To echo a lot of the arguments:
The mission of the carrier today is power projection and helos are not in the line of work, therefore we are still the red-headed step-child of the airwing.
Most CAGs I've come across are more than willing to let the helo guys go off and do their thing is: A) He trusts the front office of the helo squadron and B) It's a legitimate mission.
Most of the helo vs. CAG issues are the result of these two issues, NOT the CAG not understanding what we do or the helo guys being AFU. It was the helo guys trying to get into the CSAR Alert rotation on the beach when they are neither needed nor wanted.
Most CSG staffs are far more reluctant to let helos deploy away from the carrier for a couple of reasons: A) They are clueless as to what capabilities the helos have, B) They are worried about needing helos for SAR/VERTREP/PMC missions and don't want to lose the capability, C) They fear a det into the beach and the carrier gets moved and the helos can't make it back and see "B".
In my experience helos guys tend to know more about the fixed-wing brethren since we sit through a 45 minute strike brief for our 30 second portion (Word of the Day is.... SARDOT is....), discussing issues for each aircraft related to SAR issues and most of us are pretty curious about the folks in the Airwing.
To agree with MB, 90% of VFA guys do not have a clue the differences between HSL, HS and HSC. Hopefully with HSC and HSM both being part of the Airwing, they will learn more by association. I've been asked by plenty of Airwing bubbas which version of the 60 I fly and we are part of the Airwing.
I would argue that the differences between HSL/HS/HC and now HSM/HSC are greater than the differences between legacy hornets and rhinos. We fly somewhat common aircraft but the primary missions are different.
I don't want this to continue as a fixed wing/helo pissing match. RLSO has a great point, helos need to continue to prove the our CAGs (call it selling if you wish) we are capable of taking on missions and he needs to be able to trust us helo bubbas to do the right thing.
If we put a cowboy in command who wants nothing other than to be going 'downtown' then I would expect CAG to keep a tight leash on him. If you have a good CO who CAG trusts, then I would expect the CAG to favorably endorse employing CSG helos in non-standard missions or to push to have us included in the CSAR Alert rotation in theater.