VW-11

• Establishment: VW-11 (Airborne Early Warning Squadron Eleven) was established by the U.S. Navy in 1952, during the early Cold War, to provide airborne early warning and control for the Atlantic Fleet. • Nickname: The unit was known as the “Early Elevens.” • Aircraft: VW-11 primarily operated the Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star, the Navy version of the EC-121 Constellation, a large radar-equipped aircraft designed for long-range surveillance missions. • Home Base: The squadron was based at Naval Air Station Argentia, Newfoundland, a strategic location for monitoring transatlantic airspace during the Cold War. • Barrier Patrols: VW-11 flew regular patrols along the North Atlantic Barrier, a line of airborne radar pickets stretching from Newfoundland to the Azores, to detect potential Soviet bomber or missile attacks. • Weather Challenges: The squadron’s missions often faced extreme weather, including snow, ice, and fog, making their long-duration flights over the North Atlantic particularly hazardous. • 24/7 Operations: VW-11’s crews operated around the clock, maintaining a continuous airborne radar presence for early warning coverage during heightened periods of Cold War tension. • Search and Rescue: Beyond early warning, VW-11 participated in search and rescue operations, assisting distressed ships and aircraft in the North Atlantic with their long-range communication and radar capabilities. • Deactivation: With advances in radar technology and the advent of the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line and Over-the-Horizon Radar, VW-11 was disestablished in 1965 as threats and technology evolved. • Legacy: The squadron’s pioneering work in airborne early warning helped lay the groundwork for modern AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Control) operations, influencing the design and tactics of today’s E-2 Hawkeye and E-3 Sentry units.