1960s Along with
VAW-122,
VAW-123 and
VAW-120, VAW-121 was created out of the "super squadron"
VAW-12 on 1 April 1967. Until then, VAW-12 had deployed 4-plane detachments to accompany carrier air wings.
1970s Unlike its siblings, VAW-121 flew the
E-1B Tracer, until the mid-1970s. In July 1975, VAW-121 transitioned to the newer
Grumman E-2C Hawkeye. Between 2006-2009, participated in several multi-national deployments and exercises. The squadron began using its first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft in 2014, ending 37-years operating the E-2C Hawkeye, being the second fleet squadron to receive the Advanced Hawkeye. In 2017, they deployed onboard
USS Nimitz in support of
Operation Inherent Resolve, performing combat
Defensive Counter-Air (DCA) operations, being the first E-2 squadron to conduct combat DCA since 1991.Between 2019-2020, VAW-121 complete a near ten-month deployment around the world. In 2022-2023, VAW-121 added
aerial refueling capability, and deployed aboard the
USS George H.W. Bush, in the
U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa area of operations. The squadron was assigned to the
United States Sixth Fleet to defend the U.S. and allies. In April 2023, VAW-121 returned from deployment and conducted a scheduled maintenance period. operated by
Carrier Airborne Early Warning Weapons School (CAEWWS) takes off from
Nellis AFB. In the middle of March 2026, VAW-121 via Lajes Air Base and Aviano Air Base deployed across the Atlantic and Mediterranean for the Middle East. The deployment placed VAW-121 within the CENTCOM AOR for combat operations against Iran within Operation Epic Fury. ==Sources==