Observing RW in CVW-9

According to Navy Times, we have 75+ aircraft deployed on one of our aircraft carriers. CVW-9 is setting a new standard.

When the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group left Jan. 17, the Navy began testing a new air wing configuration that features two MH-60 Seahawk helicopter squadrons, rather than one.

Previously, carrier air wings typically deployed with 12 helicopters, which included a squadron and a small detachment, while a small command element remained back on the beach. The rotary-wing aircrafts’ missions were often limited to search-and-rescue and logistical missions.

The new wing configuration has two full squadrons for a total of about 19 aircraft, with their leadership aboard, all under the carrier air wing and strike group commander. These helicopters are heavily armed and will take over missions such as anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and supporting SEALs or other special operations troops.

My list might be outdated. I am guessing the RW squadrons are HSM-71 "Raptors" and HSC-8 "Eightballers". Other squadrons for CVW-9 are listed below.

VFA-154 “Black Knights” (12 F/A-18F)
VFA-146 “Blue Diamonds” (12 F/A-18C)
VFA-147 “Argonauts” (12 F/A-18E)
VMFA-323 “Death Rattlers” (12 F/A-18C)
VAW-112 “Golden Hawks” (4 E-2C)
VAQ-138 “Yellow Jackets” (4 EA-6B)

Read the whole article, it suggests where JCSCSG is heading and why there might be more helicopters than usual.

I have plans to speak with RADM McKnight on Thursday, and if my read of the tea leaves is good, we are going to see some real creativity being used by the Boxer and Stennis Strike Groups once they replace the East coast folks in the near future.