VW-2

• Origins and Designation: VW-2, or Airborne Early Warning Squadron TWO, was a United States Navy squadron established on 1 September 1952, primarily tasked with airborne early warning (AEW) missions. • Nickname "Hurricane Hunters": VW-2 was famously known as the "Hurricane Hunters" for its role in tracking and studying Atlantic hurricanes, providing vital meteorological data. • Aircraft Operated: The squadron primarily flew the Lockheed WV-2 Warning Star (military version of the Lockheed Super Constellation), specially equipped for long-range radar surveillance missions. • Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line Support: VW-2 supported the DEW Line by flying barrier patrols over the Atlantic, extending the U.S. air defense radar coverage during the Cold War. • Home Base: The unit was based at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland, and later at NAS Jacksonville, Florida, strategically positioned for both hurricane missions and Atlantic patrols. • 24/7 Patrols: During the height of the Cold War, VW-2 maintained continuous airborne patrols, with crews flying up to 16-hour missions to detect potential Soviet bomber incursions. • Innovative Technology: Their WV-2 aircraft featured massive radomes above and below the fuselage, housing advanced radar systems for the era, including the AN/APS-20 search radar. • Disaster Response: Information gathered by VW-2 during hurricane missions directly contributed to improved forecasting and disaster preparedness along the U.S. east coast. • Deactivation: VW-2 was decommissioned on 1 July 1965 as newer technologies and satellites took over many of its AEW and weather reconnaissance roles. • Legacy: The squadron’s pioneering work in airborne early warning and hurricane tracking laid the foundation for today’s E-2 Hawkeye squadrons and the U.S. Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron.