VAW-78 Fighting Escargots deactivated.

Carrier Airborne Early Warning 78 (VAW-78) was deactivated on 31 March 2005 after almost 35 years of service. Cdr. Tom Oliver was the last CO of the Fighting Escargots, a reserve squadron.

Created as part of the vast reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve, VAW-78 was established on 1 July 1970 as the early warning squadron for Reserve Antisubmarine Carrier Air Group 70 (CVSGR-70). The squadron was equipped with E-1B Tracer radar warning aircraft.

In September 1975, when the CV concept of combining antisubmarine aircraft with attack carrier air wings was being implemented, VAW-78 shifted to Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) and replaced the disbanded VAW-207. In 1977, VAW-78 modernized with the acquisition of the E-2B Hawkeye radar warning aircraft, and in March 1983 upgraded to the E-2C version.

VAW-78 maintained its carrier qualifications and operated on board aircraft carriers on five extended periods for active-duty training. The "Slugs" participated in numerous exercises, including the UNITAS exercises with Latin American navies. The squadron coordinated missile shoots and provided search and rescue support for space shuttle launches. The most important operational contribution of the squadron was its participation the tracking and interdiction of drug-running aircraft and vessels in the Caribbean area during the last two decades. In 1999, after Hurricane Floyd struck the U.S. East Coast, VAW-78 provided air control for federal, state, and local aircraft bringing relief to 20,000 flooded residents.

Before deactivating, VAW-78 transferred some of its aircraft to VAW-77 to replace older E-2Cs in that squadron.

By LCdr. Rick Burgess, USN (Ret.)