About this Unit
VW-2, also known as Airborne Early Warning Squadron Two, was a United States Navy squadron established in 1952. The unit was tasked with providing airborne early warning and surveillance using modified Lockheed WV-2 (later EC-121) Warning Star aircraft. VW-2 played a crucial role during the Cold War, patrolling the Atlantic Ocean to detect potential Soviet air or missile threats as part of the broader Continental Air Defense Command network. The squadron was disestablished in 1965 as technological advancements led to new methods of airspace monitoring.
Historical Facts
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Origins and Designation: VW-2, or Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO, was a United States Navy squadron established on 1 September 1952, primarily tasked with airborne early warning (AEW) missions.
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Nickname "Hurricane Hunters": VW-2 was famously known as the "Hurricane Hunters" for its role in tracking and studying Atlantic hurricanes, providing vital meteorological data.
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Aircraft Operated: The squadron primarily flew the Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star (military version of the Lockheed Super Constellation), specially equipped for long-range radar surveillance missions.
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Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line Support: VW-2 supported the DEW Line by flying barrier patrols over the Atlantic, extending the U.S. air defense radar coverage during the Cold War.
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Home Base: The unit was based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and later at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, strategically positioned for both hurricane missions and Atlantic patrols.
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24/7 Patrols: During the height of the Cold War, VW-2 maintained continuous airborne patrols, with crews flying up to 16-hour missions to detect potential Soviet bomber incursions.
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Innovative Technology: Their WV-2 aircraft featured massive radomes above and below the fuselage, housing advanced radar systems for the era, including the AN/APS-20 search radar.
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Disaster Response: Information gathered by VW-2 during hurricane missions directly contributed to improved forecasting and disaster preparedness along the U.S. east coast.
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Deactivation: VW-2 was decommissioned on 1 July 1965 as newer technologies and satellites took over many of its AEW and weather reconnaissance roles.
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Legacy: The squadron’s pioneering work in airborne early warning and hurricane tracking laid the foundation for today’s E-2 Hawkeye squadrons and the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.
