VFA-37
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37), also known as the "Ragin’ Bulls", are a United States Navy
F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana
. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and are attached to the . Their radio callsign is Ragin’ and their tail code is AC.
on 26 March 1968. The design centered on a bull was selected to symbolize
the spirit, pride and mission of the unit. The Bulls current insignia was based on the Schlitz Malt Liquor logo. Over the years, the size of the testicles has been changed several times. After the Tailhook scandal
, the testicles were removed completely from the logo for a time.
Nickname: Bulls, 1968–present.
VA-37 was established as an A-7 Corsair II
squadron on July 1, 1966. After training with VA-174
in the operation of the A-7 Corsair II
from Jul–Nov 1967, VA-37 became operational in 1967, deploying aboard the USS Kitty Hawk
.
when fighting erupted between Palestinian forces and the Jordanian Army, and was directed to operate in the eastern Mediterranean in response to this crisis. On 29 Sep 1970, VA-37 participated in an air power demonstration for President Richard Nixon
during his two day visit to Saratoga while she steamed in the Med. From June to October 1971, VA-37 participated in the test and evaluation of the new CV concept during the Saratoga’s deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The CV concept involved combining the capabilities of the attack and antisubmarine carriers (CVA and CVS) into a single ship.
The Bulls deployed twice to Yankee Station
in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War
. On 1 Aug 1972, a Bull A-7A Corsair II was used to establish a sonobuoy
field in an anchorage area near the island of Hon Nieu, off the coast of North Vietnam - the first time an A-7 had ever been used to drop sonobuoys.
In 1973, the squadron received their first A-7E, a more advanced version of the plane. They made seven cruises with this plane in the 1970s and early 1980s, including responding to regional crises in the Mediterranean Sea
and Indian Ocean
.
In June 1982, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
, with VA-37 embarked, took station off the coast of Lebanon
after Israel
invaded that country.
In June 1984, the squadron's primary mission was changed to close air support
in preparation for its deployment to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program
. The deployment of the two Navy attack squadrons was designed to test the interoperability of the Marine Corps and Navy.
In Dec 1984, VA-37 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and relieved VA-105. While deployed to Iwakuni, the squadron was detached to Yechon, Korea, to participate in exercise Team Spirit 85. This was the first time a Navy carrier-based squadron had deployed in field conditions since World War II.
During the 90s, the Bulls deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
, , and SS Enterprise (CVN-65).
Following the invasion of Kuwait
in August 1990, several Bulls were deployed with VA-72 in support of Operation Desert Shield.
On October 31, 1990, the Bulls flew their last official sortie in the A-7E Corsair II. This ended a 25-year association with the "Harley of the Fleet" in which over 115,000 flight hours and 25,000 arrestments were flown. On 28 Nov 1990, VA-37 was redesignated VFA-37 and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet
. From October 1992 to April 1993, the Bulls deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and were key participants in Operation Provide Comfort
in northern Iraq
and Operation Provide Promise
in the airspace near the former Yugoslavia
.
In 1994 the squadron flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch
and later over Bosnia
in support of Operation Deny Flight
. The Bulls also participated in major exercises with the Kuwaitis, Saudis
, and Israel
is, as well as with many NATO allies.
In November 1996, the Bulls flew in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Bulls deployed again in November 1998. After four weeks of participating in OSW, the order was issued for Operation Desert Fox
in Iraq. They also flew missions over the former Yugoslavia in Operation Deliberate Force.
The Bulls relocated from Naval Air Station Cecil Field
, Florida
, to NAS Oceana, Virginia in July 1999.
of the in 2000.
In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard the Truman. On March 19, 2003, TEAM BULL participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Bulls participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq.
By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the Bulls had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to Virginia on Memorial Day
2003.
Oct-Apr 2004: VFA-37 deployed to the Persian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom.
Nov 2007-Jun 2008: The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In the spring of 2006, VFA-37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight
for seven months to cover for VFA-213
as they transitioned to the FA-18F.
The squadron deployed on Truman in Nov 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning to Oceana on June 4, 2008. While deployed, they dropped a total of 22,000 pounds of ordnance.
VFA-37 is currently deployed onboard "CVN-75" USS Harry S. Truman.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Air Station Oceana
Naval Air Station Oceana or NAS Oceana is a military airport located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is a United States Navy Master Jet Base. It is also known as Apollo Soucek Field, named after Lieutenant Apollo Soucek, a Navy Test Pilot who set the global altitude record in 1930 by flying a...
. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and are attached to the . Their radio callsign is Ragin’ and their tail code is AC.
Mission
The mission of VFA-37 as quoted from their homepage is: "Our mission is simple - We Launch combat-ready aircraft, 24/7, anywhere in the world!"Squadron insignia and nickname
The squadron’s initial insignia was approved by CNOChief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
on 26 March 1968. The design centered on a bull was selected to symbolize
the spirit, pride and mission of the unit. The Bulls current insignia was based on the Schlitz Malt Liquor logo. Over the years, the size of the testicles has been changed several times. After the Tailhook scandal
Tailhook scandal
The Tailhook scandal refers to a series of incidents where more than 100 U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps aviation officers were alleged to have sexually assaulted at least 87 women, or otherwise engaged in "improper and indecent" conduct at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada...
, the testicles were removed completely from the logo for a time.
Nickname: Bulls, 1968–present.
1960s
A-7 Corsair II
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
squadron on July 1, 1966. After training with VA-174
Attack Squadron 174 (U.S. Navy)
Attack Squadron 174 also known as the "Hellrazors" was a United States Navy attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, and were attached to Light Attack Wing One. The unit has evolved several times throughout its history that dates back to 1944. When it was established in...
in the operation of the A-7 Corsair II
A-7 Corsair II
The Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II is a carrier-based subsonic light attack aircraft introduced to replace the United States Navy's Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, initially entering service during the Vietnam War...
from Jul–Nov 1967, VA-37 became operational in 1967, deploying aboard the USS Kitty Hawk
USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)
The supercarrier USS Kitty Hawk , formerly CVA-63, was the second naval ship named after Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the site of the Wright brothers' first powered airplane flight...
.
1970s
In Sep 1970, VA-37 was embarked on USS Saratoga (CV-60)USS Saratoga (CV-60)
USS Saratoga , was one of four Forrestal- class supercarriers built for the US Navy in the 1950s. Saratoga was the sixth US Navy ship, and the second aircraft carrier, to be named for the Battle of Saratoga in the American Revolutionary War.Commissioned in 1956, she spent most of her career in...
when fighting erupted between Palestinian forces and the Jordanian Army, and was directed to operate in the eastern Mediterranean in response to this crisis. On 29 Sep 1970, VA-37 participated in an air power demonstration for President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
during his two day visit to Saratoga while she steamed in the Med. From June to October 1971, VA-37 participated in the test and evaluation of the new CV concept during the Saratoga’s deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The CV concept involved combining the capabilities of the attack and antisubmarine carriers (CVA and CVS) into a single ship.
The Bulls deployed twice to Yankee Station
Yankee Station
Yankee Station was a point in the Gulf of Tonkin off the coast of Vietnam used by the U.S. Navy aircraft carriers of Task Force 77 to launch strikes in the Vietnam War. While its official designation was "Point Yankee," it was universally referred to as Yankee Station...
in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. On 1 Aug 1972, a Bull A-7A Corsair II was used to establish a sonobuoy
Sonobuoy
A sonobuoy is a relatively small expendable sonar system that is dropped/ejected from aircraft or ships conducting anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research....
field in an anchorage area near the island of Hon Nieu, off the coast of North Vietnam - the first time an A-7 had ever been used to drop sonobuoys.
In 1973, the squadron received their first A-7E, a more advanced version of the plane. They made seven cruises with this plane in the 1970s and early 1980s, including responding to regional crises in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
.
1980s
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS John F. Kennedy is a John F. Kennedy class aircraft carrier, the last conventionally powered carrier built for the United States Navy. The ship is named after the 35th President of the United States, John F...
, with VA-37 embarked, took station off the coast of Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
after Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
invaded that country.
In June 1984, the squadron's primary mission was changed to close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
in preparation for its deployment to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program
Unit Deployment Program
To reduce the number of unaccompanied tours and improve unit continuity, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, established the Unit Deployment Program to provide for the deployment of units to the Western Pacific for periods of approximately six months...
. The deployment of the two Navy attack squadrons was designed to test the interoperability of the Marine Corps and Navy.
In Dec 1984, VA-37 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and relieved VA-105. While deployed to Iwakuni, the squadron was detached to Yechon, Korea, to participate in exercise Team Spirit 85. This was the first time a Navy carrier-based squadron had deployed in field conditions since World War II.
1990s
USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
USS John F. Kennedy is a John F. Kennedy class aircraft carrier, the last conventionally powered carrier built for the United States Navy. The ship is named after the 35th President of the United States, John F...
, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is an aircraft carrier currently in service with the United States Navy. Commissioned in 1977, the ship is the second of the ten Nimitz-class supercarriers currently in service, and is the first ship named after the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight D....
, , and SS Enterprise (CVN-65).
Following the invasion of Kuwait
Invasion of Kuwait
The Invasion of Kuwait, also known as the Iraq-Kuwait War, was a major conflict between the Republic of Iraq and the State of Kuwait, which resulted in the seven-month long Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, which subsequently led to direct military intervention by United States-led forces in the Gulf...
in August 1990, several Bulls were deployed with VA-72 in support of Operation Desert Shield.
On October 31, 1990, the Bulls flew their last official sortie in the A-7E Corsair II. This ended a 25-year association with the "Harley of the Fleet" in which over 115,000 flight hours and 25,000 arrestments were flown. On 28 Nov 1990, VA-37 was redesignated VFA-37 and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet
F/A-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet is a supersonic, all-weather carrier-capable multirole fighter jet, designed to dogfight and attack ground targets . Designed by McDonnell Douglas and Northrop, the F/A-18 was derived from the latter's YF-17 in the 1970s for use by the United States Navy and...
. From October 1992 to April 1993, the Bulls deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and were key participants in Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort
Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...
in northern Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Operation Provide Promise
Operation Provide Promise
Operation Provide Promise was a humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav Wars, from 2 July 1992, to 9 January 1996, which made it the longest running humanitarian airlift in history....
in the airspace near the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
.
In 1994 the squadron flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
and later over Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
in support of Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. The Bulls also participated in major exercises with the Kuwaitis, Saudis
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
, and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
is, as well as with many NATO allies.
In November 1996, the Bulls flew in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The Bulls deployed again in November 1998. After four weeks of participating in OSW, the order was issued for Operation Desert Fox
Operation Desert Fox
The December 1998 bombing of Iraq was a major four-day bombing campaign on Iraqi targets from December 16–19, 1998 by the United States and United Kingdom...
in Iraq. They also flew missions over the former Yugoslavia in Operation Deliberate Force.
The Bulls relocated from Naval Air Station Cecil Field
Naval Air Station Cecil Field
Naval Air Station Cecil Field or NAS Cecil Field was a United States Navy base, located in Duval County, Florida. NAS Cecil Field was the largest military base in the Jacksonville, Florida, area....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, to NAS Oceana, Virginia in July 1999.
2000s
The next major deployment for the Bulls was the maiden voyageMaiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
of the in 2000.
In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard the Truman. On March 19, 2003, TEAM BULL participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Bulls participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq.
By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the Bulls had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to Virginia on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
2003.
Oct-Apr 2004: VFA-37 deployed to the Persian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom.
Nov 2007-Jun 2008: The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In the spring of 2006, VFA-37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight
Carrier Air Wing Eight , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George H.W...
for seven months to cover for VFA-213
VFA-213
Strike Fighter Squadron 213 Black Lions is an aviation unit of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia . It was established in 1955 and is currently equipped with the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet...
as they transitioned to the FA-18F.
The squadron deployed on Truman in Nov 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning to Oceana on June 4, 2008. While deployed, they dropped a total of 22,000 pounds of ordnance.
VFA-37 is currently deployed onboard "CVN-75" USS Harry S. Truman.
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...
- Naval aviationNaval aviationNaval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
- Modern US Navy carrier air operationsModern US Navy carrier air operationsModern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or non-combat missions. Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier flight operations are highly evolved, based on experiences...
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
- United States Naval AviatorUnited States Naval AviatorA United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- Military aviationMilitary aviationMilitary aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons