Carrier Air Wing Six

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Carrier Air Wing Six


caption= CVW-6 Insignia
dates= 1 July 1938 – 1 April 1993
country= United States
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branch= US Navy
type= Carrier Air Wing
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battles= World War II
* Battle of Midway
* Battle of the Eastern Solomons
* Operation Galvanic
* Operation Flintlock
* Operation Hailstone
* Operation Iceberg
Cold War
* Operation Nickel Grass
* Operation Urgent Fury
* Operation Earnest Will
* Operation Provide Comfort
Vietnam War
anniversaries=
decorations=Presidential Unit Citation (1943)
Navy Unit Commendation (1968)
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (3)
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Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) was a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing whose operational history spans from the years prior to World War II to the end of the Cold War, including participating in the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the Vietnam War. It was based on 15 different carriers during its lifetime.

When the unit was named "Air Group Six" during its time on the "Enterprise", it was the Navy’s only carrier-based air group to carry out three complete tours of duty during World War II. [cite book | last= St. John | first= Philip A. | coauthors= | year=2004 | month= | title=USS Hancock CV/CVA-19: Fighting Hannah | publisher= Turner Publishing Company | location= Nashville, Tennessee | isbn=9781563114205 | pages=pp. 66 ]

ervice History

The lineage of Carrier Air Wing Six can be traced to the "Enterprise" Air Group, created on 1 July 1938, which included the following squadrons and aircraft:

* Bombing Six (VB-6) — 18 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless dive bombers
* Fighting Six (VF-6) — 18 Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter
* Scouting Six (VS-6) — 18 Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless dive bomber
* Torpedo Six (VT-6) — 18 Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bomber

This air group was embarked on board the "Yorktown"-class aircraft carrier USS|Enterprise|CV-6 at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/company/airgroups.htm#ag6 |title= Air Groups |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ]

World War II

"Enterprise" Air Group (1941 – 1942)

On 7 December 1941, eighteen SBD Dauntless scout bombers of squadrons VS-6 and VB-6 arrived over Pearl Harbor during the attack and, although surprised, immediately went into action in defense of the naval base. Scouting Six lost six planes during the attack, and Bombing Six lost one, killing eight airmen and wounding two others. Later that evening, six VF-6 Wildcats attempted to land at Ford Island, but five were accidentally shot down by friendly anti-aircraft fire, killing three pilots and wounding two others. [cite web |url= http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/wwii/pearl/ph17.htm |title="Enterprise" Air Group, Report for Pearl Harbor Attack |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= Naval Historical Center |date= ] [cite web |url= http://ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/logs/CV/cv6-vs6-Pearl.html |title= Scouting Squadron Six Report of Action with Japanese at Oahu on 7 December 1941 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=ibiblio |date= ] [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/ph/ |title= Pearl Harbor — 7 December 1941 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] "Enterprise"’s air group carried out search missions to locate the Japanese carrier task force that attacked Pearl Harbor, but was unable to locate that force. "Enterprise" aircraft did sink a Japanese submarine on 10 December, but was unable to relieve the U.S. Marine garrison on Wake Island that fell to the Japanese. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/1941/1941.htm |title=1941 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ]

1942 was a critical period for the United States Navy, as they were forced to face the Japanese offensive in the Pacific War with the USS "Enterprise" and its air group being the only operational carrier in the Pacific due to battle losses. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/1942/1942.htm |title=1942 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] The "Enterprise"’s air group launched air strikes against Japanese shipping and military installations on Marshall and Gilbert island groups on 1 February 1942, followed by air raids on Wake Island on 24 February and Marcus Island on 4 March. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/action19420201.htm |title= Action Report — 1 February 1942 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] "Enterprise"’s air group provided air cover for the Task Force 16 which launched the Doolittle Raid from the carrier USS|Hornet|CV-8|3 on 18 April. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/1942/doolittle/doolittle.htm |title= Doolittle Raid |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] This mission prevented "Enterprise" and "Hornet" from participating in the Battle of Coral Sea which saw the USS|Lexington|CV-2|3 sunk and the USS|Yorktown|CV-5|3 heavily damaged. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/1942/1942.htm |title=1942 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ]

The Battle of Midway was the climatic naval battle in 1942, with the "Enterprise"’s air group sinking the Japanese carriers "Kaga" and "Akagi" and contributed to the sinking of "Hiryū". [cite web |url=http://www.cv6.org/1942/midway/default.htm |title= Battle of Midway |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ; cite web |url=http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/action19420604.htm |title=Action Report Serial 0137 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] Torpedo Six (VT-6) lost ten TBD-1, Bombing Six (VB-6) lost eleven SBD-3, Scouting Six (VS-6) lost nine SBD-3, and Fighting Six (VF-6) lost a F4F-4. [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/action19420604-133.htm |title= Action Report Serial 0133 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] [cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/ship/logs/action19420604.htm |title= Action Report Serial 0137 |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] The "Enterprise" Air Group also participated in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August 1942, which was a strategic and tactical victory that blunted the Japanese counteroffensive during Guadalcanal Campaign although the "Enterprise" sustained heavy damage. [ cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/1942/solomons/solomons.htm |title= Battle of the Eastern Solomons |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher=USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ] After returning to Pearl Harbor, the "Enterprise" Air Group was disbanded, and starting in September 1942, all U.S. Navy carrier air groups would be numbered.

Table 1: "Enterprise" Air Group deloyments, 1941 - 1942

Table 1 denotes the deployments of the "Enterprise" Air Group during 1942 following the attack on Pearl Harbor.cite web |url= http://www.cv6.org/company/airgroups.htm#ag6 |title= Air Groups |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work= |publisher= USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association |date= ]

Carrier Air Group Six (1948 – 1963)

Battle Carrier Air Group Five was re-designated Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) effective 27 July 1948. CVG-6 participated in two major NATO naval exercises, 1952's "Operation Mainbrace" [cite web |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,822470,00.html |title=Operation Mainbrace |accessdate=2008-10-0 |work= |publisher="Time" |date=September 22, 1952 ] and 1957's "Operation Strikeback" [cite DANFS | title = Intrepid | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/i2/intrepid-iv.htm | accessdate = 2008-010-05 ] ,as well as as making ten deployment to the Mediterranean Sea (see Table 4 below).cite web |url= http://www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG6f.html |title=Carrier Air Group Six |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work=GoNavy.jp |publisher= |date= ]

Carrier Air Group Six flew onboard the Navy's first nuclear-powered aicrat carrier, the recently commissioned USS|Enterprise|CVAN-65, on 22 June 1962. CVG-6 participated with the USS|Forrestal|CVA-59 in "LantFlex 2-62", a nuclear strike exercise from 6 – 12 July, providing eight “pre-planned” strikes and six call strikes while operating off the Virginia capes, against targets ranging from the Tidewater area to central Florida. The air group also participated iin "RipTide III" from 3 – 5 August, which involved long-range simulated nuclear strikes against targets off the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, including 14 strikes and nine call strikes, all opposed. [cite DANFS | title = Enterprise | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/enterprise-viiia.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-14 ]

Carrier Air Group Six embarked onboard the "Enterprise" during its first deployment to the Mediterranean, passing the Rock of Gibraltar on 16 August 1962. CVG-6 participated n "Lafayette II", 7 September, which involved 14 scheduled conventional strikes coordinated with aircraft from USS|Forrestal|CVA-59 against multiple targets in southern France, with opposition provided by French air force and naval aircraft. The air group was involved in "Indian Summer" from 7–8 September, comprising three long-range, simulated nuclear strikes, with fighter escort by F-4Bs from VF-102, against Spanish targets defended by USAF and Spanish commands assigned to NATO. Carrier Air Group Six also provided air support during "FallEx/High Heels II" from 6–20 September, as well as "Fall Trap" from 23–27 September, which was a NATO amphibious exercise. "Enterprise" arrived back at Norfolk Naval Station on 11 October 1962. [cite DANFS | title = Enterprise | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/enterprise-viiia.htm | accessdate = 2008-04-14 ]

Carrier Air Group Six subsequently participated in the naval operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as part of Task Force 135, a two-carrier strike force consisting of CAG-6's home carrier, the "Enterprise", and the supercarrier USS|Independence|CVA-62, operating south of the Windward Passage, between Cuba and the island of Hispaniola and southward, in the vicinity of Latitude 18ºN, Longitude 74º30”W. [cite DANFS | title = Enterprise | url = http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/e4/enterprise-viiia.htm | accessdate = 2008-10-07 ] [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq90-5a.htm#anchor1326467 |title=The Naval Quarantine of Cuba, 1962: Wednesday, 24 October |accessdate=2008-10-04 |work= |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date= ] CAG-6 was augmented with ten addtional A4D-4N Skyhawks of Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) during the night of 26 - 27 October 1962. [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq90-5b.htm#anchor1210692 |title=The Naval Quarantine of Cuba, 1962: Wednesday, 27 October |accessdate=2008-10-04 |work= |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date= ] [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq90-3.htm |title=U.S. Navy Ships and Units Which Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 |accessdate=2008-10-04 |work= |publisher= |date= ] For its participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carrier Air Groups Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq90-3.htm |title=U.S. Navy Ships and Units Which Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 |accessdate=2008-10-04 |work= |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date= ]

Table 4: "'Carrier Air Group Six deloyments, 1948 - 1963

Table 4 denotes the deployments of CVG-6.cite web |url= http://www.gonavy.jp/CVG-CVG6f.html |title=Carrier Air Group Six |accessdate=2008-09-05 |work=GoNavy.jp |publisher= |date= ]

Operation Strikeback (1957)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS "Intrepid" (CVA-11) during NATO Operation Strikeback:

Operation Urgent Fury (1984)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS "Independence" (CVA-62) during Operation Urgent Fury:

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS "Franklin D. Roosevelt" (CVA-42) during the Yom Kippur War:

Vietnam War (1968)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS "America" (CVA-66) during the Vietnam War:

Decommissioning

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS "Forrestal" (CV-59): [cite book | last=Polmar | first=Norman | coauthors= | year=1993 | month= | title=The Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 15th edition | publisher=United States Naval Institute Press | location=Annapolis, Maryland | isbn=978-1557506757 | pages=375 ]

Awards and commendations

Presidential Unit Citation

"For consistently outstanding performance and distinguished achievement during repeated action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, December 7, 1941, to November 15, 1942. Participating in nearly every major carrier engagement in the first year of the war, the Enterprise and her air group, exclusive of far-flung destruction of hostile shore installations throughout the battle area, did sink or damage on her own a total of 35 Japanese vessels and shoot down a total of 185 Japanese aircraft. Her aggressive spirit and superb combat efficiency are fitting tribute to the officers and men who so gallantly established her as an ahead bulwark in the defense of the American nation." [cite web |url=http://www.cv6.org/decoration/puc/puc.htm |title=Presidential Unit Citation |accessdate=2008-09-28 |work= |publisher=USS Enterprise CV-6 Association |date= ]

Other awards and commendations

* Navy Unit Commendation (1968) [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a8/america-iii.htm |title=USS "America" (CVA-66) |accessdate=2008-09-06 |work=Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships |publisher= |date= ]
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
** Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq90-3.htm |title=U.S. Navy Ships and Units Which Received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Participating in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962 |accessdate=2008-09-28 |work= |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date= ]
** Operation Urgent Fury (1983) [cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq95-2.htm |title=Grenada, 1983, Operation Urgent Fury: List of US Navy Ships Participating (23 Oct. - 21 Nov. 1983) |accessdate=2008-09-28 |work= |publisher=Naval Historical Center |date= ]
** Operation Earnest Will (1988) [cite web |url=http://www.lancehatfield.com/80s.htm |title=The 80's (page 1 of 2)
accessdate=2008-09-29 |work= |publisher=USS "Forrestal" Asociation |date= ]

ee also

* List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
* Wade McClusky
* Edward “Butch” O'Hare
* VF-33

Notes

Other sources

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External links

* [http://www.cv6.org USS "Enterprise" CV-6 Association] — [http://www.cv6.org/company/airgroups.htm Air Groups]
* [http://www.wa3key.com/intrepid.html USS "Intrepid" Association]
* [http://www.usshancockassociation.org/ USS "Hancock" CV/CVA-19 Official Association Web Site] — [http://www.usshancockassociation.org/wwii%20history-3.html War History, April 1944 – October 1945]
* [http://www.usshancockcv19.com/ USS "Hancock" Tribute Site]
* [http://www.lancehatfield.com/cv59.htm USS "Forrestal" Association]
* [http://www.ussindependencecv-62.org/i.htm USS "Independence" CV-62 Association Inc.] — [http://www.ussindependencecv-62.org/gwf/cvw6.html CVW-6 Page]
* [http://www.ussamerica.org/ USS "America" Veterans Association] — [http://www.ussamerica.org/Airwing.htm Air Wing History]