After the September 11 attacks, the squadron began preparations for an emergency deployment and began training at Iwo Jima while USS "Kitty Hawk" sortied from Yokosuka. Within a week the squadron was again carrier qualified and ready to sail. Instead, CVW-5 was divided to fill urgent requirements elsewhere in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. CVW-5 Detachment A, comprised F/A-18Cs from VFA-192 and VFA-195, S-3’s from VS-21 and HH-60's from HS-14, sailed aboard USS "Kitty Hawk" to the Indian Ocean with a large Special Operations contingent embarked. The Special Operations force moved from USS "Kitty Hawk" into Afghanistan while the aircraft provided close air support (CAS) until November 2001. Detachment B, comprised F/A-18Cs from VFA-27 and manned with pilots from all three CVW-5 Hornet squadrons, deployed to the U.S. Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia to provide air defense of the Maritime Pre-positioned Fleet and USAF bomber force deployed there.