VAW-123 Bids Farewell as Final E-2C Hawkeye Retires to the Boneyard

The squadron known as VAW-123 has recently embarked on a significant transition, moving from the legendary E-2C platform to the more advanced E-2D Advanced Hawkeye. This transition is set to be completed by mid-2025.

The farewell to the E-2C is bittersweet, as two of its aircraft have been transferred to VAW-120 Fleet Replacement Squadron. These planes will now serve as training vessels for future Hawkeye pilots. This marks the end of an era where, for over five decades, the E-2C provided unparalleled command and control capabilities for the Navy.

Lieutenant Terrance Lawrence, a naval aviator since 2021 and part of VAW-123, had the rare opportunity to fly one of these venerable planes to its final resting place at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s famed boneyard. “It was a special and unique opportunity,” Lawrence remarked, highlighting the rarity and significance of such a flight.

Lt. Avesta Shwany, another pilot from the squadron, shared the honor of flying the second aircraft. She expressed the mixed emotions of being part of the last crew to fly these planes, particularly after their recent mission aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in the Red Sea. “It signifies the end of an era,” Shwany stated, encapsulating the moment’s poignancy.

The transition from the E-2C to the E-2D represents not only a technological upgrade but also a historical milestone. VAW-123’s transition leaves VAW-116 on the west coast as the only fleet squadron still operating the E-2C, with its sundown scheduled soon.

Looking ahead, Lawrence expressed eagerness to pilot the E-2D. This new model boasts a state-of-the-art radar and improved systems, enhancing operational capabilities significantly by allowing for extended range and increased operational flexibility.