Carrier Air Wing Eight
| Carrier Air Wing Eight | |
|---|---|
CVW-8 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 9 April 1951 – present |
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Carrier Air Wing |
| Part of | United States Fleet Forces Command |
| Garrison/HQ |
NAS Oceana USS George H.W. Bush |
| Tail Code | AJ |
| Engagements | World War II Operation Eagle Claw Operation Desert Shield Operation Desert Storm Operation Southern Watch Operation Provide Comfort Operation Deny Flight Operation Allied Force Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Decorations |
Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation |
Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush.
To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of nine air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations.
CVW-8 consists of 8 Squadrons
The first Carrier Air Group Eight began operations on 1 June 1943 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia and was initially assigned to the USS Intrepid. During World War II, CVW-8 distinguished itself in combat in the Pacific, winning five Battle Stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for heroic combat action while embarked in USS Bunker Hill.The air wing was disestablished in 1945 following World War II. The second Carrier Air Group 8 was established in late 1948, but served for only a short period and was disestablished just over a year later. The United States Navy regards each of these a distinct unit and therefore they are not considered part of Carrier Air Wing Eight's official lineage.
CVW-8 was recommissioned in April 1951 and has been in continuous operation since that date. Originally designated Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8), most of the wing's squadrons were reserve squadrons. CVG-8 made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Tarawa (CVA-40) in 1951-52. Up to 1957, CVG-8 made three deployments aboard the carriers USS Coral Sea (CVA-43), USS Lake Champlain (CVA-39), and USS Intrepid (CVA-11), followed by the shakedown cruise aboard the newly commissioned USS Ranger (CVA-61) in late 1957. The following year, CVG-8 was assigned to the USS Forrestal (CVA-59).
...
Wikipedia