Carrier Air Wing Six

Enterprise Air Group

The Enterprise Air Group was established on 1 July 1938, encompassing all squadrons embarked upon the USS Enterprise (CV-6). The group was divided into four squadrons, each with eighteen aircraft dedicated to a particular role. The squadrons were designated according to their role, and all were given the unit number six, derived from the hull number of the Enterprise. Bombing Six (VB-6) was equipped with Douglas SBD-2 Dauntless dive bombers, Fighting Six (VF-6) with Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighters, and Torpedo Six (VT-6) with Douglas TBD Devastator torpedo bombers. The fourth squadron, Scouting Six (VS-6) also had the SBD-2 Dauntless, but was more focused on the scout bomber role. This air group was embarked on board the Yorktown-class aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) at the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On 7 December 1941, eighteen SBD Dauntless scout bombers of squadrons VS-6 and VB-6 arrived over Pearl Harbor during the attack and, although surprised, immediately went into action in defense of the naval base. Scouting Six lost six planes during the attack, and Bombing Six lost one, killing eight airmen and wounding two others. Later that evening, six VF-6 Wildcats attempted to land at Ford Island, but five were accidentally shot down by friendly anti-aircraft fire, killing three pilots and wounding two others. Enterprise’s air group carried out search missions to locate the Japanese carrier task force that attacked Pearl Harbor, but was unable to locate that force. Enterprise aircraft did sink a Japanese submarine on 10 December, but was unable to relieve the U.S. Marine garrison on Wake Island which fell to the Japanese.

The Enterprise’s air group launched air strikes against Japanese shipping and military installations on Marshall and Gilbert island groups on 1 February 1942, followed by air raids on Wake Island on 24 February and Marcus Island on 4 March. Enterprise’s air group provided air cover for the Task Force 16 which launched the Doolittle Raid from the carrier Hornet (CV-8) on 18 April. This mission prevented Enterprise and Hornet from participating in the Battle of Coral Sea which saw the Lexington (CV-2) sunk and the Yorktown (CV-5) heavily damaged.

The Battle of Midway was the climatic naval battle in 1942, with the Enterprise’s air group sinking the Japanese carriers Kaga and Akagi and contributed to the sinking of Hiryū. Torpedo Six (VT-6) lost ten TBD-1, Bombing Six (VB-6) lost eleven SBD-3, Scouting Six (VS-6) lost nine SBD-3, and Fighting Six (VF-6) lost a F4F-4.

During the battle, then-Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky, leading the Air Group, made a critical tactical decision that led to the sinking of two of Japan's fleet carriers, Kaga, and Akagi. When McClusky could not find the Japanese carriers where he expected them, and with his air group's fuel running dangerously low, he spotted the Japanese destroyer Arashi steaming north at flank speed. (The Arashi had stayed behind to attack the USS Nautilus, which had been harassing the Japanese fleet.) Taking the Arashi's heading led him directly to the enemy carriers. He then directed his dive-bombers into an attack which led to the destruction of both Kaga and Akagi.

The Enterprise Air Group participated in the initial stages of the Guadalcanal Campaign, flying sorties in support of the invasions of Tulagi and Guadalcanal and performing CAP and antisubmarine patrols for the amphibious shipping in the area. The Air Group fought in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on 24 August 1942, which was a strategic and tactical victory that blunted the Japanese counteroffensive during Guadalcanal Campaign. When the Enterprise was damaged during the battle, elements of the Air Group were transferred to Henderson field at Guadalcanal, where they continued to fly in support of the invasion until their supply of aircraft was depleted. After returning to Pearl Harbor, the Enterprise Air Group was disestablished, and starting in September 1942, all U.S. Navy carrier air groups would be numbered. Due to the manner in which the United States Navy determines unit lineage, in which lineage is not traced through periods of disestablishment, the Enterprise Air Group is not officially part of the unit history of Carrier Air Wing Six.

First Carrier Air Group Six

The Enterprise Air Group was reconstituted as Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) on 15 March 1943. While flying off the Enterprise, they provided close air support to the amphibious landing on Makin Atoll from 19 to 21 November 1943. On the night of 26 November, carrier-based night fighters from the Enterprise broke up a large group of land-based bombers attacking Task Group 50.2. After a heavy strike by aircraft of Task Force 50 against Kwajalein on 4 December, Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor on 9 December.

Air Group Six then embarked on board the new Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) to provide air support for the amphibious landings on Kwajalein Atoll from 31 January to 3 February 1944. They also participated in a massive air strike against the Japanese naval base at Truk. The air group destroyed fifty-five enemy planes (twelve in the air and forty-two on the ground) as well as sinking five Japanese ships. Nine planes were lost, with nine pilots and four crewmen dead or missing.

On 9 March 1945, Air Group Six switched to the new Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CV-19) and carried out air strikes against Kyūshū airfields, southwestern Honshū, and shipping in the Inland Sea of Japan on 18 March. From 23 to 27 March, they struck the Nansei-shoto islands. Their last strikes in March came on the 31st, when they hit Minami Daito Jima and Kyūshū.

Air Group Six subsequently provided air support for the U.S. invasion of Okinawa beginning on 1 April until a suicide plane hit the Hancock on 7 April. This forced the carrier off the battle line for repairs. Hancock and Air Group Six returned to action on 13 June and remained at sea until the end of World War II.

Battle Carrier Air Group Five (1946–1948)

Post-war service for Carrier Wing Six began when Carrier Air Group Seventeen (CVG-17) was re-designated as Battle Carrier Air Group Seventeen (CVBG-17) on 22 January 1946 and subsequently re-designated as Battle Carrier Air Group Five (CVBG-5) on 16 November 1946. CVBG-5 participated in the shakedown cruises for Essex-class fleet carrier USS Valley Forge (CV-45) and the Midway-class battle aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea (CVB-43).

Deployments

The Battle Carrier Air Group Five deployments, 1946–1948
Table 3 denotes the deployments of CVBG-5.

Carrier Air Group Six (1948–1963)

Battle Carrier Air Group Five was re-designated Carrier Air Group Six (CVG-6) effective 27 July 1948. CVG-6 participated in three major NATO naval exercises, 1952's Operation Grand Slam, 1952's Operation Mainbrace and 1957's Operation Strikeback (pictured). as well as making ten deployment to the Mediterranean Sea (see Table 4 below). VF-33 joined CVG-6 aboard Midway in 1954.

The Group flew on board the Navy's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the recently commissioned USS Enterprise (CVAN-65), on 22 June 1962. CVG-6 participated with the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) in LantFlex 2-62, a nuclear strike exercise from 6–12 July, providing eight “pre-planned” strikes and six call strikes while operating off the Virginia capes, against targets ranging from the Tidewater area to central Florida. The air group also participated in RipTide III from 3–5 August, which involved long-range simulated nuclear strikes against targets off the Portuguese and Spanish coasts, including 14 strikes and nine call strikes, all opposed.

The Group embarked on board the Enterprise during its first deployment to the Mediterranean, passing the Rock of Gibraltar on 16 August 1962. CVG-6 participated n Lafayette II, 7 September, which involved 14 scheduled conventional strikes coordinated with aircraft from USS Forrestal (CVA-59) against multiple targets in southern France, with opposition provided by French air force and naval aircraft. The air group was involved in Indian Summer from 7–8 September, comprising three long-range, simulated nuclear strikes, with fighter escort by F-4Bs from VF-102, against Spanish targets defended by USAF and Spanish commands assigned to NATO. Carrier Air Group Six also provided air support during FallEx/High Heels II from 6–20 September as well as Fall Trap from 23–27 September, which was a NATO amphibious exercise. Enterprise arrived back at Norfolk Naval Station on 11 October 1962.

Carrier Air Group Six subsequently participated in the naval operations during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 as part of Task Force 135, a two-carrier strike force consisting of CAG-6's home carrier, the Enterprise, and the supercarrier USS Independence (CVA-62), operating south of the Windward Passage, between Cuba and the island of Hispaniola and southward, in the vicinity of Latitude 18ºN, Longitude 74º30'W. CAG-6 was augmented with ten additional A4D-4N Skyhawks of Attack Squadron 34 (VA-34) during the night of 26/27 October 1962. For its participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Carrier Air Groups Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Deployments

The deployments of CVG-6 are listed below.

Operation Grand Slam (1952)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Midway (CVB-41) during NATO Operation Grand Slam:

Operation Mainbrace (1952)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Midway (CVB-41) during NATO Operation Mainbrace:

Operation Strikeback (1957)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Intrepid (CVA-11) during NATO Operation Strikeback:

Cuban Missile Crisis (1962)

Carrier Air Group Six embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during the Cuban Missile Crisis:

Carrier Air Wing Six (1963–1993)

Carrier Air Group Six was re-designated Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) on 20 December 1963. The air wing participated in Operation Sea Orbit, the first around-the-world voyage made by nuclear-powered surface ships, in 1964 (pictured).

CVW-6 embarked on the new supercarrier USS America (CVA-66) for its 1965 shakedown cruise, and during that ship's second deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, CVW-6 was operating with the U.S. Sixth Fleet when the Six Day War broke out between Israel and its Arab neighbors on 5 June 1967. America's escorting destroyers detected an unknown submarine contact on 7 June, and a Sikorsky SH-3A Sea King from Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS-9) assisted in tracking this contact. CVW-6 aircraft provided air cover for the stricken USS Liberty (AGTR-5), which had been attacked by Israeli military forces, and it also dispatched two helicopters to evacuate the seriously injured to the America.

Carrier Air Wing Six made its first combat deployment in 1968 upon the America. During this deployment, CVW-6 spent a total of 112 days at Yankee Station, attacking roads, waterways, trucks, bridges, as well as lighters, barges, and other logistical support watercraft. They also attacked petroleum storage areas, truck parks, and cave storage areas to impede the flow of men and war materials to the south during the Tet Offensive. On 10 July 1968, Lt. Roy Cash, Jr. (pilot) and Lt. (j.g.) Joseph E. Kain, Jr. (radar intercept officer), flying in an F-4J Phantom from Fighter Squadron 33 (VF-33), downed a MiG-21 about 17 miles (27 km) northwest of Vinh, North Vietnam. This was the first MiG "kill" in the Vietnam War for CVW-6. America and Carrier Air Wing Six were awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for this deployment.

CVW-6 then left the America for another carrier, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42). This carrier, along with USS Independence (CV-62) and USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7), stood by to execute the possible evacuation of foreign civilians during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. CVW-6 provided air cover during the 1983 invasion of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury) while embarked on board the USS Independence (CV-62). During that ship's subsequent deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, CVW-6 conducted air strikes against Syrian positions that were attacking U.S. Marine positions in Lebanon. Carrier Air Group Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Urgent Fury.

Beginning in 1986, Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on board the USS Forrestal (CV-59). It participated in a joint U.S.-Egyptian training exercise (Operation Sea Wind) and Display Determination '86, which featured low-level coordinated strikes and air combat maneuvering training over Turkey. CVW-6 subsequently participated in Ocean Safari '87, a six-week cruise in the North Atlantic which was highlighted by operations with NATO forces posing as aggressors lurking in Norwegian fjords. A year later, the air wing participated in Ocean Venture ’88 in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea, and then provided air support for Operation Earnest Will.

During its final overseas deployment, CVW-6 participated in three multi-lateral exercises (Harmonie Sud Est, Iles D’Or, and Display Determination ‘91), and also provided air support for Operation Provide Comfort. Carrier Air Group Six received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Provide Comfort. (see Table 5 below).

Deployments

The deployments of CVW-6 are listed below.

Operation Sea Orbit (1964)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during Operation Sea Orbit:

Six Day War (1967)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS America (CVA-66) during the Six Day War:

Vietnam War (1968)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS America (CVA-66) during the Vietnam War:

Yom Kippur War (1973)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) during the Yom Kippur War:

Operation Urgent Fury (1983)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Independence (CV-62) during Operation Urgent Fury:

Ocean Safari 1987

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during NATO exercise Ocean Safari 1987:

Operation Earnest Will (1988)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during Operation Earnest Will:

Operation Provide Comfort (1991)

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59) during Operation Provide Comfort:

Decommissioning

Carrier Air Wing Six shifted to the USS Forrestal (CV-59) when the USS Independence (CV-62) underwent its Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in 1986. Following the completion of its SLEP, the Independence sailed to its new homeport at the San Diego Naval Base with Carrier Air Wing 5. With the shifting of the Forrestal to a naval aviation training role as AVT-59, plus post-Cold War budget cutbacks, Carrier Air Wing Six (CVW-6) was decommissioned on 1 April 1993.

Final composition

Carrier Air Wing Six embarked on USS Forrestal (CV-59):

For consistently outstanding performance and distinguished achievement during repeated action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, 7 December 1941, to 15 November 1942. Participating in nearly every major carrier engagement in the first year of the war, the Enterprise and her air group, exclusive of far-flung destruction of hostile shore installations throughout the battle area, did sink or damage on her own a total of 35 Japanese vessels and shoot down a total of 185 Japanese aircraft. Her aggressive spirit and superb combat efficiency are fitting tribute to the officers and men who so gallantly established her as an ahead bulwark in the defense of the American nation.