Air wing from Truman will return today, Saturday

The Virginian-Pilot
© May 30, 2008

Six aircraft squadrons from Carrier Air Wing Three will return home today and Saturday from a seven-month deployment to the Persian Gulf aboard the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, the Navy has announced.

Two C-2A Greyhound aircraft from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40, Detachment 3, will return today to Chambers Field at Norfolk Naval Station. The Rawhides flew personnel, parts and mail to and from the Truman. On Saturday, the Seahawks of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126 will follow. The squadron flies the E-2C Hawkeye.

Also Saturday, several fighter squadrons will return to Oceana Naval Air Station. They include the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11, the Swordsmen from Strike Fighter Squadron 32, the Bulls of Strike Fighter Squadron 37, and the Gunslingers of Strike Fighter Squadron 105.

The Navy has not yet announced the homecoming date for the ships in the Truman Strike Group.

The air wing logged more than 26,500 flight hours on 9,545 sorties. Of these, 2,459 were combat sorties. They safely accomplished 8,500 carrier landings including 5,125 at night. The air crews delivered 77,536 pounds of ordnance, including 148 bombs and 986 rounds of 20mm ammunition, in support of ground troops.

Aviators conducted cooperative exercises with Greece, France, Great Britain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates and helped defend Iraqi oil platforms.

For full coverage of the Truman strike group homecoming, stay tuned to PilotOnline.com and The Virginian-Pilot.

Post your homecoming photos to our Military community photo gallery.

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