VFA-82
Encyclopedia
VFA-82, Strike Fighter Squadron 82, known as the Marauders was a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron formerly based at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
, established in 1967 and deactivated in 2005.
VFA-82's history dates back to 1 May 1967, when Attack Squadron 82 (VA-82) was established as a light attack squadron flying the Vought A-7A Corsair II
.
The Marauders made their first deployment aboard USS America
during her maiden cruise to North Vietnam
in April 1968. They returned to Southeast Asia
in September 1969 aboard the USS Coral Sea
.
The Marauders transitioned to the A-7E in August 1970, but in late spring of 1972, VA-82 was forced to transition to the A-7C due to unexpected problems with the A-7E's TF-41 engines. The Marauders then deployed from Jun 1972 to Mar 1973 aboard USS America (CV-66) for a ten-month combat cruise.
On that deployment, VA-82 played a role in the attack that destroyed the Thanh Hoa Bridge
, a vital link in the North Vietnamese Army supply lines and a target that seemed indestructible during the Vietnam War.
Four A-7Cs from VA-82 successfully delivered 16,000 lbs of high explosives with two planes carrying two 2,000 lb (910 kg) Walleyes, while two other carried two, 2,000 lb Mk 84 GP bombs. In a simultaneously attack, the centre piling on the bridge w was hit and broke the span in a half. After this, the Thanh Hoa bridge was considered permanently destroyed and removed from the target list.
The squadron made several deployments to the Mediterranean during the 1970s, and while doing so received many of the Navy’s most prestigious awards including the ADM McClusky award (Top Naval Attack Squadron)and Battle "E" in 1976. In 1975 the Marauders deployed aboard the USS Nimitz on her maiden cruise.
The squadron completed its last cruise with the A-7E Corsair II in June 1987. On July 13, 1987, VA-82 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 82 (VFA-82). With the delivery of the first aircraft in November 1987, VFA-82 became the first F/A-18C squadron.
In 1990, VFA-82 escorted the USS Constellation
around the horn of South America
on its way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
for modernization. December 1990 found VFA-82 once again aboard the USS America, participating in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The Marauders flew 597 combat sorties, 1308.9 combat hours and delivered over 1.2 million pounds of ordnance over Iraq
.
In December 1991, the Marauders returned to the USS America for a six-month deployment during which VFA-82 participated in Operation Southern Watch
in Iraq
, Operation Deny Flight
and Operation Sharp Guard
in Bosnia
and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
.
From August 1995 to February 1996, the Marauders joined the USS America for her last cruise. From October 1997 through April 1998, the squadron deployed on board the USS George Washington
to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf
in support of Operation Southern Watch.
During 1998 the Marauders operated from the decks of three different U.S. aircraft carriers and visited seven different countries.
In August 1999, the Marauders bid farewell to NAS Cecil Field and relocated to NAS Jacksonville for the two months prior to deployment. In September 1999, the Marauders deployed on board the USS John F. Kennedy
in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Upon completion of the six-month deployment on board "Big John," the Marauders relocated to their new home, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in March of 2000.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks
, the Marauders deployed on September 18, steaming for the Arabian Sea
and Afghanistan
.
During four months of combat operations, VFA-82 delivered over 440,000 pounds of ordnance and totaled over 3000 hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Marauders returned to Beaufort on March 28, 2002. The squadron had logged an unprecedented 159 days continuously deployed, the majority of which were combat operations.
During the latter half of 2002, the squadron trained against F-16 Falcons in Burlington, Vermont
, and at one point were detached to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station
, Puerto Rico
; NAS Fallon; and NAS Key West. During the NAS Key West detachment, Marauders pilots had the opportunity to fly against German
MiG-29s.
VFA-82 was disestablished effective 30 Sept 2005 in accordance with a directive issued on July 5, 2005.
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, established in 1967 and deactivated in 2005.
History
Call sign: StreetCarVFA-82's history dates back to 1 May 1967, when Attack Squadron 82 (VA-82) was established as a light attack squadron flying the Vought A-7A 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...
.
The Marauders made their first deployment aboard USS America
USS America (CV-66)
The USS America was one of four Kitty Hawk-class super carriers built for the United States Navy in the 1960s. Commissioned in 1965, she spent most of her career in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, but did make three Pacific deployments serving in the Vietnam War. She also served in operations...
during her maiden cruise to North Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
in April 1968. They returned to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
in September 1969 aboard the USS Coral Sea
USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
USS Coral Sea , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for the Battle of the Coral Sea. She earned the affectionate nickname "Ageless Warrior" through her long career...
.
The Marauders transitioned to the A-7E in August 1970, but in late spring of 1972, VA-82 was forced to transition to the A-7C due to unexpected problems with the A-7E's TF-41 engines. The Marauders then deployed from Jun 1972 to Mar 1973 aboard USS America (CV-66) for a ten-month combat cruise.
On that deployment, VA-82 played a role in the attack that destroyed the Thanh Hoa Bridge
Thanh Hoa Bridge
The Thanh Hoa Bridge, spanning the Song Ma river, is situated northeast of Thanh Hóa , the capital of Thanh Hoa province in Vietnam. The Vietnamese gave it the nickname Ham Rong . In 1965 during the Vietnam war, it was the objective of many attacks by US Air Force and US Navy aircraft which would...
, a vital link in the North Vietnamese Army supply lines and a target that seemed indestructible during the Vietnam War.
Four A-7Cs from VA-82 successfully delivered 16,000 lbs of high explosives with two planes carrying two 2,000 lb (910 kg) Walleyes, while two other carried two, 2,000 lb Mk 84 GP bombs. In a simultaneously attack, the centre piling on the bridge w was hit and broke the span in a half. After this, the Thanh Hoa bridge was considered permanently destroyed and removed from the target list.
The squadron made several deployments to the Mediterranean during the 1970s, and while doing so received many of the Navy’s most prestigious awards including the ADM McClusky award (Top Naval Attack Squadron)and Battle "E" in 1976. In 1975 the Marauders deployed aboard the USS Nimitz on her maiden cruise.
In 1990, VFA-82 escorted the USS Constellation
USS Constellation (CV-64)
USS Constellation , a Kitty Hawk-class supercarrier, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the "new constellation of stars" on the flag of the United States and the only naval vessel ever authorized to display red, white, and blue designation numbers...
around the horn of South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
on its way to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
for modernization. December 1990 found VFA-82 once again aboard the USS America, participating in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. The Marauders flew 597 combat sorties, 1308.9 combat hours and delivered over 1.2 million pounds of ordnance over 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....
.
In December 1991, the Marauders returned to the USS America for a six-month deployment during which VFA-82 participated in 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...
in 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....
, 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...
and Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard was a multi-year joint naval blockade in the Adriatic Sea by NATO and the Western European Union on shipments to the former Yugoslavia. Warships and maritime patrol aircraft from 14 countries were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runners.The operation began on...
in 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...
and Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
.
From August 1995 to February 1996, the Marauders joined the USS America for her last cruise. From October 1997 through April 1998, the squadron deployed on board the USS George Washington
USS George Washington (CVN-73)
USS George Washington is an American nuclear-powered supercarrier, the sixth ship in the Nimitz class and the fourth United States Navy ship to be named after George Washington, the first President of the United States...
to the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in support of Operation Southern Watch.
During 1998 the Marauders operated from the decks of three different U.S. aircraft carriers and visited seven different countries.
In August 1999, the Marauders bid farewell to NAS Cecil Field and relocated to NAS Jacksonville for the two months prior to deployment. In September 1999, the Marauders deployed on board the USS John F. Kennedy
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...
in support of Operation Southern Watch.
Upon completion of the six-month deployment on board "Big John," the Marauders relocated to their new home, MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in March of 2000.
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks
September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, the Marauders deployed on September 18, steaming for the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
and Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
.
The Marauders returned to Beaufort on March 28, 2002. The squadron had logged an unprecedented 159 days continuously deployed, the majority of which were combat operations.
During the latter half of 2002, the squadron trained against F-16 Falcons in Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
, and at one point were detached to Roosevelt Roads Naval Station
Roosevelt Roads Naval Station
Roosevelt Roads Naval Station is a former United States military air base in the town of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The site is run today as José Aponte de la Torre Airport, a public use airport.-History:...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
; NAS Fallon; and NAS Key West. During the NAS Key West detachment, Marauders pilots had the opportunity to fly against German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
MiG-29s.
VFA-82 was disestablished effective 30 Sept 2005 in accordance with a directive issued on July 5, 2005.
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
External links
- http://dodssp.daps.mil/Directives/notices/3111_135.pdf - directive disestablishing VFA-82