Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2). prior to being asigned to the Lincoln Strike Group was embarked on USS Constellation. The air wing brings together nearly 2,600 officers and enlisted men and women, maintaining and flying the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world. Approximately 75 aircraft make up the air wing: three strike/fighter F-18 squadrons; one fighter F-14 squadron; one multi-mission sea control S-3 squadron; one airborne electronic warfare EA-6 squadron; one airborne early warning and control E-2 squadron; one helicopter HSL-47 detachment and; and one logistics support C-2 COD detachment.
The air wing is the aircraft carrier’s primary offensive and defensive weapon, allowing it to dominate the air space surrounding the ship and to project its awesome power ashore. The air wing is aboard during all major overseas deployments and for operational training conducted in waters near the U.S. When not embarked on Constellation, the squadrons are stationed at their various home air stations throughout the U.S. West Coast.
CVW-2 began a long affiliation with USS RANGER (CVA-61) during the 1967-68 deployment. New A-7A Corsairs and A-6A Intruders made CVW-2 the first all jet Attack Carrier Air Wing. CVW-2 spent thirty days of the deployment in the Sea of Japan reacting to North Korea's seizure of USS PUEBLO (AGER-2), earning the Air Wing the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. During its last Vietnam deployment, which began in December 1972, CVW-2 introduced laser-guided bombs (LGBs) to Navy combat operations with great success. Strikes by VA-145 destroyed fourteen of fifteen targeted bridges within three hours. CVW-2 made its first peacetime deployment in over twelve years in 1974. CVW-2 was then redesignated Carrier Air Wing TWO as part of the CV concept. In 1979, anti-submarine combat units joined the team with VS-38 flying S-3A Vikings and HS-14 in SH-3D Sea Kings. VF-1 and VF-2 flying the F-14A Tomcat were assigned for the September 1980 deployment, four months of which were spent in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf awaiting the release of the U.S. hostages in Iran. The Air Wing made its tenth straight deployment aboard RANGER in 1982 before reassignment to USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63).
CVW-2 returned to RANGER in 1987, largely composed of Grumman aircraft. The "Grumman Air Wing" deployed to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean in July 1987 flying many "Earnest Will" escort missions into the Persian Gulf. CVW-2 also flew in support of U.S. military assaults on oil platforms used as staging bases for Iranian militia attacking tankers in the Gulf. From February to August 1989, RANGER/CVW-2 conducted normal patrol operations in the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean. Following that deployment, VMA(AW)-121 left CVW-2 and was replaced by VA-155.
On 8 December 1990, Carrier Air Wing TWO embarked in RANGER for deployment to the Indian Ocean in support of OPERATION DESERT SHIELD. As tasked by the National Command Authority, the RANGER/CVW-2 team transited the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Gulf on 15 January 1991 to arrive by the United Nations deadline for the removal of all Iraqi military forces from Kuwait. At 0400 17 January, thirty-six hours after arriving on station, CVW-2 launched coordinated night strikes against Iraq in support of OPERATION DESERT STORM. For the next 75 hours, CVW-2 continuously flew strike operations against Iraqi military targets. Over the course of the next 43 days, Carrier Air Wing TWO implemented the Navy's strategy in the Arabian Gulf - controlling the sea lanes, protecting the Coalition's right flank, and taking the fight to the enemy. The "Grumman Air Wing" was well suited as the Navy's primary night Air Wing, with 75 percent of their 10,500 hours flown at night. Air Wing TWO amassed over 140 multi-aircraft strikes and 30 Surface Combat Air Patrol flights before returning to San Diego on 8 June 1991.
TOPGUN was made famous in popular culture by the 1986 release of the motion picture Top Gun.