An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


News Stories

News and stories about USS Harry S. Truman and her Sailors.
USS Harry S. Truman Menu

VAW-123 Sends their Last E-2C Hawkeye to the Boneyard

by Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic Public Affairs
04 November 2024 Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123 transferred two of their four E-2C Hawkeye aircraft to the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the largest aircraft boneyard in the world in Tucson, in September.  
240909-N-N0783-1001 TUCSON, Ariz. – An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123 prepares to land Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the largest aircraft boneyard in the world in Tucson, in September 2024. VAW-123 transferred two of their four E-2C Hawkeye aircraft to the boneyard. This event was part of the squadron’s transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to be completed in mid-2025. (Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)
SLIDESHOW | 1 images | VAW-123 Sends their Last E-2C Hawkeye to the Boneyard 240909-N-N0783-1001 TUCSON, Ariz. – An E-2C Hawkeye aircraft assigned to Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 123 prepares to land Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, the largest aircraft boneyard in the world in Tucson, in September 2024. VAW-123 transferred two of their four E-2C Hawkeye aircraft to the boneyard. This event was part of the squadron’s transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to be completed in mid-2025. (Photo courtesy U.S. Navy)


This event was part of the squadron’s transition to the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye to be completed in mid-2025.

VAW-123’s other two E-2C were transferred to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron to be used for training the next generation of Hawkeye pilots. For more than 50 years, the E-2C has provided the Navy’s command and control capabilities.

Lt. Terrance Lawrence, assigned to VAW-123, was one of the pilots chosen to deliver an E-2C to the boneyard. The squadron first received the E-2C in November 1973. Since then, this platform has been used for sea and land-based military operations, search and rescue missions, drug interdiction, humanitarian efforts and disaster relief.

Lawrence, a naval aviator since 2021, had not experienced delivering an aircraft to its final resting place.

 “It was something that I knew not a lot of other aviators get to do; it is pretty rare that you get to participate in this type of flight,” Lawrence said. “This was a special and unique opportunity that does not come up often. I volunteered immediately.”

Lt. Avesta Shwany, also of VAW-123, flew the second E-2C and reflected on the experience for her and her crew upon departing Norfolk for the boneyard.

"Getting to be a part of the last crew was incredibly bittersweet,” Shwany said. “This aircraft carries a lot of memories to so many aircrew members, especially from this most recent deployment to the Red Sea.”

Shwany added that the aircraft had seen combat and played a vital role in many missions.

“Taking this aircraft to the boneyard signified the end of an era, and the beginning of our delta transition. I think everyone was surprised with how emotional we were dropping her off and saying our goodbyes,” Shwany said.

Lawrence said he was proud to be the last person to fly the E-2C for his squadron. The aircrew that accompanied both aircraft to Tucson took the opportunity to mark their place in history by ceremoniously signing the inside of the aircraft as a final farewell.

“This aircraft meant a lot,” Lawrence said. “I was sentimental about it, especially after spending nine months flying it in the Red Sea.”

The 10 aircrew who participated in the nearly six-hour flight to the boneyard, took time to tap the side of the aircraft, as they said their farewell before transferring it to the staff at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base.

“This plane has all of these stories associated with it especially just after deployment,” Lawrence added. VAW-123 was deployed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and returned from a nine-month deployment in July 2024.

The crew also had an opportunity to step back in time and witness aviation history.

“We toured the boneyard, which has over 4,000 aircraft stored,” Lawrence said. “I am proud to be one of the last pilots to be part of that aircraft’s history.”

With VAW-123 marking its transition to the E-2D, west-coast based VAW-116 is the only fleet squadron in the Navy flying the E-2C until its scheduled sundown.

Lawrence said he looks forward to flying the E-2D which features a state-of-the-art radar with upgraded capabilities and aircraft systems that improve supportability and increase readiness. The E-2D enhances operational capabilities by increasing time on station allowing for extended range from the carrier, increased persistence and operational flexibility.

 

Categories:

VAW 123
 
Navy.mil  |  Navy.com  |  Navy FOIA  |  DoD Accessibility/Section 508  |  No Fear Act  |  Open Government  |  Plain Writing Act 
USA.gov  |  Veterans Crisis Line  |  VA Vet Center  |  FVAPDoD Safe Helpline  |  Navy SAPR  |  NCIS Tips  |  Site Map  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Webmaster | Information quality | Public Use notice | Useful Links
 
Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic  |  1562 Mitscher Ave., Suite 300  |   Norfolk, Virginia 23551-2427  |   Contact AIRLANT 
Official U.S. Navy Website