Naval aviation has been crucial to U.S. national security for 100 years, providing flexible, credible combat power and diverse mission capabilities from aircraft carriers and bases around the world. Recent operations in Afghanistan, Libya, and Japan demonstrated naval aviation's presence, with carrier-based aircraft flying over 1,500 combat sorties in Afghanistan and Growler electronic warfare planes supporting operations in Libya. Naval aviation performs a wide range of missions from electronic warfare and mine sweeping to tactical air attacks, reconnaissance, and logistics support.

1. A product of...
Navy Office of Information
www.navy.mil
May 16, 2011
Naval Aviation Force Update
"U.S. naval aviation has been at the forefront of our national destiny, and has become an unrivaled maritime force. Our
forces are doing amazing work every day, around the world, and they are making a crucial difference in the ongoing
operations."
- Rear Adm. Ted Branch, commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic
Naval aviation’s centennial marks 100 years of accomplishment, innovation and teamwork. Naval air power has
become one of the finest fighting forces in the world and is relied upon to deliver credible capability from the sea,
anytime, anywhere in the world. Today, aircraft carriers remain a centerpiece of the nation’s maritime ability to
support allies in need and deter, fight and win major wars, and they are complemented by a full array of platforms that
operate from the sea and shore to maintain our freedom.
Presence and Flexibility
• U.S. Navy aircraft operate from nearly every ship in the fleet, as well as from bases around the world,
providing uniquely capable, forward presence and giving naval air assets access nearly anywhere in the world.
Credible Combat Power
• The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) recently left the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) after
supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. Carrier Air Wing 17 flew more than 1,500 combat
sorties in direct support of coalition troops in Afghanistan. The Enterprise and Ronald Reagan CSGs are now
on station in U.S. 5th Fleet.
• The George H. W. Bush CSG began its maiden deployment May 11.
• EA-18G Growlers have supported operations in Libya from expeditionary bases in Italy, providing coalition
forces with electronic warfare support.
• P-3 Orions conducted their first combat launch of AGM-65 Maverick Missiles against Libyan patrol craft.
Diverse Mission Capabilities
• Aircraft from the Ronald Reagan CSG performed a myriad of missions in support of Operation Tomodachi.
Helicopters of every variety provided lift support to bring supplies to the Japanese people, F/A-18 Hornets
and Super Hornets provided reconnaissance and visual cueing, E-2C Hawkeyes acted as mobile C2 platforms
to match the right aircraft with the right location and C-2 Greyhounds provided significant lift capability.
• Naval aviators do things others can’t. From clearing the way for tactical air attacks with electronic warfare;
sweeping for mines; and identifying, localizing and killing enemy submarines; to delivering capable firepower
or logisitics support from the sea, naval aviation controls the sea.
Key Messages Facts & Figures
• Naval aviation provides vital capabilities to meet the • Eighty percent of the world’s population is within
needs of the nation across all six of the core range of America’s aircraft carriers ability to provide
capabilities of the Maritime Strategy. humanitarian assistance and disaster relief or combat
• Naval air forces are a critical element of our power power.
projection and national security strategy. • Currently the U.S. Navy has 11 aircraft carriers, 10
• Naval aviation has expanded the areas our ships carrier air wings, 25 naval air stations, 168 fleet reserve
operate and enhanced their influence, as well as and training squadrons, more than 3,600 aircraft and
extended the capability we deliver from the sea to 100,000 personnel.
points ashore.