Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (a. k. a. COMNAVAIRLANT, AIRLANT, and CNAL) is the aviation Type Commander (TYCOM) for the United States Naval aviation units operating primarily in the Atlantic under

United States Fleet Forces Command The United States Fleet Forces Command (USFF) is a service component command of the United States Navy that provides naval forces to a wide variety of U.S. forces. The naval resources may be allocated to Combatant Commanders such as United Sta ...

. Type Commanders are in administrative control (ADCON), and in some cases operational control (OPCON) of certain types of assets (ships, submarines, aircraft, and fleet marines) assigned to the Pacific and Atlantic Fleets. AIRLANT is responsible for the material readiness, administration, training, and inspection of units/squadrons under their command, and for providing operationally ready air squadrons and aircraft carriers to the fleet. COMNAVAIRLANT is headquartered at Naval Support Activity, Hampton Roads. The staff is made up of approximately 650 officer, enlisted, civilian and contractor personnel.

Mission

"Support COMLANTFLT and other commanders by providing combat ready/sustainable naval air forces, trained and equipped in an environment which emphasizes safety, interoperability and efficient resource management."

History

Naval Air Force, US Atlantic Fleet was established on 1 January 1943, at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. The command was initially called Air Force, Atlantic Fleet and replaced three older organizations: Commander Carriers, Atlantic Fleet; Carrier Replacement Squadron, Atlantic Fleet; and Fleet Air Wings, Atlantic. AIRLANT's mission was to oversee logistics, maintenance and training of east coast aviation units, and to direct all

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

Atlantic operations not assigned to specific task forces. The combat mission consisted primarily of combating German

U-boat U-boats were naval submarines operated by Germany, particularly in the First and Second World Wars. Although at times they were efficient fleet weapons against enemy naval warships, they were most effectively used in an economic warfare ro ...

s, which were wreaking havoc on U.S. shipping support for the war effort in Europe. AIRLANT also contributed heavily to

war in the Pacific The Pacific War, sometimes called the Asia–Pacific War, was the theater of World War II that was fought in Asia, the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and Oceania. It was geographically the largest theater of the war, including the vast ...

by training Pacific Fleet units and deploying east coast units to the Pacific. In 1944 AIRLANT deployed 16 carriers, 20 carrier air groups, 67 carrier-based squadrons, 21 patrol squadrons and 18 aviation units to the Pacific. On 30 July 1957, the command added "Naval" to its title. An important subordinate command for a long period was Commander, Fleet Air Keflavik, at what was

Naval Air Station Keflavik Naval Air Station Keflavik (NASKEF) was a United States Navy station at Keflavík International Airport, Iceland, located on the Reykjanes peninsula on the south-west portion of the island. NASKEF was closed on 8 September 2006, and its facilitie ...

, Iceland.GlobalSecurity.org, Commander Fleet Air Keflavik Naval aviation has always played a large role in the operations at Keflavik, especially with regard to the enormous build-up of the Soviet Navy. Deployment of patrol squadron detachments, and later entire squadrons, started as early as 1951, with the P-2 "Neptune" maritime patrol aircraft succeeded by the Lockheed P-3 "Orion" in the mid-1960s. In 1955, Barrier Force, Atlantic had been established in

Argentia Argentia ( ) is a Canadian commercial seaport and industrial park located in the Town of Placentia, Newfoundland and Labrador. It is situated on the southwest coast of the Avalon Peninsula and defined by a triangular shaped headland which r ...

, Newfoundland, flying radar early-warning missions using the WV-2 ( EC-121 Warning Star aircraft in the North Atlantic from 1957. These aircraft made frequent deployments to Keflavik. On July 1, 1961, Commander Barrier Force, Atlantic moved from Argentia to Keflavik. The duties of Commander, Iceland Defense Force were assumed by the rear admiral commanding Barrier Force Atlantic. In October 2001, the

Chief of Naval Operations The chief of naval operations (CNO) is the professional head of the United States Navy. The position is a statutory office () held by an admiral who is a military adviser and deputy to the secretary of the Navy. In a separate capacity as a memb ...

placed Type Commanders in a "Lead-Follow" arrangement. Under this arrangement, COMNAVAIRPAC (AIRLANT's west coast counterpart) became TYCOM for all Naval Aviation, and assumed the additional title of

Commander, Naval Air Forces Commander, Naval Air Forces ( COMNAVAIRFOR, and CNAF; and dual-hatted as Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific, and COMNAVAIRPAC) is the aviation Type Commander (TYCOM) for all United States Navy naval aviation units. Type Commanders are in Admini ...

(COMNAVAIRFOR). At that time, command of AIRLANT went from a 3-star/ Vice Admiral to a 2-star

Rear Admiral Rear admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, equivalent to a major general and air vice marshal and above that of a commodore and captain, but below that of a vice admiral. It is regarded as a two star " admiral" rank. It is often rega ...

List of commanders

Subordinate Commands

Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet is composed of more than 40,000 men and women who maintain and operate the aircraft carriers, aircraft squadrons and aircraft of the Atlantic Fleet. It provides combat-ready air forces to fleet commanders operating around the globe.

Carrier Strike Groups

There are six Carrier Strike Group commanders who, although not under operational control of COMNAVAIRLANT, work very closely with the staff. CSG commanders are operationally responsible for the carrier, the embarked airwing and the cruisers that make up the battle group. *

Carrier Strike Group Two } Carrier Strike Group 2 (CSG-2 or COMCARSTRKGRU 2) is a U.S. Navy carrier strike group, tracing its history originally to 1931. The aircraft carrier is the strike group's current flagship. As of Aug 2020, other units assigned to Carrier Strik ...

(George H.W. Bush Battle Group) *

Carrier Strike Group Eight Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8, abbreviated as CCSG-8 or COMCARSTRKGRU 8, is one of five U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned to the United States Fleet Forces Command. the group flagship is the ''Nimitz''-class aircraft carrier ...

(Eisenhower Battle Group) *

Carrier Strike Group Ten Carrier Strike Group 10, abbreviated as CSG-10 or CARSTRKGRU 10, is a U.S. Navy carrier strike group. Carrier strike groups gain and maintain sea control as well as project naval airpower ashore. , CSG-10 consist of , the strike group's current ...

(Truman Battle Group) *

Carrier Strike Group Twelve Carrier Strike Group Twelve (CSG-12 or CARSTRKGRU 12) is one of four U.S. Navy carrier strike groups currently assigned to the United States Fleet Forces Command. Carrier strike groups gain and maintain sea control as well as project naval airpow ...

(Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group)

Aircraft Carriers

The nucleus of the surface battle group is the

aircraft carrier An aircraft carrier is a warship that serves as a seagoing airbase, equipped with a full-length flight deck and facilities for carrying, arming, deploying, and recovering aircraft. Typically, it is the capital ship of a fleet, as it allows a ...

. In the Atlantic Fleet, COMNAVAIRLANT has five carriers assigned to carry out the mission of COMLANTFLT and other commanders. One or two of these carriers are usually deployed with the U.S. Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea or with the U.S. Fifth Fleet in the Persian Gulf in support of U.S. Central Command. When not deployed or undergoing periodic maintenance/overhaul, or refresher training, these ships operate with

Task Force 80 in the Western Atlantic or U.S. Fourth Fleet in the Caribbean. *

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) USS ''Dwight D. Eisenhower'' (CVN-69) (known informally as "''Ike''") is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten s currently in service, and i ...

USS George Washington (CVN-73) USS ''George Washington'' (CVN-73) is a United States Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the sixth carrier in the and the fourth US Navy ship named after George Washington, Founding Father, commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during ...

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) USS ''Harry S. Truman'' (CVN-75) is the eighth of the United States Navy, named after the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. She is currently homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. ''Harry S. Truman'' was launched ...

* USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)

Carrier air wings

The carrier air wing commander is responsible for a number of squadrons whose missions include attack, fighter, patrol, reconnaissance, anti-submarine warfare, electronic warfare and logistic support. *

Carrier Air Wing One Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, with most of its various squadrons also home based at NAS Oceana. Additional squadrons are based at Naval Station Norfolk ...

* Carrier Air Wing Three * Carrier Air Wing Seven * Carrier Air Wing Eight

Type Wings

Type Wing commanders are individually responsible for major categories of aircraft squadrons. There are single Navy wide Type Wing commanders for the Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Attack communities which report to Commander, Naval Air Forces who is dual hatted as Commander, Naval Air Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic Fleet (COMSTRKFIGHTWINGLANT)

VFA-11 Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, United States. The squadron was established in 1950 and is nicknamed "Red Rippers" (call sign "Ripper"). VFA-1 ...

Red Rippers *

VFA-31 VFA-31 or Strike Fighter Squadron 31 is known as the ''Tomcatters'', callsign "Felix", a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Tomcatters are the second oldest Navy Fi ...

Tomcatters *

VFA-32 Strike Fighter Squadron 32 (VFA-32), nicknamed the "Fighting Swordsmen" are a United States Navy strike fighter squadron presently flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet and based ashore at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their radio callsign is ''Gypsy'' ...

Swordsmen * VFA-34 Blue Blasters * VFA-37 Bulls *

VFA-81 Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81), also known as the "Sunliners", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing One, their radio callsign is ''Inf ...

Sunliners *

VFA-83 Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83), also known as the "Rampagers", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3, their tailcode is ''AC'' and their rad ...

Rampagers * VFA-87 Golden Warriors *

VFA-103 Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103), nicknamed the Jolly Rogers, is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1952. VFA-103 flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia (US). The squadron's ...

Jolly Rogers * VFA-105 Gunslingers *

VFA-106 Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106), also known as the "Gladiators", is a United States Navy F/A-18 Hornet and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet Fleet Replacement Squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Mission As the East Coast Flee ...

Gladiators ( FRS) *

VFA-131 Strike Fighter Squadron 131 (VFA-131), also known as the "Wildcats", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their radio call sign is "Wildcat" and their aircraft tail code is ''AC''. H ...

Wildcats * VFA-143 Pukin' Dogs *

VFA-211 Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Horne ...

Fighting Checkmates *

VFA-213 Strike Fighter Squadron 213 (VFA-213) ''Blacklions'' is an aviation unit of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. It was established in 1955 and is currently equipped with the F/A-18F Super Hornet. The squadron is ass ...

Black Lions *Strike Fighter Weapons School, Atlantic (STRKFIGHTWPNSCOLANT) *COMSTRKFITWINGLANT Det Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) Key West *COMSTRKFITWINGLANT Det AIMD Oceana

Commander, Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing, Atlantic Fleet (COMHSMWINGLANT)

* HSM-40 Airwolves ( FRS) * HSM-46 Grandmasters (Expeditionary) * HSM-48 Vipers (Expeditionary)
HSM-60
Jaguars * HSM-70 Spartans * HSM-72 Proud Warriors * HSM-74 Swamp Foxes * Helicopter Maritime Strike Weapons School, Atlantic (HELMARSTRIKEWEPSCOLANT) * Naval Surface Rescue Swimmer School, NAS Jacksonville, FL * Aircraft Carrier Tactical Support Center (CV-TSC), NAS Jacksonville, FL * Aviation Support Detachment (ASD) Mayport, FL

Commander, Helicopter Sea Combat Wing, Atlantic Fleet (COMHELSEACOMBATWINGLANT)

* HM-12 Sea Dragons ( FRS) *

HM-14 Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 14 (HM-14) is a United States Navy helicopter squadron established in 1978 based at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. Nicknamed the ''Vanguard'' and flying the MH-53E Sea Dragon, it comprises both active du ...

Vanguard (Expeditionary) * HM-15 Blackhawks (Expeditionary) * HSC-2 Fleet Angels ( FRS) * HSC-5 Nightdippers * HSC-7 Dusty Dogs * HSC-9 Tridents * HSC-11 Dragonslayers * HSC-22 Sea Knights (Expeditionary) * HSC-26 Chargers (Expeditionary) * HSC-28 Dragon Whales (Expeditionary) *Helicopter Sea Combat Weapons School, Atlantic (HSCWSL)

Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group (COMPATRECONGRU)

(Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group is dual hatted as Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Group Pacific. S/He commands the Pacific Fleet Patrol and Reconnaissance Wings (TWO and TEN) under that hat) *

VP-30 Patrol Squadron 30 (VP-30) is a maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy, established on 30 June 1960. It is based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. Mission VP-30's mission is to provide Lockheed P-3C Orion and Boeing P ...

Pro's Nest ( FRS) *Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Weapons School (MPRWS) *(PATRECONFORLANT DET AMPO Jacksonville) *Commander, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing 11 (see

Patrol Wing A Patrol Wing (PatWing) was a United States Navy aviation unit with the commander of a Patrol Wing known as the Commodore, the ComPatWing or COMPATWING. From 1 November 1942 to 30 June 1973 Patrol Wings were designated "Fleet Air Wings". On 26 Mar ...

) **(COMPATRECONWING ELEVEN DET AIMD) **

VP-5 Patrol Squadron FIVE (VP-5) is a long-lived maritime patrol squadron of the United States Navy. It is the second squadron to bear the VP-5 designation. VP-5 is the second oldest patrol squadron, the fourth oldest in the United States Navy, and t ...

Mad Foxes **

VP-8 Patrol Squadron Eight (VP-8) is a U.S. Navy land-based patrol squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida (USA). VP-8 is tasked to undertake maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and intelligence, surveillance and recon ...

Tigers ** VP-10 Red Lancers ** VP-16 War Eagles **

VP-26 The VP-26 Tridents are a United States Navy aircraft squadron based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. The squadron flies Boeing P-8A patrol aircraft. It was established as Bombing Squadron 114 (VB-114) on 26 August 1943 and renamed Pa ...

Tridents ** VP-45 Pelicans **

VP-62 VP-62 was a Patrol Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62) on 1 May 1942 and disestablished on 1 July 1943. Operational history *1 May 1942: VP-62 was established at NAS Alameda, California, under the ...

Broadarrows (USNR) **

VUP-19 Uninhabited Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19) is an unmanned patrol squadron of the United States Navy, nicknamed the "Big Red" and established on 1 October 2013. Patrol Squadron 19 was established as Reserve Patrol Squadron 907 (VP-907) on 4 July ...

, Jacksonville, Fla. *Tactical Support Center (TSC), Rota *Tactical Support Center (TSC), Sigonella

Miscellaneous commands

VX-1 VX-1, Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One, (''AIRTEVRON ONE'') is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Operations Operational aircraft are assigned to VX-1 including the P-8A P ...

, Patuxent River Naval Air Station, MD * Landing Signal Officer School
Fleet Air Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Jacksonville
*Fleet Air Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Virginia Capes (VACAPES)

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official web site

COMNAVAIRLANT story archive – U.S. Navy

Command History
– COMNAVAIRLANT

– GlobalSecurity.org
Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet
–

Facebook Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. Founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg with fellow Harvard College students and roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dust ...

Commander, Naval Air Forces U.S.