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Naval Aviation News Spring 2022

In this edition of Naval Aviation News, we highlight the return of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group starting, marking the first successful deployment of an aircraft carrier—USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)—accompanied by a combination of fourth- and fifth-generation platforms within Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 that predominantly represent the “Air Wing of the Future.” Showcasing the interoperability of the Navy and Marine Corps and the CMV-22 Osprey, Naval Aviation Training Support Group shared with us their participation in a relief mission to Haiti following a devastating earthquake in August 2021. Taking a glimpse at emerging capabilities, we highlight Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21’s successful demonstration of the first two-way connection between an AH-1Z Viper, a UH-1Y Venom and a portable ground station using new Link 16 software. We also spotlight Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s approach in finding new ways to battle the silent enemy of corrosion on aircraft. And in celebration of Women’s History Month, we highlight a moment where an all-women crew of pilots and support crew flew a C-2A Greyhound to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for the aircraft’s retirement.

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USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Returns from Deployment

Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 conduct flight operations on the ship's flight deck, Jan. 17, 2022. Operating as part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, Carl Vinson and CVW 2 are conducting training to preserve and protect a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

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USS Carl Vinson Celebrates 40th Commissioning Anniversary

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) prepares to steam alongside USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is currently underway preparing for future operations. The third of 10 Nimitz-class aircraft carriers active in the fleet, Vinson commissioned in Newport News, Virginia, on March 13, 1982, after over seven years of construction and recently celebrated the ship's 40th commissioning ceremony.

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Navy’s F-35C Brings Unparalleled Capabilities to USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group

Sailors taxi an F-35C Lightning II, assigned to the “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Jan. 22, 2022. In January 2018, VFA-147 transitioned from the F/A-18 to the F-35C, making them the first operational F-35C squadron in the U.S. Navy.

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Navy’s V-22 Achieves Initial Operational Capability Designation

An E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the "Black Eagles" Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, prepares to recover on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Jan. 24, 2022. The Navy announced Feb. 18 initial operational capability (IOC) for the CMV-22B Osprey, confirming the platform’s operational readiness following the successful completion of its maiden deployment.

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U.S. Marines deliver cases of food using an MV-22B Osprey in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti for a humanitariU.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, deliver cases of food using an MV-22B Osprey in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 27, 2021. When called on recently to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, Naval Aviation Training Support Group (NATSG) personnel did not hesitate to displace from their duty station to join a Marine squadron not only to render aid, but also to augment necessary squadron maintenance, operations and supply departments.

Disaster Relief Mission to Haiti Highlights Navy/Marine Corps Interoperability, V-22 Capabilities

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 266, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, II Marine Expeditionary Force, deliver cases of food using an MV-22B Osprey in support of Joint Task Force-Haiti for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Aug. 27, 2021. When called on recently to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance, Naval Aviation Training Support Group (NATSG) personnel did not hesitate to displace from their duty station to join a Marine squadron not only to render aid, but also to augment necessary squadron maintenance, operations and supply departments.

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How Naval Aviation is Solving Its Billion-dollar Corrosion Problem

Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman James Nickley, from Orlando, Florida, inspects corrosion on the main rotor head of the MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The Naval Aviation Enterprise is seeking a way to prevent corrosion on aircraft components that has a long shelf life and is easy to apply compared to existing products. Corrosion has been singled out as Naval Aviation’s No. 1 systemic degrader—the top issue eroding overall performance of the Navy.

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All-Women Crew Retire C-2A Greyhound in Celebration of Women’s History Month

Cmdr. Jessica Caldwell, commanding officer of the "Providers" of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, pilots a C-2A Greyhound, March 23. VRC-30 is a C-2A Greyhound logistics aircraft squadron supporting U.S. Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers, including a forward-deployed detachment attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. In celebration of Women’s History Month, an all-women crew of pilots and support personnel assigned to the “Providers” of VRC-30 flew a C-2A Greyhound from Naval Air Station North Island, California, to Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) on Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, for the aircraft’s retirement, March 23.

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3rd MAW Demonstrates Lightning Carrier Concept

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, departs Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., April 7, 2022. Tripoli completed flight deck operations with 20 F-35B Lightning II jets from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 211 and 225, Marine Aircraft Group 13, and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, as well as Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, as part of the U.S. Marine Corps’ Lightning carrier concept demonstration.

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