VAW - 117 Carrier Airborne Command and Control Squadron One One Seven ( or VAW - 117 ) is a United States Navy ( USN ) airborne early warning ( AEW ) squadron . Nicknamed " The Wallbangers " ( formerly " The Nighthawks " ) , it flies the Grumman E - 2 Hawkeye , the USN ’ s only carrier - based command and control platform . The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Point Mugu , California and deploys as part of Carrier Air Wing 11 ( CVW - 11 ) on board the . Mission . The Hawkeyes of VAW - 117 provide radar coverage for every facet of battle group defense . Though a Hawkeye can operate independently , it normally functions as an extension of existing air defense systems . All data obtained on board the airplane can be relayed to surface command posts for display and decision - making . The E - 2C Hawkeye , particularly with the new improvements in the Hawkeye 2000 , has allowed the squadron to give air defense commanders the most complete , up - to - the - minute picture of theater operations possible . History . 1970s . The squadron was established at NAS North Island , California on 1 July 1974 , as part of Fighter Early Warning Wing , U . S . Pacific Fleet . The squadron received its first E - 2B aircraft in October 1974 and in October the following year deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on board the . The squadron made its first Western Pacific ( WESTPAC ) deployment with Carrier Air Wing Two on board the in February 1979 . 1980s . During its 1988 WESTPAC deployment on board the , VAW - 117 played a key role in Operation Praying Mantis during which an Iranian ship was destroyed . In addition , the squadron provided command and control during attacks on oil platforms and small ships . 1990s . Years later , the squadron was still maintaining its rapid operational pace . The onset of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm led to the most accelerated turn around training cycle ever . On board the ’ s maiden WESTPAC voyage in May 1991 , VAW - 117 assisted in the evacuation of dependents from the Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo during Operation Fiery Vigil . VAW - 117 was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award for its efforts in assisting in the evacuation . In 1999 , VAW - 117 was selected to provide operational testing for the Navy ’ s newest AEW upgrade , the MCU / ACIS ( Mission Computer Upgrade / Advance Computer Information System ) . This new computer system in the E - 2 has given the squadron a distinct advantage in its command and control capabilities . 2000s . In July 2001 , VAW - 117 was the first squadron to deploy with the new MCU / ACIS system . WESTPAC 2001 - 02 on board the proved to be an active deployment . After the September 11 attacks in 2001 , aircraft from VAW - 117 and CVW - 11 were among the first aircraft to lead the strikes on Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom . The squadron flew an unprecedented number of combat sorties in support of Operation Enduring Freedom . The extensive radar and communication equipment on board the E - 2C Hawkeye allowed the squadron to become a vital part of the anti - terrorist operations . It continuously provided battle space management over Pakistan and southern Afghanistan , ensuring the safety of all airborne assets and clearance from commercial air routes . The squadron ' s Hawkeyes served as an information - clearing house , providing a communications relay between command authorities on the ground and tactical aircraft airborne . VAW - 117 was the first fleet squadron to receive the HE - 2K variant of the Hawkeye . In addition , it was also the first fleet Hawkeye squadron to receive the Cooperative Engagement Capability system ( CEC ) . In April 2007 VAW - 117 deployed on WESTPAC 2007 . The squadron flew 101 sorties and 227 hours in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom . It also took part in several exercises including Valiant Shield and Malabar . In January 2008 the squadron deployed on a four - month surge to the Western Pacific , where it took part in Exercise Foal Eagle 08 . During the course of the cruise VAW - 117 demonstrated its aviation skills , earning the CVW - 11 Top Hook Award for the first time in nearly eight years . There are approximately 190 enlisted and officer personnel that encompass the Wallbanger team . In May 2010 , CDR Brent Trickel relieved CDR Valerie Overstreet as Commanding Officer .