Air Wing compositions from 1943 to 1998

[Akmatov]

This is something I came across that might be of interest. From: http://navysite.de/cvn/cvw.htm

It probably belongs in the FAQ thread, but I can't post there. I couldn't completely clean up the format, but I think it is understandable.

 

The Air Wing compositions from 1943 to 1998

 

The charts below do not reflect the exact Air Wing composition they just give an approximate view of the most common compositions.

 

In addition to the CVW a Fleet Tactical Support Squadron (VRC) Detachment consisting of 2 planes is embarked aboard the carrier. These detachments are not listed below.

In the "additionally" – chart lists just the most often used squadrons. These are squadrons embarked in addition to the core of the Air Wing.

 

The Air Group Composition aboard the ESSEX-class carriers (1943)

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Fighter Squadron (VF) 36 F4F or F6F

1 Bomber Squadron (VB) 36 SBD

1 Torpedo Squadron (VT) 18 TBM or TBF

Total: 90 aircraft

 

 

The Air Group Composition aboard the ESSEX-class carriers (1945)

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

2 Fighter Squadrons (VF) 73 F6F

1 Bomber Squadron (VB) 15 SB2C

1 Torpedo Squadron (VT) 15 TBM

Total: 103 aircraft

 

The Air Group Composition in 1960

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

2 Fighter Squadrons (VF) 24-28 F-8 or F-3

3 Attack Squadrons (VA) 36 A-4

1 Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) 10-12 A-3

Total: ~70 aircraft

Additionally:

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) AD-5 Often but not always embarked.

1 Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) RF-8G Detachment

 

 

The Air Wing Composition in 1970

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

2 Fighter Squadrons (VF) 24 F-4 or F-8 F-8 mainly used aboard the ESSEX class carriers.

2 Attack Squadrons (VA) 24 A-7 or A-4

1 All-weather Attack Squadron (VA) A-6A/B

1 Reconnaissance Attack Squadron (RVAH) 4 RA-5C Detachment

1 Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 4-6 E-2A Detachment

1 Tactical Electronic Squadron (VAQ) EKA-3B Detachment

1 Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) SH-3A or UH-2C Detachment

Total: ~90 aircraft

Additionally:

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) RF-8G Detachment

1 Heavy Attack Squadron (VAH) KA-3 Detachment

 

 

The Air Wing Composition in 1981

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

2 Fighter Squadrons (VF) 24 F-4 or F-14

2 Attack Squadrons (VA) 24 A-7

1 All-weather Attack Squadron (VA) 10-12 A-6E and 4 KA-6D Also responsible for tanker operations (KA-6D).

1 Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 4-6 E-2C Detachment

1 Tactical Electronic Squadron (VAQ) 4-6 EA-6B Detachment

1 Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 10 S-3A

1 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 SH-3G/H Detachment

Total: 86-92 aircraft

Additionally:

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) EA-3 Detachment

1 Light Photographic Squadron (VFP) 3 RF-8G Detachment

 

 

The current Air Wing Composition (1998)

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Fighter Squadron (VF) 12 F-14A/B/D The F-14 aircraft will be relieved by F/A-18F planes and later by the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

Maybe the Fighter Squadron will be reduced to 10 aircraft until the F-14’s decommissioning.

Just 2 of the 10 CVWs still have 2 Fighter Squadrons.

3 Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 36 F/A-18C 4 of the 10 CVWs possess an VMFA squadron instead of a VFA squadron. The F/A-18B and D are currently not used aboard the carriers.

1 Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 4 E-2C Sometimes the VAW-Detachment consists of just 3 E-2C aircraft instead of 4.

1 Tactical Electronic Squadron (VAQ) 4 EA-6B Sometimes the VAQ-Detachment consists of just 3 EA-6B aircraft instead of 4.

1 Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 8 S-3B In addition to their anti-submarine task the S-3B aircraft are also used for refueling operations and reconnaissance operations combined with the capability to attack surface vessels with Harpoon missiles.

1 Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 SH-60F and 2 HH-60H The SH-60F and HH-60H will be relieved by the SH-60R.

Total: 70 aircraft

Additionally:

Squadrons Aircraft Remarks

1 Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 ES-3A After just some years of service the 16 ES-3A aircraft have been decommissioned. Their job will be done by land-based P-3C aircraft.

The VQ-Squadrons were only embarked as detachments.