Carrier Air Wing 7 was originally commissioned 20 July 1943 at Alameda Naval Air Station, California, as Carrier Air Group 18. After an intensive training period, the air group embarked in USS Intrepid (CV-11) and participated in combat operations against the Japanese during World War II. In September 1945, the air group transferred to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island and became Carrier Air Group 7. During the Korean War, Carrier Air Group 7 flew close air support strikes, attacks on industrial facilities and supply line interdiction missions from the deck of USS BONHOMME RICHARD (CVA-31).

After moving from Quonset Point to Naval Air Station, Oceana in 1958, the Air Group teamed up with USS Independence (CVA-62) and deployed as the first all jet air wing. During the years from 1966-1977 Air Wing 7 completed seven Mediterranean deployments in USS Independence and participated in numerous NATO exercises. In early 1978, Air Wing 7 embarked in USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for shakedown and weapons training in the Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico operating area.

On 1 March 1978, Air Wing 7 became permanently assigned to the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and deployed in January 1979 for IKE’s maiden, Mediterranean voyage. From April through December 1980, Air Wing 7 embarked for an Indian Ocean deployment in support of operations to rescue the hostages in Tehran, followed in September and October by NATO exercises in the North Atlantic. From January to July 1982, Air Wing 7 embarked for a Mediterranean deployment, which included support for the evacuation of Americans from Lebanon.

CVW-7 deployed to the Mediterranean once again from October 1984 to May 1985. Multiple training and support service detachments were conducted in 1986 while IKE was undergoing overhaul in the yards. Reunited in 1987, the IKE/CVW-7 team worked-up in preparation for Mediterranean Deployment 1-88. A highly successful "Solid Shield" exercise in the spring of 1989 was followed by extensive work-ups in preparation for a 1990 deployment. Mediterranean Deployment 2-90 became a Red Sea excursion as the IKE/CVW-7 Battle Group was the first on scene to deter Iraqi aggression in Operation "Desert Shield". Once relieved, IKE/CVW-7 returned home and began a compressed turnaround training cycle for a May 1991 CENTCOM deployment. As "Desert Storm" progressed to quick victory, the deployment was delayed to reestablished the normal CV deployment cycle. In September 1991 CVW-7/IKE deployed to the Red Sea/ Arabian Gulf as part of post-hostilities Operation "Desert Storm". They were the first CV and Air Wing team to deploy for a second time to "Desert Storm". CVW-7/IKE concluded the highly successful deployment by proceeding from CENTCOM directly to Operation "Teamwork" ‘92 off the northern coast of Norway.

In September 1992 CVW-7 initially embarked in USS George Washington (CVN-73) for a weapons system shakedown. Carrier Air Wing 7 deployed in CVN-73 as a component of Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group 2 on May 20, 1994. Following refresher carrier qualifications, the battle group transited to Portsmouth, England to participate in the Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. The commemoration activities were highlighted by port visits to England, Brest, France, and President Clinton’s stay aboard the carrier.

Following turnover with USS Saratoga (CV-60), the battle group proceeded directly to the Adriatic to conduct operations in support of Operations "Deny Flight" and "Sharp Guard". In response to aggressive Iraqi troop movements south towards Kuwait, the GW Battle Group transited the Suez Canal at maximum speed. Arabian Gulf Operations "Vigilant Warrior" and "Southern Watch" were resumed on 15 October 1994. After Iraqi forces turned north and tensions eased, the Battle Group returned to the Mediterranean Sea. Turnover with the IKE Battle Group took place north of the Suez Canal and the USS George Washington/CVW-7 returned to a rainy Norfolk on 17 November.

An intensive turnaround training period followed involving Orange Air and Fallon Weapons detachments, TSTA I & II, COMPTUEX and JTFEX. CVW-7 deployed in USS George Washington (CVN-73) on 26 January 1996 for a Mediterranean/Red Sea/Arabian Gulf deployment supporting Operations "Deny Flight" and "Southern Watch". CVW-7 returned to CONUS on 23 July 1996.

In September 1996 CVW-7 began preparations for a February 1998 around the world deployment in USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74). The JTG 98-2 deployment was overshadowed by over four months on station in the Northern Arabian Gulf supporting Operations "Southern Watch". The JCS/CVW-7 Battle Group returned to CONUS 26 August 1998.

In April of 1999 the VAQ-140 Patriots traveled to Aviano Air Base in Italy to participate in Operation "Allied Force". The Patriots returned home in July after completing 570 missions and over 2,400 flight hours over Kosovo.

In June of 1999 CVW-7 began preparing for deployment aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). The Interdeployment Training Cycle began with the two week TSTA I and II at sea period in July. In August the air wing visited NAS Fallon for a month long weapons training detachment. Shortly after returning from Fallon, Nevada, the squadrons embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for a 5 week COMPTUEX at-sea period. In December, CVW-7 was back at sea for its final portion of the IDTC, a Joint Task Force Exercise conducted off the southeast coast of the U.S. The CVW-7 squadrons, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), and other Battle Group units departed Norfolk on 18 February 2000 and participated in "Joint Guardian"/ "Joint Force" Operations in the Adriatic, and Operation "Southern Watch" in the Arabian Gulf before returning home on 18 August 2000.

CVW-7 departed during February 2002, onboard CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy for a scheduled 6-month deployment to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During the deployment, CVW-7 delivered more than 64,000 pounds of bombs and other ordnance on Taliban and al-Qaida targets and its air crews flew 2,599 missions. CVW-7 returned on August 17, 2002.

In January of 2004 CVW-7 began preparing for another deployment aboard CVN-73 USS George Washington in support of the global war on terrorism.

On 8 April, 2004 F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing Seven participated in Operation "Vigilant Resolve". One of the NAS Oceana based "Wildcats" from Strike Fighter Squadron 131 conducted a 20 mm strafing run against an enemy position. Another VFA-131 Hornet dropped two 500 pound GBU-12 laser-guided bombs on another enemy position in Fallujah, Iraq, on 9 April. After spending 6 month at sea, CVW-7 returned home on July 26th.

For the first time since 2001, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 personnel began to embark USS Dwight D. Eisenhower March 28, 2005 for the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier’s flight deck certification, following the CVN-69 four-year mid-life overhaul.

In February 2006 CVW-7 returned to the IKE and started the Fleet Readiness Training Plan with the ship. An intensive turnaround training period followed involving NAS Fallon Weapons detachments, COMPTUEX and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), conducted off the coast from Virginia down to South Carolina.

On 3 October 2006, CVW-7 departed the US east coast, for another deployment aboard CVN-69 in support of maritime security operations and entered the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 30.

CVW-7 began flying missions over Afghanistan on 6 November 2006 in support of coalition troops on the ground participating in Operation "Enduring Freedom". During 33 days of operations, the air wing flew more than 4,000 hours and more than 680 sorties, providing close air support and reconnaissance to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops.

CVW-7 returned home May 23 after successfully completing an extended deployment of almost eight months. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 flew approximately 12,000 sorties and has put in more than 31,400 flight hours since deployment began, providing air support for multinational coalition forces on the ground in support of various operations in the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command AOR.

Carrier Air Wing 7 is currently comprised of seven squadrons and the Norfolk based Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) squadron VRC-40 Det.3 with C-2A Greyhounds. Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia is home to the "Pukin Dogs" of VFA-143 with F/A-18E Super Hornets, the "Jolly Rogers" of VFA-103 with F/A-18F Super Hornets, the "Wildcats" of VFA-131 and the "Rampagers" of VFA-83 with F/A-18C Hornets. Stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington, are the "Patriots" of VAQ-140 with EA-6B Prowler electronic-attack aircraft. Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia is home to the "Tigertails" of VAW-125 and its E-2C Hawkeye airborne early-warning aircraft. Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida is home to the "Night Dippers" of HS-5 with SH-60F and HH-60H helicopters.