Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five
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| Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Unit name | Carrier Air Wing Five |
| Caption | Insignia of Carrier Air Wing Five |
| Dates | 1943–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Carrier air wing |
| Role | Naval aviation |
| Garrison | Naval Air Facility Atsugi |
| Nickname | The Fighting Five |
Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five Commander, Carrier Air Wing Five is the senior officer who commands Carrier Air Wing Five, a United States Navy carrier air wing assigned to the Pacific Fleet. The commander directs aviation operations, training, maintenance, and readiness for embarked squadrons deployed aboard aircraft carriers in the Western Pacific. The position links shipboard operations, joint task forces, and allied naval commands during peacetime forward presence and contingency operations.
Overview
Carrier Air Wing Five traces its organizational identity to carrier aviation units that provided carrier-based strike, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning capabilities. The commander oversees fixed-wing and rotary-wing squadrons including strike fighter, electronic attack, airborne early warning, anti-submarine warfare, and logistics detachments. As part of the United States Pacific Fleet chain of command, the commander integrates assets with carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and combined task forces. The role interacts with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Philippine Navy elements during multinational exercises such as RIMPAC, Valiant Shield, and Keen Sword.
History
Carrier Air Wing Five's lineage includes detachments from World War II Pacific campaigns, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and Cold War deployments in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. The wing participated in major operations associated with named events including the Battle of Leyte Gulf and air campaigns over North Korea and North Vietnam. During the post-Cold War era, the commander coordinated operations during the Gulf War, operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and crisis responses during the East Asian tensions involving the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea incidents. The wing's basing history involves forward deployments to bases and facilities such as Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Yokosuka Naval Base, and Naha Air Base. The command adapted to technological transitions from the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat to the F/A-18 Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, E-2 Hawkeye, SH-60 Seahawk, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Organization and Composition
Under the commander, Carrier Air Wing Five comprises multiple squadrons and detachments organized into functional components: strike, electronic warfare, airborne early warning, helicopter maritime strike, and logistics/support. Typical squadron designations include VFA (fixed-wing attack), VAQ (electronic attack), VAW (airborne early warning), HSM (helicopter maritime strike), and VRC (fleet logistics support). The command interfaces with carrier strike group staffs, Carrier Strike Group commanders, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander, Naval Air Forces, and joint headquarters such as United States Indo-Pacific Command and Seventh Fleet. Embarked squadrons operate from aircraft carriers including USS Ronald Reagan, USS Theodore Roosevelt, and USS George Washington during rotational deployments, and train at ranges such as Fallon Range Training Complex and Pacific Missile Range Facility.
Commanders
Commanders have included naval aviators and naval flight officers with prior squadron command tours, carrier qualifications, and staff assignments within Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Aviation Schools Command. Notable commander career paths intersect with institutions and awards including Naval War College, National War College, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Navy Distinguished Service Medal. Commanders coordinate with flag officers from Carrier Strike Group commanders, Task Force leaders, and allied air wing counterparts from Royal Navy, French Navy, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force. Succession of command occurs at ceremonies involving keynote speakers from fleet commanders and regional diplomatic representatives.
Operations and Deployments
The command directed air operations during carrier presence missions, freedom of navigation operations, and crisis-response sorties in coordination with carrier battle group operations and joint maritime task forces. Deployments involved exercises with multinational partners such as the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Indian Navy. The wing supported operations during contingency responses to humanitarian crises linked to typhoon relief, maritime interdiction operations, and surveillance missions near contested areas such as the Senkaku Islands, Spratly Islands, and Paracel Islands. Training and readiness included participation in Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program, Air Wing Fallon integration, and carrier qualifications (CQ) cycles.
Insignia and Traditions
The air wing's insignia, colors, and ceremonies reflect naval aviation heritage with imagery tied to carrier aviation traditions, squadron callsigns, and tail codes. Traditions overseen by the commander include change-of-command ceremonies, Tailhook Association affiliations, and commemorations honoring naval aviators who served in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Unit awards and campaign streamers recognize participation in designated campaigns and joint operations, and squadron patches preserve lineage associated with historical carriers and air stations such as USS Enterprise, USS Midway, and NAS Atsugi.
Notable Aircraft and Squadrons
Employed aircraft under the commander have included the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, EA-6B Prowler, EA-18G Growler, E-2C/D Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, SH-60F/HH-60H Seahawk, MH-60R Seahawk, and earlier types such as the F-4 Phantom II and A-6 Intruder. Squadrons in the wing's history include VFA-27, VFA-102, VAW-115, VAQ-141, VRC-30, HSC-25, HSM-51, and predecessor units with ties to VF, VA, and HS designations. These squadrons have produced notable aviators who served in joint billets with NATO, United Nations maritime coalitions, and defense institutions including the Pentagon, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Joint Staff.
Category:United States Navy aviation units