| United States Navy |
Introduction
The first interest of the US Navy in aviation already dated back to 1908.
Navy officers at Fort Meyers (VA) looked to the usefulness of the Wright
Flyer in Navy service, however, it never came that far. Two years later, in
1910, civilian Eugene Ely made the first take-off in a fixed-wing aircraft,
as a sales demonstration, from the battleship USS Birmingham.
Naval Aviation started its long and proud history at 8 May 1911 with the
acquisition of two Curtiss aircraft. Those early aircraft were based in 1914
at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba where they were used in an evaluation program with
the Fleet. Submarine hunting and artillery spotting where the first tasks of
Naval Aviation. In 1916 the Naval Flying Corps was established and by 1914,
the start of World War I, the Navy aircraft inventory grew to over 50
aircraft.
After the war development continued and the first flying boats entered
service. The aircraft carrier fleet started in 1927 with the USS Lexington
and the USS Saratoga. By 1941 the aircraft inventory grew to some 5200
aircraft and the Navy accomplished an important task during World War II.
Several battles were since then fought, Coral Sea, Midway, Guadalcanal,
Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War and the Persian Gulf war. The US Navy was also
involved in several political conflicts like Libanon and Libya. Of course we
can't forget all the human relief- and natural disaster missions like
Somalia and Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines.
United States Navy
Modernization of the Naval Aviation still continues, older aircraft get
replaced by modern advanced types and future programs are in process. A
small review:
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet came recently into service and its first
operational cruise started in July 2002. This aircraft will replace the F-14
Tomcat. The Tomcat will not make it to 2010. Development of the newest
fighter, the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), designated as F-35, is in full
swing and this future aircraft should replace the oldest F/A-18A/B's and
later stage the C/D-versions. The EA-6B Prowler will slowly reach the end of
its operational lifetime and need a successor, most likely this will be an
electronic version of the Super Hornet, the EA-18 Growler. The Boeing
testprogram is currently going on and decisions will be made within time.
The T-45A/C Goshawk is fully operational now and the A-versions will already
be modified to C-standard. A new kid on the block will enter service late
2002. The T-6A Texan II is ordered as a replacement for the T-34C Turbo
Mentor. The logistic fleet of the US Navy recently received the first C-40A
Clippers (Boeing 737) as a start to replace the C-9B/DC-9 Skytrains II's.
The US Navy is looking for a successor which could replace the S-3B Viking
as well as the E-2C Hawkeye and the C-2 Greyhound. This program is called
Common Support Aircraft (CSA). Again a needful replacement is needed, the
large P-3 Orion fleet is becoming older and during 2002 the US Navy
announced the specifications to the manufactures. The Multi-mission Maritime
Aircraft (MMMA) program is running and decisions will be made soon.
In February 2002 the CH-60S Knighthawk, the such-and-such version of the
H-60, entered service. This next generation Seahawk will replace the oldest
helicopters in US Navy inventory such as the Sea King, Sea Knight and older
SH-60 Seahawks. A second new version of the succesfull H-60, the MH-60R is
currently undergoing a test and evaluation program.
Besides those programs and new types, several upgrade programs are currently
running, like the upgrade on the EA-6B, E-2C and P-3C.
Carriers
Of course we can't forget the aircraft carriers of the US Navy. The twelve
supercarriers, divided among the Pacific and Atlantic fleets, could be found
all over the world. The large warships are carrying some 90 aircraft and
helicopters
This third-largest and interesting air arm is constantly under
"construction". Squadrons are being transferred, redesignated, established
and disestablished or being equipped with new aircrafts and helicopters.
Carriers are performing Mediterranean and West-Pacific cruises. They are
part of large international operations as Operation Southern Watch and
Enduring Freedom and maybe they are one of the most interesting and
spectacular places to be on in the world of aviation. The Scramble homepage
informs you about their
Scramble presents you on this page the complete and current Order of Battle
of the United States Navy including the current status of the carriers, the
Carrier Air Wings and their squadrons on board and, as far as information
goes, future deployments. When we have information about future plans about
bases and squadrons we try to publish this within the framework. Of course
we like to know every detail, so if you know something about the squadrons,
bases and carriers which isn't mentioned in our Order of Battle, please
don't hesitate to inform us, please send your information to: usn@scramble.nl.
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Photo: E.J. van Koningsveld
Photo: E.J. van Koningsveld
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You can find more about the United States Navy on these pages. On the Order of Battle page we show you where the
main bases of the USN are and of course an overview of what Navy squadrons can be found there. With each squadron we want to show its
badge and a link to their own website if available. If you want to visit a particular base, a map of the neighbourhood or a satellite picture of the base could be
helpful so we included links to websites which show these services.
Also on the Scramble site: The database containing the US Navy aircraft inventory in which you can search for aircraft serials and codes.
And last but not least: A photogallery with great pictures of Navy aircaft. We would like to have a pictire of each type the USN flies with so we are counting
on you to complete this overview.
Have Fun !
The Order of Battle - Sections:
The Northeast
The Southeast
Central USA
The West Coast
The Carriers
The Rest of the World
Aircraft Pictures
The Database
Links to Related Websites
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