Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft, NAVAIR, Patuxent River, MD.

Since 1964, both in peacetime operations and during times of war, the sailors and marines of the U.S. Navy’s carrier groups serving around the world have eagerly watched for the arrival of the C-2A Greyhound – the Carrier On Board Delivery (COD) aircraft that brings mail from home. This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the first flight of the Navy’s C-2A Greyhound originally manufactured by Grumman Corporation.

From its first flight in 1964 and throughout the past four decades, the Greyhound has provided critical logistics support to the Navy’s Carrier Strike Groups, transporting high-priority cargo, mail and passengers between carriers and shore bases. The anniversary was commemorated at the annual East Coast Hawkeye-Greyhound Ball in Norfolk, Va. on 14 August 2004.

“The Greyhound's forty years of service have been highlighted by a superb record of safety and reliability,” remarked Captain Robert LaBelle, NAVAIR E-2/C-2 Integrated Product Team Program Manager. “We are fortunate that through structural enhancements we will extend the COD's service life and enjoy many more years of air combat logistics from the Greyhound.”

The C-2A is a derivative of the E-2 Hawkeye. The first of two prototypes flew in 1964 and production began the following year. The original C-2A aircraft were overhauled to extend their operational life in 1973. In 1984, a contract was awarded for 39 new C-2A aircraft to replace the earlier airframes. From November 1985 to February 1987, Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Two-Four (VRC 24), operating with seven of these newer aircraft, dubbed as “Reprocured C-2As”, delivered two million pounds of cargo, two million pounds of mail and 14,000 passengers in support of the European and Mediterranean Theatre commands.

The C-2A also provided support to the Carrier Strike Groups during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and is presently supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. All of the older C-2As were phased out in 1987, and the last of the new models was delivered in 1990.

The C-2 is currently undergoing a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) to increase its operating service life.

For more information about the C-2 Greyhound program or the E-2 Hawkeye or the, please contact Denise Deon Wilson, Public Affairs Officer for PEO(T) at 301-481-6263 or [email protected].

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