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VAW-123 Rewrites Tactics Textbook

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031124-15

Release Date: 11/25/2003 2:59:00 AM

By Journalist 3rd Class Jason Thompson, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

ABOARD USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Nov. 2, the crew of USS Enterprise (CVN 65) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 steamed through the Strait of Hormuz to the Northern Arabian Sea to conduct flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The 5,600-person crew was recalled during a port call in Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates.

The embarked Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123 redefined strike group tactics with an unprecedented deployment-within-a-deployment. A former Russian airfield from the Soviet-Afghani conflict was the staging ground for these operations.

At nearly a mile above sea level, Bagram Air Base is the northernmost airfield in Afghanistan. It also served as the home base for 10 aircrews and eight maintainers from the "Screwtops" of VAW-123 when operations began Nov. 4.

"We provided sustained and persistent airborne command and control in support of Army ground troop movements for ongoing operations in the North Hindu Kush Mountain Range in Afghanistan," said Cmdr. Steve Miller, commanding officer of VAW-123.

The Screwtops served as a forward-deployed asset by launching their E-2C Hawkeyes from Enterprise to Bagram.

"Our aircraft flew 800 miles from Enterprise's position in the Northern Arabian Sea into Afghanistan. Because of the time and distance and the aircraft's capabilities, the aircrew refueled on the ground at Bagram," said Miller.

The Hawkeyes then launched from the airfield to conduct operations in the skies over Afghanistan. After the mission was complete, the aircraft returned to Bagram for refueling and then made the 800-mile flight back to Enterprise. Because of the long duration of the missions, the aircrew rotated through aircraft, meaning each crew did not necessarily return to Big E in the same aircraft in which they left.

"This was the first time this expeditionary concept has been exercised in this type of environment," said Miller.

While in the air, the Screwtops controlled Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft for on-call fire support to ground troops. They oversaw the flow of aircraft into and out of the operating area, and also controlled tanker aircraft for refueling CAS aircraft.

In addition to flying first-of-a-kind missions, the aircrew had to adjust to living in a completely foreign environment.

"Bagram is what I imagine the Wild West was like. It's an isolated outpost in the middle of a volatile country," said Miller.

A minefield left over from the early 1980s surrounds the airfield. The aircraft flight line is in range of sniper fire, inspiring personnel assigned to Bagram to refer to the flight line as "Sniper Alley."

"We had to wear flak jackets and Kevlar vests when going to the flight line," said Miller.

In these harsh conditions, eight aircraft maintainers recovered, repaired and launched six aircraft every 24 hours.

"The ground crew got minimal sleep each night. They worked all night and often into the day. They slept and ate whenever the opportunity afforded itself," said Miller.

Bagram is also the temporary home of the Air Force's 455th Air Expeditionary Wing, as well as Marine and Army ground forces, making it a joint forces setting.

"Bagram is a hodgepodge of military forces. It's a huge coalition base, and it proves the value of joint operation exercises," said Miller.

By sending squadron personnel to the ground in Afghanistan, Screwtops were able to conduct missions that otherwise wouldn't have been possible.

"This is proving to be a viable capability for the fleet. There will be a maturing process, as we've got some very good 'lessons learned,' but overall, this operation is another tool in the tool box for the United States Navy," said Miller.

"The Navy can operate in a foreign environment and provide a new dimension to warfare capabilities. We are a sea-based expeditionary force that is now on call on land, as well," he added.

"Less than 72 hours after leaving a scheduled port call, we flew our first combat operation from Bagram," said Miller. "That's a true testament to the Big E motto of being 'ready on arrival.'"

By adding a new dimension to warfare capabilities, Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG), operating as the Navy's only deployed CSG, is demonstrating a never-before-seen flexibility and increasing the multi-warfare potential of the world's fiercest operating platform.