120209-N-RG587-154 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 9, 2012) Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Adam Garcia uses a tig welder to join two pieces of steel in the metalsmithing shop aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dean M. Cates/Released)
120213-N-DR144-543 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 13, 2012) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) is underway in the Arabian Sea. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
120213-N-ZI635-048 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 13, 2012) An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15 launches from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman George M. Bell/Released)
120213-N-DR144-442 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 13, 2012) Naval Air Crewman Airman Terry Warren, assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 15, mans a .50 caliber machine gun in the door of an HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter during a mission flown from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
120213-N-DR144-844 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 13, 2012) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) pulls alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
120209-N-DR144-754 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 9, 2012) Meteorology and oceanography officers Lt. Cmdr. Shane Stoughton, left, Lt. Cmdr. Ana Tempone, along with Cmdr. Dan Van Meter, a strike operations officer, assemble a drifting buoy used to measure ocean currents before deploying it from the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
120207-N-DR144-659 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 7, 2012) Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) 2nd Class Jack McMurrain, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113, signals to a plane captain while troubleshooting systems on an F/A-18C Hornet on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
120211-N-DR144-383 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 11, 2012) Airman Travis Baldridge and Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Ryan Thomas, both assigned to the aircraft intermediate maintenance department aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), secure a compressor module for an F404 turbofan. Carl Vinson and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans/Released)
COMNAVAIRFOR Announces 2011 Aviation Battle 'E' Winners
Story Number: NNS120214-01 Release Date: 2/14/2012 7:50:00 AM
From CNAF Public Affairs
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced the winners of the 2011 Aviation Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") awards Feb. 10.
The aviation Battle "E" is the Navy's top performance award presented to the aircraft carrier and aviation squadron in each competitive category that achieves the highest standards of performance readiness and efficiency. The award recognizes a unit's training and operational achievements while including a balance that incentivizes efficiency.
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) was the Battle "E" winner of the aircraft carrier category for the West Coast while the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) won for the East Coast.
"The warfighting excellence shown by these squadrons and the Vinson and the Bush proves them to be the best of the best. I am incredibly proud of their accomplishments," said Vice Adm. Al Myers, CNAF commander. "In a time of increased demand and a constrained fiscal environment, these Sailors, officers and aviators continue to deliver combat effectiveness and to display the professionalism and pride that is the hallmark of naval aviation."
In the aviation squadron competitions, each aviation Type-Commander selects a winner in every category, while CNAF selects the Navy-wide winners, resulting in three sets of recipients.
The 2011 Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic squadrons selected as Battle "E" winners are:
* Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15, for the VFA-C category
* Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, for the VFA-E/F category
* Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141, for the VAQ CVW category
* Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124, for the VAW category
* Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, for the HS/HSC category
* Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42, for the HSL EXP category
* Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, for the HSC EXP category
* Patrol Squadron (VP) 10, for the VP category
The 2011 Commander, Naval Air Forces Pacific Fleet squadrons selected as Battle "E" winners are:
* Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151 for the VFA-C category
* Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, for the VFA-E/F category
* Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, for the VAQ CVW category
* Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, for the VAW category
* Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4, for the HS/HSC category
* Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, for the HSL EXP category
* Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, for the HSC EXP category
* Patrol Squadron (VP) 4, for the VP category
The 2011 CNAF squadrons selected as Battle "E" winners are:
* Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132 for the VAQ EXP category
* Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, for the HSM category
* Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 15 for the HM category
* Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2 for the VQ EW category
* Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 4, for the VQ TACAMO category
* Patrol Squadron Special Projects Unit (VPU) 1, for the VPU category
* Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, for the VRC category
The Battle "E" competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance within the naval aviation force.
Grading metrics for attaining the Battle "E" award include operational achievement, training, inspection accomplishments, material and personnel readiness, aviation safety, weapon systems and tactics development, and contributions to the aviation community.
Each member attached to a winning ship or squadron earns the right to wear the Battle "E" ribbon on their uniform, or if they already posses that ribbon, they can add an additional "E" device to the ribbon.
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