Carrier Air Wing Seven

Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7), is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is embarked on aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and is part of Carrier Strike Group Eight.

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-7 consists of 9 Squadrons

World War II
Carrier Air Wing Seven was originally commissioned 20 July 1943 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, as Carrier Air Group Eighteen. After an intensive training period, the air group embarked in USS Intrepid (CV-11) and participated in combat operations against the Japanese during World War II. In September 1945, the air group transferred to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island and became Carrier Air Group Seven.

Korean War
During the Korean War, the air wing flew close air support strikes, attacks on industrial facilities and supply line interdiction missions from the deck of USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31).

After moving from Quonset Point to Naval Air Station Oceana in 1958, the Air Group teamed up with USS Independence (CV-62) and deployed as the first all jet air wing. During the years from 1966 – 1977 the air wing completed seven Mediterranean deployments in USS Independence and participated in numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercises. In early 1978, Air Wing Seven embarked in USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for shakedown and weapons training in the Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico operating area.

On 1 March 1978, Air Wing SEVEN became permanently assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and deployed in January 1979 for IKE’s maiden, Mediterranean voyage. From April through December 1980, the air wing embarked for an Indian Ocean deployment in support of operations to rescue the hostages in Tehran, following in September and October by NATO exercises in the North Atlantic. From January to July 1982, Air Wing Seven embarked for a Mediterranean deployment which included support for the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. In April 1983, the IKE/CVW-7 team began another Mediterranean deployment that included the first 1000NM over water night intercept for an F-14, multiple CV Battle Group operations with the USS Independence and USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), and support of the Multi-national Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon.

Gulf War
Reunited in 1987, the IKE/CVW-7 team worked up in preparation for Mediterranean Deployment, followed by extensive work ups in preparation for a 1990 deployment. Mediterranean Deployment 2-90 became a Red Sea excursion as the IKE/CVW-7 Battle Group was the first on scene to deter Iraqi aggression in Operation Desert Shield. Once relieved IKE/CVW-7 returned home and began a compressed turnaround training cycle for a May 1991 CENTCOM deployment. As Operation Desert Storm progressed to quick victory, the deployment was delayed to reestablish the normal CV deployment cycle. In September 1991 CVW-7/IKE deployed to the Red Sea/Persian Gulf as part of post hostilities Operation Desert Storm. They were the first CV and Air Wing team to deploy for a second time to the Gulf War.

In September 1992 CVW-7 initially embarked in USS George Washington (CVN-73) for a weapons system shakedown. The air wing deployed on the USS George Washington as a component of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group Two on 20 May 1994. Following refresher carrier qualifications, the Battle Group transited to Portsmouth, England to participate in the Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The Commemoration activities were highlighted by port visits to England, Brest, France and President Bill Clinton’s stay aboard the carrier.

Following turnover with USS Saratoga (CV-60), the Battle Group proceeded directly to the Adriatic to conduct operations in support of Operation Deny Flight and Sharp Guard. In response to aggressive Iraqi troop movements south towards Kuwait, the George Washington Battle Group transited the Suez Canal at maximum speed. Persian Gulf Operations Vigilant and Southern Watch were resumed on 15 October 1994. After Iraqi forces turned north and tensions eased, the Battle Group returned to the Mediterranean Sea. Turnover with the IKE Battle Group took place north of the Suez Canal and the USS George Washington/CVW-7 returned to a rainy Norfolk on 17 November 1994.

In September 1996 CVW-7 began preparations for a 26 February 1998 around the world deployment in USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). This Joint Task Group 98-2 deployment included over four months on station in the Northern Persian Gulf supporting Operation Southern Watch.

In 2000 CVW-7 was again deployed with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Two years later, the Wing was deployed to the same regions aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73), before finally returning to the Dwight D. Eisenhower in 2006-07. In April and May 2008, CVW-7's strike fighter squadrons accompanied George Washington from Norfolk, Virginia, to San Diego, California, around Cape Hoorn. Although formally assigned to CVW-17, the squadrons kept their "AG" tail code. Two deployments aboard CVN-69 followed in 2009 and 2010.

Fixed-wing aircraft

 * F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
 * F/A-18 Hornet
 * EA-6B Prowler
 * E-2 Hawkeye
 * C-2 Greyhound

Rotary wing aircraft

 * SH-60F Seahawk
 * HH-60H Seahawk
 * MH-60R Seahawk