The Northrop E-2 Hawkeye is an all-weather airborne early warning aircraft (AEW). The E-2 was a twin-turboprop developed in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s for the USN. The E-2 is a carrier-capable aircraft and has received major upgrades in their electronics for the E-2B and E-2C with the E-2C also receiving improved turbo-prop engines. The E-2 has been in production since the 1960’s making it the longest production run of any carrier based aircraft. The E-2C variant became operational in 1973.

VAW-113 “Black Eagles” is an Airborne Command & Control Squadron that was established on April 20 1967 and equipped with the E-2A Hawkeye. In 1992 the VAW-113 took part in “Exercise Roving Sands”, newly equipped with the new E-2C. Around the end of May 2006 VAW-113 concluded operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and sailed to the coast of Guam to take part in Valiant Shield 2006. The USS Ronald Reagan returned home in mid July 2006 and VAW-113 returned to home base at Point Mugu, California.

Info: Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye 165648, VAW-113 "Black Eagles", June 2006