Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9) is a
United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at
Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). The
tail codes of aircraft assigned to CVW-9 is
NG.
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.
Subordinate units
See also:
List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons.
CVW-9 consists of 8 Squadrons
History
The CVW-9 was commissioned on 26 March 1952, making its first tour aboard
USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) in January 1953 participating in operations at the close of the
Korean War. From 1954 to 1958, CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard
USS Hornet (CV-12) and two Western Pacific deployments aboard
USS Oriskany (CV-34) and
USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).
In February 1960, CVW-9 embarked on
USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a seven month Western Pacific cruise. The aircraft complement at the time included
F-8 Crusader,
F2H Banshee,
A-4 Skyhawk,
FJ-1 Fury and
AD-1 Spad. Three additional deployments to Western Pacific aboard
USS Ranger (CVA-61) included two
Vietnam cruises. CVW-9 made seven subsequent Vietnam deployments aboard
USS Enterprise (CVN-65),
USS America (CVA-66) and
USS Constellation (CV-64). Later, the Air Wing made peacetime cruises to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation, USS Ranger and
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) between June 1974 and June 1987. CVW-9 was assigned to
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in July 1987, completing the first Nimitz/Nine Western Pacific cruise in February 1989.
The Air Wing completed a West to East Coast transit aboard USS Constellation in April 1990 before returning to
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to participate in post-
Desert Storm operations from March to August 1991. From February through August 1993, and again in November 1995 through May 1996, the Nimitz/Nine team completed deployments to the
Persian Gulf, supporting
United Nations sanctions against
Iraq in
Operation Southern Watch. During the May 1996 deployment, the Battle Group sortied from the Gulf to conduct contingency operation off the coast of
Taiwan. One month into their 1997/1998 around the world cruise, the Nimitz/Nine team responded to the
Secretary of Defense's order to proceed to the
Persian Gulf at best speed to reinforce the Southern "No Fly Zone" over Iraq and provide a presence in the midst of Iraqi challenges to
United Nation Sanctions. CVW-9 ended its association with
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). Following the
11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, the Stennis/Nine team provided air protection to the West Coast of the United States in support of
Operation Noble Eagle. Shortly after, the Stennis/Nine team deployed to
North Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean flying combat missions over
Afghanistan in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom before returning to homeport May 2002.
CVW-9 made another deployment less than nine months after returning home in January 2003 to the Western Pacific aboard the
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Operations included maritime patrol, security operations and participation with allied navies in joint operations and training.
In 2005 CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard the
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). During this cruise the air wing supported combat operations for
Operation Iraqi Freedom and
Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations with allied forces in the Persian Gulf. Several squadrons within the air wing participated in forward deploying their aircraft to better support Central Commands missions.
On 12 January 2006 aboard the
USS Midway (CV-41) Carrier Air Wing Nine held a historic change of command where
United States Marine Corps Colonel Doug 'Smash' Yuroveich became the first Marine commanding officer of a Navy carrier air wing after relieving
Captain Michael Spence, as part of the Navy Department's integrated tactical air assets program.
CVW-9 is (as of March, 2007) currently deployed aboard the
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the
Fifth Fleet area of responsibility.
CVW-9 deployed with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on January 13, 2009. VFA-154 and CVW-9 returned to the United States on July 6 after participating in operations in the Persian Gulf, exercises with
Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and annual exercises as Foal Eagle with the
Republic of Korea and joint exercise Northern Edge 2009
Current force
Fixed wing aircraft
Rotary wing aircraft
See also
List of United States Navy Carrier air wings
