VF-202
Encyclopedia
The Fighter Squadron VF-202 Superheats was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve based at Naval Air Station Dallas
, Texas (USA)
. It was established in 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20)
and disestablished in 1994. During its service VF-202 could be identified by the tail code "AF-2XX".
VF-202 was established on the 1 July 1970 out of reserve fighter squadron VF-53D2. The squadron first flew the Vought F-8H Crusader
and transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II in 1976. Later the squadron was upgraded to the F-4S. Eleven years later VF-202 transitioned to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat
, receiving their first aircraft on 27 March 1987. Due to the squadron's reserve status the transition took longer than for an active unit, not being concluded until May of 1988, when VF-202 carrier qualified with their new planes onboard the aircraft carrier .
VF-202 was equipped with two TARPS Pods (Tactical Aerial Recon Pod System) giving the squadron an extra task after the North American RA-5C Vigilante
and RF-8G Crusader had been phased out. 1988 saw the squadron take part in the Reconnaissance Air Meet at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, along with several other F-14 squadrons, including VF-124
. Even with the force reduction after the end of the Cold War and continuing budget cuts one would have expected that the TARPS capable squadron would not be disestablished. However, due to the high airframe time of VF-202's F-14s had, it was decided to disestablish VF-202 and make their F14 sister squadron VF-201 TARPS capable. VF202 was accordingly disestablished on 31 December 1994 and its aircraft redistributed to active duty F-14 squadrons.
A shame, since VF202 had set many records and the quality of its personnel were unsurpassed by any other squadron in the airwing.
In 1994 VF202 received the highest CWTPI score in COMFITWINGLANT history. As cited by inspectors as "the most professional squadron ever observed".
Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth
Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base or NAS Fort Worth JRB includes Carswell Field, a military airfield located west of the central business district of Fort Worth, in Tarrant County, Texas, United States. This military airfield is operated by United States Navy...
, Texas (USA)
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. It was established in 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20)
Tactical Support Wing
The Tactical Support Wing is a United States Navy reserve Tactical air wing based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. Commander, Tactical Support Wing has become the new designation of the former Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 . This change occurred on 1 April 2007 and was executed...
and disestablished in 1994. During its service VF-202 could be identified by the tail code "AF-2XX".
History
F-8 Crusader
The Vought F-8 Crusader was a single-engine, supersonic, carrier-based air superiority jet aircraft built by Vought for the United States Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps, replacing the Vought F7U Cutlass...
and transitioned to the McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II in 1976. Later the squadron was upgraded to the F-4S. Eleven years later VF-202 transitioned to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat
F-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
, receiving their first aircraft on 27 March 1987. Due to the squadron's reserve status the transition took longer than for an active unit, not being concluded until May of 1988, when VF-202 carrier qualified with their new planes onboard the aircraft carrier .
A-5 Vigilante
The North American A-5 Vigilante was a carrier-based supersonic bomber designed for the United States Navy. Its service in the nuclear strike role to replace the A-3 Skywarrior was very short; however, as the RA-5C, it saw extensive service during the Vietnam War in the tactical strike...
and RF-8G Crusader had been phased out. 1988 saw the squadron take part in the Reconnaissance Air Meet at Bergstrom AFB, Texas, along with several other F-14 squadrons, including VF-124
VF-124
Fighter Squadron 124 was a fleet replacement squadron of the United States Navy. Known as the Gunfighters, they were active from 1958 through 1994...
. Even with the force reduction after the end of the Cold War and continuing budget cuts one would have expected that the TARPS capable squadron would not be disestablished. However, due to the high airframe time of VF-202's F-14s had, it was decided to disestablish VF-202 and make their F14 sister squadron VF-201 TARPS capable. VF202 was accordingly disestablished on 31 December 1994 and its aircraft redistributed to active duty F-14 squadrons.
A shame, since VF202 had set many records and the quality of its personnel were unsurpassed by any other squadron in the airwing.
Squadron Awards
- Naval Reserve Tailhook Squadron of the Year ~ 1981
- Noel Davis Battle"E" Award ~ 1981, 1982, 1985, 1989
- Chief of Naval Operations Safety "S" Award ~1981, 1984, 1987, 1990
- CVWR-20 Retention Excellence Award ~ 1988, 1989 1992
- Meritorious Unit Commendation ~ 1988, 1989
- COMNAVAIRESFOR "Readiness through Safety Award" ~1989
- Worldwide Reconnaissance Air Meet (RAM) Best Navy/Marine Corps Team ~ 1990
In 1994 VF202 received the highest CWTPI score in COMFITWINGLANT history. As cited by inspectors as "the most professional squadron ever observed".
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons