| Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven | |
|---|---|
 VAW-117 insignia | |
| Active | 1 July 1974 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Airborne early warning Command and control |
| Size | 190+ |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing 9 Carrier Strike Group 3 |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Point Mugu |
| Nickname | The Wallbangers |
| Mascot | The Lemur |
| Engagements | Operation Praying Mantis Operation Earnest Will Operation Fiery Vigil Operation Desert Storm Operation Restore Hope Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Global War On Terror Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Prosperity Guardian Operation Poseidon Archer |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CDR Paul Reyes |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare | E-2D Hawkeye |
Airborne Command & Control Squadron 117 (VAW-117) is anairborne early warning (AEW) andcommand and control (C2) squadron. Nicknamed "The Wallbangers,” it flies theE-2D Hawkeye, the only carrier-capablecommand and control aircraft. The squadron is based inNAS Point Mugu and deploys as part ofCarrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9) on boardUSS Abraham Lincoln.[check quotation syntax]
Established atNAS North Island, California on 1 July 1974, as part of Fighter Early Warning Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, VAW-117 received its first E-2B aircraft (Buno: 151713) on 15 October 1974. In July of the following year VAW-117, along with all NAS North Island E-2B squadrons, executed a home port shift toNAS Miramar. On 15 October 1975, VAW-117 departed on its first deployment on boardUSS Independence as part ofCarrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) to the Mediterranean Sea.[1] The squadron again deployed with the USS Independence from March to October 1977.[2] In 1978, the squadron was assigned to the operational control ofCarrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) on boardUSS Ranger (CV-61), and in February 1979 began its first deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).[3]
VAW-117 again deployed in September 1980 with the USS Ranger and CVW-2,[4] returning home in May 1981. Then in October the squadron completed the five month transition from the E-2B to the E-2C.[5] In 1982, VAW-117 along with CVW-2 swapped to embarking aboardUSS Enterprise (CVN-65) and on 1 September 1980 departed on their first deployment with the E-2C.[6]
In 1988, on boardUSS Enterprise (CVN-65), VAW-117 played a keycommand and control role in providing crucial secure data and voice communications links between the USS Enterprise Battle Group (under Rear Admiral R.G. Zeller, Commander,Cruiser-Destroyer Group 3)[7] and theJoint Task Force Middle East Commander in the Persian Gulf duringOperation Praying Mantis. The operation resulted in coordinated attacks and destruction of Iranian oil rigs and surface combatants.[3][8][9] During this deployment VAW-117 conducted numerous flight operations and escort missions in support ofOperation Earnest Will, the protection of Kuwaiti-owned tankers from Iranian attack.[9] On 16 September 1989 VAW-117 embarked onUSS Enterprise for the start of a world cruise, participating inCope Thunder, Valiant Blitz, andOperation Classic Resolve returning home in March 1990.[10]
From September to November 1990, VAW-117 was embarked onUSS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) while she relocated from the Atlantic to the Pacific.[11] Now attached toCarrier Air Wing Eleven andUSS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), the squadron deployed as part of the ship’s maiden WESTPAC voyage in May 1991 and also participated inOperation Desert Storm. During this deployment, VAW-117 additionally assisted in the evacuation of dependents from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo duringOperation Fiery Vigil, being awarded theJoint Meritorious Unit Award for its part.[12] In 1993 the squadron deployed again, this time providing criticalCommand and Control functions toOperation Southern Watch andOperation Restore Hope.[13] In January 1994 VAW-117 transitioned to the E-2C Group II aircraft with the APS-145 radar.
Following a Congressional repeal of Title 10 USC 6015 (law barring women from combatant ships) in November 1993, the Wallbangers welcomed their first female Aviator and Officer on 8 March 1994, and first female enlisted service member on 23 July 1994.[14][15]
After a WESTPAC deployment between April and October 1995, VAW-117 and CVW-11 swapped to theUSS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) to then deploy again in October 1996 and return home in April 1997.[16] 1998 brought another swap for CWW-11, this time to embark aboardUSS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and deploying in support of several excursuses andOperation Desert Fox. In 1999, VAW-117 was selected to provide operational testing for the Navy's newest AEW upgrade, the MCU/ACIS (Mission Computer Upgrade/ Advance Computer Information System).[3]
In July 2001, VAW-117 was the first squadron to deploy with the new MCU/ACIS system. WESTPAC 2001–02 on boardUSS Carl Vinson proved to be an active deployment. After theSeptember 11 attacks in 2001, aircraft from VAW-117 and CVW-11 were among the first aircraft to lead the strikes on Afghanistan as part ofOperation Enduring Freedom. The extensive radar and communication equipment on board the E-2C Hawkeye allowed the squadron to continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan, ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and clearance from commercial air routes. The squadron's Hawkeyes served as an information-clearing house, providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne. VAW-117 was the first fleet squadron to receive the HE-2K variant of the Hawkeye and also the first fleet Hawkeye squadron to receive theCooperative Engagement Capability system (CEC).[3]
In May 2005, VAW-117 deployed onUSS Nimitz (CVN-68) with CVW-11 in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom. This was VAW-117's first deployment with the HE2K variant. During the deployment, VAW-117 flew into Karachi, Pakistan, and Goa, India, to display the E-2C to partner nations. TheNimitz while on deployment visited Hong Kong; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Guam; Manama, Bahrain; Dubai, UAE; Perth, Australia; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, twice.[3]
In April 2007 VAW-117 deployed on WESTPAC 2007. The squadron flew 101 sorties and 227 hours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and the Iraq War. It also took part in several exercises including Valiant Shield andMalabar.
In January 2008 the squadron deployed on a four-month surge to the Western Pacific, where it took part in Exercise Foal Eagle 08. During the course of the cruise, VAW-117 demonstrated its aviation skills, earning the CVW-11 Top Hook Award for the first time in nearly eight years.
In 2009, CDR Valerie Overstreet took command of VAW-117 and became the first femaleE-2 Hawkeye squadron Commanding Officer.[17]
_117%2c_inspects_the_propellers_of_an_E-2C_Hawkeye_aboard_the_aircraft_carrier_USS_Nimitz.jpg)
_117_flies_over_the_California_coast_near_Ventura%2c_Calif._121120-N-HX866-006.jpg)
In April 2013 the squadron deployed with CVW-11 on boardUSS Nimitz in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It ended up being an extended deployment of eight months and they returned on 10 December 2013. During the deployment, due to their outstanding landing grades earned them the coveted "Golden Hook" award for having the best overall landing performance of the fixed-wing squadrons.[18]
In January 2015 the squadron transferred toCarrier Air Wing 7 (CVW-7) aboardUSS Harry S. Truman.
In 2016, VAW-117 was awarded theBattle Efficiency Award while on boardUSS John C. Stennis.[3]
On 1 January 2020, the squadron was redesignated from Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 to Airborne Command and Control Squadron 117 along with the other 9United States NavyE-2C/D squadrons to reflect the expanded role and responsibilities of the aircraft outside its original AEW focus.[19] Later in 2020, VAW-117 transitioned from theE-2C to theE-2D Advanced Hawkeye.[20]
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| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
