Carrier Air Wing Eleven

Carrier Air Wing Eleven is a premier United States Navy aviation unit with a distinguished combat history spanning multiple conflicts. Established during World War II, it has been a central component of U.S. Pacific Fleet power projection for decades. The air wing is renowned for its operational tempo and has been repeatedly deployed aboard Nimitz-class carriers in the Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf.

History

The unit was originally commissioned as Carrier Air Group Eleven in 1942, seeing its first combat during the Pacific War aboard the USS ''Hornet''. It participated in pivotal campaigns including the Battle of the Philippine Sea and strikes against the Japanese archipelago. Following World War II, the group was redesignated and saw extensive action during the Korean War, operating from carriers like the USS ''Philippine Sea'' and conducting attacks from the Sea of Japan. In the Vietnam War, squadrons from the air wing executed critical Rolling Thunder missions and provided close air support during the Battle of Khe Sanh. The modern era has seen the wing deeply involved in operations following the September 11 attacks, including sustained combat tours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Organization

The air wing is a composite organization typically consisting of multiple squadrons specializing in different warfare areas, all operating under a single command element. Its structure usually includes a strike fighter community, an Electronic Attack Squadron providing Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses capabilities, an Airborne Early Warning and Control squadron, and a Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron for vertical lift and search-and-rescue. This organization allows for a balanced and self-sufficient combat force capable of executing the full spectrum of carrier strike group operations. The wing headquarters staff coordinates planning, logistics, and integration with the assigned aircraft carrier and other Seventh Fleet assets.

Aircraft

Throughout its history, the wing has operated iconic naval aircraft, transitioning from propeller-driven planes like the F4F Wildcat and SBD Dauntless to jet-age legends such as the F-4 Phantom II and A-6 Intruder. In the late 20th century, it transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet as its primary strike fighter. The contemporary air wing primarily operates the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler for electronic warfare, representing the backbone of its offensive power. Support aircraft have included the E-2 Hawkeye for airborne command and control and the C-2 Greyhound for carrier onboard delivery, with rotary-wing assets like the MH-60 Seahawk providing utility and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Operations and deployments

The wing maintains a high operational tempo, regularly deploying aboard its assigned carrier, often the USS ''Nimitz'', as part of a carrier strike group. Recent deployments have focused on the Indo-Pacific region, conducting exercises with allies such as the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy to ensure maritime stability. It has also made frequent patrols in the South China Sea and conducted freedom of navigation operations. The wing has deployed to the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, launching combat sorties from the Persian Gulf and the North Arabian Sea against targets in Iraq and Syria as part of the campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Command structure

Commanded by a captain in the U.S. Navy, the air wing commander (CAG) is an experienced naval aviator who oversees all operational and administrative functions. The CAG reports directly to the commander of the carrier strike group while embarked and to the Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific when ashore. The wing includes deputy commanders and department heads responsible for safety, maintenance, operations, and administration. Each subordinate squadron is commanded by an officer in the rank of commander or lieutenant commander, who reports to the CAG while integrating their unit's capabilities into the wing's overall mission.

Notable incidents

The wing's history includes several significant aviation accidents and combat losses inherent to high-risk naval operations. During the Vietnam War, several aircraft were lost to surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft warfare over North Vietnam. A major peacetime tragedy occurred in 1981 when an EA-6B Prowler from an attached squadron crashed on the flight deck of the USS ''Nimitz'', resulting in fatalities and extensive damage. More recently, an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the wing crashed in the Philippine Sea in 2020 during a routine training mission, with both crew members successfully ejecting and being recovered. These incidents underscore the inherent dangers of carrier-based aircraft operations.