Carrier Air Wing Nine - History

History

The first CVG-9 was established on 1 Mar 1942, and disestablished 15 Oct 1945. CVG-20 was established on 15 Oct 1943; became CVAG-9 15 Nov 1946; became CVG-9 1 Sep 1948, and was disestablished 1 Dec 1949.

However CVW-9 traces its immediate history to the CVG-9 which was commissioned on 26 March 1952, making its first tour aboard USS Philippine Sea (CV-47) in January 1953 participating in operations at the close of the Korean War. From 1954 to 1958, CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard USS Hornet (CV-12) and two Western Pacific deployments aboard USS Oriskany (CV-34) and USS Ticonderoga (CV-14).

In February 1960, Carrier Air Group 9 embarked on USS Ranger (CVA-61) for a seven month Western Pacific cruise. The aircraft complement at the time included F-8 Crusader, F2H Banshee, A-4 Skyhawk, FJ-1 Fury and AD-1 Spad. On 20 December 1963 it became Carrier Air Wing Nine. Three additional deployments to Western Pacific aboard USS Ranger (CVA-61) included two Vietnam cruises. CVW-9 made seven subsequent Vietnam deployments aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65), USS America (CVA-66) and USS Constellation (CV-64). Later, the Air Wing made peacetime cruises to the Western Pacific aboard USS Constellation, USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) between June 1974 and June 1987. CVW-9 was assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in July 1987, completing the first Nimitz/Nine Western Pacific cruise in February 1989.

The Air Wing completed a West to East Coast transit aboard USS Constellation in April 1990 before returning to USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to participate in post-Desert Storm operations from March to August 1991. From February through August 1993, and again in November 1995 through May 1996, the Nimitz/Nine team completed deployments to the Persian Gulf, supporting United Nations sanctions against Iraq in Operation Southern Watch. During the May 1996 deployment, the Battle Group sortied from the Gulf to conduct contingency operation off the coast of Taiwan. One month into their 1997/1998 around the world cruise, the Nimitz/Nine team responded to the Secretary of Defense's order to proceed to the Persian Gulf at best speed to reinforce the Southern "No Fly Zone" over Iraq and provide a presence amid the crisis which led to Operation Desert Fox. CVW-9 ended its association with USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in March, 1998, and deployed in 2000 on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) as part of the Carrier Group Seven. Following the September 11 attacks, the Stennis/Nine team provided air protection to the West Coast of the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Shortly after, the Stennis/Nine team deployed to North Arabian Sea/Indian Ocean flying combat missions over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom before returning to homeport May 2002.

CVW-9 made another deployment less than nine months after returning home in January 2003 to the Western Pacific aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). Operations included maritime patrol, security operations and participation with allied navies in joint operations and training.

In 2005 CVW-9 made an Around the World Cruise aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) as part of Carrier Strike Group Three. During this cruise the air wing took part in combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as well as Maritime Security Operations with allied forces in the Persian Gulf. CVW-9 squadrons embarked on board the Carl Vinson for the deployment included Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMFA-323), Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), Strike Fighter Squadron 146 (VFA-146), all with F/A-18 Hornets, Electronic Attack Squadron 138 (VAQ-138) with EA-6B Prowlers, Airborne Early Warning Squadron 112 (VAW-112) with E-2C Hawkeyes, Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS-33) with Lockheed S-3 Vikings, Helicopter Squadron 8 (HS-8) with HH-60 Seahawks, and Detachment 4 of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 (VRC-40) with Grumman C-2 Greyhounds.:

During the deployment, the air wing logged 2,600 flight hours by its four F-18 strike-fighter squadrons. This overseas deployment marked the final overseas mission for Sea Control Squadron 33 (VS-33), the Screwbirds.

On 12 January 2006 aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) Carrier Air Wing Nine held a historic change of command where United States Marine Corps Colonel Doug 'Smash' Yuroveich became the first Marine commanding officer of a Navy carrier air wing after relieving Captain Michael Spence, as part of the Navy Department's integrated tactical air assets program.

CVW-9 is (as of March, 2007) currently deployed aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Fifth Fleet area of responsibility as part of Carrier Strike Group Three.

CVW-9 deployed with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled Western Pacific deployment on January 13, 2009. CVW-9 returned to the United States on July 6, 2009 after participating in operations in the Persian Gulf, exercises with Japan Maritime Self Defense Force and annual exercises as Foal Eagle with the Republic of Korea and joint exercise Northern Edge 2009. Upon completion of this deployment, VFA-154, and VFA-146 were replaced by VFA-41, and VFA-14.

CVW-9 deployed again with USS John C. Stennis on a scheduled deployment on July 29, 2011 and returned to the United States on February 27, 2012 after participating in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Aircraft from Carrier Air Wing Nine were the last aircraft to conduct combat missions over Iraq, ending Operation New Dawn.