CVW-3 Returns from Seven-Month Deployment on USS Eisenhower
Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3), Team “Battle Axe” has just returned to Naval Air Station Oceana, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Naval Air Station Jacksonville following their seven-month deployment aboard the nuclear-powered USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The Air Wing is made of up 9 different aircraft squadrons comprised of several different aircraft that make up the entirety of the Air Wing.
The deployment consisted of a Composite Training Unit Exercise that began on 17th January. The follow-on deployment to the U.S. 5th and 6th fleet began shortly after wherein CVW-3 supported Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS). This operation served to promote Martine stability and ensure safe passage throughout the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandebp Strait as well as the Gulf of Oman.
Interestingly, the Strait of Hormuz saw a large scale test by Iran in which they launched several ground-based missiles against a mockup of a Nimitz Class aircraft carrier. We are not aware, however, if the 5th and 6th fleets were anywhere in the area at the time of this mock attack.
CVW-3 experienced numerous useful training opportunities during their deployment including cross-deck inter-operability exercises in which the US and French Naval pilots had an opportunity to launch and land on each other’s respective carriers. The French carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) participated in this exercise along with the Eisenhower.
In addition to those exercises, the 6th fleet conducted training with the Hellenic Navy and conducted strike operations training in the Mediterranian sea between 24th and 27th July.
Squadrons returning to NAS Oceana include Strike Fighter Squadron VFA- 32 “Swordsmen”, flying 12 F/A-18F Super Hornets; VFA-131, the “Wildcats”, flying 10 F/A-18E Super Hornets; the “Gunslingers” of VFA-105, flying 12 F/A-18E Super Hornets; and VFA-83 “Rampagers” also operating 10 F/A-18E Super Hornets.
Photographs courtesy of the U.S. Navy