laststandonzombieisland

An update to the tally for Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), which just returned from a 322-day deployment to the Middle East, including over 150 days in a combat zone.

These are individual squadron return snippets:

Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet, logged over 4,500 flight hours while executing over 2,400 sorties, including 807 combat sorties. They expended 394,227 pounds of ordnance and successfully destroyed 33 one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles and anti-ship cruise missiles.

Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133: Flying the EA-18G Growler, the squadron logged 2,284 flight hours across 1,190 sorties, including 720 combat hours.

Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117 flew more than 2,939 hours and completed 745 carrier-arrested landings while increasing qualifications and experience throughout the command. An amazing accomplishment for a four-aircraft det.

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71: The squadron logged more than 5,800 flight hours across 1,990 sorties, including 1,963 combat hours. The squadron’s maintenance department played a critical role in maintaining the squadron’s operational readiness, completing over 100,000 maintenance hours throughout the deployment to keep HSM-71’s 10 MH-60R Sea Hawks airborne across four warships.

Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 logged more than 3,000 total flight hours across 1,032 sorties, including 940 combat flight hours. Their aircraft and crews successfully transferred 900 personnel and 750 critical parts for 12 ships and 88 aircraft in a contested combat environment, while maintaining continuous Search and Rescue (SAR) readiness to support CSG-3 and CVW-9 over 300 days at sea. Over 10 months, the squadron defended the carrier during multiple Hellfire engagements against enemy air and surface threats, moved over 14 million pounds of cargo and ordnance, and transported over 900 personnel within the CSG.

Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, Detachment 2 (three CMV-22B Ospreys). The squadron successfully executed 269 logistics sorties, transporting critical personnel, high-priority cargo, and mail between the carrier, other ships within the strike group, and shore facilities. The high-performing detachment executed eight complex moves, logging 825 flight hours, 269 sorties, and 159 combat flight hours. The squadron delivered 340,069 pounds of cargo, 1,669 passengers, and 85 distinguished visitors. The detachment also completed the first-ever long-range sortie requiring midair refueling, delivering parts over 1,350 miles on 38 occasions.

Three key squadrons, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, have not been published.

I will add them if they pop up.