The markings underline the Hawkeye’s important function within the protection in opposition to drones and missiles in the course of the occasions within the Center East in late 2024.
Freelance information photojournalist Matt Hartman shared on X some photographs of a U.S. Navy E-2D Hawkeye, assigned to Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW) 117, also referred to as the “Wallbangers,” captured whereas touchdown at Naval Air Station Level Mugu in the course of the Grey Flag massive pressure check occasion on Sept. 17, 2025. An attention-grabbing facet of those photographs instantly catches the attention: the kill markings of drones and cruise missiles.
In reality, the plane sports activities on its fuselage the shapes of 13 drones, which Hartman described as Iranian-made Shahed-129, and 4 cruise missiles. Whereas these markings should not new – they’ve been noticed since early 2025 – they’re a reminder of the often-overlooked function of help plane.
A @USNavy E-2D Superior, BU #169870 CAG LIVRY from VAW-117 the #WALLBANGERS , CVW-9, based mostly at @NBVCCalifornia w/ a tremendous 13 SHAHED-129 KILLS & 4 Cruise Missile KILLS. WOW! #HAWKEYEPOWER shot recovering throughout #GrayFlag2025 #FLYNAVY 09-17-25 pic.twitter.com/fRCfYfJaTj
— Matt Hartman (@ShorealoneFilms) September 18, 2025
Kill Markings on the Hawkeye?
The E-2D Hawkeye is an Airborne Early Warning & Management (AEW&C) platform, so it clearly doesn’t carry weapons. So, why would it not get kill markings?
AEW&C belongings are important for contemporary air energy, as they detect and monitor plane, ships, floor automobiles and missiles at lengthy ranges after which shortly convey this important info to allied belongings. Due to this, in an airborne battle administration function, the Hawkeye can distribute goal info to the opposite plane of the Provider Air Wing and different ships, which then can proceed to have interaction.
That’s precisely what occurred in the course of the newest deployment of VAW-117 within the Center East in late 2024. As we frequently reported again then right here at The Aviationist, a number of assaults with drones and missiles passed off within the space, launched by Iran and the Houthi militias.
The function of the E-2D on these events was additionally remarked by the U.S. Navy when VAW-117 returned dwelling on Dec. 14, 2024: “The Wallbangers performed a important function within the profitable defeat of eight one-way assault unmanned aerial techniques, 5 anti-ship ballistic missiles, and 4 anti-ship cruise missiles as Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.”
Because the variety of kill markings doesn’t match the numbers within the Navy’s assertion, it’s apparent that this may not have been an isolate episode. Furthermore, one other E-2D of VAW-117 was photographed with a drone kill marking on its fuselage throughout Northern Edge 2025 in August.
The E-2D Hawkeye, the Navy’s Eye within the Sky
The E-2D Superior Hawkeye (AHE) represents the most recent evolution within the E-2 collection, which has been the spine of U.S. Navy’s airborne early warning and battle administration capabilities for many years. This next-generation mannequin brings a collection of superior upgrades, making it way more succesful and versatile than its predecessors, with enhancements designed to make sure it meets the wants of contemporary warfare.
On the core of the E-2D is a state-of-the-art radar that provides what the U.S. Navy describes as a “two-generation leap” in functionality over earlier fashions. This superior radar system dramatically will increase detection vary, goal decision, and monitoring accuracy. The radar enhancements, mixed with different system upgrades, enable the E-2D to cowl huge areas each at sea and over land, enhancing situational consciousness for the fleet.
Not like earlier fashions, the E-2D goes past merely relaying info, functioning as a extremely built-in command and management node in a “digital quarterback” function. This makes it important in managing various, concurrent missions, whether or not directing airborne strike operations, coordinating with floor forces, supporting search and rescue efforts, or serving as a communications hub throughout a dispersed fleet.
Working because the “eyes of the fleet,” the E-2D – and its AN/APY-9 radar – extends the provider strike group’s surveillance and command and management attain far past the horizon. Due to the addition of the air refueling functionality, the most recent variant of the Hawkeye can keep airborne for longer missions, additional rising the attain of the fleet’s eyes.
VAW-117’s Deployment on USS Abraham Lincoln
In 2024, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), flagship of Provider Strike Group 3, executed a high-visibility deployment spanning the Indo-Pacific and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) areas, starting in July and returning to San Diego in December. Its preliminary mission was routine operations and partnership constructing within the Indo-Pacific — together with the primary of two Multi-Massive Deck Occasions (MLDE) with the Italian Navy’s Cavour Provider Strike Group, and port calls corresponding to Malaysia (a primary for a U.S. provider in over a decade).
In August, nonetheless, it was redirected to the Center East to alleviate USS Theodore Roosevelt, in response to escalating tensions. Whereas within the CENTCOM and fifth Fleet Space of Obligations (AORs), the strike group carried out fight strikes in opposition to Houthi targets in Yemen, defended sea lanes – particularly via Bab el-Mandeb – and supported Operation Prosperity Guardian, which protects maritime commerce from assaults.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), outfitted with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) space of duty.
The usAbraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Provider Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 21, 2024
Alongside the best way, the deployment noticed a number of “firsts”: the fight employment of the F-35C Lightning II from the usLincoln, employment of the ALQ-249 Subsequent Technology Jammer, and a Nimitz-class provider refueling at sea through a industrial oiler. The mission concluded with the usLincoln returning to its dwelling port on Dec. 20, 2024, after traversing a number of Fleet areas of operations and contributing each deterrence and direct fight functionality in contested maritime zones.
The Abraham Lincoln Provider Strike Group consists of the flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), embarked staffs of CSG-3 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, Provider Air Wing (CVW) 9, Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and DESRON 21’s USS Spruance (DDG 111) & USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).
CVW-9 consists of 9 squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Tremendous Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawk. The squadrons are the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Assault Squadron (VMFA) 314, the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, the “Black Aces” of VFA-41, the “Vigilantes” of VFA-151, the “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Management Squadron (VAW) 117, the “Wizards” of Digital Assault Squadron (VAQ) 133, the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Fight Squadron (HSC) 14, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Assist Squadron (VRC) 40.
