Carrier Air Wing Nine

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) which is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Three. 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
CVW-9 consists of nine Squadrons

History
The first CVG-9 was established on 1 Mar 1942, and disestablished 15 Oct 1945. CVG-20 was established on 15 Oct 1943; became CVAG-9 15 Nov 1946; became CVG-9 1 Sep 1948, and was disestablished 1 Dec 1949.

However CVW-9 traces its immediate history to the CVG-9 which 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, Carrier Air Group 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. On 20 December 1963 it became Carrier Air Wing Nine. 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 amid the crisis which led to Operation Desert Fox. CVW-9 ended its association with USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) 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 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) 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 Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMFA-323), Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), all with F/A-18 Hornets, Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) with EA-6B Prowlers, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 (VAW-112) with E-2C Hawkeyes, Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS-33) with Lockheed S-3 Vikings, Helicopter Squadron 8 (HS-8) with HH-60 Seahawks, and Detachment 4 of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) with Grumman C-2 Greyhounds.:

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.

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 as part of Carrier Strike Group Three.

CVW-9 deployed with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on 13 January 2009. CVW-9 returned to the United States on 6 July 2009 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. Upon completion of this deployment, VFA-154, and VFA-146 were replaced by VFA-41, and VFA-14.

CVW-9 deployed again with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled deployment on 29 July 2011 and returned to the United States on 27 February 2012 after participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Nine were the last aircraft to conduct combat missions over Iraq, ending Operation New Dawn.

Following a 5 month down period, CVW-9 deployed again with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled deployment from August 2012 thru April 2013 in support of 5th Fleet operations and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 collectively earned the 2012 Ramage Award for carrier/air wing operational excellence March 26, 2012. The Navy-wide award, named for Rear Admiral James "Jig Dog" Ramage, a legendary World War II ace, recognizes the top aircraft carrier/air wing team for best performance as an integrated unit and excellence in Navy aircraft carrier operations.

CVW-9 is currently home to six F/A-18 squadrons while VFA-192 and VFA-97 transition from the Hornet to the Super Hornet variant. The two new squadrons are VFA-25 and VFA-151. After completion of the transition to the Super Hornet, both VFA-97 and VFA-192 will leave the Airwing. At that time the Airwing will be an all Super Hornet Airwing, the second in the U. S. Navy. VAQ-136 joined CVW-9 on June 1, 2013 making them the first EA-18G Growler squadron in the airwing's history.

Fixed-wing aircraft

 * F/A-18F Super Hornet
 * F/A-18E Super Hornet
 * F/A-18C Hornet
 * E-2C Hawkeye
 * C-2A Greyhound

Rotary wing aircraft

 * MH-60S Seahawk
 * MH-60R "Romeo" Seahawk