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VAW 117, GWSG: Fortunate Happenstance

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS131115-30
Release Date: 11/15/2013 10:26:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chris Cavagnaro

PHILIPPINE SEA (NNS) -- Sailors from the 'Wallbangers' of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 embarked the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) Nov. 11 just in time to aid the George Washington Strike Group (GWSG) in Operation Damayan.

The Wallbangers, based at Naval Base Ventura County: Point Mugu, Calif., originally embarked George Washington to swap four E-2C Hawkeye aircraft with the 'Liberty Bells' of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115. Upon arriving to the ship, their mission quickly changed in light of the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, and is now able to assist the GWSG in its humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission.

'We were in Italy on our way to meet up with the George Washington when the typhoon struck,' said Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Ashlee Cyr, from San Diego. 'As soon as we heard of the typhoon hitting the Philippines, our squadron was more than willing to stick it out until the end and help out in any way possible.'

The E-2C Hawkeye provides airborne early-warning to assist naval task forces of approaching air threats, guidance of search and rescue missions, and acts as a relay to extend the range of communications.

'The addition of our four Hawkeyes will make it easier for George Washington to provide coverage of the affected areas of the Philippines and extend our communication capabilities to coordinate with other aircraft delivering supplies to the region,' said Cyr. 'I'm just happy we're out here to help and support the Philippines and everyone who has lost friends and family.'

The aircraft transfer between the two squadrons was scheduled to provide upgrades to the E-2C Hawkeyes while still permitting the strike group to continue its 2013 patrol.

'We're still going to complete what we originally set out to do, but the real mission now is to help the George Washington in Operation Damayan and see that mission through to the end,' said Cyr.

The GWSG supports the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade to assist the Philippine government in Operation Damayan in response to the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Republic of the Philippines.