| Carrier Air Wing Eleven | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 27 October 1942 - Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Carrier Air Wing |
| Part of | Carrier Strike Group 9 |
| Garrison/HQ |  NAS LemooreUSS Theodore Roosevelt |
| Tail Code | NH |
| Engagements | World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Southern Watch Operation Restore Hope Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation (2) Navy Unit Commendation (2) |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | CAPT Chad “Choad” Heirigs |
| Deputy Commander | CAPT Adam “Snapper” Bean |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM. Cristopher Silva |
| Insignia | |
| Call sign | Barbwire |
Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) is aUnited States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based atNaval Air Station Lemoore,California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrierUSS Theodore Roosevelt.[1]
To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of seven air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations.[2]
CVW-11 consists of nine squadrons.[3]
| Code | Insignia | Squadron | Nickname | Assigned Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VFA-25 |  | Strike Fighter Squadron 25 | Fist of the Fleet | F/A-18E Super Hornet |
| VFA-34 |  | Strike Fighter Squadron 34 | Blue Blasters | F/A-18E Super Hornet |
| VFA-211 |  | Strike Fighter Squadron 211 | Fighting Checkmates | F/A-18E Super Hornet |
| VFA-154 |  | Strike Fighter Squadron 154 | Black Knights | F/A-18F Super Hornet |
| VAQ-137 |  | Electronic Attack Squadron 137 | Rooks | EA-18G Growler |
| VAW-115 | _patch.png) | Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 115 | Liberty Bells | E-2D Advanced Hawkeye |
| VRM-30 | _insignia%2c_in_2018.png) | Fleet Logistics Multi-Missions Squadron 30, Detachment 3 | Titans | CMV-22B Osprey |
| HSC-8 |  | Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8 | Eightballers | MH-60S Seahawk |
| HSM-75 |  | Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75 | Wolfpack | MH-60R Seahawk |
Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) was previously designatedCarrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11) and (CVAG-11).
On 10 October 1942 at Naval Air Station San Diego, four squadrons joined to form Carrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11). Bombing Squadron Eleven (VB-11),Fighting Squadron Eleven (VF-11), Scouting Squadron Eleven (VS-11) andTorpedo Squadron Eleven (VT-11).In late October the entire air group was sent to Hawaii. VB-11, VS-11 and VT-11 were stationed at NAS Barbers Point on Oahu and VF-11 was sent to NAS Maui. While at Maui, the pilots of VF-11 trained and enjoyed the hospitality of thevon Tempsky ranch. Boyd, Maria and Alexa von Tempsky made sure VF-11 had a place to relax when they were not flying.
In February 1943 the Air Group embarked onUSS Altamaha andUSS Long Island en route to Nandi in the Fijian Islands. CVG-11 continued to train and fly simulated combat missions. By the time CVG-11 arrived in the Pacific combat zone only one aircraft carrier was operational. This meant the entire air group would be land based at Guadalcanal.
On 25 April 1943 CVG-11 arrived atGuadalcanal. VF-11 would fly from Lunga Point, known as "Fighter One." The pilots of VF-11 would set out on escort missions providing cover for the Bombing and Torpedo Squadrons. In addition, the "Sundowners" as VF-11 is known, searched for and destroyed Japanese aircraft operating in the region. It was during this time that VS-11 was re-designated to VB-21. The remainder of the air group (VB-11, VB-21 & VT-11) would fly from Henderson Field. The bomber and torpedo planes conducted patrol, search, spotting, strike, and night mine-laying operations.
On 8 June 1943 the Air Group suffered a great loss. The men of VT-11 were granted a leave to Australia. While leaving New Caledonia, one of the three transport planes crashed killing all 24 men on board. Included in the casualties were Air Group Commander Weldon L. Hamilton and 16 pilots and aircrew from VT-11.
On 16 June 1943 twenty eight pilots of VF-11 engaged an estimated 120 Japanese planes and shot down 31. On 1 August 1943 CVG-11 left Guadalcanal and boarded USSChenango, USSSt. Louis and USSHonolulu. They arrived back at NAS Alameda two weeks later. Upon return to the US, CVG-11 trained for their next assignment: carrier operations.
Three air groups flew into combat on boardUSS Hornet during World War II. Air Group Eleven replaced Air Group Two on 29 September 1944. While on board USSHornet, CVG-11 attacked targets on Okinawa, Formosa, the Philippines, French Indo China and Hong Kong. The Air Group was tested daily by threat of kamikaze attacks against the ship, foul weather and intense anti-aircraft fire over the intended targets. The pilots of VF-11 were most proud of the fact that no VB-11 or VT-11 aircraft were lost to enemy fighter planes. Their top ace wasCharles R. Stimpson with 16 victories.By the end of January 1945 the pilots and aircrews of Air Group Eleven claimed the following: 105 enemy planes shot down, 272 planes destroyed on the ground, over 100,000 tons of enemy shipping sunk, and over 100 Japanese ships damaged. These great accomplishments did not come without a price. In four months of flying. CVG-11 lost over 50 aircraft and had more than 60 men killed, missing-in-action or wounded. Air Group Eleven was replaced by Air Group Seventeen on 1 February 1945. They arrived back in Alameda on 24 February 1945. For these operations, CVG-11 was awarded thePresidential Unit Citation.[4]
An exhibit honoring Carrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11) is on board theUSSHornet Museum in Alameda, California. Its grand opening to the public was on Veterans Day of 11 November 2014.
In 2014 filmmaker George Retelas released the documentaryEleven which described the operation of CVG-11 via interviews with eleven of its surviving World War II veterans.[5]
After the war, the navy changed the designation scheme for its Carrier Air Groups designating Air Groups configured for theEssex-class carrier CVAGs, those configured for the largerMidway-class carrier CVBGs, those configured for the light carriers of theIndependence andSaipan classes CVLGs and those configured for remaining World War IIescort carriers CVEGs. CVG-11 became CVAG-11. On 1 September 1948 the designation scheme was again changed, and all CVAGs and CVBGs reverted to CVGs and CVEGs and CVLGs were disestablished. CVAG-11 became CVG-11 for the second time.
During theKorean War, CVG-11 was the first Air Wing to shoot downMiGs, and was instrumental in keeping thePusan Perimeter from collapsing during the early stages of the war, and participated in various other significant operations such as theInchon Invasion, the Wonsan landing and the highly successful movement from theChosin Reservoir.
CVG-11 deployed on boardUSS Kitty Hawk with the Seventh Fleet in October 1963 commanded by CDR Warren H. O'Neil, USN. On 20 December 1963 the navy redesignated its Carrier Air Groups to Carrier Air Wings and CVG-11 became Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11). CVW-11 flew the first Offensive Missions against North Vietnam in the spring of 1964, also experiencing the first losses of U.S. Navy aircraft; LT Charles Klusman was later rescued in August 1964 and returned to San Diego in September. In 1965, CVW-11 attached squadrons received new aircraft, such as theRA-5C Vigilante,A-6 Intruder,F-8 Crusader and theE-2 Hawkeye. With these new additions, between December 1965 and May 1966, CVW-11 conducted air strikes against targets during theVietnam War and delivered more ordnance then any other air wing in the navy. In November 1966, CVW-11 and USSKitty Hawk were awarded theNavy Unit Commendation for their actions during their deployment to the region. CVW-11 deployed for a 1966 to 1967 cruise to Asia, which earned them another Navy Unit Commendation in August 1967.Kitty Hawk and CVW-11 became the first battle group to be awarded thePresidential Unit Citation for performance during the Vietnam War, the citation was approved during operations between December 1966 through June 1968.
CVW-11 set numerous records for the Vietnam War, including a 61-day line period, which was the longest for the war. Prior to the limited bombing announcement, CVW-11 bombed targets inNorth Vietnam, striking enemy power plants, rail yards and lines of transports and communications. CVW-11's sustained presence in the region was instrumental in the defense ofKhe Sanh. CVW-11 broke all records for combat sorties flown and ordnance dropped during its sixth WESTPAC deployment during November 1970 and July 1971, although it was short lived as the air wing broke its own record during the following deployment in 1972 under command of CAPT Doug McCrimmon, as they were deployed due to the Communist offensive, where CVW-11 deployed 107 aircraft, the largest Air Wing ever under the new CV Air Wing concept, which included tactical aircraft and anti-submarine aircraft on the same carrier. The 1973–1974 deployment was highlighted by an air power demonstration for theShah of Iran and theChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff while deployed to the Indian Ocean.
During the 1975 deployment, CVW-11 andKitty Hawk deployed for their first non-combat cruise in nine years, which followed with two more deployments in 1975 and 1977. The 1977 cruise was the first with theF-14 Tomcat,S-3 Viking, the A-6E version of the Intruder and the E-2C version of the Hawkeye. The air wing made one last deployment of the decade in 1979 withUSS America.
In 1982 the Air Wing deployed once more on boardAmerica before CVW-11 switched carriers once again and deployed four times withUSS Enterprise between 1982 and 1990. With highlights such as the deployment to the Northern Pacific during FLEETEX '84, a three-carrier operation, and the 1986 cruise saw the Air Wing deploy to the Indian Ocean, where F-14s often interceptedSoviet andIndian aircraft. Due to operations againstLibya in the spring of 1986, it was decided that the battle group would head for theMediterranean Sea and the "Line of Death", where CVW-11 aircraft would fly patrols for two months, although encounters with Libyan jets were rare. The carrier group got to visitNaples andToulon, and instead of returning through theSuez Canal which they had used to transit to the Mediterranean, USSEnterprise transited through theStrait of Gibraltar and cruised the southern cape of Africa before venturing across the Indian Ocean and the Pacific back home.
During the 1988 cruise, CVW-11 saw action in thePersian Gulf in support ofOperation Praying Mantis, flying off USSEnterprise, conducted strikes againstIranian naval vessels and oil platforms. These attacks were carried out by A-6 Intruders of the Green Lizards, VA-95.[6] CVW-11 repelled a Boghammer fast attack boat raid on the Mubarak Oil Platform and severely damaged the frigateSabalan, While theSahand was sunk and F-14s scared away a section of IranianF-4 Phantoms.[7] CVW-11 was awarded theJoint Meritorious Unit Award for its actions.
The Air Wing made its final deployment withEnterprise from September 1989 to March 1990, which included several exercises withJapanese Maritime Self-Defense Force,Republic of Korea Naval and Air Forces,USAF andUSMC and the largest assemblage of US Naval air and sea power since World War II with three carrier groups, composed ofEnterprise,Carl Vinson andConstellation. The Air Wing also supportedOperation Classic Resolve in December 1989 nearManila Bay. The mission was to support US interests following the1989 Philippine Coup d' état attempt. The cruise ended with USSEnterprise switching from the Pacific Fleet to the Atlantic Fleet.
The 1990s followed with major changes to the air wing. TheA-7Es were replaced byF/A-18 Hornets, and theSH-3 Sea Kings were replaced withSH-60s while the E-2Cs and the A-6Es received major upgrades. CVW-11's first deployment wasUSS Abraham Lincoln's maiden voyage, cruising around South America to its new home inCalifornia. The 1991Gulf War accelerated CVW-11s training schedule and a deployment began in May 1991. En route to the Persian Gulf, CVW-11 participated inOperation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation fromSubic Bay during theMt Pinatubo eruptions in thePhilippines.
The 1993 deployment sawVF-213 as the sole F-14 squadron as the air wing supportedOperation Southern Watch andOperation Restore Hope. Another deployment followed on boardAbraham Lincoln for the 1995 cruise, supporting OSW once again. CVW-11 switched to USSKitty Hawk for a 1997 cruise, another OSW deployment and supportingUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 986, theOil for Food program. After the 1997 cruise, CVW-11 switched to USSCarl Vinson and VF-213 transitioned to the F-14D Super Tomcat.
CVW-11 supportedOperation Desert Fox during the 1998–1999 cruise. The air wing participated in strikes during the last day of the operation, VF-213 delivered fourGBU-24s with 100% accuracy (first combat use of the F-14D),VFA-22 andVFA-94 F/A-18s scored direct hits with eightGBU-16, whileEA-6Bs fromVAQ-135 and F/A-18s fromVFA-97 providedAGM-88 support during the strike.[8]
During the following three months, CVW-11 supported Operation Southern Watch, conducting 15 strikes during this period. On 5 January 1999, two F-14Ds launched twoAIM-54 Phoenix missiles against two IraqiMiG-25s that violated the no-fly zone, as soon as the missiles were launched, the MiGs escaped home and the missiles failed to hit their targets, this was the first use of the missile in combat. On 25 January, three aircraft from VFA-22 and VFA-94 employed theJSOW against asurface-to-air-missile complex which had plagued Coalition aircraft for nine years since the Gulf War, a total of 17 were dropped during missions over Iraq.[8] During the deployment, VFA-22, VFA-94, VFA-97 and VF-213 dropped a total of 41,000 pounds of ordnance on SAM sites and communication sites, and additionally F/A-18s and EA-6Bs fired 20 HARMs.[8] The Air Wing returned home safely in May 1999.
In 2001 another deployment followed, which was planned to support OSW, but soon after 11 September 2001,Carl Vinson and CVW-11 departed for the Indian Ocean and aircraft from the air wing as among the first to launch strikes againstTaliban andAl-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom.
After returning home, CVW-11 was reassigned to Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five andUSS Nimitz in January 2002. The Air Wing bid farewell to the F-14 Tomcat, as VF-213 changed air wings toCarrier Air Wing Eight.VFA-14 andVFA-41, who had been part of CVW-8, had transitioned to theF/A-18 Super Hornet and were attached to CVW-11, and VFA-22 was sent toCVW-9. CVW-11 made its first deployment withNimitz in March 2003 supportingOperation Iraqi Freedom, as only the second air wing to deploy Super Hornets.Nimitz remained on-station until September before returning home in November 2003.
After its return, VFA-97 was replaced byVMFA-232 flying the F/A-18C Hornet, andVS-29 flying theS-3B Viking was decommissioned. CVW-11 was among the first air wings deploying as the new "all-Hornet" air wing of the future, which included a flight deck certification ofUSS Ronald Reagan, during her maiden voyage fromNorfolk, Virginia, toSan Diego, California. In May 2005, CVW-11 deployed on boardNimitz supporting OIF and OEF and multinational exercises with Japan,Egypt and India until November 2005. This deployment was depicted in the documentary filmCarrier.
In 2007 CVW-11 deployed on board USSNimitz for a WESTPAC cruise and participated in Operation Valiant Shield, a joint-force exercise in the vicinity ofGuam.
On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on boardNimitz.[9] On 11 February, during their 2008 WESTPAC cruise, a RussianTu-95 bomber was intercepted by four F/A-18s as it flew 2,000 feet (610 m) over USSNimitz.[10] CVN-68/CVW-11 made a port visit toBusan, South Korea on 28 February in conjunction with military exercisesKey Resolve/Foal Eagle.[11] On 5 March, it was again reported that a Russian bomber overflewNimitz off the Korean coast, two F/A-18s were sent up and intercepted the Russian aircraft as it was three to five nautical miles (9 km) from the carrier at an altitude of 2,000 feet (610 m).[12]
On 19 May 2009 just before midnight, anHH-60H helicopter from the air wing crashed into the ocean 13 miles (21 km) south of San Diego and about 76 nautical miles (141 km) fromNimitz. As of 20 May, three crewmembers were confirmed dead with two more still missing.[13]
On 28 July it was announced that CVW-11 and theNimitz Strike Group was to depart for a seven-month deployment on 31 July.[14]
Nimitz Strike Group, including CVW-11, departed the States for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 31 July 2009, and began to fly combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 September.[15]
On 11 June 2012, during carrier qualifications, the air wing commander, Captain Greg Harris, completed his 1000th arrested landing when he flew hisF/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter from squadronVFA-154 on boardNimitz.[16]
CVW-11 made two additional deployments aboardNimitz in 2013 and 2017, before being reassigned toUSS Theodore Roosevelt in 2019. After participating inExercise Northern Edge offAlaska in May 2019, CVW-11 was deployed aboard theRoosevelt in 2020, 2021 and 2024.[17]
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