CVW-9 Carrier Air Wing NINE
CVW-9 has evolved into the most lethal carrier-borne strike force in the world. The Air Wing is comprised of the Navy’s most modern aircraft, consisting of F-14A Tomcats, FA-18C Hornets, EA-6B Prowlers, S-3B Vikings, E-2C Hawkeyes, SH-60F/H Sea Hawks, and C-2A Greyhounds. The unique features of each type of aircraft in the air wing provide an arsenal of offensive firepower against air, surface, and subsurface threats. The FA-18C and F-14A are multi-role platforms that provide strike and fighter capabilities for power projection and fleet air defense. The EA-6B provides electronic attack, countermeasures, and electronic reconnaissance support. The E-2C Hawkeye provides airborne Command, Control, and early Warning through surface and airborne radar surveillance. The S-3B is involved in long-range undersea and surface detection while the SH-60F/H provides search and rescue capability and close-in submarine detection. A supplemental detachment of C-2As provide critical logistics support to the carrier through its primary mission as a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) platform.
As of late 1999, Air Wing NINE was homported at NAS Lemoore, CA. Commander Carrier Air Wing NINE was assigned to Carrier Group Seven (CCG-7) as the Air Combat Commander for operations at sea with the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) Battle Group. The strike arm of Air Wing NINE is comprised of eight squadrons: VFA-146 "Blue Diamonds" and VFA-147 "Argonauts" (FA-18C) from NAS Lemoore, CA; VMFA-314 "Black Knights" (USMC FA-18C) from MCAS Miramar, CA; VAW-112 "Golden Hawks" (E-2C) from NAS Point Mugu, CA; VAQ-138 "Yellowjackets" (EA-6B) from NAS Whidbey Island, WA; VF-211 "Checkmates" (F-14A) from NAS Oceana, VA; and VS-33 "Screwbirds" (S-3B) and HS-8 "Eightballers" (SH-60F/H) from NAS North Island, CA. During operations at sea, CVW-9 is augmented by detachments from VRC-30 "Providers" (C-2) from NAS North Island, CA.
Carrier Air Wing NINE (CVW-9) has a rich tradition dating back to March 1942 when the first numbered Carrier Air Group was established as CAG 9. Numerous redesignations took place through the years with our present air wing being commissioned on 26 March 1952.
CVW-9 made its first cruise aboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA 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 and two Western Pacific cruises aboard USS ORISKANY and USS TICONDEROGA.
In February 1960, CVW-9 embarked on USS RANGER for a seven month Western Pacific cruise. The aircraft complement at the time included F8U Crusaders, F2H Banshees, A4D Skyhawks, FJ Furys and AD-1 Spads. Three additional deployments to Western Pacific aboard USS RANGER included two Vietnam cruises. CVW-9 made seven subsequent Vietnam deployments aboard USS ENTERPRISE, USS AMERICA and USS CONSTELLATION. Later, the wing made peacetime cruises to the Western Pacific aboard USS CONSTELLATION, USS RANGER, and USS KITTY HAWK between June 1974 and June 1987. CVW-9 was assigned to USS NIMITZ in July 1987, completing the first USS NIMITZ/NINE Western Pacific cruise in February 1989.
The Wing completed a West to East Coast transit aboard USS CONSTELLATION in April of 1990 before returning to the USS 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 Arabian Gulf, supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq in OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. During the May 1996 deployment, the Battle Group was sortied from the Gulf to conduct contingency operations off the coast of Taiwan. Recently, one month into their 1997/98 around the-world cruise, the NIMITZ/NINE team responded to the Secretary of Defense’s order to proceed to the Arabian 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 their association with the USS NIMITZ in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on the USS STENNIS.
