Navy Pic of the Day - USS GW Bush Underway in Atlantic

Landing signals officers aboard aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) watch an E2-C Hawkeye assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 land on the ship during flight operations. The George H.W. Bush is underway in the Atlantic Ocean in support of fleet training exercises. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brent Thacker/Released)

VAW 125 Provides Support for Operation Unified Response

Sailors assigned to the Tigertails of Carrier Early Warning (VAW) 125 prepare an E-2C Hawkeye for take off at the airfied at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. VAW-125 is supporting Operation Unified Response by transporting humanitarian assistance and personnel to Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake near Port-au-Prince on Jan. 12, 2010. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Michael Baltz/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Harris

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (NNS) -- The "Tiger Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 are conducting airspace management during Operation Unified Response operating out of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Jan. 22.

VAW 125 is working to ensure airspace and mission safety over Port-au-Prince.

U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay holds a strategic location near Haiti and allows the VAW to conduct critical airspace management during the humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti. Food, personnel and medical supplies arrive daily and the airspace over Haiti is crowded with aircraft from various agencies.

The crew of VAW-125 provides an information conduit for aircraft operating over Haiti, making the orchestration of humanitarian assistance more manageable.
"We maximize the efficiency of the efforts," said Cmdr. Wesley Bannister, commanding officer, VAW-125.

The squadron operates the E-2C Hawkeye, an aircraft designed for all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management and airborne early warning. The Hawkeye acts as a communication link to provide the big picture of what's happening in the air and on the ground.
"The aircraft was designed to go up and provide the eyes and ears in the sky," said Lt. Cmdr. Kenyon Kellogg, VAW-125 personnel officer.

According to Bannister, the E-2C and its crew help maintain control of U.S. Navy helicopters moving relief supplies, including medicine and personnel. They also coordinate with personnel on the ground and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to direct air asset tasking.

Within 96 hours of being activated, the crew of VAW-125 had gone from their homeport in Norfolk, Va., to fully operational over Haiti, providing command and control of airborne assets as well as those on the ground. Bannister believes the entire effort has been a positive and successful undertaking.

"We have a long history with Haiti," he said. "We should do everything we can to help."

Navy Pic of the Day - VAW-117 Wallbangers

Sailors assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 prepare for flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released)

TR Sails with the French Navy - Conducts CQ

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman John Suits, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
A French F-2 Rafale fighter lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during combined French and American carrier qualifications.

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At sea (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departed Naval Station Norfolk July 18 for a historic collaboration between the U.S. and French navies.

French E2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft assigned to the 4th Squadron began flight operations with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 aboard Roosevelt, marking the first integrated U.S. and French carrier qualifications aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. French Rafale fighter aircraft assigned to the 12th Squadron also joined.

"Operations with our friends and allies are the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy's current maritime strategy," said Capt. Ladd Wheeler, Roosevelt's commanding officer. "These combined operations will certainly pay dividends into the future as our navies continue to work together to increase global security."

Combined flight operations was scheduled to run through July 22.

A French E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, assigned to the 4th Squadron, lands during a historic joint French and American collaborated carrier qualification aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Truman CSG Support Operation Iraqi Freedom

Air department Sailors weigh an E2-C Hawkeye before launch on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are on a scheduled deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justin Losack)

E-2C Hawkeye Crashes, Navy Conducting Search

A Navy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 120 crashed at sea Aug. 15, while conducting operations on the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

Three aviators were aboard the aircraft. An air and sea search is being conducted by units from Harry S. Truman, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The identities of the crew are not being released at this time.

The aircraft crashed at approximately 11:00 p.m. following its launch from Harry S. Truman. The ship was approximately 150 miles southeast of the Virginia Capes conducting routine training operations.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

VAW-120 is the east coast E-2C/C-2A Fleet Replacement Squadron based at Naval Station Norfolk and trains pilots and Naval flight officers in both aircraft before they are assigned to operational fleet squadrons.

The E-2C Hawkeye is a twin-engine turbo prop aircraft used for airborne command, control, and early warning. It normally carries a crew of five including two pilots and three NFOs.