"Victory in the air, from the sea, begins here!"
- One of two nicknames for VAW-120

The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye is an American all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft. This twin-turboprop aircraft was designed and developed during the late 1950s and early 1960s by the Grumman Aircraft Company for the United States Navy as a replacement for the earlier E-1 Tracer, which was rapidly becoming obsolete. The aircraft's performance has been upgraded with the E-2B, and E-2C versions, where most of the changes were made to the radar and radio communications due to advances in electronic integrated circuits and other electronics. The fourth version of the Hawkeye is the E-2D, which first flew in 2007. The E-2 was the first aircraft designed specifically for its role, as opposed to a modification of an existing airframe, such as the Boeing E-3 Sentry. Variants of the Hawkeye have been in continuous production since 1960, giving it the longest production run of any carrier-based aircraft.

The E-2 also received the nickname "Super Fudd" because it replaced the E-1 Tracer "Willy Fudd". In recent decades, the E-2 has been commonly referred to as the "Hummer" because of the distinctive sounds of its turboprop engines, quite unlike that of turbojet and turbofan jet engines. In addition to U.S. Navy service, smaller numbers of E-2s have been sold to the armed forces of Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a USN Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye AEW aircraft that was attached to VAW-113 "Black Eagles", then embarked upon the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during June 2006. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 13-1/2-inches
Length: 9-3/4-inches

Release Date: September 2022

Historical Account: "Black Eagles" - Airborne Command & Control Squadron 113 (VAW-113), known as "Black Eagles", was established on April 20th, 1967, flying the E-2A Hawkeye.

The squadron began WESTPAC 2000-01 on August 20th, 2000, aboard USS Abraham Lincoln. The main focus of the deployment was to conduct Operation Southern Watch (OSW) and to maintain economic sanctions against Iraq. The squadron received their fifth Battle Efficiency "E", the CNO Aviation Safety Award for E-2 squadrons and the Rear Admiral Frank Akers award for Airborne Early Warning excellence as the outstanding E-2 squadron in the entire Navy. In 2003, VAW-113 redeployed to the Persian Gulf to support, for a second time, Operation Southern Watch. On the way home, the ship was turned around in Australia and sent back to the Gulf to participate in the opening phases of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In April, USS Abraham Lincoln group returned home.

In May 2004, VAW-113 deployed on board USS John C. Stennis for airborne command and control in the Gulf of Alaska and to participate in Operation Northern Edge. Operating jointly with Air Force and Navy assets, the Strike Group practiced Maritime Interdiction and Defensive Counter Air missions. In July, the squadron participated in RIMPAC 2004. Following this exercise, USS John C. Stennis joined up with USS Kitty Hawk for a Joint Air and Sea Exercise (JASEX). This second annual joint exercise sprawled across the Pacific from the Sea of Japan to the South China Sea. The Carrier Strike Groups focused on round the clock flight operations and battlespace management. The JASEX had to be halted periodically so each CSG could maneuver away from seven storms and typhoons. In late October 2004, USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group returned to its homeport in San Diego, California.

In January 2006, the squadron, along with the CVW-14 and CSG-7 team, joined USS Ronald Reagan on its maiden voyage out of San Diego, California. The Carrier Strike Group transited the Western Pacific to relieve the Carrier Strike Group Two, led by USS Theodore Roosevelt, in the Persian Gulf. In support of Operation Sea Dragon III, the squadron was the first squadron to employ the new ALQ-217 ESM system. In addition, VAW-113 flew over 100 sorties, with a 99% combat sortie completion rate, in support of convoys on the ground during Operation Iraqi Freedom. On the way home, USS Ronald Reagan met up with USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Kitty Hawk Strike Groups for Exercise Valiant Shield.

In January 2007, the squadron again deployed with the CVW-14 and CSG-7 team, on board USS Ronald Reagan on a Surge/Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment in which they took part in exercise Foal Eagle. The squadron returned home in April 2007.

In May 2008, the squadron, along with CVW-14 and CSG-7 embarked on board USS Ronald Reagan for a Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment. During the WESTPAC, the squadron provided support for Operation Enduring Freedom and following a typhoon, took part in humanitarian efforts for the Philippine Islands. In addition, VAW-113 flew over 400 sorties with a 98% completion rate, won the CVW-14 Golden Wrench award for maintenance excellence and earned another Battle Efficiency "E" award.

In May 2009, the squadron, along with CVW-14 and CSG-7 embarked on board USS Ronald Reagan for the SURGE 09 deployment. The squadron achieved a 99.6A% mission completion rate and became back-to-back Battle Efficiency "E" award winners by winning the FY 09 award, as well as another CVW-14 Golden Wrench award for maintenance excellence