Why do Navy fighter squadrons rotate carriers?

Why?

For example, F-14A fighter squadron VF-2 "Bounty Hunters" was originally with CVW-14 on the Enterprise. It then ditched CVW-14 and Enterprise in 1980 and served on the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk as part of CVW-2. CVW-2 then moved to U.S.S. Ranger in 1989, before the air wing was re-organized.

Why do Navy fighter squadrons move carriers?

Squadrons and carrier air wings rotate through carriers due to the carriers being serviced and more carriers than air wings being avaliable.

Right now the US Navy has ten air wings and 12 active aircraft carriers. As soon as a carrier is taken out of service for a extended period its air wing will reassign to the incoming carrier.

Squadrons rotate for various reasons. Having a common type of one aircraft in the wing, support, overseas basing cycles, fleet transfers and decommisioning of units to name a few.

Right now units are being moved between fleets and air wings due to the super hornet being phased in, the F-14 going out of service and the updating of the F/A-18A aircraft.

Originally posted by warthog
Squadrons and carrier air wings rotate through carriers due to the carriers being serviced and more carriers than air wings being avaliable.

I see.

Right now units are being moved between fleets and air wings due to the super hornet being phased in, the F-14 going out of service and the updating of the F/A-18A aircraft.

So it would be safe to say VF-2 may become F/A-18C squadron VFA-2?

So it would be safe to say VF-2 may become F/A-18C squadron VFA-2?

Close, all of the Tomcat sqaudrons are going to the F/A-18E/F.

VF-2 is scheduled to become VFA-2 in 2008 when it gains the F/A-18F super hornet. All F-14 sqns will become F/A-18F sqns by 2010 at current planning.

Originally posted by warthog
VF-2 is scheduled to become VFA-2 in 2008 when it gains the F/A-18F super hornet. All F-14 sqns will become F/A-18F sqns by 2010 at current planning.

Some of them are going to the E model.

I am sure going to miss the F-14A!

To me, the classic CVW has always been 24 F-14As, 24 A-7Es, 10 A-6Es.

To correct my earlier post, and provide a slight update.

VF-14 and VF-11 go to F/A-18E's

VFA's 115, 22, 137, 81, 86, 105 and 146 go from the F/A-18C to the F/A-18E

VF's 41, 102, 2, 154, 32, 103, 211, 213, 31 and 143 go to the F/A-18F

This is from information updated mid 2003 so it may have changed since then.

My earlier info was from 2002 hence being slightly incorrect.

[Edited on 8-4-2004 by warthog]