Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. At the moment, CVW-7 is assigned to the . The tail code of aircraft assigned to CVW-7 is AG.
Mission
To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of seven air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations.
Subordinate units
CVW-7 consists of 7 Squadrons
History
World War II to 1950
Carrier Air Wing Seven was originally established 20 July 1943 at Naval Air Station Alameda, California, as Carrier Air Group Eighteen. After an intensive training period, the air group embarked in and participated in combat operations against the Japanese during World War II. In September 1945, the air group transferred to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island. On 15 November the Navy changed the designation scheme for its Carrier Air Groups and CVG-18 was re-designated CVAG-7. On 1 September 1948 the designation scheme was again changed and the Air Group became Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) (it was the second Air Group to carry the CVG-7 designation; the first CVG-7 existed from January 1944 to July 1946).
Cold War
During the Korean War, the air group flew close air support strikes, attacks on industrial facilities and supply line interdiction missions from the deck of .
After moving from Quonset Point to Naval Air Station Oceana in 1958, the Air Group teamed up with and deployed as the first all jet air wing. On 20 December 1963 all Carrier Air Groups were re-designated Carrier Air Wings and CVG-7 became Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7). During the years from 1966 – 1977 the air wing completed seven Mediterranean deployments in USS Independence and participated in numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercises. In early 1978, Air Wing Seven embarked in for shakedown and weapons training in the Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico operating area.
On 1 March 1978, Air Wing SEVEN became permanently assigned to USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and deployed in January 1979 for IKE's maiden, Mediterranean voyage. From April through December 1980, the air wing embarked for an Indian Ocean deployment in support of operations to rescue the hostages in Tehran, following in September and October by NATO exercises in the North Atlantic. From January to July 1982, Air Wing Seven embarked for a Mediterranean deployment which included support for the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon. In April 1983, the IKE/CVW-7 team began another Mediterranean deployment that included the first over water night intercept for an F-14, multiple Carrier Battle Group operations with USS Independence and , and support of the Multi-national Peace Keeping Force in Beirut, Lebanon.
Reunited in 1987, the IKE/CVW-7 team worked up in preparation for Mediterranean Deployment, followed by extensive work ups in preparation for a 1990 deployment. Mediterranean Deployment 2-90 became a Red Sea excursion as the IKE/CVW-7 Battle Group was the first on scene to deter Iraqi aggression in Operation Desert Shield. Once relieved IKE/CVW-7 returned home and began a compressed turnaround training cycle for a May 1991 CENTCOM deployment. As Operation Desert Storm progressed to quick victory, the deployment was delayed to reestablish the normal CV deployment cycle. In September 1991 CVW-7/IKE deployed to the Red Sea/Persian Gulf as part of post hostilities Operation Desert Storm. They were the first CV and Air Wing team to deploy for a second time to the Gulf War.