The markings underline the Hawkeye’s critical role in the defense against drones and missiles during the events in the Middle East in late 2024.
Freelance news photojournalist Matt Hartman shared on X some photos of a U.S. Navy E-2D Hawkeye, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117, also known as the “Wallbangers,” captured while landing at Naval Air Station Point Mugu during the Gray Flag large force test event on Sept. 17, 2025. An interesting aspect of these photos immediately catches the eye: the kill markings of drones and cruise missiles.
In fact, the aircraft sports on its fuselage the shapes of 13 drones, which Hartman described as Iranian-made Shahed-129, and four cruise missiles. While these markings are not new – they have been spotted since early 2025 – they are a reminder of the often-overlooked role of support aircraft.
A @USNavy E-2D Advanced, BU #169870 CAG LIVRY from VAW-117 the #WALLBANGERS , CVW-9, based at @NBVCCalifornia w/ an amazing 13 SHAHED-129 KILLS & 4 Cruise Missile KILLS. WOW! #HAWKEYEPOWER shot recovering during #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 & Control (AEW&C) platform, so it obviously does not carry weapons. So, why would it get kill markings?
AEW&C assets are essential for modern air power, as they detect and track aircraft, ships, ground vehicles and missiles at long ranges and then quickly convey this critical information to allied assets. Because of this, in an airborne battle management role, the Hawkeye can distribute target information to the other aircraft of the Carrier Air Wing and other ships, which then can proceed to engage.
That is exactly what happened during the latest deployment of VAW-117 in the Middle East in late 2024. As we often reported back then here at The Aviationist, multiple attacks with drones and missiles took place in the area, launched by Iran and the Houthi militias.
The role of the E-2D on those occasions was also remarked by the U.S. Navy when VAW-117 returned home on Dec. 14, 2024: “The Wallbangers played a critical role in the successful defeat of eight one-way attack unmanned aerial systems, five anti-ship ballistic missiles, and four 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.”
As the number of kill markings doesn’t match the numbers in the Navy’s statement, it is obvious that this might not have been an isolate episode. Moreover, another E-2D of VAW-117 was photographed with a drone kill marking on its fuselage during Northern Edge 2025 in August.
The E-2D Hawkeye, the Navy’s Eye in the Sky
The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye (AHE) represents the latest evolution in the E-2 series, which has been the backbone of U.S. Navy’s airborne early warning and battle management capabilities for decades. This next-generation model brings a suite of advanced upgrades, making it far more capable and versatile than its predecessors, with improvements designed to ensure it meets the needs of modern warfare.
At the core of the E-2D is a state-of-the-art radar that offers what the U.S. Navy describes as a “two-generation leap” in capability over previous models. This advanced radar system dramatically increases detection range, target resolution, and tracking accuracy. The radar improvements, combined with other system upgrades, allow the E-2D to cover vast areas both at sea and over land, enhancing situational awareness for the fleet.
Unlike earlier models, the E-2D goes beyond simply relaying information, functioning as a highly integrated command and control node in a “digital quarterback” role. This makes it essential in managing diverse, concurrent missions, whether directing airborne strike operations, coordinating with ground forces, supporting search and rescue efforts, or serving as a communications hub across a dispersed fleet.
Operating as the “eyes of the fleet,” the E-2D – and its AN/APY-9 radar – extends the carrier strike group’s surveillance and command and control reach far beyond the horizon. Thanks to the addition of the air refueling capability, the latest variant of the Hawkeye can stay airborne for longer missions, further increasing the reach of the fleet’s eyes.
VAW-117’s Deployment on USS Abraham Lincoln
In 2024, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, executed a high-visibility deployment spanning the Indo-Pacific and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) regions, beginning in July and returning to San Diego in December. Its initial mission was routine operations and partnership building in the Indo-Pacific — including the first of two Multi-Large Deck Events (MLDE) with the Italian Navy’s Cavour Carrier Strike Group, and port calls such as Malaysia (a first for a U.S. carrier in over a decade).
In August, however, it was redirected to the Middle East to relieve USS Theodore Roosevelt, in response to escalating tensions. While in the CENTCOM and 5th Fleet Area of Responsibilities (AORs), the strike group conducted combat strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, defended sea lanes – especially through Bab el-Mandeb – and supported Operation Prosperity Guardian, which protects maritime commerce from attacks.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 21, 2024
Along the way, the deployment saw several “firsts”: the combat employment of the F-35C Lightning II from the USS Lincoln, employment of the ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer, and a Nimitz-class carrier refueling at sea via a commercial oiler. The mission concluded with the USS Lincoln returning to its home port on Dec. 20, 2024, after traversing multiple Fleet areas of operations and contributing both deterrence and direct combat capability in contested maritime zones.
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group consists of the flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), embarked staffs of CSG-3 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, Carrier 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 nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, E-2D Hawkeye, C-2 Greyhound, and MH-60R/S Sea Hawk. The squadrons are the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack 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 Control Squadron (VAW) 117, the “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, the “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.
