US Naval Aviation

[James1978]

US Naval Aviation

I. Carrier Air Wings - By Matt Wiser

II. Helicopter Units - By Matt Wiser

III. Fleet Replacement Squadrons

IV. Adversary Squadrons

V. Patrol Units

VI. Logistics

VII. Flight & Weapons Testing

VIII. Other Flying Units

IX. Training Units

X. Naval Air Depots

[James1978]

Carrier Air Wings - 22 April 2005
- By Matt Wiser

PACIFIC FLEET

USS Constellation/CVW-2:
VF-1 “Wolfpack” F-14D NE 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-2 “Bounty Hunters” F-14D (TARPS) NE 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-151 “Vigilantes” F/A-18E NE 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-163 “Saints” F/A-18E NE 400 (NAS Lemoore)
VA-145 “Swordsmen” A-6F NE 500 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VA-155 “Silver Foxes” A-6F NE 520 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VAW-116 “Sun Kings” E-2C NE 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-14 “Chargers” SH-60R/HH-60H NE 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-131 “Lancers” EA-6B NE 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-38 “Red Griffins” S-3B NE 700 (NAS North Island)
VQ-5 det: “Black Ravens” ES-3A NE 710 (NAS Agana)
VRC-50 det: “Foo Dogs” C-2A NE 720 (NAS Agana)

USS Kitty Hawk/CVW-5
VF-154 “Black Knights” F-14D (TARPS) NF 100 (NAS Atsugi)
VF-21 “Freelancers” F-14D NF 200 (NAS Atsugi)
VFA-192 “World Famous Golden Dragons” F/A-18E NF 300 (NAS Atsugi)
VFA-195 “Dambusters” F/A-18E NF 400 (NAS Atsugi)
VA-115 “Eagles” A-6F NF 500 (NAS Atsugi)
VA-185 “Knighthawks” A-6F NF 530 (NAS Atsugi)
VAW-115 “Sentinels” E-2C NF 600 (NAS Atsugi)
HS-12 “Wyverns” SH-60R/HH-60H NF 610 (NAS Atsugi)
VAQ-136 “Gauntlets” EA-6B NF 620 (NAS Atsugi)
VS-21 “Fighting Redtails” S-3B NF 700 (NAS Atsugi)
VQ-5 det “Black Ravens” ES-3A NE 710 (NAS Agana)
VRC-50 det “Foo Dogs” C-2A NE 720 (NAS Agana)

USS Nimitz/CVW-9
VF-24 “Fighting Renegades” F-14D NG 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-211 “Fighting Checkmates” F-14D (TARPS) NG 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-146 “Blue Diamonds” F/A-18E NG 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-147 “Argonauts” F/A-18E NG 400 (NAS Lemoore)
VA-165 “Boomers” A-6F NG 500 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VAW-112 “Golden Hawks” E-2C NG 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-2 “Golden Falcons” SH-60F/HH-60H NG 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets” EA-6B NG 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-33 “Screwbirds” S-3B NG 700 (NAS North Island)
VQ-5 det “Black Ravens” ES-3A NE 710 (NAS Agana)

USS John C. Stennis/CVW-11
VF-114 “Ardvarks” F-14D NH 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-213 “Black Lions” F-14D (TARPS) NH 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-22 “Fighting Redcocks” F/A-18E NH 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-94 “Mighty Shrikes” F/A-18E NH 400 (NAS Lemoore)
VA-95 “Green Lizards” A-6F NH 500 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VAW-117 “Wallbangers” E-2C NH 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-6 “Indians” SH-60R/HH-60H NH 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-135 “Black Ravens” EA-6B NH 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-29 “Screaming Dragon Fires” S-3B NH 700 (NAS North Island)
VQ-5 det “Black Ravens” ES-3A NH 710 (NAS Agana)

USS Abraham Lincoln/CVW-14
VF-191 “Satan's Kittens” F-14D NK 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-194 “Red Lightning” F-14D (TARPS) NK 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-113 “Stingers” F/A-18E NK 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-25 “Fist of the Fleet” F/A-18E NK 400 (NAS Lemoore)
VA-196 “Main Battery” A-6F NK 500 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VAW-113 “Black Hawks” E-2C NK 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-8 “Eight Ballers” SH-60R/HH-60H NK 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-139 “Cougars” EA-6B NK 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-35 “Blue Wolves” S-3B NK 700 (NAS North Island)

USS United States/CVW-15
VF-51 “Screaming Eagles” F-14D NL 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-111 “Sundowners” F-14D (TARPS) NL 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-27 “Chargers” F/A-18E NL 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-97 “Warhawks” F/A-18E NL 400 (NAS Lemoore)
VA-52 “Knight Riders” A-6F NL 500 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VAW-114 “Hormel Hawgs” E-2C NL 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-4 “Black Knights” SH-60R/HH-60H NL 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-134 “Garudas” EA-6B NL 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-37 “Sawbucks” S-3B NL 700 (NAS North Island)



ATLANTIC FLEET

USS George Washington/CVW-1
VF-102 “Diamondbacks” F-14D (TARPS) AB 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-33 “Starfighters” F-14D AB 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-82 “Marauders” F/A-18E AB 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-86 “Sidewinders” F/A-18E AB 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-85 “Buckeyes” A-6F AB 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-123 “Screwtops” E-2C AB 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-11 “Dragon Slayers” SH-60R/HH-60H AB 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-137 “Rooks” EA-6B AB 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-32 “Maulers” S-3B AB 700 (NAS Cecil Field)

USS Harry S. Truman/CVW-3
VF-14 “Tophatters” F-14D AC 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-32 “Swordsmen” F-14D (TARPS) AC 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-37 “Bulls” F/A-18E AC 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-105 “Gunslingers” F/A-18E AC 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-75 “Sunday Punchers” A-6F AC 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-126 “Seahawks” E-2C AC 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-7 “Big Dippers” SH-60R/HH-60H AC 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-130 “Zappers” EA-6B AC 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-22 “Vidars” S-3B AC 700 (NAS Cecil Field)
VQ-6 det “Sea Shadows” ES-3A AC 710 (NAS Cecil Field)

USS Ronald Reagan/CVW-6
VF-11 “Red Rippers” F-14D AE 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-31 “Tomcatters” F-14D (TARPS) AE 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-46 “Clansmen” F/A-18E AE 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-72 “Bluehawks” F/A-18E AE 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-176 “Thunderbolts” A-6F AE 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-122 “Steeljaws” E-2C AE 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-15 “Red Lions” SH-60R/HH-60H AE 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-133 “Wizards” EA-6B AE 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-28 “Gamblers” S-3B AE 700 (NAS Cecil Field)
VQ-6 det “Sea Shadows” ES-3A AE 710 (NAS Cecil Field)
VR-24 det “Lifting Eagles” C-2A AE 720 (NAS Sigonella)

USS Eisenhower/CVW-7
VF-143 “Pukin' Dogs” F-14D AG 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-142 “Ghostriders” F-14D (TARPS) AG 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-136 “Knighthawks” F/A-18E AG 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-131 “Wildcats” F/A-18E AG 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-34 “Blue Blasters” A-6F AG 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-121 “Bluetails” E-2C AG 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-5 “Night Dippers” SH-60R/HH-60H AG 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-140 “Patriots” EA-6B AG 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-31 “Top Cats” S-3B AG 700 (NAS Cecil Field)
VQ-6 det “Sea Shadows” AG 710 (NAS Cecil Field)
VRC-40 det “Rawhides” AG 720 (NAS Oceana)

USS Enterprise/CVW-8
VF-41 “Black Aces” F-14D AJ 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-84 “Jolly Rogers” F-14D (TARPS) AJ 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-15 “Valions” F/A-18E AJ 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-87 “Golden Warriors” AJ 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-65 “Tigers” A-6F AJ 500 (NAS Oceana)
VA-36 “Roadrunners” A-6F AJ 530 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-124 “Bear Aces” E-2C AJ 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-3 “Tridents” SH-60R/HH-60H AJ 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-141 “Shadowhawks” EA-6B AJ 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-24 “Scouts” S-3B AJ 700 (NAS Cecil Field)

USS John F. Kennedy/CVW-13
VF-92 “Silver Kings” F-14D AK 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-96 “Fighting Falcons” F-14D (TARPS) AK 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-132 “Privateers” F/A-18E AK 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-137 “Kestrels” F/A-18E AK 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-55 “Warhorses” A-6F AK 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-127 “Seabats” E-2C AK 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-17 “Neptune's Raiders” SH-60R/HH-60H AK 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-142 “Grim Watchdogs” EA-6B AK 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-34 “Proud Tigers” S-3B AK 700 (NAS Cecil Field)
VQ-6 det “Storm Shadows” ES-3A AK 710 (NAS Cecil Field)
VR-24 det “Lifting Eagles” C-2A AK 720 (NAS Sigonella)

USS Theodore Roosevelt/CVW-17
VF-74 “Bedevilers” F-14D AA 100 (NAS Oceana)
VF-103 “Sluggers” F-14D (TARPS) AA 200 (NAS Oceana)
VFA-83 “Rampagers” F/A-18E AA 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-81 “Sunliners” F/A-18E AA 400 (NAS Cecil Field)
VA-35 “Black Panthers” A-6F AA 500 (NAS Oceana)
VAW-125 “Tigertails” E-2C AA 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-9 “Sea Griffins” SH-60R/HH-60H AA 610 (NAS Jacksonville)
VAQ-132 “Scorpions” EA-6B AA 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-30 “Diamondcutters” S-3B AA 700 (NAS Cecil Field)

USS America/CVWR-20
VF-201 “Hunters” F-14B AF 100 (NAS Dallas)
VF-202 “Superheats” F-14B (TARPS) AF 200 (NAS Dallas)
VFA-203 “Blue Dolphins” F/A-18A+ AF 300 (NAS Cecil Field)
VFA-204 “River Rattlers” F/A-18A+ AF 400 (NAS New Orleans)
VA-205 “Green Falcons” A-6E/KA-6D AF 500 (NAS Atlanta)
VAW-78 “Fighting Escargots” E-2C AF 600 (NAS Norfolk)
HS-75 “Emerald Knights” SH-3H AF 610 (NAS North Island)
VAQ-209 “Star Warriors” EA-6B AF 620 (NAF Washington/Andrews AFB)
VS-71 (mobilization only) S-3B AF 700 (NAS Cecil Field)

CVWR-30 (Shore-based TDY at NAS Key West, eventually to embark aboard USS Forrestal)
VF-301 “Devil's Disciples” F-14B ND 100 (NAS Miramar)
VF-302 “Stallions” F-14B (TARPS) ND 200 (NAS Miramar)
VFA-303 “Goldenhawks” F/A-18+ ND 300 (NAS Lemoore)
VFA-305 “Lobos” F/A-18A+ ND 400 (NAS Point Mugu)
VA-304 “Firebirds” A-6E/KA-6D ND 500 (NAS Alameda)
VAW-88 “Cottonpickers” E-2C ND 600 (NAS Miramar)
HS-85 “Golden Gaters” SH-3H ND 610 (NAS Alameda)
VAQ-309 “Axemen” EA-6B ND 620 (NAS Whidbey Island)
VS-81 (mobilization only) S-3B ND 700 (NAS North Island)




NOTES
Active Duty CVW
VF - x12 F-14D
VFA - x12 F/A-18E
VA - x14 A-6F
VAW - x4 E-2C
VAQ - x4 EA-6B
HS - x4 SH-60F/R & x2 HH-60H
VS - x8 S-3B [Deployed squadrons only. Non-deployed and USNR squadrons may have as few as 4 aircraft. Which means that in wartime, some squadrons will be under strength.]
VQ Det. - x2 ES-3

CVW-20 & CVW-30
VF - x12 F-14B
VFA - x12 F/A-18A+
VA - x10 A-6E & x4 KA-6D
VAW - x4 E-2C
VAQ - x4 EA-6B
HS - x6 SH-3D
VS - No permanently assigned aircraft. Personnel train on VS-27 and VS-41 aircraft. Upon activation, VS-71 draws four aircraft from V-27 and VS-81 draws four aircraft from VS-41.

[James1978]

Helicopter Units - Non Carrier Air Wing Assigned
- By Matt Wiser
-- Minor tweaks by James 1978*


HC: Helicopter Combat Support Squadron

HC-1 “Angels” NAS North Island, CA: CH-53E, SH-3G/H

HC-2 “Circut Riders” NAS Norfolk, VA: CH-53E, SH-3G/H, VH-3A

HC-3: “Pack Rats” NAS North Island, CA: MH-60S (FRS)

HC-4 “Black Stallions: NAS Sigonella, Sicily: MH-53E

HC-5 “Providers” NAS Agana, Guam: MH-60S, HH-60H

HC-6 “Chargers” NAS Norfolk, VA: MH-60S

HC-8: “Dragon Whales” NAS Norfolk, VA: MH-60S

HC-11 “Gunbearers” NAS North Island, CA MH-60S

HC-16 “Bullfrogs” NAS Pensacola, FL: MH-60S, HH-60H (Training Support)


HCS: Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron

HCS-4 “Red Wolves” NAS Norfolk, VA: HH-60H

HCS-5 “Firehawks” NAS Point Mugu, CA: HH-60H

(Note: both of the above squadrons are Naval Air Reserve formations)


HM: Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron

HM-12 “Sea Dragons” NAS Corpus Christi, TX: CH/MH-53 (FRS)

HM-14 “Sea Stallions” NAS Corpus Christi, TX: MH-53E

HM-15 “Blackhawks” NAS Corpus Christi, TX: MH-53E

HM-18 “Norsemen” NAS Norfolk, VA: MH-53E (Naval Air Reserve)

HM-19 “Golden Bears” NAS Alameda, CA MH-53E (Naval Air Reserve)


HSL Helicopter Light Antisubmarine Squadron:

HSL-30 “Neptune’s Horsemen” NAS North Island, CA: SH-2G

HSL 31 “Arch Angels” NAS North Island, CA: SH-2G (FRS)

HSL-32 “Tridents” NAS Norfolk, VA: SH-60B

HSL-33 “Sea Snakes” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60B

HSL-34 “Grey Checkers” NAS Norfolk, VA: SH-60B

HSL-35 “Magicians” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60B

HSL-36 “Lamplighters” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-2G

HSL-37 “Easy Riders” NAS Barbers Point, HI: SH-60B

HSL-40 “Air Wolves” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-60B/R (FRS)

HSL-41 “Sea Hawks” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60B/R (FRS)

HSL-42 “Proud Warriors” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-60R

HSL-43 “Battle Cats” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60R

HSL-44 “Swamp Foxes” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-60R

HSL-45 “Wolfpack” NAS North Island, CA SH-60B

HSL-46 “Grandmasters” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-60R

HSL-47 “Saberhawks” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60B

HSL-48 “Vipers” NAS Mayport, FL: SH-60R

HSL-49 “ Scorpions” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60B

HSL-51 “Warlords” NAS Atsugi, Japan: SH-60R

HSL-74 “Demon Elves” NAS South Weymouth, MA: SH-2G (Naval Air Reserve)

HSL-84 “Thunderbolts” NAS North Island, CA: SH-2G (Naval Air Reserve)

HSL-94 “Titans” NAS North Island, CA: SH-2G (Naval Air Reserve)


HS: Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron:

HS-1 “Sea Horses” NAS Jacksonville, FL: SH-60F/R (FRS)

HS-10 “Taskmasters” NAS North Island, CA: SH-60F/R (FRS)




* Tweaks by James1978 included addition of HC-16 and additional SH-2G squadrons after consultations with Matt Wiser.

[James1978]

Fleet Replacement Squadrons

Atlantic Fleet

NAS Cecil Field, FL
VFA-106: F/A-18A+/B+/C
VFA-174: F/A-18E/F
VS-27: S-3B

NAS Norfolk, VA
VF-101: F-14B/D
VAW-120: E-2C, C-2A

NAS Oceana, VA
VA-42: A-6F
VFA-171: F-25B

NAS Jacksonville, FL
VP-30: P-3C, P-8A


Pacific Fleet

NAS Miramar, CA
VF-124: F-14D
VAW-110: E-2C, C-2A

NAS Lemoore, CA
VFA-125: F/A-18A+/B+/C
VFA-122: F/A-18E/F

NAS Whidbey Island, WA
VFA-121: F-25B [NOTE 1]
VA-128: A-6E/F
VAQ-129: EA-6B

NAS North Island, CA
VS-41: S-3B

NAS Moffett Field, CA
VP-31: P-3C



NOTES
1) No aircraft assigned.

[James1978]

Adversary Squadrons

NAS Barbers Point, HI
VFC-1: F/A-18A+/B+

NAS Atsugi, Japan
VFC-5: F/A-18A+/B+

NAS Roosevelt Roads, PR
VFC-8: F/A-18A+/B+

NAS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba
VFC-10: F/A-18A+/B+

NAS Oceana, VA
VFC-12: F/A-18A+/B+
VF-43: F-16N

NAS Fallon, NV
VFC-13: F/A-18A+/B+
VFA-127: F-5N

NAS Key West, FL
VF-45: F-5N
VAQ-33: EA-6B, EP-3J, EA-18B

NAS Miramar, CA
VF-126: F-16N

NAS Point Mugu, CA
VAQ-34: EA-6B, EA-18B

[James1978]

Patrol Units

Patrol Wings Atlantic

NAS Rota, Spain
VQ-2: EP-3E

NAS Brunswick, ME
VPU-1: P-3C

NAS Brunswick, ME - Patrol Wing 5
VP-8: P-3C
VP-10: P-3C
VP-11: P-8A
VP-23: P-3C
VP-26: P-3C
VP-44: P-3C

NAS Jacksonville, FL - Patrol Wing 11
VP-5: P-3C
VP-16: P-8A
VP-24: P-3C
VP-45: P-3C
VP-49: P-3C
VP-56: P-3C

Rotational Detachments
PATRON Bermuda - NAS Bermuda
PATRON Keflavik - NAS Keflavik
PATRON Sicily - NAS Sigonella
VP det. Rota - NAS Rota
VP det. Lajes - NAF Lajes
VP det. Roosevelt Roads - NAS Roosevelt Roads

Reserve Patrol Wing, Atlantic

NAS Jacksonville, FL
VP-62: P-3C

NAS Willow Grove, PA
VP-64 P-3C
VP-66 P-3C

NAS Washington, MD (Andrews AFB)
VP-68: P-3C

NAS South Weymouth, MA
VP-92: P-3C

NAF Detroit, MI
VP-93: P-3C

NAS New Orleans, LA
VP-94: P-3C

NAS Brunswick, ME
VP-MAU Brunswick: P-3C



Patrol Wings Pacific

NAS Agana, GU
VQ-1: EP-3E

NAS Barbers Point, HI
VPU-2: P-3C

NAS Barbers Point, HI - Patrol Wing 2
VP-1: P-3C
VP-4: P-3C
VP-6: P-3C
VP-17: P-3C
VP-22: P-3C

NAS Moffet Field, CA - Patrol Wing 10
VP-9: P-3C
VP-19: P-3C
VP-40: P-3C
VP-46: P-3C
VP-47: P-3C
VP-48: P-3C
VP-50: P-3C

Rotational Detachments
PATRON Diego Garcia - NAS Diego Garcia
PATRON Misawa - Misawa AB
PATRON Guam - NAS Agana
VP Det. Adak - NAF Adak
VP det. Midway Island - NAF Midway Island
VP det. Oman - Masirah, Oman
VP det. Bahrain - Manama, Bahrain

Reserve Patrol Wing, Pacific

NAS Glenview, IL
VP-60: P-3C
VP-90: P-3C

NAS Point Mugu, CA
VP-65: P-3C

NAS Memphis, TN
VP-67: P-3C

NAS Whidbey Island, WA
VP-69: P-3C

NAS Moffett Field, CA
VP-91: P-3C
VP-MAU Moffet: P-3C

[James1978]

Fleet Logistics Support Wing


NAS Washington, MD (Andrews AFB)
VR-1: C-20D
VR-48: C-20G
VR-53: C-130T

NAS Norfolk, VA
VRC-40: C-2A
VR-56: C-9B

NAS Atlanta, GA
VR-46: C-9B

NAS Willow Grove, PA
VR-52: C-9B/D

NAS Jacksonville, FL
VR-58: C-40A

NAS Dallas, TX
VR-59: C-40A

NAS Rota, Spain
VR-22: C-130F

NAS Sigonella, Sicily
VR-24: C-2A

NAS New Orleans, LA
VR-54: C-130T

NAS South Weymouth, MA
VR-62: C-130T

NAS Barbers Point, HI
VR-51: C-20G

NAS Point Mugu, CA
VR-55: C-130T

NAS North Island, CA
VR-57: C-9B
VRC-30: C-2A

NAS Memphis, TN
VR-60: C-9B

NAS Whidbey Island, WA
VR-61: C-9B

NAS Agana, GU
VRC-50: C-2A, C-130T, US-3B [NOTE 1]


NOTES
1) US-3Bs typically detached to NSF Diego Garcia, BIOT.

[James1978]

Flight & Weapons Testing

NAS Patuxent River, MD
VX-1: Various (ASW Testing)
VX-20: Various (Flight Testing, Tactical Aircraft)
VX-23: Various (Flight Testing, Fixed Wing)
HX-21: Various (Rotary Testing)


NAS Point Magu, CA
VX-4: Various (A2A Testing)


NAS China Lake, CA
VX-5: Various (A2G Testing)

[James1978]

Other Flying Units

NAS Pensacola, FL
Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron: F/A-18A/B, C-130T [NOTE 1]


NAS New Orleans, LA
VAW-77: E-2C - USNR [NOTE 2]


NAS Patuxent River, MD
VXS-1: NP-3D, R-12 [NOTE 3]


NAS Norfolk, VA
VC-6: BQM-74E, RQ-2 [NOTE 4]


Strategic Communications Wing 1
NAS Barbers Point, HI
VQ-3: E-6B [NOTE 5]

NAS Patuxent River, MD
VQ-4: E-6B [NOTE 5]



NOTES
1) Blue Angels
2) Assigned to counter-narcotics work in the Caribbean and Central America.
3) Scientific support.
4) Operates aerial targets drones, and battleship RQ-2 detachments
5) TACAMO mission.

[James1978]

Training Units

NAS Meridian, MS
Training Wing 1
VT-7: T-45C (Advanced Jet)
VT-19: T-2C (Basic Jet)


NAS Kingsville, TX
Training Wing 2
VT-21: T-45C (Advanced Jet)
VT-22: T-45C (Advanced Jet)
VT-23: T-2C (Basic Jet)


NAS Chase Field, TX
Training Wing 3
VT-24: T-45C (Advanced Jet)
VT-25: T-45C (Advanced Jet)
VT-26: T-2C (Basic Jet)


NAS Corpus Christi, TX
Training Wing 4
VT-27: T-34C (Primary Flight, Intermediate Prop)
VT-28: T-44C (Multiengine)
VT-31: T-44C (Multiengine)


NAS Whiting Field, FL
Training Wing 5
HT-8: TH-57B/C (Transition Helicopter, Advanced Helicopter)
HT-18: TH-57B/C (Transition Helicopter, Advanced Helicopter)
VT-2: T-34C (Primary Flight, Intermediate Prop, Intermediate Prop (Helicopter))
VT-3: T-6A (Primary Flight, Intermediate Prop, Intermediate Prop (Helicopter))
VT-6: T-34C (Primary Flight, Intermediate Prop, Intermediate Prop (Helicopter)


NAS Pensacola, FL
Training Wing 6
VT-4: T-2, T-45A (Basic Jet & Advanced Jet)
VT-10: T-45C (Basic NFO, Intermediate NFO)
VT-86: T-39N, T-45C (RIO, Tactical Navigator, Overwater Jet Navigator)

[James1978]

Naval Air Depots

Naval Aviation Depot Alameda (NAS Alameda, CA)
Depot maintenance for: S-3, P-3, A-6, EA-6, MV-22

Naval Aviation Depot North Island (NAS North Island, CA)
Depot maintenance for: F404 engine, F-14, F/A-18, E-2

Naval Aviation Depot Cherry Point (MCAS Cherry Point, NC)
Depot maintenance for: AV-8B, C-130, CH-46, MV-22, F/A-18

Naval Aviation Depot Jacksonville (NAS Jacksonville, FL)
Depot maintenance for: F404 engine, P-3

Naval Aviation Depot Norfolk (NAS Norfolk, VA)
Depot maintenance for: F-14, A-6

Naval Aviation Depot Pensacola (NAS Pensacola, FL)
Depot maintenance for: H-1, H-3, CH-53, H-60, T-2, T-34

[James1978]

Wartime Activations

CVW-16
VF-53
VF-162
VFA-56
VFA-164
VA-175: A-6E
HS-13

CVW-19
VA-135: A-6E

CVW-21
VA-214: A-6E




Wartime Notes

CVW-15 [Remnants]
VF-51/VF-111 - F-14D [1 squadron(-) ashore, rest to CVW-14]
VFA-27/VFA-97 - F/A-18E [1 squadron(-) ashore, rest to CVW-14]
VA-52 - A-6F [x4 aircraft to CVW-14, rest destroyed aboard ship]
VAW-114 - E-2C [x1 aircraft ashore]
HS-4 - SH-60R/HH-60H [x2 SH-60R, x2 HH-60H ashore; x1 to SH-60R to CVW-14]
VAQ-134 - EA-6B [x2 aircraft ashore]
VS-37 - S-3B [x1 to CVW-14, x3 ashore]

- Following severe damage to the USS United States which prevented flight operations, surviving aircraft which were airborne initially recovered to the USS Abraham Lincoln. Subsequently, surviving aircraft were either sent ashore to bases in Alaska or absorbed into CVW-14 on the Abraham Lincoln as combat replacements.


CVWR-20
VF-201 - F-14B []
VF-202 - F-14B []
VFA-203 - F/A-18A+ []
VFA-204 - F/A-18A+ []
VA-205 - A-6E/KA-6D []
VAW-78 - E-2C []
HS-75 - SH-3H [x4 SH-3 survived]
VAQ-209 - EA-6B []
VS-71 - S-3B []

- Following the loss of the USS America, CVWR-20 reformed ashore in CONUS and drew replacement aircraft from AMARC to rebuild.


CVRW-30
- Following a period operating ashore from various bases in Florida, CVRW-30 embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson when that ship became available.

[James1978]

SPACE RESERVED

[James1978]

SPACE RESERVED

[James1978]

SPACE RESERVED

[Eaglenine2]

Question there so limited number of S-3 why is that?

[Bernard Woolley]

The Viking is not a small aircraft for a carrier. Eight is quite a large number for limited space.

[James1978]

Well . . . . . .
Since you asked . . . .

[Rummages through files and research]

S-3 production ended in 1978. The Navy knew in 1982 that they were going to have a shortage of S-3s once CVN-71 commissioned. Up to that point, S-3 squadrons had ten aircraft assigned. Yet the Navy elected against a production re-start. Now at that time, the S-3 replacement was supposed to show up in the late 1990s, so the Navy just decided to accept some risk. In TLWverse, obviously, that schedule slipped . . . considerably.

There were 8 YS-3A and 179 S-3A built. Production ended in 1978.
1 YS-3A was modified into the KS-3A prototype.
4 YS-3A, the single KS-3A, and a single S-3A were modified into US-3As. [These aircraft had a longer range than the C-2s. From what I can find, the US-3As all flew with VRC-50 out of Guam, with dets flying out of Diego Garcia.]
As best as I can tell, 25 S-3A and one US-3A were lost up to August 2004 in @.
16 S-3A were modified into ES-3As in @. I’m assuming the same number of aircraft were modified in TLWverse.

That leaves at most 137 S-3B. If 130 of those are in deployable squadrons, that only leaves 7 aircraft across two Fleet Replacement Squadrons and for testing. It also assumes that all surviving airframes are flyable and none have been cannibalized to keep the others flying. Going by the numbers in the TankNet 1989 ORBAT, VS-27 and VS-41 had 29 S-3s between them, and VX-1 had a further 3. That would leave us short by 25 S-3Bs. With two additional VS (Midway and Coral Sea didn't have S-3 squadrons) and the two new VQ as compared to 1989, I’m not sure the training establishment can be cut down.

Then there is the question of just where VS-71 and VS-81 got their aircraft from. If memory serves, they came from VS-27 and VS-41.

Even if we go to 8 AC/squadron, that only leaves 33 aircraft for VS-27, VS-41 and VX-1. Up to sixteen of which would have gone to VS-71 and VS-81. Up to 8 of those are now on the bottom of the Atlantic. That would leave 17 aircraft with which to rebuild VS-71, and continue the training pipeline and ASW testing. And again, this is still assuming every surviving airframe is available and none have been cannibalized. And it also doesn’t account for aircraft undergoing depot maintenance.

Long story short: In peacetime, squadrons would trade aircraft so deployed carriers would have 8 AC. Once the SHTF, a lot of carriers probably sailed with 4-6 AC.

[jemhouston]

S-3 was a useful asset. It could have done more if more were produced.

If I remember right Grumman thought they had the contract sown up so they didn't listen that closely to the Navy. Lockheed did and got the contract.

[James1978]

S-3 was a useful asset. It could have done more if more were produced.

Interestingly, in the early @ 1990s, Lockheed proposed new-build KS-3B tankers to the Navy, but the Navy wasn't interested. So Lockheed at least believed an air frame restart was possible as late as the early 1990s.

Over at Air Vectors, there is a listing of some one-of roof of concept demonstrators built in @ that may have gone further in TLWverse with the continued Cold War.

However, several "special mission" modifications of the S-3B were implemented as "proof of concept" projects, with these machines including:

* The "Outlaw Viking" S-3B featured the "Over-the-horizon Airborne Sensor Information System III (OASIS III)", derived from a system developed for the P-3C Orion. OASIS III integrated all sensor inputs with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite navigation system data and inputs from datalinks to give a coherent picture of the battle area for force commanders, as well as assist in over-the-horizon targeting for other weapons platforms.

The Outlaw Viking looked much like a normal S-3B externally, except for the addition of satellite communications and GPS antennas. The TACCO's station was modified to support the new OASIS III gear. The Outlaw Viking was returned to normal S-3B specification in 1998.

* The "Gray Wolf Viking" carried a Norden AN/APG-76 radar in a pod in an underwing pylon. The AN/APG-76 was designed for the "Phantom 2000" upgrade for Israeli Air Force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom fighters, which never went beyond the demonstration phase. The AN/APG-76 was crammed into a Viking cargo pod with a Phantom nose cone tacked on to the front; it provided high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images with moving target indicator (MTI) overlays, picking out targets in the images that were moving above some speed threshold. The SAR-MTI radar was integrated with an INS with GPS backup to give the precise locations of targets, with the data relayed to other platforms over JTIDS.

The Gray Wolf Viking also carried a long-range "Tactical Digital Camera System (TADCS)" and a laser rangefinder. The Gray Wolf Viking was referred to as the "Sea-based Surveillance, Targeting, & Attack Radar System (SeaSTARS)", in imitation of the Army-Air Force Joint-STARS battlefield surveillance platform, based on the Boeing 707 airliner.

* Other one-off Vikings were the "Beartrap Vikings", which were a few S-3Bs with minor modifications used for classified exercises in the mid-1990s; the "Orca Viking", a testbed for advanced avionics including a SAR pod and laser rangefinder; the mysterious secret "Aladdin Vikings", which were used over Bosnia and may have dropped ground sensors; and a proposed "Calypso Viking" to operate in the anti-smuggling role.

* S-3Bs were flown to evaluate new SIGINT gear and a digital MAD (DMAD) system for evaluation. A Viking also test-fired the AIM-9L Sidewinder air-to-air missile, though the ultimate decision was that such a self-defense capability was not needed. The idea of using a Viking to carry the AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radar Missile (HARM) was studied, but judged impractical.

. . . . . .

The aircraft were simply getting too old; to keep them in service would have meant refurbishing the airframes and updating their systems. The Navy did fly two demonstrators for the Viking "Surveillance System Upgrade (SSU)" beginning in 1999, with these aircraft featuring a state-of-the-art AN/AYK-23 processor, an updated JTIDS, and in particular an AN/APS-137(V)5 radar that added a high resolution SAR-MTI mode. In a sense, this resurrected the Gray Wolf Viking, giving the S-3B a high resolution radar capability and a fast datalink to provide information to battle commanders and hand off targets to other platforms.