VAW-126
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 | |
|---|---|
VAW-126 insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 April 1969 - Present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Carrier Airborne Early Warning |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing 3 |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Norfolk |
| Nickname(s) | "Closeouts" "Seahawks" |
| Engagements |
Gulf War Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander Scott Wastak |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Electronic warfare |
E-2 Hawkeye |
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126), nicknamed the "Seahawks", is a carrier airborne early warning squadron of the United States Navy. The squadron is based at NS Norfolk, equipped with four E-2D Hawkeye aircraft.
VAW-126 was commissioned at NAS Norfolk, Virginia on 1 April 1969. Originally nicknamed the "Closeouts", the squadron was equipped with four E-2A Hawkeye aircraft, assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing 17 aboard the USS Forrestal. Following completion of their first deployment in July 1970, the squadron transitioned to the E-2B.
The squadron won the COMNAVAIRLANT Battle Readiness Efficiency "E" and the CNO Safety “S” Award in 1971. The squadron won the Battle "E" a second time in 1974.
In September 1974, the squadron transferred to USS America. Following their return to NAS Norfolk in October 1974, the squadron began its transition from the E-2B to the E-2C, Group 0 variant.
In August 1975, the squadron began operations in the Caribbean Sea with CVW-9, based at NAS Miramar. In May 1976, they began the first of many trips moving the entire squadron back and forth between NAS Norfolk and NAS Miramar to operate with CVW-9 and prepare for their upcoming deployment aboard USS Constellation. The squadron made their second and final Western Pacific deployment with USS Constellation in May 1978.
The squadron changed their name to "Seahawks" in memory of their Commanding Officer, CDR Vady Clark, who died suddenly in September 1979.
The squadron joined USS John F. Kennedy and CVW-1 upon returning to the East coast in 1979.
In July 1981, VAW-126 joined CVW-3, which replaced CVW-1 as the air wing deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy. The September 1983 to May 1984 deployment was a record-breaking one for VAW-126; in addition to the 1983 Battle "E" they won both the COMNAVAIRLANT "Silver Anchor" award for superior retention and the Airborne Early Warning Excellence Award as the best VAW squadron in the Navy. The squadron departed for the Mediterranean aboard USS John F. Kennedy again in August 1986.
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