Tactical Support Wing: extending Naval Aviation's reach

0 Comments | Naval Aviation News, July-August, 2009 | by Ted Carlson

Whether deploying to Iraq, providing adversary aircraft in combat exercises over the Nevada desert, or searching for drug smugglers in the Caribbean, the six squadrons under the Tactical Support Wing (TSW) provide a wide array of expertise for Naval Aviation's commitments around the world. Since its redesignation from Carrier Air Wing Reserve (CVWR) 20 on 1 April 2007, the TSW has evolved into a diverse unit performing niche specialties with some individual units maintaining a surge capability.

The unit's final years as CVWR-20 focused on consolidation and shifting assets. This included deactivating VAW-78 in 2005, VFA-203 in 2004, and VFA-201 in 2007. The wing also stood up VFC-111, a new squadron at NAS Key West, Fla., in 2006. The air wing now consists of two F/A-18 Hornet squadrons, two F-5 Tiger squadrons, one E-2C Hawkeye squadron, and an EA-6B Prowler squadron that deploys on an almost yearly basis.

All Tactical Support Wing aircraft display the AF tail code and report to Commander Naval Air Forces Reserve (CNAFR). The wing consists of more than 1,900 active duty and selected reserve personnel with an organizational structure that mirrors that of fleet air wings. The primary TSW mission is operational fleet support and commitments include providing adversaries and conducting counternarcotics, expeditionary electronic attack, and homeland defense missions. The wing also has the ability to be a strategic reserve mobilization asset if required.

"Having a reserve force is an instrumental part of today's military," TSW Commander Capt. John Hefti said. "Reserve units have been activated on a regular basis in the last few decades, bolstering the active duty military strength. The TSW has stepped up to the plate whenever tasked and remains a vital component of the nation's aggressor training syllabi, homeland defense, and fighting forces."

VAQ-209

The VAQ-209 Star Warriors are based at NAF Washington D.C., Andrews AFB, Md. The squadron operates four ICAP II EA-6B Prowlers and specializes in suppression of enemy air defenses and electronic attack. A seasoned expeditionary unit that has seen combat in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, the Star Warriors are preparing to make their third deployment in three years. The squadron rotates with other expeditionary Prowler units within the normal global rotational scheduling system. These deployments include missions to Al Asad, Iraq, and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. The Star Warriors also detach to an aircraft carrier once a year in order to maintain their carrier currency.

"VAQ-209's fleet of highly experienced aviators makes it a value-added squadron whose services are in high demand," LCdr. Billy D. Franklin, VAQ-209 Operations Officer, said. "Since we're based out of Andrews, Md., the squadron is able to recruit many aviators who are currently working in government and contracting positions, making VAQ-209 a highly technical and advanced combat ready squadron. They have proven themselves in both Iraq and Afghanistan and they have answered the call in the past and will do as in the future."

As the EA-18 Growler begins entering the fleet, VAQ-209 is expected to deactivate in 2012. However, the personnel will be retained and may serve in an augmenting status, but those details have yet to be worked out and alternatives are currently being explored.

VAW-77

The Night Wolves of VAW-77 are the Navy's largest operational E-2C Hawkeye squadron with six aircraft featuring the Group II navigational and sensory upgrades as well as the NP2000 eight-bladed propeller upgrade. The Night Wolves specialize in counter-illicit trafficking operations, freeing the carrier-based Hawkeyes to focus on other missions, and also operate in a homeland defense role. The Night Wolves make six-month deployments in support of counter-illicit trafficking operations and often team their Hawkeyes with P-3 Orions, C-130 Hercules, and U.S. Customs aircraft. The unit moved to NAS JRB New Orleans, La., when NAS Atlanta, Ga., closed in August 2008.

Adversary Squadrons

The River Rattlers of VFA-204 became the TSW's primary mobilization Hornet unit when it absorbed most of VFA-201's planes and pilots upon that squadron's deactivation in 2007. Flying the F/A-18A , the squadron performs in both aggressor and multipurpose air-to-air and air-to-ground training roles. Based at NAS JRB New Orleans, the River Rattlers' Hornets are in line to receive the APG-73 upgraded radar to replace their current APG-65s.

The VFC-12 Fighting Omars are a 4th generation aggressor unit that specializes in emulating SU and MiG series fighters. The squadron operates 12 F/A-18C Hornets featuring an SU-27 style paint scheme. The squadron traded its lower-trap number F/A-18A Hornets to VFA-87 in fall 2006 in exchange for the Golden Warriors' F/A-18Cs. VFC-12 is instrumental in supporting fleet training requirements and the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP) with adversary support. The SFARP missions are conducted primarily from NAS Oceana, Va., and NAS Fallon, Nev.