VAW-126 - Navy

• Origins and Establishment: Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 (VAW-126), also known as the "Seahawks," was established on April 1, 1969, at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia. • Early Aircraft: The squadron initially flew the E-2A Hawkeye, a carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft, and has upgraded through the E-2B, E-2C, and now the advanced E-2D Hawkeye. • First Combat Deployment: VAW-126 deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) during the 1970s, supporting Cold War operations and Mediterranean deployments. • Desert Storm: The squadron played a critical role during Operation Desert Storm (1991), providing airborne command and control, surveillance, and battle management in the Persian Gulf. • 9/11 Response: VAW-126 was deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) in the North Arabian Sea during the September 11, 2001 attacks and quickly participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. • Modernization: VAW-126 was among the first squadrons to transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, featuring powerful new radar and communications systems for modern network-centric warfare. • Award-Winning Unit: Over its history, VAW-126 has received multiple “Battle ‘E’” awards, recognizing sustained superior performance and readiness. • Emblem and Nickname: The squadron’s mascot, the “Seahawk,” represents vigilance and strength, and their emblem features a seahawk in flight gripping a radar lightning bolt. • Carrier Assignments: VAW-126 has operated from several U.S. Navy aircraft carriers, including USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). • Global Operations: VAW-126 has participated in numerous operations worldwide, including anti-piracy patrols, humanitarian assistance, and joint exercises with NATO allies, demonstrating the squadron’s versatility and global reach.