VAW-128

• Origin and Nickname: Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 128 (VAW-128) was established on September 1, 1967, and was famously known as the “Hercules.” • Aircraft Operated: VAW-128 operated the E-2 Hawkeye, an iconic carrier-based airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft designed for command and control missions. • Vietnam War Service: The squadron participated in operations during the Vietnam War, providing airborne surveillance and command capabilities. • Desert Storm: VAW-128 was deployed during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, playing a critical role in airspace management and battle coordination. • Balkans Operations: The squadron supported NATO operations over the Balkans, including Operation Deny Flight and Operation Deliberate Force in the 1990s. • Carrier Deployments: VAW-128 deployed aboard multiple aircraft carriers, including the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). • Gulf War Heroics: During the Gulf War, VAW-128 E-2Cs were on station for extended periods, sometimes flying 8-hour missions to manage the crowded theater airspace. • Home Base: The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, for most of its operational life. • Deactivation: VAW-128 was officially disestablished on September 30, 2004, after 37 years of distinguished service. • Legacy: VAW-128’s legacy lives on through the professionalism and innovation it brought to the carrier-based AEW mission, with its alumni serving in critical roles throughout the Navy and defense sector.