Hawkeye squadron provides support for Operation Unified Response in Haiti
The "Tiger Tails" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 are conducting airspace management during Operation Unified Response operating out of US Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
VAW 125 is working to ensure airspace and mission safety over Port-au-Prince.
U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay holds a strategic location near Haiti and allows the VAW to conduct critical airspace management during the humanitarian assistance efforts in Haiti. Food, personnel and medical supplies arrive daily and the airspace over Haiti is crowded with aircraft from various agencies.
The crew of VAW-125 provides an information conduit for aircraft operating over Haiti, making the orchestration of humanitarian assistance more manageable.
"We maximize the efficiency of the efforts," said Cmdr. Wesley Bannister, commanding officer, VAW-125.
The squadron operates the E-2C Hawkeye, an aircraft designed for all-weather, carrier-based tactical battle management and airborne early warning. The Hawkeye acts as a communication link to provide the big picture of what's happening in the air and on the ground.
"The aircraft was designed to go up and provide the eyes and ears in the sky," said Lt. Cmdr. Kenyon Kellogg, VAW-125 personnel officer.
According to Bannister, the E-2C and its crew help maintain control of U.S. Navy helicopters moving relief supplies, including medicine and personnel. They also coordinate with personnel on the ground and aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to direct air asset tasking.
Within 96 hours of being activated, the crew of VAW-125 had gone from their homeport in Norfolk, Va., to fully operational over Haiti, providing command and control of airborne assets as well as those on the ground. Bannister believes the entire effort has been a positive and successful undertaking.
"We have a long history with Haiti," he said. "We should do everything we can to help."
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary Harris
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems]()
AUSA 2025: Israel’s Asio Technologies to supply hundreds of improved Taurus tactical systems
Taurus operates alongside the Israel Defense Forces’ Orion system which supports mission management across tens of thousands of manoeuvring forces, from squad leaders to battalion commanders.
-
![AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster]()
AUSA 2025: Kopin pushes micro-LED plans as China moves faster
The plan for the new displays follows fresh investment in Kopin’s European facilities by Theon and an order for head-up displays in fielded aircraft, with funding from the US Department of Defense.
-
![AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end]()
AUSA 2025: Persistent Systems to complete its largest order by year’s end
Persistent Systems received its largest ever single order for its MPU5 devices and other systems earlier this month and has already delivered the 50 units to the US Army’s 4th Infantry Division.
-
![Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella]()
Aselsan brings in dozens of companies and systems under the Steel Dome umbrella
Turkey has joined the family of countries attempting to establish a multilayered air defence system with government approval in August 2024 for the effort landed by Aselsan. Dubbed Steel Dome, the programme joins Israel’s Iron Dome, the US Golden Dome, India’s Mission Sudarshan Chakra and South Korea’s low-altitude missile defence system.
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
