Carrier Air Wing Eleven
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| Carrier Air Wing Eleven | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Carrier Air Wing Eleven |
| Caption | Insignia of Carrier Air Wing Eleven |
| Dates | 1942–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Naval aviation |
| Role | Carrier-based air operations |
| Garrison | Naval Air Station Oceana |
| Nickname | "RAIDERS" |
| Motto | "Flexible, Tailored, Lethal" |
| Aircraft attack | F/A-18E Super Hornet, Grumman A-6 Intruder |
| Aircraft bomber | Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet |
| Aircraft fighter | McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II, Grumman F6F Hellcat |
| Aircraft helicopter | Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk |
Carrier Air Wing Eleven is a United States Navy carrier air wing with a lineage dating to World War II and service across the Cold War, Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and post-9/11 operations. Assigned to carrier strike groups and embarked on nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, the wing has integrated strike, electronic warfare, airborne early warning, and anti-submarine capabilities. Its operations have involved coordination with United States Marine Corps, Royal Navy, and allied air arms during multinational exercises such as Exercise RIMPAC and Operation Enduring Freedom.
History
From establishment in the early 1940s, the air wing participated in Pacific Theater actions alongside units like USS Lexington (CV-2), Task Force 38, and carrier groups under admirals such as Chester W. Nimitz and William F. Halsey Jr.. Postwar transitions saw assignment to carriers including USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS Nimitz (CVN-68), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), with deployments to support Korean War-era patrols and Cold War deterrence missions against Soviet Navy carrier groups. During the Vietnam War, squadrons flew combat sorties coordinated with Operation Rolling Thunder targets and interacted with air defense assets like North Vietnamese Air Force interceptors. In the 1980s, modernization introduced aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat and A-6 Intruder before the wing participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm supporting coalition strikes led by United States Central Command. After 2001, the air wing conducted sorties in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, integrating with Carrier Strike Group 9 and participating in maritime security operations near Gulf of Aden and Persian Gulf.
Organization and Units
The air wing typically comprises strike fighter, electronic attack, airborne early warning, helicopter maritime strike, and logistics squadrons drawn from commands including Carrier Air Wing Force, Naval Air Forces Atlantic, and Naval Air Forces Pacific. Squadrons historically assigned include strike units like VFA-11 (United States Navy), VFA-41, and VFA-213, electronic attack units such as VAQ-136 and VAQ-131, airborne warning squadrons like VAW-113, and helicopter squadrons including HSC-2 and HSM-71. Support elements have included fleet logistics squadrons such as VRC-40 and maintenance detachments coordinated with Naval Air Systems Command. Integration with carrier strike group staff, amphibious readiness groups, and carrier air wing liaison officers ensured coordination with surface combatant commanders like those aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
Aircraft and Equipment
Throughout its history the wing operated carrier-capable aircraft including Grumman F4F Wildcat, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Douglas SBD Dauntless, Vought F4U Corsair, multirole fighters like F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and air superiority platforms such as F-14 Tomcat. Electronic attack and reconnaissance capabilities were provided by platforms like the EA-6B Prowler and EA-18G Growler, while airborne early warning missions used E-2 Hawkeye variants. Anti-submarine and search-and-rescue operations used helicopters such as the Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk and its LAMPS derivatives. Weapons and sensors integrated with the wing included AIM-120 AMRAAM, AGM-88 HARM, JDAM, targeting pods like AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR, and defensive avionics from Raytheon and Northrop Grumman programs managed by Naval Air Systems Command.
Deployments and Operations
The wing deployed aboard nuclear and conventionally powered carriers for global operations: Pacific deployments supporting Battle of Leyte Gulf commemorations and Korean Peninsula contingency patrols; Mediterranean cruises during Cold War crises alongside Sixth Fleet; and Middle Eastern operations in support of Operation Southern Watch. Carrier deployments contributed to coalition air campaigns during Operation Allied Force and maritime interdiction in Operation Phantom Fury aftermath operations. Humanitarian missions included responses coordinated with United States Pacific Command during natural disasters and exercises with partner navies from Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, and Indian Navy in multinational exercises such as Malabar and Talisman Sabre.
Commanders
Command leadership has passed through naval aviators and flag officers with experience from flight squadrons and carrier air wing staff roles. Notable senior officers and commanders associated with carrier aviation and strike group command include aviators who later served in roles within United States Fleet Forces Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and at the Pentagon as deputies in Office of the Secretary of Defense. Command tours typically last 18–24 months with rotation between active-duty commanders assigned through Naval Personnel Command and screened by Chief of Naval Operations selection panels.
Insignia and Traditions
The wing’s insignia and squadron patches reflect naval aviation heraldry influenced by symbols used across Carrier Air Group lineages, with motifs referencing carrier operations, strike capability, and squadron histories tied to events like Battle of Midway and Guadalcanal Campaign. Traditions include tail codes, call signs, and awards such as the Navy Unit Commendation and Battle Effectiveness Award, with ceremonial practices observed during homecomings at Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Air Station Oceana. Cross-deck traditions and carrier qualifications maintain links with institutions such as Naval Aviation Schools Command and United States Naval Academy alumni serving as officers.