VFA-97
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), also known as the "Warhawks", are a United States Navy
F/A-18C fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore
. The first Navy F/A-18 squadron to be expeditionary land-based, the "Warhawks" deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as part of USN/USMC TACAIR Integration. In 2008, they transitioned back to Carrier-based operations with Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN with the tail code of "NH". Their radio callsign is Warhawk.
on 6 March 1968 and they have been called the Warhawks since establishment.
for the squadron’s first WESTPAC
deployment. On 28 Jun 1968 the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying the A-7 Corsair II
, against targets in Vietnam
.
in Naval Station Norfolk
, Virginia for her transit around South America to her new home port of Alameda, California
. The squadron’s third deployment began in June 1971, embarked on Enterprise. In December of that year following the outbreak of war between India
and Pakistan
over East Pakistan (Bangladesh
), Enterprise was ordered to leave Yankee Station
for the Indian Ocean
. The carrier, with VA-97 embarked, operated in the Bay of Bengal
until the cessation of hostilities in the latter part of December.
After returning to Alameda and a short turn-around period, the Warhawks again returned to WESTPAC in September 1972. There they participated in Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations in October and December, respectively.
In April 1975, the squadron participated in Operation Frequent Wind
and provided air support for the evacuation of personnel from Saigon as it fell to the communists.
In March 1976, VA-97 achieved the "Triple Crown" of Naval Aviation awards, earning the Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky Award as the U.S. Navy’s top Attack Squadron, the CNO Aviation Safety Award (also known as the Safety “S”), and the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award
(also known as the Battle "E").
The Warhawks began their sixth deployment in July 1976 once again embarked on Enterprise with CVW-14. The squadron’s return to NAS Lemoore in May 1977 marked the completion of five years and over 25,000 hours of mishap-free flying in the A-7, making VA-97 the first squadron to achieve that mark.
Their seventh deployment began in April 1978 aboard Enterprise.
The eighth deployment began in November 1979, embarked on , with most of the deployment spent on “Gonzo Station” off the southern coast of Iran.
, the Warhawks were part of the task force involved in supporting Operation Eagle Claw
, the Iranian hostage rescue attempt.
Coral Sea was the Warhawks’ home for deployment nine in August 1981, and again for deployment ten in March 1983, when they sailed around the world.
In August 1986, VA-97 participated in carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea
.
In July 1988 during the Olympics in Seoul
, Korea
, , with VA-97 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea.
The Warhawks eleventh deployment departed NAS Alameda in October 1984 embarked in , the U.S. Navy’s newest carrier. The Warhawks participated in FLEETEX 85, involving five carrier battle groups and sixty-five ships from various countries.
The 12th deployment began in August 1986 and added a number of new achievements to the long list. The Warhawks operated with Carl Vinson above the Aleutian Islands Chain in the Bering Sea
, both on the way to WESTPAC and on the return trip. The squadron returned home in February 1987.
The 13th deployment began in June 1988 and included support of Operation Earnest Will
convoys in the Gulf of Oman
and the Straits of Hormuz, ending with the Warhawks winning the Battle Efficiency Award.
In 1989, the Warhawks earned the LTJG Bruce Carrier Memorial Award for Maintenance Excellence and the CNO Aviation Safety "S" award.
coalition forces by participating in Operation Southern Watch
in Iraq
. They also flew in support of Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
.
1990 was a notable year in WARHAWK history as they completed their 15th and last WESTPAC deployment in the A-7 Corsair. On 24 January 1991, VA-97 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINETY SEVEN (VFA-97) and transitioned to the FA-18 Hornet. That summer, the squadron flew to Norfolk, VA and embarked for her transit around Cape Horn
.
In fall 1992, the Warhawks deployed to the WESTPAC in support of Operation Southern Watch
over Iraq as well as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia
. The Warhawks returned to Lemoore in May 1993. In June 1994, the Warhawks began their second Hornet cruise and 17th overall. This was their last cruise as a member of CVW 15. In October 1995 the Warhawks joined Carrier Air Wing 11 aboard Kitty Hawk, deploying in support of OSW.
In December 1997 Carrier Air Wing 11 and the Warhawks were assigned to , deploying on November 10, 1998 for WESTPAC 98-99, their 19th deployment. The squadron flew combat missions supporting Operation Desert Fox
and OSW, returning to Lemoore in May 1999.
and conducted sustained combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying 680 combat missions and dropping 417,000 pounds of ordnance on enemy targets in Afghanistan
..
In 2003, while embarked aboard , the squadron flew numerous sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning to Lemoore, their efforts were recognized with the 2001 Battle “E", the 2001 Captain Michael J. Estocin Award (Captain Estocin, USN, distinguished himself in combat during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This annual award is sponsored by the Boeing company and recognizes meritorious achievement by a strike-fighter squadron.), and the Safety “S”, resulting in another triple-crown achievement for the Warhawks.
In 2003, the squadron embarked on and flew combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After return from deployment, the Warhawks transitioned from the F/A-18A to the F/A-18C and began preparation for their upcoming Unit Deployment Program
(UDP) deployment.
In 2004, VFA-97 was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12
as the first Navy squadron to take part in the Unit Deployment Program
deploying to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The Warhawks deployed to Iwakuni again in 2006 for their second UDP deployment, and again in January 2008 for their third UDP and 24th overall deployment. The squadron rejoined Carrier Air Wing 11 and Nimitz on return from Iwakuni and will deploy in the spring of 2009.
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 fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California. Lemoore Station, California, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders....
. The first Navy F/A-18 squadron to be expeditionary land-based, the "Warhawks" deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan as part of USN/USMC TACAIR Integration. In 2008, they transitioned back to Carrier-based operations with Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN with the tail code of "NH". Their radio callsign is Warhawk.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
The squadron’s insignia was approved by the CNOCNO
CNO is a three-letter initialism. It can mean:* "chartay nahi o??" BFSF, abbreviated CNO in the context of the GPS* Chief of Naval Operations* Chief Networking Officer* Chief Nuclear Officer* Chief Nursing Officer* Chino Airport IATA symbol: CNO...
on 6 March 1968 and they have been called the Warhawks since establishment.
1960s
The Warhawks of VA-97 were commissioned on June 1, 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW 14). On May 28, 1968, they departed San Diego embarked on USS Constellation (CV-64)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...
for the squadron’s first WESTPAC
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
deployment. On 28 Jun 1968 the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying 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...
, against targets in 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 –...
.
1970s
On 4 Feb 1971, the Warhawks embarked USS Enterprise (CVN-65)USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
USS Enterprise , formerly CVA-65, is the world's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the eighth US naval vessel to bear the name. Like her predecessor of World War II fame, she is nicknamed the "Big E". At , she is the longest naval vessel in the world...
in Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, Virginia for her transit around South America to her new home port of Alameda, California
Alameda, California
Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a...
. The squadron’s third deployment began in June 1971, embarked on Enterprise. In December of that year following the outbreak of war between India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
over East Pakistan (Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
), Enterprise was ordered to leave 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...
for the 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...
. The carrier, with VA-97 embarked, operated in the Bay of Bengal
Bay of Bengal
The Bay of Bengal , the largest bay in the world, forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It resembles a triangle in shape, and is bordered mostly by the Eastern Coast of India, southern coast of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to the west and Burma and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the...
until the cessation of hostilities in the latter part of December.
After returning to Alameda and a short turn-around period, the Warhawks again returned to WESTPAC in September 1972. There they participated in Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations in October and December, respectively.
In April 1975, the squadron participated in Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind was the evacuation by helicopter of American civilians and 'at-risk' Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, on 29–30 April 1975 during the last days of the Vietnam War...
and provided air support for the evacuation of personnel from Saigon as it fell to the communists.
In March 1976, VA-97 achieved the "Triple Crown" of Naval Aviation awards, earning the Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky Award as the U.S. Navy’s top Attack Squadron, the CNO Aviation Safety Award (also known as the Safety “S”), and the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award
Battle Efficiency Award
The Battle Effectiveness Award , commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of U.S...
(also known as the Battle "E").
The Warhawks began their sixth deployment in July 1976 once again embarked on Enterprise with CVW-14. The squadron’s return to NAS Lemoore in May 1977 marked the completion of five years and over 25,000 hours of mishap-free flying in the A-7, making VA-97 the first squadron to achieve that mark.
Their seventh deployment began in April 1978 aboard Enterprise.
The eighth deployment began in November 1979, embarked on , with most of the deployment spent on “Gonzo Station” off the southern coast of Iran.
1980s
In April 1980 while embarked on USS Coral Sea (CV-43)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 Warhawks were part of the task force involved in supporting Operation Eagle Claw
Operation Eagle Claw
Operation Eagle Claw was an American military operation ordered by President Jimmy Carter to attempt to put an end to the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on 24 April 1980...
, the Iranian hostage rescue attempt.
Coral Sea was the Warhawks’ home for deployment nine in August 1981, and again for deployment ten in March 1983, when they sailed around the world.
In August 1986, VA-97 participated in carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
.
In July 1988 during the Olympics in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, , with VA-97 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea.
The Warhawks eleventh deployment departed NAS Alameda in October 1984 embarked in , the U.S. Navy’s newest carrier. The Warhawks participated in FLEETEX 85, involving five carrier battle groups and sixty-five ships from various countries.
The 12th deployment began in August 1986 and added a number of new achievements to the long list. The Warhawks operated with Carl Vinson above the Aleutian Islands Chain in the Bering Sea
Bering Sea
The Bering Sea is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises a deep water basin, which then rises through a narrow slope into the shallower water above the continental shelves....
, both on the way to WESTPAC and on the return trip. The squadron returned home in February 1987.
The 13th deployment began in June 1988 and included support of Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will
Operation Earnest Will was the U.S. military protection of Kuwaiti owned tankers from Iranian attacks in 1987 and 1988, three years into the Tanker War phase of the Iran–Iraq War. It was the largest naval convoy operation since World War II.The U.S. Navy warships that escorted the tankers, part of...
convoys in the Gulf of Oman
Gulf of Oman
The Gulf of Oman or Sea of Oman is a strait that connects the Arabian Sea with the Strait of Hormuz, which then runs to the Persian Gulf. It is generally included as a branch of the Persian Gulf, not as an arm of the Arabian Sea. On the north coast is Pakistan and Iran...
and the Straits of Hormuz, ending with the Warhawks winning the Battle Efficiency Award.
In 1989, the Warhawks earned the LTJG Bruce Carrier Memorial Award for Maintenance Excellence and the CNO Aviation Safety "S" award.
1990s
Throughout the '90s, the squadron supported United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
coalition forces by participating 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....
. They also flew in support of 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...
.
1990 was a notable year in WARHAWK history as they completed their 15th and last WESTPAC deployment in the A-7 Corsair. On 24 January 1991, VA-97 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINETY SEVEN (VFA-97) and transitioned to the FA-18 Hornet. That summer, the squadron flew to Norfolk, VA and embarked for her transit around Cape Horn
Cape Horn
Cape Horn is the southernmost headland of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern Chile, and is located on the small Hornos Island...
.
In fall 1992, the Warhawks deployed to the WESTPAC 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...
over Iraq as well as 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...
. The Warhawks returned to Lemoore in May 1993. In June 1994, the Warhawks began their second Hornet cruise and 17th overall. This was their last cruise as a member of CVW 15. In October 1995 the Warhawks joined Carrier Air Wing 11 aboard Kitty Hawk, deploying in support of OSW.
In December 1997 Carrier Air Wing 11 and the Warhawks were assigned to , deploying on November 10, 1998 for WESTPAC 98-99, their 19th deployment. The squadron flew combat missions supporting 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...
and OSW, returning to Lemoore in May 1999.
2000s
The squadron deployed in late July 2001 aboard Carl Vinson. After the September 11 terrorist attacks, the carrier and her air wing rushed to the North Arabian SeaArabian 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 conducted sustained combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying 680 combat missions and dropping 417,000 pounds of ordnance on enemy targets in 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...
..
In 2003, while embarked aboard , the squadron flew numerous sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
After returning to Lemoore, their efforts were recognized with the 2001 Battle “E", the 2001 Captain Michael J. Estocin Award (Captain Estocin, USN, distinguished himself in combat during the Vietnam War and was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. This annual award is sponsored by the Boeing company and recognizes meritorious achievement by a strike-fighter squadron.), and the Safety “S”, resulting in another triple-crown achievement for the Warhawks.
In 2003, the squadron embarked on and flew combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After return from deployment, the Warhawks transitioned from the F/A-18A to the F/A-18C and began preparation for their upcoming 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...
(UDP) deployment.
In 2004, VFA-97 was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12
Marine Aircraft Group 12
Marine Aircraft Group 12 is an active air group of the United States Marine Corps, tasked with providing assault support aircraft. It is currently part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing , itself an integral part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at MCAS Iwakuni in Japan.-Mission:The...
as the first Navy squadron to take part in the 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...
deploying to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The Warhawks deployed to Iwakuni again in 2006 for their second UDP deployment, and again in January 2008 for their third UDP and 24th overall deployment. The squadron rejoined Carrier Air Wing 11 and Nimitz on return from Iwakuni and will deploy in the spring of 2009.
See also
- 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