SAN DIEGO (NNS) — Commander, Naval Air Forces (CNAF) announced the winners of the 2011 Aviation Battle Efficiency (Battle “E”) awards Feb. 10 and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island squadrons were among them.
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.
Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 won the Battle ‘E’ award for the VAQ CVW category for the 2011 Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic squadrons. For Pacific Fleet squadrons, the Lancers of VAQ-131 won the Battle ‘E’ award in the VAQ CVW category. The 2011 CNAF squadrons selected for Battle ‘E’ winners included, the VAQ-132 Scorpions and the Rangers of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron (VQ) 2, in the VAQ EXP and VQ EW categories, respectively.
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 possess that ribbon, they can add an additional “E” device to the ribbon.
Here is a complete list of winners:
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
