COMMAND HISTORY

Since 20 April, 1967, VAW-115 has patrolled the skies of the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans in support of several Carrier Battlegroups. Originally flying the E-1B "Willie Fudd" with Attack Carrier Wing 2 aboard the USS Ranger (CVA-61), the squadron has seen the evolution of Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft, transitioning to the E-2B in 1970 and E-2C in 1985. The Liberty Bells are currently scheduled to transition to the E-2C Group II aircraft during the Summer of 1998.

The VAW-115 Liberty Bells are the oldest and only original squadron in Carrier Air Wing FIVE (CVW-5). They joined CVW-5 aboard the USS Midway (CV-41) in 1970 and made two combat deployments to the Gulf of Tonkin between May 1971 and April 1973. In September 1973, VAW-115, along with the rest of CVW-5, moved to Yokosuka as a component of the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Forces and established themselves as the only carrier and air wing to be homeported outside the continental United States.

Since then, the Liberty Bells have participated in many historically significant events. VAW-115 E-2's played a significant Command & Control role in operation FREQUENT WIND during the evacuation of Saigon in 1975. From the late 1970's through the 1980's, VAW-115 made eleven deployments to the Indian Ocean and North Arabian Sea, a period which saw such tumultuous events as the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran. In 1983, the E-2B's of VAW-115 participated in rescue and salvage operations following the tragic shootdown of Korean Airlines Flight 007. 1985 saw the Liberty Bells support Freedom of Navigation contingency operations, both for the USS Oldendorf in the Sea of Japan and for operation EARNEST WILL, protecting the Kuwaiti-reflagged tankers through the Straits of Hormuz. During the 1989-90 deployment, operation CLASSIC RESOLVE tasked the Midway Battle Group with supporting the democratic government of the Philippines against a coup attempt. In October 1990, VAW-115 deployed to the Arabian Gulf as part of operation DESERT SHIELD, responding to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. In February 1991, DESERT SHIELD became DESERT STORM in which VAW-115 flew 179 combat sorties. During the ensuing years, the squadron redeployed to the Gulf three times in support of operation SOUTHERN WATCH, enforcing the U.N. - imposed No-Fly Zone over the skies of southern Iraq. During this period, the USS Midway was retired and CVW-5 was paired with the USS Independence (CV-62). More recently, VAW-115 and the Independence Battlegroup were called upon to demonstrate US resolve and readiness off the coast of Taiwan during escalating tensions between Taiwan and China.

VAW-115 continues to participate in numerous Pacific theater exercises. A mere few of note are ANNUALEX and KEEN SWORD exercises with the Japanese Air and Maritime Self Defense Forces, FOAL EAGLE with the US and Korean Air Forces, TANDEM THRUST with the Royal Australian Air Force and Navy, and RIMPAC, a biannual multinational exercise which includes forces from around the Pacific. The Liberty Bells have also established "Sister Squadron" relationships with other E-2 squadrons including the JASDF 601 AEW Squadron and the Royal Singaporean Air Force 111 E-2 Squadron. These ceremonial relationships have fostered goodwill and camaraderie while benefiting cultural and professional exchanges.

With six Battle Efficiency "E" and AEW Excellence Awards and numerous Safety "S" awards to its credit, the VAW-115 Liberty Bells continue to be "at the ready" in the highly demanding, but rewarding, environment of the Far East and Western Pacific.