Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier Mission To conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of nine air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority. All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations. Subordinate units CVW-8 consists of 8 Squadrons History 1950s CVG-8 was established on 9 April 1951 as Carrier Air Group Eight (CVG-8) (it was the second air group to carry the CVG-8 designation; the first CVG-8 existed from June 1943 to November 1945) and has been in continuous operation since that date. Most of the wing's squadrons were reserve squadrons. CVG-8 made its first deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard in 1951–52. Up to 1957, CVG-8 made three deployments aboard the aircraft carriers , , and , followed by the shakedown cruise aboard the newly commissioned in late 1957. The following year, CVG-8 was assigned to . 1960s Carrier Air Group 8 was assigned to Forrestal until mid-1966, making five deployments to the Mediterranean Sea. On 20 December 1963, CVG-8 was redesignated Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8). The air wing was reassigned to the much smaller in 1966, which necessitated the replacement of the F-4B Phantom II fighter with F-8D Crusaders. CVW-8 made three deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard Shangri-La. 1970s From 5 March to 17 December 1970, CVW-8 made its first combat deployment to Vietnam. This was to be the last deployment of Shangri-La which was decommissioned in 1971. The air wing was reassigned to the in 1971. All of its squadrons were replaced and received the latest models of the F-4 Phantom II, A-7 Corsair II and A-6 Intruder. In 1971 America went to the Mediterranean Sea, again, before being deployed to Vietnam from 5 June 1972 to 24 March 1973. The wing returned to the Mediterranean