Carrier air wing

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) underway in the South China Sea on 8 May 2006 (060508-N-4166B-030)

US Navy Air Group Symbols 1944-1945

FG-1D VBF-88 on USS Yorktown (CV-10) 1945

New Mexico class BB with carrier air group 1940

USS Philippine Sea (CVA-47) underway off Korea on 3 May 1953 (80-G-629442)

Carrier Air Wing (CVW), formerly known as Carrier Air Group (CAG), is a crucial operational formation of the United States Navy. It consists of several types of aircraft that are embarked on an aircraft carrier. The primary mission of a Carrier Air Wing is to conduct carrier air operations, including air warfare, strike warfare, airborne early warning, and electronic warfare, among others. This article provides an overview of the structure, composition, and roles of a Carrier Air Wing.

Composition

A typical Carrier Air Wing is composed of a mix of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, designed to perform a variety of missions. These include, but are not limited to, fighter aircraft for air superiority and defense, attack aircraft for surface strike missions, electronic warfare aircraft for electronic attack and defense, airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for airborne surveillance and command and control, and helicopters for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), and logistics support.

Types of Aircraft

• Fighter Aircraft: Often includes the F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, tasked with air superiority and fleet defense.
• Attack Aircraft: Such as the F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, capable of precision strike missions against ground and sea targets.
• Electronic Warfare Aircraft: The EA-18G Growler, specialized in electronic attack and suppression of enemy air defenses.
• Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft: The E-2 Hawkeye, providing all-weather airborne early warning and command and control capabilities.
• Helicopters: MH-60R Seahawk for anti-submarine warfare and search and rescue operations, and the MH-60S for vertical replenishment and logistics support.

Roles and Missions

Carrier Air Wings are tasked with a wide range of missions, which include:

• Air Warfare (AW): To establish and maintain air superiority over the area of operations.
• Strike Warfare (STW): To conduct precision strikes against enemy targets, both at sea and on land.
• Electronic Warfare (EW): To conduct electronic surveillance and countermeasures, disrupting enemy radar and communications.
• Airborne Early Warning (AEW): To provide tactical surveillance of the airspace and surface conditions, enhancing situational awareness.
• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): To detect, track, and engage enemy submarines using helicopters equipped with sonobuoys and torpedoes.
• Search and Rescue (SAR): To conduct search and rescue operations for downed aviators or distressed mariners.

Operational Deployment

Carrier Air Wings deploy aboard aircraft carriers, such as the Nimitz-class and Ford-class carriers of the United States Navy. They are a key component of a Carrier Strike Group (CSG), providing the strike group with a versatile and powerful air combat capability. Deployments typically last several months, during which the Carrier Air Wing can be called upon to conduct military operations, participate in joint and multinational exercises, or respond to humanitarian crises.

History

The concept of a Carrier Air Wing has evolved significantly since its inception. Initially known as Carrier Air Groups, these formations have grown in size and capability with advancements in aviation technology and changes in naval doctrine. The transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jet-powered aircraft in the mid-20th century marked a significant evolution in carrier aviation, enabling greater speed, range, and payload capacity.

Future Developments

The future of Carrier Air Wings includes the integration of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions, and the introduction of next-generation aircraft, such as the F-35C Lightning II, which will enhance stealth, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities.