Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron [VAW-112]
"Golden Hawks"
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron ONE ONE TWO (VAW-112) was
commissioned on 20 April 1967. Assigned to Carrier Air Wing NINE,
VAW-112 made three deployments, operating the E-2A in the Western
Pacific in support of the Vietnam Conflict aboard the USS Enterprise
(CVN-65). In May, 1970, the squadron was temporarily deactivated and
placed in a "standdown" status until reactivated on 3 July 1973.
VAW-112, flying E-2Bs, was assigned to Carrier Air Wing TWO and made
three Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployments aboard USS RANGER
(CV-61), before reassignment to Carrier Air Wing EIGHT aboard USS NIMITZ
(CVN-68) for a Mediterranean and Indian Ocean Deployment.

In May 1979, the squadron transitioned to the E-2C and again became a
part of Carrier Air Wing NINE in February, 1981. As part of Carrier Air
Wing NINE, VAW-112 made three Western Pacific/Indian Ocean deployments
aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64), USS RANGER (CV-61) and USS KITTY HAWK
(CV-63). During this period, VAW-112 was awarded two Battle Efficiency
Awards, in January 1979 and January 1985.

During June and early July of 1989, VAW-112 was deployed aboard USS
NIMITZ for NORPAC '89. In August, 1989, VAW-112 became the first West
Coast squadron to transition to the latest E-2C Plus aircraft. During
February and March of 1990, a detachment from VAW-112 rode USS
CONSTELLATION "around the horn" of South America to Norfolk, Virginia.
In September, 1990 the squadron deployed to Howard Air Force Base,
Panama for the Joint Task Force (JTF-4) Project. VAW-112 finished the
year and entered 1991 with CVW NINE's work-up schedule aboard USS
NIMITZ. In March 1991, the squadron departed for a Western
Pacific/Indian Ocean/Northern Arabian Gulf Cruise in support of
Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68).

Following a rigorous work-up cycle, the squadron departed San Diego for
the Arabian Gulf in December 1995 aboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68). After
remaining on station for three months, the squadron departed the Gulf
early to support the U.S. foreign policy off Taiwan's coast and returned
home in May. The squadron deployed for Puerto Rico in mid-July for
Counter-Narcotics Operations of Naval Station Roosevelt Roads. The
remaining part of 1996 saw VAW-112 participating in All Services Combat
Identification & Evaluation Team (ASCIET), in Gulfport, MS, Marine
Attack Weapons Training School (MAWTS) at NAS Miramar, and SFARP in
Fallon, Nevada. Before Christmas, the Golden Hawks headed north to
Whidbey Island, WA for Carrier Deck Certification aboard USS ABRAHAM
LINCOLN.

During the 1997 work-up cycle for an "around the world" deployment, the
squadron participated in the Pacific Fleet Surge Exercise in late July.
During the SURGEX, the squadron provided unparalleled battle space
management to the battle group for over 96 continuous hours. It was at
this time that VAW-112 also surpassed the safety milestone of 24 years
and over 52,000 mishap-free flight hours.

Departing San Diego in September 1997, the Golden Hawks set sail once
again onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) and transited the Pacific Ocean. Due
to increasing tensions between the United Nations and Iraq, the Golden
Hawks bypassed a scheduled port visit to Singapore and sailed undeterred
to the Arabian Gulf to support Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. Upon returning
in March 1998, the Golden Hawks were awarded the coveted Battle "E" for
1997, the CNO's Aviation Safety "S" Award and the AEW Excellence Award,
designating the Golden Hawks as the premier VAW squadron for the entire
E-2C community.

In July, 1998, the Golden Hawks completed a short detachment to Hawaii
on USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) assisting in swapping out USS INDEPENDENCE
(CV-62) and the transfer of the newest Group II NAV-upgrade aircraft to
VAW-115, whose homeport is Atsugi, Japan.

During workups, in preparation for the Millennium cruise, VAW-112
detached to NAS Fallon, NV for SFARP and on USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
for FleetEx and JTFEx. In January, 2000, the Goldenhawks deployed on the
Stennis for a 6 month deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of
Operation Southern Watch. Port visits included South Korea, Hong Kong,
Malaysia, Bahrain, Jebel Ali, Australia, Tasmania and Hawaii.

Ok. They have a long, proud, and innordinately successful herritage.
But what's the thread about, exactly? Are we supposed to congradulate
them? State our opinions of their history? What exactly?

More to the point.

When information like this is no longer classified it means they have
something better.

AB we always have something better.

Just never really seem to use it.




such is life,

doc