Авианосная авиагруппа 9: История и боевая деятельность

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 currently assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Tail Code of aircraft assigned to CVW 9 is NG.

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.

CVW 9 was established as Carrier Air Group Nine (CVG 9) on 26 March 1952 (it was the third Carrier Air Group to carry the CVG 9 designation). It made its first deployment aboard Philippine Sea in January 1953 participating in operations at the close of the Korean War. From 1954 to 1958, CVG 9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard Hornet and two Western Pacific deployments aboard Oriskany and Ticonderoga. In February 1960, Carrier Air Group 9 embarked in Ranger 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. On 20 December 1963 the Navy redesignated all Carrier Air Groups to Carrier Air Wings and CVG 9 became Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW 9). Three additional deployments to Western Pacific aboard Ranger included two Vietnam cruises. CVW 9 made seven subsequent Vietnam deployments aboard Enterprise, America and Constellation. Later, the Air Wing made peacetime cruises to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation, USS Ranger and Kitty Hawk between June 1974 and June 1987. CVW 9 was assigned to Nimitz 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 Nimitz 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 amid the crisis which led to Operation Desert Fox. CVW 9 ended its association with Nimitz in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on John C. Stennis as part of the Carrier Group Seven.

Following the 11 September 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 Carl Vinson. 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 Carl Vinson as part of Carrier Strike Group Three. During this cruise the air wing took part in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations with allied forces in the Persian Gulf. CVW 9 squadrons embarked on board the Carl Vinson for the deployment included VMFA 323, VFA 154, VFA 147, VFA 146, VAQ 138, VAW 112, VS 33, HS 8 and Detachment 4 of Fleet VRC 40. During the deployment, the air wing logged 2,600 flight hours by its four F 18 strike fighter squadrons. This overseas deployment marked the final overseas mission for Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS 33), the Screwbirds. VAQ 136 joined CVW 9 on 1 June 2013 making them the first EA 18G Growler squadron in the airwing's history. After a short stay, VAQ 136 was replaced by CVW 9's previous Electronic Attack Squadron, VAQ 133, after successful completion of the transition from EA 6B to EA 18G aircraft. From January through August 2016 CVW 9 executed a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific, strengthening partnerships with allies in the region and executing freedom of navigation missions in the South China Sea. In October 2018 CVW 9 began an around the world cruise on board John C. Stennis (CVN 74) as part of Carrier Strike Group Three that would take them through operations in the Western Pacific, South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean. During this historic deployment CVW 9 squadrons conducted combat flights in support of Operations Inherent Resolve, Resolute Support and Freedom Sentinel over Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. Carrier Air Wing NINE squadrons returned to NAS Lemoore, North Island, Point Mugu, and Whidbey Island in May 2019.

In May 2020, the Air wing transferred to the Abraham Lincoln.