 During the years from 1966 – 1977 the air wing completed seven Mediterranean deployments in USS "Independence" and participated in numerous North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) exercises.In early 1978, Air Wing Seven embarked in for shakedown and weapons training in the Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico operating area.On 1 March 1978, Air Wing SEVEN became permanently assigned to USS "Dwight D. Eisenhower" and deployed in January 1979 for IKE’s maiden, Mediterranean voyage.