Carrier Air Wing Three

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Carrier Air Wing Three


caption= CVW-3 Insignia
dates= 1 July 1938 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type= Carrier Air Wing
role=
size=
command_structure= United States Fleet Forces Command
garrison= NAS Oceana USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
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equipment=
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nickname= "Battle Axe"
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battles= World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=
decorations= Presidential Unit Citation Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal (6) United Nations Service Medal Korean Service Medal (2) Navy Unit Commendation (2) China Service Medal Meritorious Unit Commendation Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
battle_honours=
current_commander=
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ceremonial_chief=
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notable_commanders=
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Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3), known as the "Battle Axe", is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75).cite web
title = Carrier Air Wing THREE (CVW 3)
work =
publisher = Global Security.org
url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/cvw3.htm
accessdate = 2006-12-29 ]

Mission

"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."

ubordinate units

See also: List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons.

CVW-3 consists of 8 Squadronscite web
title = Carrier Air Wing Composition
work = US Navy
publisher = Tailhook Association
url = http://www.tailhook.net/AirWingCompositionMarch07.pdf
accessdate = 2007-04-04 ]

*Strike Fighter Squadron 11
*Strike Fighter Squadron 32
*Strike Fighter Squadron 37
*Strike Fighter Squadron 105
*Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126
*Electronic Attack Squadron 130
*Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 Det. 1
*Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7

History

WWII

The air wing was commissioned on 1 July 1938 and during World War II was assigned to the first carrier to bear the name (USS Saratoga (CV-3)). The wing was deployed on the Saratoga until the ship was torpedoed in January 1942. Part of the wing was deployed on the USS Yorktown (CV-5) and helped cripple the Japanese carrier Sorvu during the battle of Midway. The wing was also involved in the first carrier strikes against Tokyo.cite web
title = History COMCARAIRWING Three
work = Carrier Air Wing Three
publisher = US Navy
url = http://www.cvw3.navy.mil/history.htm
accessdate = 2006-12-29 ]

Korean War

The air wing was assigned to the USS Leyte (CV-32) in 1950 and sail through the Panama Canal to the Pacific. The Wing flew support of the Pusan Perimeter, invasion on Wonsanand the strikes on Hungnam Salient and Yalu River Bridges in the Korean War. The wing accumulated over 11,000 operational hours flying against the North Korean and Chinese Communist Forces.

Missile Crisis

During refresher training on the Caribbean Sea in December 1962 CVW-3 was call to take their place "On the Line" during the Cuban Missile Crisis. At end of the 60's the air wing displayed it's flexibility by taking on Reserve Squadrons during the USS Pueblo incident they embarked with Royal Navy Fighter Squadron 892 for two weeks, and flew in response to a number of events in the Mediterranean including; hijackings, internal fighting in Jordan, and the death of Egyptian President Hassar.

Vietnam

In the early 70's CVW-3 began the task of testing the new CV Concept, to incorporating the missions of attack squadrons and anti-submarine submarine squadrons. After completing there missions successfully the CV Concept was validated and implemented. In 1972, CVW-3 was given 60 hours notice before deploying around South America en route to Vietnam. Operations there saw CVW-3 provide strike and support sorties in South Vietnam, Alpha strikes, AAW missions, and reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam. The wings first kill came on 21 June when an F-4J Phantom II downed a MIG-21. Dropping over 14,000 tons of ordnance, CVW-3 spent 175 days on the line engaged in combat operations against North Vietnam.

Libya

CVW-3 was assigned to the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), in 1981 and participated in air strikes against Lebanon in support of United States Marines stationed there.

Gulf War

In January 1989, two CVW-3 F-14 Tomcats shot down two hostile Libyan MIG fighters over international waters in the Central Mediterranean. In August 1990, CVW-3 and JFK departed on a no-notice Mediterranean/Red Sea deployment in support of Operation Desert Shield, and air crews later flew combat sorties in association with Operation Desert Storm against Iraq. The wing concluded a successful 24th Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf deployment aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). During this time, the wing aircraft participated in Operation Desert Fox, a four day strike campaign against Iraq in December 1998.

Global War on Terror

The air wing sailed with the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) on her maiden deployment on 28 November 2000. The early months of 2001 saw the air wing operating in the Persian Gulf, conducting Response Options strikes, to include the largest strike over Iraq since Operation Desert Fox, in support of Operations Southern Wact and Maritime Interception Operations. This was the longest period any carrier had spent in the Gulf since Operation Desert Storm. The Air Wing completed its 25th deployment and returned home on 23 May 2001.

On 6 December 2002, CVW-3 departed for its 26th deployment to the Mediterranean, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and on 20 March 2003, CVW-3 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom, taking part in defensive counter air missions in Western Iraq, launching aircraft off the coast of Egypt in the South Eastern Mediterranean.

Current force

Fixed wing aircraft

*F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
*F/A-18 Hornet
*EA-6B Prowler
*E-2 Hawkeye
*C-2 Greyhound

Rotary wing aircraft

*SH-60F Seahawk
*HH-60H Seahawk

ee also

List of United States Navy Carrier air wings

References