The “Liberty Bells” E-2C Hawkeyes have said goodbye to Japan, departed the Naval Air Facility in Atsugi and are returning home to the U.S., said the Navy.
“VAW-115’s sailors, aircrew, and our families are all extremely grateful for the hospitality that we received from the people of Japan during our time at Atsugi, and for our outstanding partnership with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force,” said Cmdr. Christopher Hulitt, VAW-115’s executive officer.
The “Liberty Bells” of VAW-115 have accumulated 24 consecutive years and 50,000 hours without a single mishap. Responsibility will be handed over to VAW-125 and the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, said the Navy.
Deployments in support of operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and Damayan — among others — have highlighted the squadron’s time in Japan, but according to Hulitt, the strength of the alliance developed with their host has provided the greatest source of pride.
“I want to emphasize that one of our biggest accomplishments is the positive relationships we have developed with the Japanese people and our brothers and sisters in arms of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces,” said Hulitt. “It is tough to say ‘Sayonara,’ but we know that the VAW-125 ‘Tigertails’ will continue to forge these bonds as a part of the U.S.-Japan strategic alliance.”
After 44 years, ‘Liberty Bells’ head home
