Organization of United States Naval Aviation Units in the Gulf War
The United States Navy sent their naval forces in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf including six Aircraft Carriers to take part in Operation Desert Storm, including others that arrived before or after the war started and ended (as part of Operation Southern Watch)[1].
Units in Operation Desert Shield
Before Operation Desert Storm, the US Navy helped with the buildup of forces in the Middle East.
USS Independence CV-62* (Relieved by USS Midway on November 1 1990)[2] - Persian Gulf
Carrier Air Wing 14 - Tail Code: NK[3] | ||
---|---|---|
Squadron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-21 Free Lancers | F-14A Tomcat | |
VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | |
VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet | F/A-18C Hornet | |
VFA-113 Stingers | F/A-18C Hornet | |
VA-196 Main Battery | A-6E TRAM Intruder | |
VAQ-139 Cougars | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-37 Sawbucks | S-3A Viking | |
VAW-113 Black Eagles | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-8 Eightballers | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 (August 8 to 24th)[4] - Persian Gulf
Carrier Air Wing 7 - Tail Code: AG[5] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-142 Ghostriders | F-14A+ Tomcat | F-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992. |
VF-143 Pukin' Dogs | F-14A+ Tomcat | F-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992. |
VFA-136 Knight Hawks | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VFA-131 Wildcats | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VA-34 Blue Blasters | A-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder | |
VAQ-140 Patriots | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-31 Topcats | S-3B Viking | |
VAW-121 Bluetails | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-5 Night Dippers | SH-3H Sea King |
Units in Operation Desert Storm
USS Midway CV-41 (Flagship of Battle Force Zulu) - October 2, 1990 to April 17, 1991 - Persian Gulf
Unlike the other carriers in the Gulf War, USS Midway couldn't carry the S-3 Viking or the F-14 Tomcat due to her size constraints meaning the ship instead had three F/A-18 squadrons.
Carrier Air Wing 5 - Tail Code: NF[6] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VFA-151 Vigilantes | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18A Hornet | First F/A-18 Hornet squadron to deploy the AGM-62 Walleye II[7]. |
VA-115 Eagles | A-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder | |
VA-185 Nighthawks | A-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder | VA-185 led the first naval strikes. It was decommissioned on August 30 1991[8]. |
VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | |
VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-12 Wyverns | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Saratoga CV-60 (August 7, 1990 to March 28, 1991) - Red Sea
Carrier Air Wing 17 - Tail Code: AA[9] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-74 Be-Devilers | F-14A+ Tomcat | F-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992. |
VF-103 Sluggers | F-14A+ Tomcat | F-14A+ renamed F-14B in 1992. |
VFA-81 Sunliners | F/A-18C Hornet | Scored first Navy air to air kills in Gulf War (2 MiG-21s)[10]. |
VFA-83 Rampagers | F/A-18C Hornet | |
VA-35 Black Panthers | A-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder | |
VAQ-132 Scorpions | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-30 Diamondheads | S-3B Viking | |
VAW-125 Tigertails/Torchbearers | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-3 Tridents | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Ranger CV-61 (December 8, 1990 - June 8 1991)
USS Ranger had a very different air wing compared to most carriers in the Gulf War as it was in the 'Grumman Air Wing' format. This meant it didn't have the F/A-18 or A-7E Corsair, which were the 2 different light attack aircraft launched used on many of the carriers, replacing them with 2 A-6E intruder squadrons[11].
Carrier Air Wing 2 - Tail Code: NE[12] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-1 Wolfpack | F-14A Tomcat | Scored last Navy air to air kill (Mi-8 Helicopter)[13] |
VF-2 Bounty Hunters | F-14A Tomcat | |
VA-145 Swordsmen | A-6E SWIP/TRAM Intruder[14] | SWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs[14]. |
VA-155 Silver Foxes | A-6E TRAM Intruder | |
VAQ-131 Lancers | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-38 Red Griffins | S-3A Viking | |
VAW-116 Sun Kings | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-14 Chargers | SH-3H Sea King | |
VRC-30 Providers Detachment 61 | C-2A Greyhound | |
VRC-50 Foo Dogs Detachment | C-2A Greyhound | Deployed aboard USS Ranger when the carrier in the area of responsibility of the 7th Fleet.[12] |
USS America CV-66 (December 28, 1990 - April 18, 1991) - Red Sea (Later Persian Gulf)
USS America crossed through the Suez Canal on January 15 1991, the same day the UN deadline for Iraq leaving Kuwait ended. At daylight on January 19 1991 (2 days after the first night), CVW-1 conducted their first strikes against Iraq. [15]
Carrier Air Wing 1 - Tail Code: AB[16] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-33 Starfighters | F-14A Tomcat | |
VF-102 Diamondbacks | F-14A Tomcat | |
VFA-82 Marauders | F/A-18C Hornet | |
VFA-86 Sidewinders | F/A-18C Hornet | |
VA-85 Black Falcons | A-6E TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder | |
VAQ-137 Rooks | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-32 Maulers | S-3B Viking | |
VAW-123 Screwtops | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-11 Dragon Slayers | SH-3H Sea King |
USS John F. Kennedy CV-67 (August 15, 1990 - March 28, 1991) - Red Sea[17]
Carrier Air Wing 3 - Tail Code: AC | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-14 Tophatters | F-14A Tomcat | |
VF-32 Swordsmen | F-14A Tomcat | |
VA-46 Clansmen | A-7E Corsair | Last war for the A-7 Corsair. |
VA-72 Blue Hawks | A-7E Corsair | Last war for the A-7 Corsair. |
VA-75 Sunday Punchers | A-6E SWIP/TRAM Intruder/KA-6D Intruder[14] | SWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs[14]. |
VAQ-130 Zappers | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-22 Checkmates | S-3B Viking | |
VAW-126 Seahawks | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-7 Dusty Dogs | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71 (December 28, 1990 - June 28, 1991) - Persian Gulf (Later Red Sea)
USS Theodore Roosevelt launched her first strikes two days after the first night on the morning of January 19 1991.[18]
Carrier Air Wing 1 - Tail Code: AJ[19] | ||
---|---|---|
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-41 Black Aces | F-14A Tomcat | |
VF-84 Jolly Rogers | F-14A Tomcat | |
VFA-15 Valions | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VFA-87 Golden Warriors | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VA-36 Roadrunners | A-6E TRAM Intruder | |
VA-65 Tigers | A-6E TRAM Intruder | This was VA-65's last deployment before retirement in 1993.[19] |
VAQ-141 Shadowhawks | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-24 Scouts | S-3B Viking | |
VAW-124 Bear Aces | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-9 Sea Griffins | SH-3H Sea King | |
VRC-40 Rawhides Detachment D | C-2A Greyhounds |
Units in Operation Southern Watch (1992-2003)
USS Forrestal CV-59
This was USS Forrestal's last deployment.
Carrier Air Wing 6 - Tail Code: AE[20] | ||
---|---|---|
May 30, 1991 - December 21, 1991 | ||
Squadron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-11 Red Rippers | F-14A Tomcat | |
VF-31 Tomcatters | F-14A Tomcat | |
VFA-132 Privateers | F/A-18A Hornet | Disestablished Jun 1, 1992 |
VFA-137 Kestrels | F/A-18A Hornet | |
VA-176 Thunderbolts | A-6E TRAM Intruder | Disestablished Oct 30, 1992 |
VAQ-133 Wizards | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-28 Gamblers | S-3B Viking | Disestablished Oct 1, 1992 |
VAW-122 Steeljaws | E-2C Hawkeye | Disestablished Mar 31, 1996 |
HS-15 Red Lions | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Ranger CV-61
This was the last cruise for USS Ranger.
Carrier Air Wing 2 - Tail Code: NE[12] | ||
---|---|---|
August 1, 1992 - January 31, 1993 | ||
Sqaudron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-1 Wolfpack | F-14A Tomcat | Disestablished Oct 1, 1996 |
VF-2 Bounty Hunters | F-14A Tomcat | |
VA-145 Swordsmen | A-6E SWIP/TRAM Intruder[14] | SWIP improvement was an avionics upgrade to A-6E TRAMs[14].
Disestablished Oct 1, 1996 |
VA-155 Silver Foxes | A-6E TRAM Intruder | Disestablished April 30, 1996 |
VAQ-131 Lancers | EA-6B Prowler | |
VS-38 Red Griffins | S-3A Viking | |
VAW-116 Sun Kings | E-2C Hawkeye | |
HS-14 Chargers | SH-3H Sea King |
USS Independence CV-62
USS Independence replaced USS Midway as the forward deployed carrier of the United States 7th Fleet.
Carrier Air Wing 5 - Tail Code: NF[21] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 15 1992 - October 13 1992 | November 17, 1993 - March 17 1994 | August 19, 1995 - November 18, 1995 | January 23, 1998 - June 5, 1998 | ||||||||
Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-21 Free Lancers | F-14A Tomcat | VF-21 Free Lancers | F-14A Tomcat | VF-21 Free Lancers | F-14A Tomcat | Disestablished Jan 31, 1996 | VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | |||
VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | VFA-27 Royal Maces | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | |||
VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C Hornet | ||||
VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C Hornet | VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C Hornet | ||||
VA-115 Eagles | A-6E SWIP Intruder | VA-115 Eagles | A-6E SWIP Intruder | VA-115 Eagles | A-6E SWIP Intruder | Renamed VFA-115 Oct 1, 1996
Transitioned to F/A-18C |
VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | |||
VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | ||||
VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | ||||
VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | HS-14 Chargers | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | ||||
HS-12 Wyverns | SH-3H Sea King | HS-12 Wyverns | SH-3H Sea King | Disestablished Nov 30, 1994 | HS-14 Chargers | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.5 | ES-3A Sea Shadow | |||
VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.A | ES-3A Sea Shadow | VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.A | ES-3A Sea Shadow |
USS Kitty Hawk CV-63
In 1998, Kitty Hawk would replace the Independence as the forward deployed carrier in Japan[22].
Carrier Air Wing 15 - Tail Code: NL[23] | Carrier Air Wing 11 - Tail Code: NH[23] | Carrier Air Wing 5 - Tail Code: NF[24] | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
November 3, 1992 - May 3, 1993 | October 11, 1996 - April 11, 1997 | March 2, 1999 - August 25, 1999 | January 23, 2003 - May 6, 2003
(Later Operation Iraqi Freedom) | ||||||||
Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes |
VF-51 Screaming Eagles | F-14A Tomcat | VF-213 Black Lions | F-14A Tomcat | VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | VF-154 Black Knights | F-14A Tomcat | Renamed VFA-154 Oct 1, 1996
Transitioned to F/A-18F | |||
VF-111 Sundowners | F-14A Tomcat | VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-27 Royal Maces | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-27 Royal Maces | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | |
VFA-27 Chargers | F/A-18A Hornet | VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-192 Golden Dragons | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | ||
VFA-97 Warhawks | F/A-18A Hornet | Led airstrike on Jan 13, 1993[22] | VFA-97 Warhawks | F/A-18A Hornet | VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-195 Dambusters | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | |
VA-52 Knightriders | A-6E TRAM Intruder | VAQ-135 Black Ravens | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-136 Gauntlets | EA-6B Prowler | ||||
VAQ-134 Garudas | EA-6B Prowler | VS-29 Dragonflies | S-3B Viking | VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | VS-21 Redtails | S-3B Viking | ||||
VS-37 Sawbucks | S-3B Viking | VAW-117 Wallbangers | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-115 Liberty Bells | E-2C Hawkeye | ||||
VAW-114 Hormel Hogs | E-2C Hawkeye | HS-6 Indians | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | HS-14 Chargers | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | HS-14 Chargers | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | ||||
HS-4 Black Knights | SH-3H Sea King | VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.B | ES-3A Sea Shadow |
USS Carl Vinson CVN-70
USS Carl Vinson as took part in Operation Desert Fox.
Carrier Air Wing 14 - Tail Code: NK[25] | Carrier Air Wing 11 - Tail Code: NH[25] | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 17, 1994 - August 17, 1994 | November 6, 1998 - May 6, 1999
(Including Operation Desert Fox)[26] |
July 23, 2002 - January 23, 2003 | ||||||||||
Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | Squadron | Aircraft | Notes | |
VF-11 Red Rippers | F-14D Super Tomcat | First deployment of F-14D[27] | Cruise filmed for
Carrier: Fortress at Sea.[28] |
VF-11 Red Rippers | F-14D Super Tomcat | VF-213 Black Lions | F-14D Super Tomcat | VF-213 Black Lions | F-14D Super Tomcat | |||
VF-31 Tomcatters | F-14D Super Tomcat | First deployment of F-14D[27] | VF-31 Tomcatters | F-14D Super Tomcat | VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | ||
VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-25 Fist of the Fleet | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | |
VFA-113 Stingers | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-113 Stingers | F/A-18C (N) Hornet | Night Attack Hornet | VFA-97 Warhawks | F/A-18A Hornet | VFA-97 Warhawks | F/A-18A Hornet | |||
VA-196 Main Battery | A-6E TRAM Intruder | VA-196 Main Battery | A-6E TRAM Intruder | Disestablished Feb 28, 1997
Last Pacific Fleet A-6 Intruder Squadron[29] |
VAQ-135 Black Ravens | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-135 Black Ravens | EA-6B Prowler | ||||
VAQ-139 Cougars | EA-6B Prowler | VAQ-139 Cougars | EA-6B Prowler | VS-29 Dragonflies | S-3B Viking | VS-29 Dragonflies | S-3B Viking | |||||
VS-35 Blue Wolves | S-3B Viking | VS-35 Blue Wolves | S-3B Viking | VAW-117 Wallbangers | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-117 Wallbangers | E-2C Hawkeye | |||||
VAW-113 Black Eagles | E-2C Hawkeye | VAW-113 Black Eagles | E-2C Hawkeye | HS-6 Indians | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | HS-6 Indians | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | |||||
HS-8 Eightballers | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | HS-4 Black Knights | SH-60F/HH-60H Oceanhawk | VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.C | ES-3A Sea Shadow | |||||||
VQ-5 Sea Shadows Det.D | ES-3A Sea Shadow |
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