“Is Daddy coming again quickly?” mentioned Thomas Walsh, 4. Carrying his preschool-sized inexperienced flight go well with, he held a welcome house signal Tuesday at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.
To Thomas, the very fact his father, Lt. Col. Brendan Walsh, is commanding officer of an assault squadron of F-35C Lightning II jets mattered little.
The very fact his dad’s squadron simply recorded some firsts in aviation historical past little doubt didn’t concern him both.
He and his three brothers — and mom — simply wished their dad again. In any case, they hadn’t seen him for greater than seven months.
Provider Air Wing 9 aboard plane provider USS Abraham Lincoln returned from a seven-month deployment Tuesday afternoon, flying onto the Miramar base in two formations.
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CVW-9 is the primary provider strike group to deploy with a Marine F-35C Lightning II squadron, Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (VMFA) 314, and the second to deploy with a Navy CMV-22 Osprey squadron, Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30.
The VMFA-314 Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (the Black Knights) is comprised of about 200 Marines and sailors.
Throughout the deployment, CVW-9 executed greater than 21,307 fixed-wing and helicopter flight hours comprising 10,250 sorties and eight,437 launches.
Pilots thus missed milestones — first phrases, first steps, birthday events. Wives missed with the ability to name after they had a foul day and assist when it appeared the whole lot was breaking, spouses mentioned.
“The youngsters have been lacking him,” Sheri Hartnett mentioned of her pilot husband Maj. Zachary Hartnett. “They don’t perceive. We’re simply glad to have him house.”
Capt. Lew Callaway, CVW-9 commander, mentioned in an announcement: “Provider Air Wing 9 sailors and Marines labored collectively over the past seven months, offering a reputable deterrent to any potential adversary within the Pacific.
“Naval aviators culminated 100 years of plane provider aviation historical past working 4th and fifth technology plane from a Nimitz-class plane provider at sea. We’re grateful for the prospect to serve, and have a good time our return to house port, household, and buddies.”
CVW-9 took half in twin provider operations within the South China Sea with the Carl Vinson Provider Strike Group, in addition to joint train Valiant Protect in June, bilateral workouts Noble Fusion in February and Jungle Warfare in March, each with the Japanese Self-Protection Power.
In July, CVW-9 educated alongside 26 nations throughout Train Rim of the Pacific 2022, referred to as RIMPAC.
“Phrases can not categorical simply how proud I’m of the sailors and Marines hooked up to CVW-9,” mentioned Grasp Chief Petty Officer Craig Vavruska, command grasp chief. “They expertly utilized their coaching and confronted every mission with power and resilience. Their households have lots to be happy with.”
CVW-9 and Lincoln deployed Jan. 3, 2022, as a part of the Abraham Lincoln Provider Strike Group.
Together with CVW-9 and Lincoln, the group additionally consists of the embarked staffs of Provider Strike Group (CSG) 3, and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21; the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Cellular Bay (CG 53), and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62), USS Gridley (DDG 101), USS Sampson (DDG 102) and USS Spruance (DDG 111).
Squadrons that make up CVW-9 are fighter assault squadron (VFA) 41, VFA-151 and VFA-14; VMFA-314; VRM-30; digital assault squadron (VAQ) 133; airborne early warning squadron (VAW) 117; helicopter sea fight squadron (HSC) 14; and helicopter maritime strike squadron (HSM) 71.
VMFA-314 returned to Miramar on Tuesday. VFA-14, VFA-41 and VFA-151 returned to Naval Air Station Lemoore the identical day. Additionally again Tuesday have been VAQ-133 to NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., and VAW-117 to NAS Level Mugu.
VRM-30 returned to NAS North Island on Tuesday. HSC-14 and HSM-71 returns to North Island on Wednesday.
