Carrier Air Wing Reserve 20

by RDML Jeffrey A. Lemmons, USN
Commander, Naval Air Force Reserve

During 2006 Carrier Air Wing Reserve (CVWR) 20 was aggressively engaged in the War on Terror in many capacities. The air wing was involved again in direct combat missions while simultaneously conducting critical fleet adversary support and dedicated counternarcotics surveillance. The Reserve component continues execution of these challenging missions and stands ready to provide dedicated support across the spectrum of Naval Aviation today and into the future.

CVWR-20 consists of seven squadrons.

CVWR-20 also exercises administrative control over three newly reorganized maintenance AIMD facilities now redesignated as Fleet Readiness Centers (FRC), located at NAF Washington, NAS Atlanta and NAS Fort Worth.

The Star Warriors of VAQ-209 were directly involved in the War on Terror this past year. The squadron deployed in an expeditionary role to Al Asad AB, Iraq for 90 days, and provided direct support to U.S. and Coalition ground forces throughout the Iraqi theater. Selected Reservists (SelRes) from VAQ-209 worked alongside active-duty air and maintenance crews and provided the majority of the manning throughout the deployment. Teamwork and flexibility on the ground and in the air were key to the success of this deployment. The squadron quickly joined with a SeaBee unit and worked alongside the engineers to rehabilitate a bombed out Iraqi hangar, successfully creating their own operational and maintenance spaces.

The squadron generated sorties under the most robust operational tempo and environmental conditions both day and night. Aircrew flew the venerable EA-6B to the limit and supported Coalition forces on the ground. Pilots and ECMOs routinely logged more than 100 combat hours per month for an astounding total of over 1,500 combat hours with only four airframes. The aircrew, maintenance and support personnel of VAQ-209 demonstrated the skills, teamwork and dedication resident in the Naval Air Force Reserve. Every squadronmember operated with the professionalism and experience that continue to make them a valuable surge-ready asset.

The Nightwolves of VAW-77 remain the Navy's only expeditionary E-2C squadron. They are dedicated primarily to counternarcotics operations in the Caribbean. The squadron maintains an aggressive operational tempo of 180 days per year deployed throughout the SouthCom AOR. The squadron is composed of 100 full-time support (FTS) and SelRes personnel and 59 Northrop Grumman contract maintainers. The Nightwolves' direct action resulted in the disruption of narcotic trafficking routes and in the capture of more than two billion dollars in illegal narcotics.

The Nightwolves showed their flexibility during the post-Katrina search-and-rescue operation. The squadron was the first command, control and communications asset to respond during the crisis, controlling hundreds of rotary wing search-and-rescue operations throughout the Gulfport and New Orleans areas. These operations resulted in the rescue of more than 1,800 hurricane and flood victims.

The Nightwolves remain on call to NorthCom as a force provider for emergent Homeland Security operations. Flexible and responsive, the Nightwolves remain ready and willing to meet the challenges at a moments notice.

In November, VFC-13 Detachment Key West was redesignated as VFC-111. The air wing and squadron were honored to revive and carry on the Sundowner's rich legacy. VFC-111 operates 12 F-5N aircraft. The squadron's unique location eliminates costly adversary detachments and provides the lion's share of adversary support to the F/A-18 fleet replacement squadrons (FRS) -- VFA-106, VFA-106(E/F), VFA-122 and VFA-125. These professional adversaries leverage years of veteran fleet experience to train our future war fighters. In its first year VFC-111 completed 14 FRS fighter detachments and flew over 3,300 hours in adversary support.

The VFC-13 Saints are one of the most significant producers of adversary sorties in the U.S. Navy. Located at NAS Fallon, they are primary participants in all Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) training evolutions that train fleet squadrons in the most recent threat tactics. These training evolutions are the most intense dedicated strike fighter training opportunities the fleet will receive in their turn-around cycle. The Saints operate 18 F-5 aircraft, have 16 active-duty officers and pilots and 20 selected reservist pilots. The aircraft are kept in a continuous "ready for tasking" status by 25 enlisted personnel and 125 Sikorsky civilian maintenance contractors. During the last fiscal year, the Saints from NAS Fallon produced over 4,000 mishap-free flight hours, supporting seven SFARPs, eight Carrier Air Wing events, seven Topgun classes and two FRS detachments. The Saints great heritage of bogey professionalism and fighter excellence continues.

The Fighting Omars of VFC-12 are the primary producer of Level 4 adversary sorties on the East Coast, focusing on advanced adversary support to fleet units during SFARP, air wing training exercises at Fallon, FRS detachments and fleet exercises. During this year, the Fighting Omars also sharpened their "blue" surge capacity and participated in a CVWR-20 Air Wing detachment to Fallon, Nev. The Fighting Omars and sister squadrons VFA-201 and VFA-204 exercised their strike acumen, participating in close air support (CAS) missions and concentrated large force strikes delivering more than 550,000 pounds of precision and nonprecision ordnance in the Fallon range complex. The Fallon detachment has two functions. First, it is designed to maintain a readiness level that would allow the squadrons to surge as necessary to augment carrier air wings or participate in an expeditionary role. The second function is to provide advanced adversary support.

The River Rattlers of VFA-204 faced a year of unprecedented challenges and unequaled accomplishments. The squadron received the CNO Safety "S" Award for surpassing an astounding 25 years and 86,800 class "A" mishap-free hours. Located at NAS New Orleans, the squadron and its personnel evacuated to NAS Fort Worth at the onset of Hurricane Katrina and remained there for four months. Despite this monumental setback, the squadron maintained an aggressive schedule of operational support and provided adversary presentations to VFA-106 while detached to NAS Oceana. On return to New Orleans the squadron resumed its robust operational schedule. They participated in the CVWR-20 Fallon detachment and CAS training with the Army's 73rd Cavalry urban warfare training evolution at Fort Bragg, N.C. The close air support provided to the 73rd Cavalry qualified that command for a combat deployment into theater -- a great example of valuable support and expertise that CVWR-20 squadrons provide for the War on Terror.

The Hunters of VFA-201 were designated to remain the surge squadron in support of emerging active-duty requirements, leveraging experience from their mobilization deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Hunters sustained high levels of readiness by participating in an SFARP detachment to NAS Fallon and also requalified at the carrier to maintain their deck currency. The squadron also supported multiple FRS and SFARP detachments in the adversary role, receiving the CVWR-20 Battle Efficiency Award and the Golden Wrench Award for maintenance excellence for 2006. Budgetary action has scheduled VFA-201 for deactivation in June 2007.

TacAir Reserve squadrons are flying and maintaining aircraft every day, overseas and in ConUS, in support of fleet operations. The Reserves are tasked by ComNavAirForces to leverage veteran experience to train and ready the deploying Naval Air Force as well as build readiness to meet potential surge requirements. The men and women of TacAir Reserve squadrons continue to proudly serve on the point of the spear and to be a valued and integral component of the Naval Aviation professional team.

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