Naval Air Station Lemoore welcomes home first forward deployment of its latest jet fighter, the F-35 on Saturday

The Carrier Air Wing (CVW-2) is the first to deploy with a combination of fourth and fifth-generation aircraft that predominantly represent the “Air Wing of the Future,” including the F-35C Lightning IIs of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, the CMV-22B Ospreys of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 2, 113, and 192, the EA-18G Growlers of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136, the E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 113, the MH-60R Sea Hawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, and the MH-60S Sea Hawks of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4.

The complete Air Wing of the Future will also include the MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aircraft system, planned for carrier air wings in 2025.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supported integrated operations in the Hawaiian Islands operating area with the U.S. Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard as part of the Defense Department’s ongoing presence in the Indo-Pacific region. The strike group continued on their deployment to the Western Pacific, demonstrating U.S. commitment to partnerships and alliances in the region while upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The Carl Vinson Strike Group consists of CSG-1, Carl Vinson, CVW-2, the staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 1, guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57); and guided-missile destroyers USS Chafee (DDG 90), USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

For more information on the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group, please visit www.airpac.navy.mil/Organization/USS-Carl-Vinson-CVN-70/   

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