This is a prequel to my article published about the May 2003 visit of the USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75). 

Nearly two years prior to CVN-75 visiting the shores of the UK, the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) made a similar visit with CVW-8 on board. USS Enterprise left Norfolk, Virginia on the 25^th of April 2001 for a regular six month Med/Gulf cruise.

Unusually, a port visit was made to Portsmouth. After visiting Portsmouth she was to head into Scottish waters to participate in a Joint Maritime Course exercise. From Scotland she would then sail to the Med and eventually the Persian Gulf.

The tragic events of 11^th September 2001 led to her and her airwing being used in Operation Enduring Freedom and postponement of her expected return home in October.

Many Decal Manufacturers have produced markings for some of the aircraft seen.

 

 

VF-41 Black Aces F-14A

 

Shore based at NAS Oceana, VA.

 

 

This was the last Tomcat cruise for VF-41. VF-41 have since transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, became VFA-41, moved shore base to NAS Lemoore, CA and become part of CVW-11. All aircraft seen carried ‘Last Tomcat Cruise 1976-2001’ on their tails. The Black Aces consisted of:

AJ/100 – BuNo 162608
AJ/101 – BuNo 161274
AJ/102 – BuNo 161856
AJ/103 – BuNo 158612
AJ/104 – BuNo 158630
AJ/105 – BuNo 161615
AJ/111 – BuNo 161296
AJ/113 – BuNo 161168 (below deck)
AJ/114 – BuNo 161275

VF-14 Tophatters F-14A

 

Shore based at NAS Oceana, VA.

 

 

This was also the last Tomcat cruise for VF-14. VF-14 have also since succumbed to the Super Hornet and now fly the F/A-18E, become VFA-14, moved shore base to NAS Lemoore, CA and become part of CVW-11. Tophatters were:

AJ/200 –BuNo 162698(below deck)
AJ/202 – BuNo 161607
AJ/203 – BuNo 162604
AJ/204 – BuNo 161863
AJ/205 – BuNo 158633
AJ/206 – BuNo 158624
AJ/207 – BuNo 161292
AJ/210 – BuNo 158632
AJ/211 – BuNo 161603

 

Shore based at NAS Oceana, VA.

 

 

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based at Oceana. The Valion Pride were:

AJ/300 – BuNo 164627

AJ/301 – BuNo 164629
AJ/302 – BuNo 164643
AJ/303 – BuNo 164646
AJ/304 – BuNo 164655
AJ/305 – BuNo 164661
AJ/306 – BuNo 164691
AJ/307 – BuNo 164689
AJ/310 – BuNo 164673
AJ/311 –BuNo 164680(below deck)
AJ/312 –BuNo 164631(below deck)
AJ/314 – BuNo 164678

 

VFA-87 Golden Warriors F/A-18C

 

Shore based at NAS Oceana, VA.

 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

 

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based at Oceana. Members of the War Party were:

AJ/400 –BuNo 164687(below deck)
AJ/401 – BuNo 164675
AJ/402 – BuNo 164647
AJ/403 – BuNo 164663
AJ/404 – BuNo 164671
AJ/405 –BuNo 164639(below deck)
AJ/406 – BuNo 164644
AJ/407 – BuNo 164628
AJ/410 – BuNo 164632
AJ/411 – BuNo 164669
AJ/412 - BuNo 164252(below deck)
AJ/414 – BuNo 164231

 

VAQ-141 Shadowhawks EA-6B

 

Shore based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA.

 

 

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based in WA. The Shadowhawks consisted of the following airframes:

AJ/500 – BuNo 161350
AJ/501 – BuNo 163404
AJ/502 – BuNo 163401
AJ/503 –BuNo 163886(below deck)

VAW-124 Bear Aces E-2C

 

Shore based at NAS Norfolk, VA.

 

 

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based in VA.

AJ/600 –BuNo 163450(below deck)
AJ/601 – BuNo 162797
AJ/602 – BuNo 163850
AJ/603 – BuNo 163696

 

HS-3 Tridents SH-60F

 

Shore based at NAS Jacksonville, FL.

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based in Jacksonville. No photos could be taken of these aircraft.

AJ/610 – BuNo 164454 (below deck)
AJ/611 – BuNo 164451
AJ/612 – BuNo 164452 (below deck)
AJ/613 – BuNo 165455
AJ/614 – BuNo 165257
AJ/615 – BuNo 165115

 

 

VS-24 Scouts S-3B

 

Shore based at NAS Jacksonville, FL.

Still currently serving with CVW-8 and still based in FL.

AJ/700 – BuNo 159765 (below deck)
AJ/701 – BuNo 159732
AJ/702 – BuNo 158866
AJ/703 – BuNo 160151

AJ/704 – BuNo 158871
AJ/705 – BuNo 159747
AJ/706 – BuNo 160606
AJ/707 – BuNo 159766