VAW-116
Encyclopedia
VAW-116 is a US Navy Command and Control Squadron that deploys aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
as part of Carrier Air Wing Two
. VAW-116 flies the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. The VAW-116 Commanding Officer is Commander Mike S. Fitzpatrick. The "Sun Kings" of VAW-116 are stationed at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California. VAW-116 is under the cognizance of Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing (COMACCLOGWING). In 2008, the Sun Kings deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations (MSO) and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The Sun Kings deployed to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia in support of Operation Noble Eagle. During this operation, the Sun Kings assisted in providing continual airborne early warning coverage over the East Coast as a result of the 11 September 2001 Terrorist Attacks.
VAW-116 embarked on to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf
on October 2002. The Sun Kings flew extensive Airborne Battlefield Command and Control missions in support of the U.S. Army V Corps’ and the U.S. Marine Corps II MEF’s invasion of Iraq and advance on Baghdad during the initial weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron was proud to be a part of Connie’s final deployment in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
In November 2003, the Sun Kings initiated a transition to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 airframe. VAW-116 completed the transition in August 2004 with delivery of the squadron’s fourth and final aircraft. The Sun Kings embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in October 2004, to execute a surge deployment to the Western Pacific. They completed Integrated Warfare Training in the vicinity of Hawaii before transiting west.
Their deployment was extended when the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was called to assist in Operation Unified Assistance in Banda Aceh, Indonesia as a result of the earthquakes and tsunamis that struck the area. The Sun Kings aided in effort by sending Sailors ashore to distribute much needed food and medical aid to the wounded disaster victims.
The squadron returned to sea in March 2006 on a Western Pacific deployment in support of exercises Foal Eagle
, Valiant Shield
, and RIMPAC
. Upon their return from deployment in 2006, the Sun Kings upgraded their aircraft with the eight-bladed New Propeller 2000 system (NP2K). This upgrade was completed in March 2007, just after the squadron returned from detachment to Fallon, NV. In May 2007, the Sun Kings completed NP2K carrier qualification aboard off the Virginia Coast. In March 2008, the Sun Kings embarked on a seven month deployment with Carrier Air Wing TWO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility where they flew 266 combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
In March 2008, the Sun Kings embarked with Carrier Air Wing TWO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility. They participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and provided critical tanker and airspace management for strike and support aircraft. During the deployment, the squadron earned the CVW-2 Deployment Top Hook award and the Chief’s Mess was presented the Broadsword Award for the best CPO Mess in CVW-2. They returned home in October 2008.
" music video, by The Black Eyed Peas
. The video originated as a project on board ship to fight off boredom and to boost morale, but stemmed into what is almost a full fledged production and a free recruiting ad for the Navy. Pump It has recorded over 3,000,000 views on YouTube. The sequel, a remake of Outkast
's video "Hey Ya," included every single member of the Sun Kings and has recorded over 1,000,000 views. Both videos have been shown on national television, and news stations in other countries.
in the center, above a gold banner with "VAW-116" written on it in maroon.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Abraham Lincoln , is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington.-Construction:...
as part of Carrier Air Wing Two
Carrier Air Wing Two
Carrier Air Wing Two is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln .-Mission:...
. VAW-116 flies the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 aircraft. The VAW-116 Commanding Officer is Commander Mike S. Fitzpatrick. The "Sun Kings" of VAW-116 are stationed at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California. VAW-116 is under the cognizance of Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing (COMACCLOGWING). In 2008, the Sun Kings deployed with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support maritime security operations (MSO) and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Squadron History
[There is a lot of VAW-116 Sun Kings Squadron History between 1967 and 2001 as well. It just needs to be filled in].The Sun Kings deployed to Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia in support of Operation Noble Eagle. During this operation, the Sun Kings assisted in providing continual airborne early warning coverage over the East Coast as a result of the 11 September 2001 Terrorist Attacks.
VAW-116 embarked on to the Western Pacific and Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
on October 2002. The Sun Kings flew extensive Airborne Battlefield Command and Control missions in support of the U.S. Army V Corps’ and the U.S. Marine Corps II MEF’s invasion of Iraq and advance on Baghdad during the initial weeks of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron was proud to be a part of Connie’s final deployment in support of Operations Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.
In November 2003, the Sun Kings initiated a transition to the E-2C Hawkeye 2000 airframe. VAW-116 completed the transition in August 2004 with delivery of the squadron’s fourth and final aircraft. The Sun Kings embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in October 2004, to execute a surge deployment to the Western Pacific. They completed Integrated Warfare Training in the vicinity of Hawaii before transiting west.
Their deployment was extended when the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group was called to assist in Operation Unified Assistance in Banda Aceh, Indonesia as a result of the earthquakes and tsunamis that struck the area. The Sun Kings aided in effort by sending Sailors ashore to distribute much needed food and medical aid to the wounded disaster victims.
The squadron returned to sea in March 2006 on a Western Pacific deployment in support of exercises Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
, Valiant Shield
Valiant Shield
Valiant Shield was a large United States military war game held 19-24 June 2006 in the Pacific Ocean. According to the Navy, Valiant Shield focused on cooperation between military branches and on the detection, tracking, and engagement of units at sea, in the air, and on land in response to a wide...
, and RIMPAC
RIMPAC
RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, is the world's largest international maritime exercise. Conducted biennially , it is hosted and administered by the United States Navy, with the United States Marine Corps, United States Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the leadership of...
. Upon their return from deployment in 2006, the Sun Kings upgraded their aircraft with the eight-bladed New Propeller 2000 system (NP2K). This upgrade was completed in March 2007, just after the squadron returned from detachment to Fallon, NV. In May 2007, the Sun Kings completed NP2K carrier qualification aboard off the Virginia Coast. In March 2008, the Sun Kings embarked on a seven month deployment with Carrier Air Wing TWO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility where they flew 266 combat missions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom in Iraq and Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
In March 2008, the Sun Kings embarked with Carrier Air Wing TWO aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for deployment to the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility. They participated in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and provided critical tanker and airspace management for strike and support aircraft. During the deployment, the squadron earned the CVW-2 Deployment Top Hook award and the Chief’s Mess was presented the Broadsword Award for the best CPO Mess in CVW-2. They returned home in October 2008.
Music videos
VAW-116 became "semi-famous" in 2006 for its remake of the "Pump ItPump It
"Pump It" is a song by The Black Eyed Peas that heavily incorporates music from the Dick Dale version of the song "Misirlou"...
" music video, by The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas
The Black Eyed Peas are an American pop group , formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1995. The group includes rappers will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo, and singer Fergie. Since the release of their third album Elephunk in 2003, the group has sold an estimated 56 million records worldwide...
. The video originated as a project on board ship to fight off boredom and to boost morale, but stemmed into what is almost a full fledged production and a free recruiting ad for the Navy. Pump It has recorded over 3,000,000 views on YouTube. The sequel, a remake of Outkast
OutKast
Outkast is an American hip hop duo based in East Point, Georgia, consisting of Atlanta native André "André 3000" Benjamin and Savannah, Georgia-born Antwan "Big Boi" Patton. They were originally known as Two Shades Deep but later changed the group's name to OutKast...
's video "Hey Ya," included every single member of the Sun Kings and has recorded over 1,000,000 views. Both videos have been shown on national television, and news stations in other countries.
Insignia
The VAW-116 insignia consists of a solid maroon circle behind a white and gold sun with a fascesFasces
Fasces are a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe blade emerging from the center, which is an image that traditionally symbolizes summary power and jurisdiction, and/or "strength through unity"...
in the center, above a gold banner with "VAW-116" written on it in maroon.
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
External links
- VAW-116 Official Website
- Pump It Music Video
- Carrier Air Wing TWO
- Commander, Airborne Command Control and Logistics Wing
- Air & Space Article "Detect and Direct", featuring the VAW-116 Sun Kings
- Navy Picture of Air Power Demonstration
- Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116 (VAW-116) command histories – Naval History & Heritage Command