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Deployments:
USS
Forrestal (CVA 59) / July 1964 - March 1965 (Mediterranean)
USS Forrestal
(CVA 59) / August 1965 - April 1966 (Mediterranean)
USS Shangri-La
(CVA 38) / September 1966 - May 1967 (Mediterranean)
USS Shangri-La
(CVA 38) / November 1967 - August 1968 (Mediterranean)
USS Shangri-La
(CVA 38) / January 1969 - July 1969 (Mediterranean)
USS Shangri-La
(CVA 38) / March 1970 - December 1970 (Vietnam War)
USS America
(CVA 66) / July 1971 -
December 1971 (Mediterranean)
USS America
(CVA 66) / June 1972 - March 1973 (Vietnam War)
USS America
(CVA 66) / January 1974 - August 1974 (Mediterranean)
USS America (CVA
66) / September 1974 - October 1974 (Atlantic)
USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) / July 1975 -
September 1975 (Atlantic)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / July 1976 - February 1977 (Mediterranean)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / December 1977 - July 1978 (Mediterranean)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / September 1979 - May 1980 (Mediterranean / Indian Ocean / Arabian Sea)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / August 1980 - October 1980 (North Atlantic)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / August 1981 - February 1982 (Mediterranean)
USS
Carl Vinson (CVN 70) / April 1982 - June 1982 (shakedown cruise)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / November 1982 - May 1983 (Mediterranean)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / March 1985 - October 1985 (Mediterranean)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / August 1986 - October 1986 (North Atlantic)
USS Nimitz (CVN
68) / December 1986 - July 1987 (Atlantic / Mediterranean / Cape Horn /
Pacific)
USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) / August 1988 - October 1988 (North Atlantic)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / December 1988 - June 1989 (North Atlantic)
USS
Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) / January 1990 - February 1990 (shakedown cruise)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / December 1990 - June 1991 (Gulf War)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / March 1993 - September 1993 (Mediterranean)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / March 1995 - September 1995 (Mediterranean)
USS
John C. Stennis (CVN 74) / March 1996 (shakedown cruise)
USS
John F. Kennedy (CV 67) / April 1997 - October 1997 (Mediterranean / Gulf)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / March 1999 - September 1999 (Mediterranean / Gulf)
USS
Enterprise (CVN 65) / April 2001 - November 2001 (Mediterranean / Gulf / Arabian Sea)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / January 2003 - May 2003 (Mediterranean)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / September 2005 - March 2006 (Mediterranean / Gulf)
USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) / September 2008 - April 2009 (Mediterranean / Arabian
Sea)
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CVW-8 history:
Iran
Between June 1976 and May 1980, CVW-8 embarked in USS Nimitz for three
Mediterranean deployments. During their third Mediterranean deployment and in
response to the Iranian hostage crisis and the Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan, the Nimitz / CVW-8 Team left Naples, Italy in January 1980 and
sailed around the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean. Established at
"Gonzo Station," the air wing supported the Iranian hostage rescue
attempt, Operation Eagle Claw, while remaining at-sea for more than 140
consecutive days. Returning to the United States in May 1980, CVW-8 embarked
once again in USS Nimitz for the North Atlantic NATO exercise "Teamwork
80" from August to November 1980.
Libya
CVW-8 embarked on the Nimitz yet again in April 1981 for Caribbean operations,
followed by another Sixth Fleet Mediterranean deployment. It was during this
deployment that two CVW-8 F-14's from Fighter Squadron Four One engaged and
destroyed two Libyan SU-22 aircraft following an unprovoked air-to-air
missile attack over the international waters of the Gulf of Sidra.
Beirut
Returning to Norfolk, Virginia, CVW-8 embarked in the Navy's newest carrier,
USS Carl Vinson for her maiden voyage in March 1982. CVW-8 squadrons returned
to the Nimitz later in 1982 for Carrier Refresher Training followed by
Caribbean operations and an extended Mediterranean deployment from November
1982 to May 1983 which included air operations in support of the
multi-national force in Beirut, Lebanon.
In March 1985, CVW-8 embarked again on the USS Nimitz for a Mediterranean
deployment which included participation in several exercises including
Distant Hammer, Poop Deck, and Bright Star. During this deployment, USS
Nimitz and CVW-8 were stationed off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon for 69
consecutive days during the terrorist hijacking of a TWA airliner. The prompt
response and threat of contingency strike operations by the USS Nimitz /
CVW-8 team helped coerce the Iranian-backed terrorists into releasing their
hostages.
In December 1986, CVW-8 embarked on the USS Nimitz for the last time and
deployed to the Mediterranean Sea. At the end of this deployment the USS
Nimitz / CVW-8 team sailed around the tip of South America as the carrier
changed its homeport from Norfolk, Virginia to Everett, Washington. In June
1987, CVW-8 aircraft launched for the last time from USS Nimitz while off the
coast of San Diego, California to return to their respective homeports.
The air wing embarked in USS Theodore Roosevelt in August 1988 for Teamwork
88, the largest multi-national exercise of the decade and operated in the
North Atlantic with a port call in Wilhelmshaven, West Germany. In December
1988, CVW-8 embarked the Theodore Roosevelt for a Mediterranean deployment
where they participated in 10 NATO exercises. The air wing distinguished
itself during this deployment by flying over 22,000 flight hours and 10,000
sorties without a mishap.
Gulf War
Following the August 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi armor and infantry
forces, CVW-8 rapidly prepared for possible combat operations. In four short
months, intense training enabled the Theodore Roosevelt / CVW-8 team to
deploy on 28 December to join five other U.S. Carrier Battle Groups in the
largest display of sea power since World War II for Operation Desert Storm.
After participating in combat operations in [Iraq in support of Operations
Desert Storm and Provide Comfort, CVW-8 returned home on 28 June 1991 for a
brief standdown. During the winter of 1992, CVW-8 provided opposition forces
from Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico in support of Carrier Battle Group
training. In July 1992, the air wing was the first Air Wing to receive and
incorporate a Marine Corps FA-18C squadron, the “Checkerboards” of Marine
Fighter Attack Squadron THREE TWELVE (VMFA-312). In December 1992, the USS
Theodore Roosevelt / CVW-8 team operated for the very first time in Naval
Aviation history as a Special Marine Air / Ground Task Force.
Carrier Air Wing Eight embarked aboard the Theodore Roosevelt in March 1993
and participated in Operation Provide Comfort and Deny Flight in support of
NATO sanctions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In June 1993, the team passed through
the Suez canal for Red Sea duty in support of Operation Souther Watch over
Iraq. CVW-8 returned to the Adriatic Sea in July 1993 to continue NATO
operational tasking until returning to Norfolk, Virginia in September 1993.
Bosnia
CVW-8 embarked again aboard the Theodore Roosevelt in March 1995 and operated
in the Mediterranean Sea, North Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Adriatic Sea. CVW-8
responded to threats from Iraq by conducting joint operations with the Royal
Jordanian Air Force and also enforced No-Fly Zones over Bosnia-Herzegovina as
part of Operation Deny Flight. On 29 August 1995, CVW-8 commenced
air-to-ground offensive operations in Bosnia-Herzegovina during Operation
Deliberate Force to include the first ever Navy combat use of the GBU-24
2,000 pound laser-guided penetrator bomb and the first combat use of the F-14
“Tomcat” to deliver air-to-ground ordnance. The USS Theodore Roosevelt / CVW-8
team returned home on 22 September 1995 and on 1 November 1995, CVW-8 was
reassigned under the operational control of the Kennedy Battle Group, forming
the team of USS John F. Kennedy and CVW-8.
The air wing embarked in USS John C. Stennis in February 1996, for a Joint
Fleet Exercise. This was followed by deployed operations to the North
Atlantic while embarked in USS John F. Kennedy with port calls to Dublin,
Ireland and Portsmouth, England.
In April 1997, CVW-8 embarked in USS John F. Kennedy for a Mediterranean Sea
/ Persian Gulf deployment. During this deployment, CVW-8 participated in
numerous exercises and detachments including Infinite Acclaim, Beacon Flash
and Invitex. During Invitex the Air Wing completed over 350 sorties including
203 sorties in a single day of surge operations. This deployment also
included operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation
Deliberate Guard and over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch.
In January 1999 CVW-8 deployed on USS Theodore Roosevelt and participated in
Operation Allied Force during 55 consecutive days of combat, flying 4,300
sorties, logging 10,000 flight hours and dropped 800 tons of ordnance. The
Air Wing came up with new tactics utilizing cooperative targeting between
F-14s and F/A-18s. CVW-8 was also the first Air Wing to expend weapons in two
theaters as they headed for the Persian Gulf to support Operation Southern
Watch after the war in the Balkans had ended. They flew over 2,600 missions
over Iraq.
Global War on Terror
In 2001, CVW-8 embarked aboard the USS Enterprise and completed a six and one
half month deployment culminating in the initial strikes of Operation
Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The deployment began with detachments in
Tunisia, Corsica, and Israel, as well as half-dozen port-visits throughout
the Mediterranean. During the second half of the deployment, the Air Wing
flew in support of Operation Southern Watch expending over 29,000 lb of
ordnance against Iraqi targets. The USS Enterprise / CVW-8 team were wrapping
up operations in the Fifth Fleet area of operations on 11 September 2001,
remained on station and eventually flew 16 days of combat operations over
Afghanistan to include 680 sorties that delivered over 770,000 lb of
precision guided munitions during the initial stages of Operation Enduring
Freedom.
On 19 February 2002, the Air Wing was reassigned back to the Roosevelt Battle
Group. CVW-8 made some changes as VF-14 and VF-41 had begun transitioning to
the F/A-18 Super Hornet and moved to CVW-11, VF-213 (formerly CVW-11) became
part of CVW-8 instead. In July 2002, CVW-8 began accelerated work-up
operations leading to a combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom. In October 2002 CVW-8 integrated Strike Fighter Squadron Two Hundred
One (VFA-201), a reserve Navy FA-18A+ squadron, and embarked in USS Theodore
Roosevelt in January 2002 for Caribbean training operations. The Theodore
Roosevelt / CVW-8 team deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in March, at the
conclusion of Caribbean training operations, and participated in combat
operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom flying over 1,000 sorties
and 5,000 hours that delivered over 1,000,000 pounds of precision-guided
weapons. The USS Theodore Roosevelt / CVW-8 team returned from deployment in
May 2003 and was chosen as the test platform for the Chief of Naval
Operations Fleet Response Plan initiative.
In 2005, CVW-8 became the last carrier air wing to deploy with the F-14
Tomcat when it departed for the Persian Gulf with VF-31 and VF-213. Captain William
Sizemore, Commander Carrier Air Wing Eight, landed the last F-14D Tomcat to
participate in a combat mission when the last OIF line period concluded in
February 2006. CVW-8 flew 16,000 sorties, logged 38,980 flight hours with a
97.3% sortie completion rate and dropped 61,000 pounds of ordnance.
CVW-8 and Theodore Roosevelt participated in Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4
Operation Brimstone off the coast of North Carolina between 21 and 31 July
2008. The British carrier HMS Ark Royal, the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima
with associated units and the Brazilian Navy frigate Greenhalgh (F-46) and
the French submarine Améthyste also participated in the event.
On 8 September 2008, CVW-8 deployed onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt on a
regularly-scheduled deployment. On 4 October, the Roosevelt Carrier Group
arrived in Cape Town, South Africa, the first visit by an American aircraft
carrier since 1967 and three days later the carrier left Cape Town. CVW-8 and
CVN-71 supported Operation Enduring Freedom and flew more than 3,100 sorties
and dropped more than 59,500 pounds of ordnance while providing Close Air
Support for ISAF-forces in Afghanistan. On 21 March 2009 Theodore Roosevelt
was relieved by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).
On 29 August 2009 Theodore Roosevelt entered Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding at
Newport News, Virginia (USA), to begin a Refueling and Complex Overhaul
(RCOH) which is scheduled to last until February 2013. CVW-8 will be assigned
to USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), which is expected to begin her first
deployment in 2010.
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aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 17, 2009
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - November 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - October 25, 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - September 15, 2008
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - July 23, 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - July 23, 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 fly in formation
with French Navy Rafale M’s - July 23, 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - July 21, 2008
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - April 27, 2008
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Atlantic Ocean - March 2006
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Atlantic Ocean - March 2006
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Suez Canal - February 2006
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Persian Gulf - January 2006
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Persian Gulf - November 2005
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Persian Gulf - November 2005
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Persian Gulf - November 2005
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Suez Canal - September 2005
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - April 13, 2003
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Mediterranean Sea - March 18, 2003
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - February 2003
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN
71) - February 2003
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2, 1995
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Suez Canal - July 1, 1993
CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN 71) - April 1, 1993
aircraft of CVW-8 assigned to USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - September 1991
aircraft of CVW-8 assigned to USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - June 1991
aircraft of CVW-8 assigned to USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - June 1991
aircraft of CVW-8 assigned to USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - June 1991
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - May 2, 1991
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Theodore
Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 8, 1988
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN
68) - February 4, 1987
aircraft of CVW-8 assigned to USS
Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 1986
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) - off Norway - August 31, 1986
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) - August 1, 1985
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Carl
Vinson (CVN 70) - June 15, 1982
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) - January 1982
aircraft of CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) after an aircraft crash on May 26th - May 28, 1981
aircraft of CVW-8 fly over USS Nimitz
(CVN 68) - April 1981
CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) -
March 1980
aircraft of CVW-8 over and aboard USS
Nimitz (CVN 68) - Mediterranean Sea - November 1979
aircraft of CVW-8 over and aboard USS
Shangri-La (CVA 38) - December 1968
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