T
HE NIMITZ-CLASS
AIRCRAFT carrier USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN
71) departed its home port
at Naval Station Norfolk,
Virginia, at the start of an
around-the-world deployment on March- While deployed the carrier strike
group (CSG) will conduct operations
in the US Navy’s 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet
areas of responsibility. The Roosevelt
will formally change its home port to San
Diego, California, at the conclusion of the
deployment on November 15, 2015.
Moving the ‘TR’ to San Diego is part
of an ongoing rotation of forces that will
also see the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)
being re-located to Yokosuka, Japan, while
the USS George Washington (CVN 73) will
move to Norfolk for deep maintenance
and refueling.
Five Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced
Hawkeyes assigned to Carrier Airborne
Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125
‘Tigertails’ are embarked as part of Carrier
Air Wing (CVW) 1, making the maiden
deployment of the latest variant of the
venerable type. This cruise also marks
the fi rst operational outing for the Naval
Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air
(NIFC-CA) in the CSG. The carrier, the
new E-2Ds and the guided missile cruiser
USS Normandy form the backbone of
the capability that creates ‘a network of
sensors and shooters’, combining greatly
to extend the lethal range of the CSG.
CDR Daryl Trent, commanding offi cer
of VAW-125, said of the new E-2D: ‘It
has [a] signifi cantly advanced radar, its
computer processing capabilities have
been increased, and the communication
suites have been enhanced. This [airplane]is a real game-changer’. The Advanced
Hawkeye’s technology makes it a multi-
mission platform through its ability to
co-ordinate concurrent missions such
as airborne strike, ground force support,
and rescue operations, and managing a
reliable communications network capable
of supporting drug interdiction operations.
The Advanced Hawkeye’s all-glass cockpit
is entirely digital, allowing the co-pilot
to act as the Tactical Fourth Operator
(T4O). ‘Now everything is digital’, says
Trent. ‘This makes for a stronger ability
to process information and allows the
co-pilot to change his display and access
acquired data’. He continued: ‘Now that
we’re set for our maiden deployment
and [...] to integrate with aircraft like the
Growler and the Hornet, we’re going to
become the most effi cient carrier strike
group in the fl eet.’E-2D goes on cruise
Advanced Hawkeye makes maiden deployment
8 May 2015 http://www.combataircraft.netNEWS United States
An E-2D from VAW-125 prepares to launch
from the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
US Navy/MCSN Anthony N. Hilkowski8-12 US News C.indd 8 20/03/2015 11: