About this Unit
VW-11 was a U.S. Navy Airborne Early Warning Squadron established in 1952, during the early years of the Cold War. Based at Naval Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, the squadron operated Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star aircraft, which provided long-range radar surveillance over the North Atlantic as part of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line system. VW-11 played a critical role in detecting and tracking potential Soviet bomber threats approaching North America, contributing to continental air defense. The squadron was disestablished in 1965 as technological advancements in radar and airborne warning systems made their mission obsolete.
Historical Facts
• Establishment: VW-11 (Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven) was established by the U.S. Navy in 1952, during the early Cold War, to provide airborne early warning and control for the Atlantic Fleet.
• Nickname: The unit was known as the “Early Elevens.”
• Aircraft: VW-11 primarily operated the Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star, the Navy version of the EC-121 Constellation, a large radar-equipped aircraft designed for long-range surveillance missions.
• Home Base: The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, a strategic location for monitoring transatlantic airspace during the Cold War.
• Barrier Patrols: VW-11 flew regular patrols along the North Atlantic Barrier, a line of airborne radar pickets stretching from Newfoundland to the Azores, to detect potential Soviet bomber or missile attacks.
• Weather Challenges: The squadron’s missions often faced extreme weather, including snow, ice, and fog, making their long-duration flights over the North Atlantic particularly hazardous.
• 24/7 Operations: VW-11’s crews operated around the clock, maintaining a continuous airborne radar presence for early warning coverage during heightened periods of Cold War tension.
• Search and Rescue: Beyond early warning, VW-11 participated in search and rescue operations, assisting distressed ships and aircraft in the North Atlantic with their long-range communication and radar capabilities.
• Deactivation: With advances in radar technology and the advent of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line and Over-the-Horizon Radar, VW-11 was disestablished in 1965 as threats and technology evolved.
• Legacy: The squadron’s pioneering work in airborne early warning helped lay the groundwork for modern AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) operations, influencing the design and tactics of today’s E-2 Hawkeye and E-3 Sentry units.
