The year in review 2002: Operation Anaconda.

On 3 March 2002, U.S. ground forces in Afghanistan unleashed Operation Anaconda to trap al Qaeda terrorists and their Taliban supporters known to be lurking in the Shah-e-Kot Valley in southeastern Afghanistan. That day led to some of the fiercest fighting to date in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), the primary effort in the war against terrorism.

Intelligence flights had revealed hundreds of terrorists dug in around three villages in the valley, some of whom were jihadis (foreign volunteers). Often mistrusted by Afghans as outsiders, the jihadis, who thus felt isolated with little to lose, were known to fight ferociously.

The enemy's effective use of dispersal and camouflage and ability to hide in the rugged terrain made accurate intelligence and ordnance delivery crucial, especially with precision-guided munitions. In addition, the use of runners and nonbroadcast methods for communications reduced the effectiveness of jamming by EA-6B Prowlers.

The plan for Anaconda included dropping 1,200 Army troops behind the enemy to assume blocking positions on seven mountain passes that afforded the terrorists escape routes into Pakistan. U.S. and Australian Special Operations Forces (SOF), and hundreds of allied Afghans, would then drive the enemy into these blocking positions. In the interim, SOF would establish observation posts from which to direct air strikes.

When special operations forces were inserted into the valley at approximately 0300 on Sunday, 3 March, they encountered unexpectedly fierce resistance, especially from terrorists dug into Takur Ghar, a snow-capped mountain stronghold rising 10,200 feet.

As an Army MH-47E Chinook from the 2nd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approached the landing zone, it was struck by a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) round. ABH1 Neal Roberts, a sea-air-land team member (SEAL), was knocked out of the helicopter 10-15 feet into enemy positions. After a heroic stand against overwhelming odds, Petty Officer Roberts fell, mortally wounded, an act of bravery that prompted those who fought there subsequently to christen the mountain "Roberts Ridge." The pilots crash-landed the Chinook further down the mountain.

Reinforcements rushed in by other Chinooks were pinned down by intense enemy fire from RPGs, mortars and even a 75mm recoilless rifle. One MH-47E extricated the downed crew and the SEALs from the first Chinook, but a short while later enemy fire downed another and a vicious firefight ensued.

Fortunately, F-14A Tomcats from Fighter Squadron 211 immediately provided close air support, remaining on station for the next three critical hours. The Tomcats protected survivors with repeated bombing runs, dropping 500-pounders within 50 meters of SOF positions. In addition, they guided in other assets, including an Air Force AC-130 gunship.

Three feet of snow and foliage greatly hampered visibility of ground targets. Whenever the terrorists heard a Navy jet overhead, they ducked inside caves. While that eased the pressure on the pinned-down SOF, it also meant that the only way to ferret out the terrorists was to employ either Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) or thermobarics directly into the caves, marking the first time that thermobarics were dropped in combat.

The al Qaeda fighters still refused to surrender. Later that night, whenever they heard aircraft approaching, the terrorists drew blankets over themselves to mask their heat signatures in order to disappear from night-vision screens.

The desperate situation required immediate reinforcements, and Naval Aviation rose to the occasion. On 3 March, Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) shifted her position to just off Pasni, Pakistan. Early the next morning, a detachment from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) (MEU SOC)--five AH-1W Super Cobras and three CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (Reinforced) 165--launched for the grueling 730nm flight inland, which required refueling en route.

Arriving over Bagram at 1735 on 4 March, the Super Cobras immediately flew into action, blasting cave entrances for the hard-pressed troops. Meanwhile, the Super Stallion crews established a forward arming and refueling point within 10 miles of the battlefield, allowing the Super Cobras to operate at extended ranges with minimum turnaround time.

The John F. Kennedy (CV 67) battle group sped to the scene, launching its initial OEF strikes on the first night after arriving on station on 6-7 March. On 8 March, a detachment of two additional 13th MEU (SOC) KC-130T Hercules from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 deployed to Jacobabad, Pakistan, where their support proved crucial to allow the extended operations to continue. In addition, Marine AV-8B Harrier IIs proved so effective that SOF controllers specifically requested them.

Lieutenant Colonel Greg A. Sturdevant, designated as Commander Task Force 165 (comprising both Marine and Army aviation assets), was later awarded the Bronze Star for his extraordinary achievements during Anaconda, which also included being Air Mission Commander during four combat missions.

Airborne Early Warning Squadron 121 executed extended, long-range E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning coverage from "Ravens Station" in northern Afghanistan and "Panthers," an alternate station covering the central and western part of the country.

Throughout Anaconda, dark, wet and cold weather hampered those entrusted with the task of carrying it out, and forced them to improvise means of keeping aircraft operational with a bare minimum of parts and equipment. During the first three days, the temperature ranged from a high of 60[degrees]F to a low of zero, with a wind chill the first night of -20[degrees]F. In addition, illumination proved a problem. The near total darkness of the Afghan night and the resulting lack of ambient light often rendered night-vision goggles ineffective.

By the time the coalition declared an end to Anaconda on 18 March, enemy resistance was broken only after air power blasted them for almost two weeks, finally enabling troops on the ground to secure the enemy positions. During the desperate fighting, U.S. aircraft flew almost 950 sorties to flush out the terrorists and dropped more than 3,450 bombs. Fewer than 20 fanatical terrorists surrendered.

Naval Aviation would continue to play a key role in the war on terrorism as the year progressed. By year's end naval ships and aircraft were part of a growing force gathering in the Middle East for a looming war with Iraq.

January

The AGM-154C Joint Standoff Weapon conducted dynamic sled testing with a Broach penetration multi-stage warhead designed to penetrate hardened targets.

2 Raytheon Aircraft, Wichita, Kans., was awarded a potential $1.22 billion contract for up to five years for 234 T-6A Texan IIs for the Air Force and the Navy.

2 Enterprise (CVN 65) entered an extended dry dock selected restricted availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., scheduled to last approximately one year, for which the Northrop Grumman Corp. received a $191 million contract.

8 HSL-46's Det 3, embarked on board Hayler (DD 997), conducted the year's first maritime interdiction operation (MIO) in the Mediterranean when its Aircraft No. 2, an SH-60B Seahawk, intercepted suspected merchant vessel Rasha J. MIOs were coalition efforts to enforce UN resolutions against smuggling of illicit cargoes into and out of Iraq, imposed since August 1990 in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. The demanding pace of MIOs was demonstrated by HSL-46's five detachments to the Fifth and Sixth fleets during 2002, which collectively conducted over 500 MIOs and queried more than 700 merchant vessels.

13-14 Two HH-60H Seahawks from HS-11 and one from HS-8, all operating from Shreveport (LPD 12), provided sniper and AGM-114B Hellfire missile coverage for SEAL Team 8 and Special Boat Unit 20 during a nighttime boarding of the merchant vessel al Obeid in the northern Arabian Sea. Suspected of smuggling to al Qaeda terrorists, al Obeid was inspected by the boarders, who were reinforced by additional personnel from the destroyer Elliot (DD 967) to assist in the search and seizure. Al Obeid had previously been suspected of smuggling during the Persian Gulf War, and on 12 January 1991 had been tracked by naval aircraft and boarded by a team from Moosbrugger (DD 980).

14 The Battle of Zhawar Kili--an al Qaeda terrorist training area, logistics point and command and control node 30 miles southwest of Khowst, Afghanistan--ended. On 3 January, coalition aircraft, including four F/A-18C Hornets, four Air Force B-1B Lancers and an AC-130 gunship, began the battle with a strike against the compound in support of SOF on the ground. The facility was the same one struck on 20 August 1998 in retaliation for terrorist attacks against U.S. embassies in East Africa. During this second battle, coalition aircraft leveled Zhawar Kili's buildings, sealed all known caves, knocked out antiaircraft artillery and weapons, and tracked military vehicles.

February

8 The Navy unveiled the MH-60S Seahawk during a ceremony with HC-3, the HC fleet readiness squadron at NAS North Island, Calif. A total of 237 MH-60S Seahawks were planned.

10 Naval Aviation and a Coast Guard law enforcement detachment seized 12.65 tons of cocaine from smugglers on board the Colombian-flagged fishing vessel Paulo, 300 miles south of the Galapagos Islands. This was the second largest cocaine seizure in maritime history.

14 HMH-772, a reserve CH-53E Super Stallion squadron based at NAS JRB Willow Grove, Pa., was activated for one year. Attached to HMM-263, MCAS New River, N.C., the squadron provided heavy lift capability for the 24th MEU.

23 The last of 53 Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133, deployed to Afghanistan for OEF, returned to Guam. Air operations within Afghanistan would not have been possible without the Seabees, who repaired and maintained both the airstrip at Forward Operating Base Camp Rhino near Kandahar and the Kandahar International Airport, despite enemy harassment and bitter weather.

March

Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and Nimitz (CVN 68) became the first carriers to have the RIM-116A Rolling Airframe Missile, a shipboard antimissile system, installed.

4 Cdr. Don Burns, LCdr. Eric Humphreys, AW1 Jim Peters and AD1 Shawn Robertson flew HSL-60's maiden flight, at NS Mayport, Fla. The squadron was established on 1 April 2001 at Mayport as the Navy's first reserve Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) MK III squadron. Its six SH-60B Seahawks were intended to support reserve frigates by closing the gap between the total of 82 active duty LAMPS dets and the 88 required fleet-wide.

6 The Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) battle group was relieved by the John F. Kennedy (CV 67) battle group in the northern Arabian Sea.

12 During a night strike over Afghanistan, VF-11 CO Cdr. John C. Aquilino and LCdr. Kevin Protzman made the first combat strike with the MK 84 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munition from an F-14B Tomcat.

20 The Navy requested proposals for the Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft (MMA) component advanced development work effort. The MMA was designed to recapitalize on the capabilities provided by the P-3C Orion and the EP-3E Aries II.

27 The Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) battle group returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The carrier launched her first OEF strikes on 17 October 2001, and shifted her schedule 12 hours to accommodate night operations. Reveille was at 1800 and taps at 1000. During the deployment, CVW-1 flew over 10,000 sorties and dropped more than 1.7 million pounds of ordnance.

31 In Guam, HC-5 received the first three MH-60S Seahawks to be delivered to an operational squadron.

April

4 At Owego, N.Y., the first fully remanufactured SH-60B to MH-60R completed its first flight of the total weapon system. During 2001 the Navy decided to shift the program from remanufacturing existing H-60 airframes to producing new aircraft. A total of 243 MH-60Rs were planned.

8 The space shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., returning on 20 April. On board were Naval Aviation personnel Capt. Lee M. E. Morin, mission specialist, and Cdr. Stephen N. Frick, pilot.

15 Six F/A-18D Hornets from VMFA(AW)-121 arrived in Kyrgyzstan, initiating the first Naval Aviation fighter operations from that country. The Marines were integrated with the USAF's 376th Air Expeditionary Wing in strikes over Afghanistan.

15 NATO's Standing Naval Forces Atlantic returned to the eastern Mediterranean for a second deployment as Task Force Endeavour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. TF Endeavour, which was formed around naval aircraft tasked with tracking shipping capable of smuggling to terrorists, began its first deployment on 7 December 2001.

May

1 Test squadrons without alphanumeric designations were redesignated as air test and evaluation squadrons in keeping with fleet standards: HX-21, VX-20, VX-23, VX-30 and VX-31.

1 The first production AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile was unveiled during a ceremony at Raytheon Company, Tucson, Ariz.

3 The Department of Defense announced that it had certified six acquisition projects, allowing them to move forward. Included was a project to remanufacture 280 H-1 replacements for the AH-1 Cobra and UH-1 Huey.

3 HX-21 received Zulu 3, the second test AH-1Z Cobra to arrive at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

10 Two Coast Guard HH-60 Jayhawks and an HU-25 Falcon supported the cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) in the rescue of 71 Haitian migrants from an overloaded 35-foot vessel that capsized six miles west of Great Inagua, Bahamas. The bodies of 14 migrants who perished were also recovered. The Coast Guard rushed additional medical personnel and supplies to the area via a C-130 Hercules and the patrol boat Nantucket (WPB 1316).

13-16 Testing of the integration of the Cooperative Engagement Capability with E-2C Hawkeye 2000 weapon systems was conducted at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The Hawkeye was the first naval aircraft to be equipped with the system. It was developed to defend the fleet at greater ranges against advanced threats, such as cruise missiles, enabling the development of a single integrated air picture. Approximately 160 systems were planned.

19 The RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle began its flight test program at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif. The Fire Scout was designed to provide situational awareness and precision targeting, and to be fully autonomous, requiring limited operator intervention.

29 The first MV-22 Osprey to resume flight following a crash on 11 December 2000 near Jacksonville, N.C., that killed four Marines from VMMT-204, flew at NAS Patuxent River, Md. The Marines had requested 360 MV-22s, the Navy 48 HV-22s and the Air Force 50 CV-22s.

31 Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., selected the Thales TopOwl Avionics helmet-mounted display for Marine H-1s. It was planned to fit a total of 180 AH-1Zs and 100 UH-1Ys with the system.

June

The Marine Corps announced that as a result of lessons learned in OEF in Afghanistan, the 24th MEU would deploy with two additional AH-1W Cobras and four additional CH-53E Super Stallions.

1 VAdm. Bernard Max Strean, 91, died of pneumonia at Virginia Hospital Center, Arlington, Va. Strean was born on 16 December 1910 in Big Cabin, Okla., and graduated from the Naval Academy on 1 June 1933. Designated Naval Aviator No. 4260 on 12 June 1936, he was awarded both the Navy Cross and the Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea during WW II. He commanded VF-1 in an attack against Japanese carrier Hiyo on 20 June 1944 that resulted in her sinking. Among his post-WW II assignments was a key role in the establishment of the National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Fla., as well as command of the first nuclear task force, TF 1, which was formed around Enterprise (CVAN 65) during Operation Sea Orbit, a global cruise between July and October 1964. VAdm. Strean retired on 22 July 1971.

5 The space shuttle Endeavour launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., returning to Edwards AFB, Calif., on 19 June. On board were Naval Aviation personnel Kenneth D. Cockrell (retired), shuttle commander; and Capt. Daniel W. Bursch, flight engineer on the return flight.

14 The 100th F/A-18 Super Hornet, an F model, was delivered during a ceremony at Boeing Co., St. Louis, Mo. The aircraft was scheduled for assignment to VFA-102, which was slated to transition from the F-14 Tomcat.

17 Fighting monsoon seas towering almost 20 feet, an S-3B Viking from VS-31 embarked on board John F. Kennedy (CV 67) and an SH-60B from HSL-42 Det 7 embarked aboard the cruiser Vicksburg (CG 69) rescued all 16 crew members from the merchant vessel al Murtada, adrift off the coast of Oman.

18 The U.S. and the United Kingdom exchanged diplomatic notes terminating their agreement on leased bases in Bermuda. Prior to Pearl Harbor, the U.S. sought additional Atlantic bases to protect shipping from German U-boats. On 27 March 1941, an agreement was signed by the British ceding sovereign rights to the U.S. for 99 years over sites on Bermuda, where a naval air station was established on 1 July 1941. On 1 July 1945, NAS Bermuda, which based patrol aircraft during the war, was redesignated NAF Bermuda. It continued to support Naval Aviation operations against Soviet submarines during the Cold War, and was disestablished on 1 September 1995.

19 On this date, the approximate midpoint of the year, there were 85,415 reserve and National Guard personnel mobilized to support the war on terrorism, including 8,884 Navy, 4,129 Marine and 1,498 Coast Guard personnel.

20 Inchon (MCS 12) was decommissioned at NS Ingleside, Texas. Commissioned as an amphibious assault ship (LPH 12) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Va., on 20 June 1970, Inchon was redesignated a mine countermeasures command and support ship on 1 March 1995. Upon decommissioning, she was the fleet's last ship of the type.

24 The Navy accepted the first engineering and development version of the Shared Reconnaissance Pod. Intended to provide high- and medium-altitude tactical reconnaissance capabilities for F/A-18C/D Hornets, it was projected to deploy on board Nimitz (CVN 68) in mid-2003.

25 Coast Guard Commandant Thomas H. Collins announced the award of the Integrated Deepwater System contract to Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman. The $17 billion contract, with the potential to extend up to 30 years, made Deepwater the largest acquisition to date in the history of the Coast Guard. Naval Aviation elements included a new fixed-wing manned aircraft fleet, a combination of new and upgraded helicopters, and both cutter-based and land-based unmanned aerial vehicles.

29 The destroyer Pinckney (DDG 91) was christened at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Pascagoula, Miss. The ship honored Navy Cook Third Class William Pinckney, an African American who was awarded the Navy Cross during WW II for rescuing a fellow crew member on board Enterprise (CV 6) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October 1942.

July

3 Marine Maj. Jeff Greenwood and Bell Helicopter test pilot Gregg Shimp flew Yankee 1, the first UH1Y "Huey" prototype, for its initial flight, at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

19 The George Washington (CVN 73) battle group relieved the John F. Kennedy (CV 67) battle group in the northern Arabian Sea, and immediately began operations in support of OEF.

20 VAdm. James Bond Stockdale, USN (Ret.), and Frank Nicolas Piasecki were enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Dayton, Ohio. Stockdale received the Medal of Honor for his service during the Vietnam War, in which he flew two combat tours and spent over seven years as a POW. Piasecki's PV-Engineering Forum became instrumental in early helicopter development, and after WW II he played a key role in providing the fleet with helicopters, including both the HRP-1/2 Rescuer ("Flying Banana") and the HUP-1/2/3 (H-25) Retriever.

23 Venoms 502 and 510, the two SH-60B Seahawks assigned to HSL-48's Det 7, began a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf on board the frigate Kauffman (FFG 59), which deployed with the George Washington (CVN 73) battle group. The det conducted multiple MIOs during the deployment, including one that involved 60 grueling flight hours tracking a suspected merchant vessel that led to the capture of 15 suspected al Qaeda terrorists by Italian authorities.

24 The Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) battle group began a six-month deployment to the western Pacific and the Indian Ocean. This was the first operational deployment of two aircraft: the MH-60S Seahawk, assigned to HC-5, and the F/A18E Super Hornet, 12 of which were assigned to VFA-115.

24 Lt. Corey L. Pritchard, VFA-115, made the first deployed F/A-18E Super Hornet trap, on board Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

30 The Navy released a draft environmental impact statement for public comment on the introduction of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the East Coast. A total of 10 fleet squadrons (130 aircraft) and one fleet readiness squadron (FRS) (32 aircraft) were affected. The preferred alternatives comprised either six fleet squadrons and the FRS at NAS Oceana, Va., and four squadrons at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C.; or eight squadrons and the FRS at Oceana, and two squadrons at Cherry Point. In addition, an outlying landing field was proposed for either Craven or Washington counties, N.C.

August

The Navy issued a demand letter seeking repayment from General Dynamics and Boeing of approximately $2.3 billion owed the government concerning the A-12 Avenger. On 3 December, Under Secretary of Defense, Comptroller Dov S. Zakheim instructed the Defense Finance and Accounting Office to begin offsetting against payments due. Secretary of Defense Richard B. Cheney cancelled the program on 7 January 1991 due to the inability of the contractors, General Dynamics and McDonnell Douglas, to deliver an aircraft that met contract requirements. It was then the largest aircraft contract cancellation to date.

6 The NAS Patuxent River, Md., search and rescue team and its UH-3H Sea King rescued a man stranded in a mud flat utilizing a Tri-SAR harness, the first rescue using the harness.

7 The Navy announced its release of all 301 naval personnel remaining on stop-loss. In response to the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on 11 September 2001, the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) delegated stop-loss authority to the heads of military departments, allowing the services to retain individuals on active duty beyond their date of separation. President George H. W. Bush first delegated stop-loss authority to SECDEF during Operation Desert Shield in 1990, though it had not been implemented since Operation Allied Force in 1999. Stop-loss was imposed on 10 October 2001 and applied to 9,352 Sailors and officers in 11 critical specialties. It was revised in March 2002, when the total number affected dropped to 4,036.

15 The MH-60S Seahawk was approved for full-rate production.

16 At Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., the RQ-8A Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle completed its first in-flight sensor payload demonstration.

17 The destroyer McCampbell (DDG 85) was commissioned at San Francisco, Calif. The ship was named in honor of Capt. David McCampbell, who was awarded the Medal of Honor and became the Navy's top ace, with 34 confirmed kills against the Japanese during WW II.

26 Maj. Pat Mohr, HX-21, and Bell Helicopter test pilot Herb Moran flew Zulu 3, the first AH-1Z Super Cobra with an integrated all-digital cockpit, on its maiden flight at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

27 Northrop Grumman Corp., Melbourne, Fla., announced that it was awarded a three-year, $36.9 million contract to develop a rapid airborne mine clearance system for operation from the MH-60S Seahawk. The non-towed mine neutralization system used an electro-optic light detection and ranging system to acquire targets and aim its 30mm MK 44 gun.

September

The Navy accepted into inventory its first two T-6A Texan IIs, at NAS Patuxent River, Md.

6 The Center for Aviation Technical Training stood up at NATTC Pensacola, Fla. The center is responsible for defining all curriculum and educational tools, as well as developing technical training solutions and professional development continuums for all aviation personnel and for nondesignated airmen.

10 Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. were each awarded $7 million contracts by the Navy for Multimission Maritime Aircraft program component advanced development work.

11 The Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) battle group in-chopped to the Fifth Fleet. The group relieved the George Washington (CVN 73) battle group, and on 13 September Commander CVW-14 Capt. Kevin C. Albright and VFA-115 CO Cdr. Jeffrey R. Penfield flew the first F/A-18E Super Hornet OEF combat mission during operations over Afghanistan.

October

4 Marine Maj. Steve Girard and Bell Helicopter test pilot Gregg Shimp flew Zulu 2, the last of the five H-1 upgrade test aircraft, at NAS Patuxent River, Md. Zulu 2 flew after Zulu 3 due to more extensive instrumentation, which required more installation time.

7 The space shuttle Atlantis launched from Kennedy Space Center, returning on 18 October. On board was Naval Aviator Capt. Jeffrey S. Ashby, commander.

11 Secretary of the Navy Gordon England issued a memorandum concerning Capt. Michael Scott Speicher. On 17 January 1991, then-LCdr. Speicher was flying a VFA-81 F/A-18C Hornet (aircraft 403) from Saratoga (CV 60) when he was shot down by what was suspected to be an Iraqi surface-to-air missile. He became the first American casualty of the Persian Gulf War. New information suggested his possible survival, and on 11 January 2001 his status was changed from Killed in Action/Body Not Recovered to Missing in Action. On this date, his status was again changed, to Missing/Captured. Under international law, if held by Iraq, this entitled him to treatment as a prisoner of war.

12 Number 21, the first low-rate initial production MV-22 Osprey, flown by Marine Majs. Shawn Healy and Paul Hagar, arrived at NAS Patuxent River, Md., from Bell Boeing, Amarillo, Texas, for developmental flight testing.

19 The Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) battle group flew its last OEF mission before transiting to the Arabian Gulf, where it flew its first Operation Southern Watch mission over Iraq on 29 October.

30 The first of 2,600 ship's company members joined precommissioning unit Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the ninth Nimitz-class carrier, and began moving on board the ship at Newport News Shipbuilding, Va.

November

2 The Constellation (CV 64) battle group began a six-month deployment to the western Pacific and Indian Ocean in support of OEF.

5 The Navy announced that the Aviation Maintenance Officer School, NAS Pensacola, Fla., would relocate in December to NAS Whiting Field, Fla., as part of Naval Air Maintenance Training Group Detachment Milton.

6 Lts. John Turner and Eric Doyle of VFA-115, embarked on board Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), flew the F/A-18E Super Hornet's first combat live-fire action. They dropped four MK 84 2,000-pound Joint Direct Attack Munitions against an Iraqi command and control facility near Tallil and two surface-to-air missile systems near Al Kut, both southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, in response to hostile acts against coalition aircraft.

18 Raytheon Systems. Tucson, Ariz., was awarded a modification worth over $96 million to a previously awarded contract for the procurement of 599 AIM-9X Sidewinder low-rate initial production tactical and training missiles, of which 290 were for the Navy.

20 The Boeing Co. and subcontractor Raytheon rolled out the APG-79 active electronically scanned array radar upgrade for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at Raytheon, El Segundo, Calif. The upgrade was designed to increase situational awareness, reduce observability and significantly improve operational capabilities. It was expected for delivery by 2005.

22 The destroyer Mason (DDG 87) was delivered to the Navy at Bath Iron Works, Maine. The ship was named in honor of Ens. Newton Henry Mason, VF-3, who was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions against the Japanese during the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8-9 May 1942. She was the second ship named in his honor. The first Mason, the destroyer escort DE 529 commissioned during WW II, bore the distinction of being the first modern warship with a predominantly African American enlisted crew.

23 The space shuttle Endeavour launched from Kennedy Space Center, Fla., returning on 7 December. Oh board were' Naval Aviators Capt. James D. Wetherbee, commander; Capt. Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, mission specialist; Cdr. John Bennett Herrington, mission specialist; and Capt. Kenneth D. Bowersox, on return flight.

December

4 The Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) battle group flew its last Operation Southern Watch mission. During deployment with the group, VFA-115 flew its F/A-18E Super Hornets on 214 combat sorties, hitting 14 out of 14 assigned targets.

5 The Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) battle group began a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean in support of OEF.

8 Super Typhoon Pongsana devastated Guam. Naval aircraft spearheaded relief efforts, including the airlift of more than $4 million worth of supplies.

9 During a ceremony at the Pentagon, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England named the 10th Nimitz-class carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), in honor of the 41st President of the United States, a former Naval Aviator. Ltjg. Bush was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross during WW II for his participation as a member of VT-51 in an attack against a Japanese radio station on Chichi Jima, Bonin Islands, on 2 September 1944. During the attack, his TBM-1C Avenger, BuNo 46214, from San Jacinto (CVL 30) was shot down, but the future president was rescued by the fleet submarine Finback (SS 230).

20 The Navy announced the award of a ceiling $30 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Lockheed Martin Systems, Owego, N.Y., for engineering, technical support and equipment fabrication for the integration of developmental organic airborne mine countermeasures systems into the MH-60S Seahawk.

Patrol Squadron Major Deployments,
2002

NAS Keflavik, Iceland/NS Roosevelt Roads, PR
VP-8           Aug 01-Feb 02
VP-45          Feb 02-Aug 02
VP-26          Aug 02-Feb 03

NAS Sigonella, Italy
VP-5           Aug 01-Feb 02
VP-10          Feb 02-Aug 02
VP-16          Aug 02-Feb 03

Indian Ocean (Dets in North Arabian Sea/Arabian Gulf)
VP-4           Dec 01-May 02
VP-1           Jun 02-Dec 02
VP-46          Dec 02-May 03

NAF Misawa, Japan (Det at Kadena, Okinawa)
VP-40          Dec 01-May 02
VP-47          Jun 02-Dec 02
VP-9           Dec 02-May 03

Note: All squadrons fly the P-3C Orion.

Carrier and Air Wing Deployments, 2002

Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
CVW-11 (Tail Code: NH)
WestPac/IO
23 Jul 01-23 Jan 02

Squadron               Aircraft

VF-213 *                  F-14D
VFA-22                  F/A-18C
VFA-94                  F/A-18C
VFA-97                  F/A-18A
VAW-117                    E-2C
VAQ-135                   EA-6B
VRC-30 Det 3               C-2A
VS-29                      S-3B
HS-6              SH-60F/HH-60H

Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
CVW-1 (Tail Code: AB)
North Arabian Sea
19 Sep 01-27 Mar 02

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-102 *                   F-14B
VFA-82                   F/A-18C
VFA-86                   F/A-18C
VMFA-251 (DW) **         F/A-18C
VAW-123                     E-2C
VAQ-137                    EA-6B
VRC-40 Det 2                C-2A
VS-32                       S-3B
HS-11              SH-60F/HH-60H

John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
CVW-9 (Tail Code: NG)
North Arabian Sea
12 Nov 01-28 May 02

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-211 *                   F-14A
VFA-146                  F/A-18C
VFA-147                  F/A-18C
VMFA-314 (VW) **         F/A-18C
VAW-112                     E-2C
VAQ-138                    EA-6B
VRC-30 Det 4                C-2A
VS-33                       S-3B
HS-8               SH-60F/HH-60H

John F. Kennedy (CV 67)
CVW-7 (Tail Code: AG)
Mediterranean/IO
7 Feb 02-17 Aug 02

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-11 *                    F-14B
VFA-143 *                  F-14B
VFA-131                  F/A-18C
VFA-136                  F/A-18C
VAW-121                     E-2C
VAQ-140                    EA-6B
VRC-40 Det 3                C-2A
VS-31                       S-3B
HS-5               SH-60F/HH-60H

George Washington (CVN 73)
CVW-17 (Tail Code: AA)
Mediterranean/IO
20 Jun 02-20 Dec 02

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-103 *                   F-14B
VFA-34                   F/A-18C
VFA-81                   F/A-18C
VFA-83                   F/A-18C
VAW-125                     E-2C
VAQ-132                    EA-6B
VRC-40 Det 4                C-2A
VS-30                       S-3B
HS-15              SH-60F/HH-60H

Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
CVW-14 (Tail Code: NK)
WestPac/IO
24 Jul 02-20 May 03

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-31 *                    F-14D
VFA-25                   F/A-18C
VFA-113                  F/A-18C
VFA-115                  F/A-18E
VAW-113                     E-2C
VAQ-139                    EA-6B
VRC-30 Det 1                C-2A
VS-35                       S-3B
HS-4               SH-60F/HH-60H

Constellation (CV 64)
CVW-2 (Tail Code: NE)
WestPac/IO
2 Nov 02-2 May 03

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-2 *                     F-14D
VFA-137                  F/A-18C
VFA-151                  F/A-18C
VMFA-323 (WS) **         F/A-18C
VAW-116                     E-2C
VAQ-131                    EA-6B
VRC-30 Det 2                C-2A
VS-38                       S-3B
HS-2               SH-60F/HH-60H
HSL-47 Det 4              SH-60B

Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
CVW-3 (Tail Code: AC)
Mediterranean/IO
5 Dec 02-4 Jun 03

Squadron                Aircraft

VF-32 *                    F-14B
VFA-37                   F/A-18C
VFA-105                  F/A-18C
VMFA-115 (VE) **         F/A-18A
VAW-126                     E-2C
VAQ-130                    EA-6B
VRC-40 Det 1                C-2A
VS-22                       S-3B
HS-7               SH-60F/HH-60H

* All deployed F-14 squadrons are equipped
with the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod
System and the Low-Altitude Navigation and
Targeting Infrared for Night pod.

** While on deployment, VMFA squadrons
take on the tail code of the air wing. Their
original tail codes are noted in parentheses.

Aviation Command Changes, 2002

Established

Airborne Early Warning Wing Atlantic Det AIMD        14 Mar
Fighter Wing Atlantic Det AIMD Key West, FL          14 Mar
Fighter Wing Atlantic Det AIMD Oceana, VA            14 Mar
Fleet Air Keflavik Det AIMD                          14 Mar
Helicopter Antisubmarine Light Det AIMD              14 Mar
Helicopter Tactical Wing Atlantic Det AIMD           14 Mar
Naval Air Forces Atlantic Det AIMD
  Roosevelt Roads, PR                                14 Mar
Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 5 Det AIMD            14 Mar
Sea Control Wing Atlantic Det AIMD                   14 Mar
Airborne Early Warning Wing Atlantic Det Weapons
  and Tactics Unit                                   15 Mar
Sea Control Wing Pacific Det Weapons
  and Tactics Unit                                   10 Apr
VAQ-143                                               1 Aug
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det AIMD Atsugi, Japan      1 Oct
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det AIMD Diego Garcia,
  B.I.O.T.                                            1 Oct
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det AIMD Iwakuni, Japan     1 Oct
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det AIMD Misawa, Japan      1 Oct
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det Aviation
  Support Detachment Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.           1 Nov
Fleet Air Western Pacific Det Aviation
  Support Detachment Misawa, Japan                    1 Nov
Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training         19 Nov

Deactivated

Strike Weapons and Tactics School Atlantic           30 Sep

Redesignated

VF-102 to VFA-102                                     1 May
Naval Force Aircraft Test Squadron to VX-20           1 May
Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron to HX-21     1 May
Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron to VX-23          1 May
Naval Weapons Test Squadron Point Mugu to VX-30       1 May
Naval Weapons Test Squadron China Lake to VX-31       1 May
Naval Air Reserve Force to Naval Air Force Reserve    1 Jul

Note: The dates listed are official and may differ from those
reported in earlier issues and from ceremonial dates.

Major HC Squadron
Deployments, 2002

HELTACWINGLANT

Squadron          Dates               Ship

HC-8 Det 4        Sep 01-Mar 02       Detroit (AOE 4)
HC-8 Det 3        Oct 01-Apr 02       Saturn (TAFS 10)
HC-6 Det 1        Nov 01-Apr 02       Bataan (LHD 5)
HC-6 Det 4        Mar 02-Aug 02       Seattle (AOE 3)
HC-8 Det 1        Jun 02-Dec 02       Supply (AOE 6)
HC-6 Det 7        Aug 02-present      Nassau (LHA 4)
HC-6 Det 6        Nov 02-present      Mount Whitney (LCC 20)
HC-2 Det 1        *                   LaSalle (AGF 3)/Naples, Italy
HC-2 Det 2        *                   Manama, Bahrain
HC-4              **                  Sigonella, Italy
HC-4 Det 1        *                   Fujairah, UAE
HM-14 Det 1       *                   Manama, Bahrain

HELTACWINGPAC

Squadron          Dates               Ship

HC-11 Det 8       Jul 01-Jan 02       Sacramento (AOE 1)
HC-5 Det 4        Aug 01-Jan 02       Niagara Falls (TAFS 3)
HC-11 Det 6       Aug 01-Mar 02       Peleliu (LHA 5)
HC-5 Det 5        Sep 01-Jul 02       Flint (TAE 32)
HC-5 Det 3        Nov 01-May 02       Concord (TAFS 5)
HC-11 Det 3       Jan 02-May 02       Bridge (AOE 9)
HC-11 Det 4       Jan 02-Jun 02       Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
HC-5 Det 2        Apr 02-Aug 02       Niagara Falls (TAFS 3)
HC-11 Det 5       Jun 02-Dec 02       Belleau Wood (LHA 3)
HC-11 Det 2       Jul 02-present      Camden (AOE 2)
HC-5 Det 1        Aug 02-Dec 02       San Jose (TAFS 7)
HC-11 Det 1       Nov 02-present      Rainier (AOE 7)

* Permanent detachment

** Forward deployed

Electronic Attack (VAQ) Expeditionary
Squadron Deployments, 2002

Incirlik Air Base, Turkey

VMAQ-3      Nov 01-Feb 02
VAQ-134     Feb 02-May 02
VAQ-142     Feb 02-May 02
VAQ-128     May 02-Aug 02
VAQ-209 *   Aug 02-Sep 02
VAQ-133     Sep 02-Jan 03

Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia

VAQ-133     Nov 01-Feb 02
VMAQ-1      May 02-Aug 02
VMAQ-4      Aug 02-Nov 02
VAQ-142     Nov 02-Feb 03

MCAS Iwakuni, Japan

VMAQ-2      Jan 02-Jun 02

* Reserve squadron deployment

Note: No squadrons deployed June-December 2002.
All squadrons fly the EA-6B Prowler.

LAMPS MK III Ship Deployments, 2002

HSLWINGLANT

Battle Group Deployments

Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)
19 Sep 01-27 Mar 02

Squadron        Ship

HSL-42 Det 2    Leyte Gulf (CG 55)
HSL-44 Det 4    Peterson (DD 969)
HSL-44 Det 6    Elrod (FFG 55)
HSL-46 Det 3    Hayler (DD 997) (16 Oct 01-16 Apr 02)
HSL-48 Det 5    Vella Gulf (CG 72)
HSL-48 Det 10   Anzio (CG 68)

John F. Kennedy (CV 67)
7 Feb 02-17 Aug 02

Squadron        Ship

HSL-42 Det 7    Vicksburg (CG 69)
HSL-44 Det 8    Underwood (FFG 36) (30 Apr 02-15 Oct 02)
HSL-46 Det 4    Spruance (DD 963) (20 Mar 02-20 Sep 02)
HSL-46 Det 9    Taylor (FFG 50) (20 Mar 02-20 Sep 02)
HSL-48 Det 3    Roosevelt (DDG 80) (20 Mar 02-20 Sep 02)
HSL-48 Det 10   Hue City (CG 66)

George Washington (CVN 73)
20 Jun 02-20 Dec 02

Squadron        Ship

HSL-42 Det 1    Monterey (CG 61)
HSL-44 Det 9    Arthur W. Radford (DD 968) (23 Jul 02-Jan 03)
HSL-46 Det 7    Normandy (CG 60)
HSL-48 Det 7    Kauffman (FFG 59) (23 Jul 02-Jan 03)

Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
5 Dec 02-4 Jun 03

Squadron        Ship

HSL-42 Det 3    Deyo (DD 989)
HSL-42 Det 8    Hawes (FFG 53)
HSL-44 Det 1    Briscoe (DD 977)
HSL-46 Det 2    Oscar Austin (DDG 79)
HSL-48 Det 6    San Jacinto (CG 56)

Individual Deployments

Squadron        Dates                 Ship

HSL-42 Det 10   10 Oct 01-10 Apr 02   Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29)
HSL-46 Det 10   7 Nov 01-26 Mar 02    Doyle (FFG 39)
HSL-48 Det 1    10 Jan 02-1 Jul 02    Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58)
HSL-44 Det 5    1 Feb 02-1 Aug 02     Klakring (FFG 42)
HSL-42 Det 4    8 Feb 02-1 Aug 02     Yorktown (CG 48)
HSL-44 Det 10   3 Jun 02-12 Nov 02    Simpson (FFG 56)
HSL-42 Det 9    3 Jun 02-18 Nov 02    Thomas S. Gates (CG 51)
HSL-46 Det 8    23 Jul 02-20 Dec 02   Dewert (FFG 45)
HSL-42 Det 2    1 Oct 02-1 Apr 03     Boone (FFG 28)
HSL-48 Det 2    10 Oct 02-17 Mar 03   John L. Hall (FFG 32)

HSLWINGPAC

Battle Group Deployments

Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
23 Jul 01-23 Jan 02

Squadron        Ship

HSL-43 Det 1    Antietam (CG 54)
HSL-45 Det 1    Ingraham (FFG 61)
HSL-47 Det 5    Princeton (CG 59)

John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
12 Nov 01-28 May 02

Squadron        Ship

HSL-37 Det 1    Port Royal (CG 73)
HSL-43 Det 6    Elliot (DD 967)
HSL-47 Det 2    Jarrett (FFG 33)
HSL-49 Det 3    Lake Champlain (CG 57)

Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
24 Jul 02-20 May 03

Squadron        Ship

HSL-37 Det 2    Fletcher (DD 992) (2 Aug 02-20 May 03)
HSL-37 Det 4    Reuben James (FFG 57) (2 Aug 02-20 May 03)
HSL-43 Det 1    Mobile Bay (CG 53)
HSL-49 Det 6    Shiloh (CG 67)

Constellation (CV 64)
2 Nov 02-2 May 03

Squadron        Ship

HSL-43 Det 2    Thach (FFG 43)
HSL-45 Det 5    Bunker Hill (CG 52)
HSL-47 Det 4    Constellation (CV 64)
HSL-49 Det 5    Valley Forge (CG 50)

Individual Deployments

Squadron        Dates                 Ship
HSL-45 Det 2    18 Oct 01-18 Apr 02   Ford (FFG 54)
HSL-47 Det 6    18 Oct 01-18 Apr 02   John Young (DD 973)
HSL-43 Det 5    22 Oct 01-19 Apr 02   Rentz (FFG 46)
HSL-45 Det 3    15 Jan 02-15 Mar 02   Oldendorf (DD 972)
HSL-51 Det 11   18 Jan 02-18 Apr 02   Blue Ridge (LCC 19)
HSL-49 Det 4    8 Apr 02-2 Oct 02     McClusky (FFG 41)
HSL-51 Det 4    15 Apr 02-5 Jun 02    Chancellorsville (CG 62)
HSL-51 Det 7    15 Apr 02-24 Aug 02   Cushing (DD 985)
HSL-51 Det 3    19 Apr 02-5 Jun 02    O'Brien (DD 975)
HSL-51 Det 6    25 Apr 02-10 Aug 02   Vincennes (CG 49)
HSL-47 Det 3    28 May 02-13 Nov 02   Fife (DD 991)
HSL-51 Det 2    17 Jun 02-2 Aug 02    Cowpens (CG 63)
HSL-43 Det 3    17 Jun 02-15 Dec 02   Paul F. Foster (DD 964)
HSL-37 Det 5    22 Oct 02-present     Crommelin (FFG 37)
HSL-51 Det 5    25 Oct 02-14 Dec 02   Gary (FFG 51)

Note: Deployment dates of squadrons that joined a battle group
late are indicated in parentheses.

Bureau Numbers Issued in 2002

Numbers below were assigned by CNO during 2002 for future
Navy and Marine Corps aircraft procurement:

Numbers         Qty   Type      Name          Contractor

166468-166471   4     MH-60S    Seahawk       Sikorsky
166472-166473   2     KC-130J   Hercules      Lockheed Martin
166474          1     UC-35D    Encore        Cessna
166475-166476   2     UH-1Y     Iroquois      Bell Helicopter
166477-166479   3     AH-1Z     Super Cobra   Bell Helicopter
166480-166499   20    MV-22B    Osprey        Bell/Boeing

Amphibious Assault Carrier and Marine Helicopter
Squadron (Rein) Deployments, 2002

Peleliu (LHA 5)
HMM-163(R) (Tail Code: YP)
WestPac/IO
13 Aug 01-0.4 Mar 02
Squadron                  Aircraft
HC-11 Det-6 (VR) *          HH-46D
HMH-465 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-169 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-163                     CH-46E
VMA-211 Det                  AV-8B

Bataan (LHD 5)
HMM-365(R) (Tail Code: YM)
IO
19 Sep 01-18 Apr 02
Squadron                  Aircraft
HC-6 Det-1 (HW) *           HH-46D
HMH-464 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-269 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-365                     CH-46E
VMA-223 Det                  AV-8B

Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)
HMM-165(R) (Tail Code: YW)
WestPac/IO
01 Dec 01-18 Jun 02
Squadron                  Aircraft
HC-11 Det 4 (VR) *          CH-46D
HMH-462 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-369 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-165                     CH-46E
VMA-211 Det                  AV-8B

Wasp (LHD 1)
HMM-261(R) (Tail Code: EM)
Med/IO
22 Feb 02-30 Aug 02
Squadron                  Aircraft
HMH-461 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-167 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-261                     CH-46E
VMA-542 Det                  AV-8B

Belleau Wood (LHA 3)
HMM-166(R) (Tail Code: YX)
WestPac/IO
15 Jun 02-14 Dec 02
Squadron                  Aircraft
HC-11 Det 5 (VR) *            H-46
HMH-466 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-367 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-166                     CH-46E
VMA-513 Det                  AV-8B

Nassau (LHA 4)
HMM-263(R) (Tail Code: EG)
Med/IO
26 Aug 02-30 Apr 03
Squadron                  Aircraft
HC-6 Det 7 (HW) *            CH-46
HMH-772 Det                 CH-53E
HMLA-269 Det           UH-1N/AH-1W
HMM-363                     CH-46E
VMA-231 Det                  AV-8B

* While on deployment, HC squadron detachments are assigned to the
amphibious assault carrier rather than to the embarked Marine
helicopter squadron (reinforced); therefore, detachment helicopters
retain their own squadron tail codes. Data courtesy of William S. Hart.

Aircraft Accepted in 2002

Bureau Number    Qty   Type      Name           Contractor

163935-163936    2    AH-1W     Super Cobra    Bell Helicopter
165443           1    MV-22B    Osprey         Bell/Boeing
165580-165590    11   AV-8B     Harrier II     Boeing
165592-165593    2    AV-8B     Harrier II     Boeing
165602-165615    14   T-45C     Goshawk        Boeing
165650           1    E-2C      Hawkeye        Northrop Grumman
165763           1    MH-60S    Seahawk        Sikorsky
165769-165777    9    MH-60S    Seahawk        Sikorsky
165811-165813    3    E-2C      Hawkeye        Northrop Grumman
165833-165834    2    C-40A     Clipper        Boeing
165867-165874    8    F/A-18E   Super Hornet   Boeing
165882-165895    14   F/A-18F   Super Hornet   Boeing
165896-165901    6    F/A-18E   Super Hornet   Boeing
165910-165921    12   F/A-18F   Super Hornet   Boeing
165959-165960    2    T-6A      Texan II       Raytheon/Beech
166289-166294    6    MH-60S    Seahawk        Sikorsky
166374           1    UC-35D    Encore         Cessna
166375           1    C-37A                    Gulfstream
166380           1    KC-130J   Hercules       Lockheed Martin
166405-166408    4    MH-60R    Seahawk        Sikorsky

Aircraft Stricken in 2002

Aircraft   BuNo      Date

A-6E       149944   14 Jun
A-6E       149955   14 Jun
A-6E       151802   14 Jun
A-6E       152591   14 Jun
A-6E       152600   14 Jun
A-6E       152931   14 Jun
A-6E       154159   14 Jun
A-6E       154161   14 Jun
A-6E       155589   14 Jun
A-6E       155592   14 Jun
A-6E       155635   14 Jun
A-6E       155646   14 Jun
A-6E       155653   14 Jun
A-6E       155683   14 Jun
A-6E       155689   14 Jun
A-6E       157026   14 Jun
A-6E       158788   14 Jun
A-6E       159179   14 Jun
A-6E       159314   14 Jun
A-6E       159316   14 Jun
A-6E       159579   14 Jun
A-6E       159896   14 Jun
A-6E       160423   14 Jun
A-6E       160425   14 Jun
A-6E       160427   14 Jun
A-6E       160429   14 Jun
A-6E       160998   14 Jun
A-6E       161083   14 Jun
A-6E       161090   14 Jun
A-6E       161102   14 Jun
A-6E       161108   14 Jun
A-6E       161662   14 Jun
A-6E       161678   14 Jun
A-6E       162179   14 Jun
A-6E       162198   14 Jun
A-6E       162202   14 Jun
A-6E       162207   14 Jun
A-6E       164376   14 Jun
A-6E       164377   14 Jun
A-6E       164381   14 Jun
A-6E       164382   14 Jun
A-6E       164383   14 Jun
A-6E       164384   14 Jun
AH-1W      162545   29 Jul
AV-8B      162969   21 Feb
AV-8B      163855   14 Mar
AV-8B      164124   26 Aug
AV-8B      164561   22 Jun
CH-46D     150276   9 May
CH-46D     153325   13 May
CH-46D     153326   20 Jun
CH-46D     153335   16 May
CH-46D     153338   20 Jun
CH-46D     153339   24 Jul
CH-46D     153341   18 Jul
CH-46D     153345   20 Jun
CH-46D     153374   18 Jul
CH-46D     154002   7 Feb
CH-46D     154032   26 Aug
CH-46D     154823   3 Jun
CH-53E     161535   25 Feb
CH-53E     163082   20 Jan
DC-9       163208   31 May
DC-9       163512   31 May
E-2C       162797   31 May
E-2C       162800   31 May
F-14A      158618   8 Mar
F-14A      158634   9 Feb
F-14A      159873   15 Jan
F-14A      160669   15 Jan
F-14A      161869   15 Jan
F-14A      162591   25 Jan
F-14A      162594   3 Oct
F-14A      162600   8 Mar
F-14A      162606   1 Aug
F-14A      162689   18 Apr
F-14B      161287   22 May
F-14B      161429   8 Jul
F-14B      161599   16 May
F-14B      161851   14 Jun
F-14B      162923   2 Mar
F/A-18A    161981   18 Dec
F/A-18A    162828   30 Dec
F/A-18A    162868   14 Feb
F/A-18A    162871   5 Feb
F/A-18A    162883   18 Dec
F/A-18A    162887   15 Mar
F/A-18A    162891   6 Jun
F/A-18A    163139   26 Jul
F/A-18B    161714   29 Apr
F/A-18C    165229   3 Nov
F/A-18D    163749   15 Nov
F/A-18F    165881   18 Oct
F/A-18F    165889   18 Oct
HH-1N      158553   28 Mar
HH-46D     150964   24 Jul
HH-46D     151920   31 Jul
KC-130F    148895   3 May
KC-130F    150687   11 Jul
KC-130F    150688   11 Jul
KC-130R    160021   9 Jan
MH-53E     162509   9 Oct
MH-53E     163051   30 Jul
NC-130H    650979   14 Jul
NF-14D     163412   31 May
P-3B       154577   17 Sep
QF-4S      155573   7 May
QF-4S      155749   20 Apr
S-3B       159389   26 Apr
S-3B       159402   10 Sep
SH-2G      161643   3 Dec
SH-2G      161644   3 Jul
SH-2G      161907   3 Dec
SH-2G      161912   3 Jul
SH-2G      162580   3 Jul
SH-2G      163543   3 Jul
SH-2G      163544   3 Jul
SH-2G      163545   3 Jul
SH-2G      163546   3 Jul
SH-60B     162093   20 Nov
SH-60B     162095   11 Feb
SH-60B     162105   30 Sep
SH-60B     162122   9 Aug
SH-60B     163247   4 May
SH-60B     164463   6 Sep
T-2C       156730   20 Dec
T-2C       158908   20 Dec
T-34C      160947   25 Nov
T-39N      165522   8 May
T-39N      165525   8 May
TC-130G    151891   15 Nov
TC-18F     165342   3 Jul
TH-57C     162017   17 Dec
UH-1N      159695   22 May
UH-1N      159697   14 May
UH-3H      149684   5 Jul
UH-3H      149929   16 Jan
UH-46D     151904   19 Jul
UH-46D     153405   26 Apr
UH-60A     722725   1 Jul

Todd Baker and Mark Evans are historians in the Naval Historical Center's Aviation History and Archives Branch.