VRM-30
|[[File:Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30 (United States Navy) insignia, in 2018.png|center|40px]]
|[[VRM-30|Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron 30]]
|Titans
|[[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CMV-22B Osprey]]
|-
|HSC-4
|[[File:Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 4 (US Navy) patch 2012.png|center|40px]]
|[[HS-4|Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 4]]
|Black Knights
|[[SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60S Seahawk]]
|-
|HSM-78
|[[File:Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 78 (United States Navy) insignia, 2017.png|center|40px]]
|[[HSM-78 "Blue Hawks"|Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 78]]
|Blue Hawks
|[[SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60R Seahawk]]
|}

==History==

=== 1940s-50s ===
Originally established as CVBG-74 (Battle Air Group) on 1 May 1945, it was renamed CVBG-1 on 15 November 1946 before finally being renamed CVG-2 in 1948.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=CVW-2 Global Security|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/cvw2.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183443/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/cvw2.htm|archive-date=10 January 2019|website=Globalsecurity}}</ref> During that time, CVG-2 was assigned to {{USS|Midway|CV-41|6}} (CVB-41). CVG-2 later would see action during the Korean War on board the [[Essex-class aircraft carrier|''Essex''-class carriers]] {{USS|Boxer|CV-21|6}}, [[USS Valley Forge (CV-45)|''Valley Forge'']] and [[USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)|''Philippine Sea'']]. During the war, they supported the [[Battle of Inchon|Inchon Invasion]], bombing of North Korea-occupied Seoul and the recapture of [[Gimpo International Airport|Kimpo Airfield]]. Starting in 1958, the squadron started an 8-year association with the USS ''Midway'' which ended in 1966.

=== 1960s ===
[[File:F-4B of VF-21 returns to USS Midway (CVA-41) off Vietnam in 1965.jpg|alt=An F-4B from VF-21 as part of CVW-2 returns to the USS ''Midway'' after a combat mission over Vietnam in 1965.|thumb|230x230px|An F-4B from VF-21 as part of CVW-2 returns to the USS ''Midway'' after a combat mission over Vietnam in 1965. Pictured is CAG LSO, LCDR Vernon L. Jumper.]]
In 1961, the first [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawks]] to join CVW-2 came aboard during a deployment in the [[Taiwan Strait]] during tensions between the two Chinas ([[China|People's Republic of China]] and [[Taiwan|'Republic of China' on Taiwan]]). In late 63', CVG-2 made their first deployment with the new [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4H-1F (F-4B) Phantom II]] with [[VF-21]].

It during the first deployment to the Vietnam War that VF-21 as part of the renamed CVW-2 scored the first air to air kills of Vietnam War.<ref>{{Cite web|title=USS Midway Air-to-Air Victories in Vietnam|url=https://www.midwaysailor.com/midway/shootdowns.html|access-date=2020-07-01|website=www.midwaysailor.com}}</ref> In a first for CVW-2, the air wing deployed with the F-4 as the only fighter aircraft on board as well as the [[Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye|E-2A Hawkeye]] joining the air wing. It was in 1967 that CVW-2 began their long assignment to the [[USS Ranger (CV-61)|USS ''Ranger'' (CV/A-61)]] which would last till the ''Ranger''{{'}}s retirement in 1993 (excluding the mid-1980s).{{Cn|date=September 2022}} With the new [[LTV A-7 Corsair II|A-7A Corsair II]] and [[Grumman A-6 Intruder|A-6A Intruder]], they became the first all-jet attack carrier air wing. CVW-2 spent thirty days in the Sea of Japan due to seizure of the {{USS|Pueblo|AGER-2}}.<ref name=":0" />

=== 1970s ===
In December 1972 during their last deployment in the Vietnam War, CVW-2's squadrons introduced laser-guided bombs into Navy combat service, with [[VA-145 (U.S. Navy)|VA-145]] destroying fourteen out of fifteen targeted bridges in under 3 hours. CVW-2 was later renamed from Attack Carrier Air Wing Two to Carrier Air Wing Two due to the addition of Anti-submarine warfare units<ref name=":0" /> including [[VS-29]] flying the [[Lockheed S-3 Viking|S-3A Viking]] and [[HSC-4|HS-4]] flying the [[Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King|SH-3D/G (later SH-3H) Sea King]] helicopter.{{Cn|date=September 2022}}

=== 1980s ===
Starting in 1980, the first [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]] squadrons [[Fighter Squadron 1 (United States Navy)|VF-1]] and [[VFA-2|VF-2]] were assigned to CVW-2, replacing [[VFA-154|VF-154]] and VF-21 both flying the F-4J Phantom. Between 1982 and 1986, CVW-2 was reassigned to the [[USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)|USS ''Kitty Hawk'' (CV-63)]] making one deployment to the West Pacific and Indian Ocean along with the newly assigned [[VS-38]]. In May 1986, CVW-2 returned to the Ranger.{{Cn|date=September 2022}} Starting between 1986 and 1993, CVW-2 was nicknamed the "Grumman Air Wing" due to lack of a light attack squadron flying either the A-7E Corsair II or the newer [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18A Hornet]]. The only change made was with the newer [[Third VA-155 (U.S. Navy)|VA-155]] replacing the USMC squadron [[VMFA-121|VMA(AW)-121]] in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rogoway|first=Tyler|title=The USS Ranger Sailed With A Unique "Grumman Air Wing" In The Mid 1980s|url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/12452/the-uss-ranger-sailed-with-a-unique-grumman-air-wing-in-the-late-1980s|access-date=2020-07-01|website=The Drive|date=13 July 2017 }}</ref>
[[File:F-14A VF-1 at NAS Fallon 1986.JPEG|alt=An F-14A Tomcat of VF-1 assigned to CVW-2 in 1986.|left|thumb|282x282px|An F-14A Tomcat of VF-1 assigned to CVW-2 in 1986.]]

=== 1990s ===
With the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq on 2 August 1990, USS ''Ranger'' and CVW-2 deployed on 8 December to take in Operation Desert Shield, transiting the [[Strait of Hormuz]] on 15 January 1991.<ref name=":0" /> At around 4:00&nbsp;am on 17 January 1991, while USS ''Midway's'' [[Carrier Air Wing Five|air wing]] were striking targets in Iraq on the first night of the war, the "[[William Tell Overture]]" was broadcast around the ''Ranger'' as CVW-2 launched to [[Gulf War|strike targets that morning]]. During the strike, CVW-2's aircraft struck the port of [[Umm Qasr Port|Umm Qasr]] and the Mina al-Bakr oil terminal with cluster bombs.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Pokrant|first=Marvin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erVzmflT2MIC&q=ranger|title=Desert Storm at Sea: What the Navy Really Did|date=1999|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-313-31024-9|language=en}}</ref> For the next 75 hours, they flew more strike missions against Iraqi military targets. During war, the "Grumman Air Wing" was well suited as the primary night Air Wing, with 75 percent of their 10,500 hours being flown at night. With the war over in February 1991, the Ranger and CVW-2 returned to San Diego on 8 June 1991.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:A-6E Intruder of VA-145 in flight over Somalia, 7 December 1992.jpg|alt=An A-6E Intruder of VA-145 over Somalia on 7 December 1992. This was during Operation Restore Hope.|thumb|247x247px|An A-6E SWIP Intruder of VA-145 over Somalia on 7 December 1992. This was during Operation Restore Hope.]]

In 1992, after taking in Operation Southern Watch, CVW-2 sailed to Somalia becoming the first Air Wing to take part in Operation Restore Hope, providing air coverage for ground forces and controlling all air traffic into the capital of Mogadishu.<ref name=":0" />

In early 1993, VA-155, VF-1 and USS ''Ranger'' were decommissioned followed by VA-145 as the A-6E TRAM Intruder was being retired from Navy service.{{Cn|date=September 2022}} During that time, CVW-2 moved the [[USS Constellation (CV-64)|USS ''Constellation'' CV-64]] and became the first 50 Strike Fighter Air Wing in the US Navy.<ref name=":0" /> Between 1995 and 1997, CVW-2 deployed also with a detachment from [[VQ-5]] flying the ES-3A Shadow based on the S-3 Viking.{{Cn|date=September 2022}}

=== 2000s ===
During its 2004–2005 deployment, Carrier Air Wing Two executed 4400 fixed-wing sorties for a total of 7588 flight hours, as well as 1518 rotary-wing sorties for a total of 4401 flight hours.  The air wing also completed 4455 flight deck landings (traps) while also flying 1737 humanitarian relief missions in support of [[Operation Unified Assistance]] between 26 December 2004 and 3 February 2005.<ref name=CVN72DANFS>{{cite DANFS | title = USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' (CVN-72): 2004 Operations | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/DANFS/a2/abraham_lincoln.htm | accessdate = 21 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=John M. Daniels |title=2004 Command History: USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' CVN-72 |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/a/cvn-72/2004a.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131163715/http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/a/cvn-72/2004a.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=31 January 2012 |publisher=Naval History & Heritage Command |year=2004 |access-date=24 December 2010  }}</ref>

During its 2006 deployment, Carrier Air Wing Two participated in three major exercises (i.e., Foal Eagle 06, Valiant Shield 06, RIMPAC 06), and its aircraft flew 7,871 sorties, with a total of 7,578 catapult launches from the flight deck of the ''Abraham Lincoln''.<ref name=CVN72DANFS/><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Joaquin Juatai, USN | title= ''Abraham Lincoln'' Wraps Up Deployment 2006 | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25045 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060809034135/https://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25045 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 9 August 2006 | work=  NNS060808-07 | publisher= USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs | date= 8 August 2006 | access-date=24 December 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bruce McVicar, USN | title= Naval Station Everett Celebrates Return of Ships | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25056 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120805111736/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=25056 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 5 August 2012 | work= NNS060811-07 | publisher= Naval Station Everett Public Affairs | date= 11 August 2006 | access-date=26 December 2010}}</ref> Between 24–31 March 2006, during [[Foal Eagle]] 2006 exercises, strike squadrons [[VFA-2]], [[VFA-34]], [[VFA-137]], and [[VFA-151]] from Carrier Air Wing Two teamed with U.S. Air Force aircraft from the [[18th Wing]] based at [[Kadena Air Base]] to provide combat air patrols and coordinated bombing runs via the exercise's Combined Air Operations Center.<ref name= NNS060327-06>{{cite web | author= Photographer's Mate 3rd Class (AW) M. Jeremie Yoder, USN | title= ''Lincoln'' Wraps Up Successful Exercise, Heads for Port | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=23032 | archive-url= https://archive.today/20121213002657/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=23032 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 13 December 2012 | work= NNS060406-15 | publisher= Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs | date= 27 March 2006 | access-date=26 December 2010}}</ref>

During its 2008 deployment, Carrier Air Wing Two flew approximately 7,100 sorties, totaling more than 22,000 flight hours, which included 2,307 combat sorties that dropped 255,963&nbsp;pounds (116,102.86&nbsp;kg) of ordnance in support of [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan (OEF-A)]] and [[Operation Iraqi Freedom|Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)]] as a part of the [[U.S. Fifth Fleet]].<ref name=NNS081015-01>{{cite web | author= Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brandon C. Wilson and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey Lewis | title= USS ''Abraham Lincoln'' Returns Home After Successful Deployment to 5th, 7th Fleets | url= http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40332 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081020013622/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=40332 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 20 October 2008 | work= NNS081015-01 | publisher= USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs | date= 15 October 2008 | access-date=27 December 2010}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
When ''Abraham Lincoln'' began its [[Refueling and Overhaul|Refueling and Complex Overhaul]] in 2013, CVW-2 was reassigned to {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76}}. It made only a short deployment aboard ''Ronald Reagan'' during exercise [[RIMPAC]] between June and August 2014, before the carrier was stationed in Japan. CVW-2 then accompanied {{USS|George Washington|CVN-73}} for her voyage around South America from September to December 2015.

In 2016, CVW-2 was reassigned to {{USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70|6}}. The wing made its next deployment to the Western Pacific aboard ''Carl Vinson'' from 23 January to 23 June 2017.<ref name=NNNS170105-041>{{cite web | author= USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Public Affairs | title= Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Begins Western Pacific Deployment| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98352 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170106161824/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=98352 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 6 January 2017 | work= NNS170105-04 | publisher= USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) Public Affairs | date= 5 January 2017 | access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>

On 5 January 2018, CVW-2 left San Diego aboard ''Carl Vinson'' for another scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific.<ref name=NNS180105-11>{{cite web | author= Carrier Strike Group 1 Public Affairs | title= Carl Vinson Strike Group Departs for Deployment to Western Pacific| url= http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=103944 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180105191539/http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=103944 | url-status= dead | archive-date= 5 January 2018 | work= NNS180105-11 | publisher= Carrier Strike Group 1 Public Affairs | date= 5 January 2018 | access-date=6 January 2017}}</ref> ''Carl Vinson'' returned to San Diego on 12 April 2018.

==Current force==
[[File:CVW-2 aircraft on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in June 2014.JPG|thumb|CVW-2 aircraft on {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76|2}} at Pearl Harbor during [[RIMPAC|RIMPAC 2014]].]]

===Fixed-wing aircraft===
* [[F/A-18E/F Super Hornet]]
* [[F-35C Lightning II]]
* [[Boeing EA-18G Growler|E/A-18G Growler]]
* [[Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye|E-2D Advanced Hawkeye]]
* [[CMV-22B Osprey]]

===Rotary-wing aircraft===
* [[SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60R Seahawk]]
* [[SH-60 Seahawk|MH-60S Seahawk]]

==See also==
* [[List of United States Navy Carrier air wings]]
* [[History of the United States Navy]]

{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.cvw2.navy.mil/ Carrier Air Wing Two] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910052650/http://www.cvw2.navy.mil/ |date=10 September 2018 }} (official site)

{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Carrier air wings}}

[[Category:Carrier Air Wings|CVW-02]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in California]]
[[Category:United States Navy units and formations in the Korean War|AW0002]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States in the Gulf War]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1963]]
Vinson is not carrying VRC-30 Det 2, she is carrying VRM-30 Titans, because of the F-35C engine lift requirement