VFA-115
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115), also known as the "Eagles", is a United States Navy
F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi
. Their tail code is NF.
The squadron’s first insignia, designed by Walt Disney
, was approved by CNO
on 25 June 1945, consisting of a black torpedo and a winged cherub wearing a green helmet. A new squadron insignia was approved on 17 September 1956 and is still in use. The squadron was known as the Arabs from the 1950s to 1979, at which time they were renamed the Eagles. During the squadron’s deployment to the Indian Ocean
in 1989, they temporarily changed their nickname back to Arabs to enhance the esprit de corps while operating in the Arabian Sea
.
, a carrier based torpedo bomber known in the fleet as the "Turkey." Over the next five years, the squadron upgraded through several models of TBF and TBM Avengers.
In January and February 1943, a detachment of 6 squadron aircraft were sent to Kanton Island
for antisubmarine defense and search missions. The squadron's first combat was flown from Honiara International Airport during the Guadalcanal in April-May 1943 as part of Carrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11). The squadron was landbased at Guadalcanal, and in June 1943, VT-11 pilots conducted the first daylight raids on Bougainville and the Solomon Islands
. They flew patrol, search, spotting, strike, and night mine-laying missions.
On 5 May 1944, squadron aircraft were involved in an antisubmarine attack off the coast of Hilo, Hawaii. The attack against the enemy submarine was assessed as "probable" by the squadron commander. From 29 September 1944 to 1 February 1945 VT-11 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet
. In October 1944, the squadron participated in the first strikes against Okinawa and two weeks later converged on Leyte Gulf
to protect the landing and supply ships engaged in the liberation of the Philippines
. On 25 October, the Japanese Fleet
converged on Leyte to oppose the landings. Squadron TBMs were launched from 550 km (340 mi) away (well beyond normal range) to strike the fleet. The TBMs struck the retiring Japanese ships, scoring hits on a battleship and two cruisers. All the squadron’s aircraft returned, completing a 1.000 km (600 mi) round trip. Seven Navy Cross
es were awarded to VT-11 aircrews during this campaign.
In November and December 1944, the squadron continued to provide support for the cccupation of Leyte, striking targets on Luzon
in support of the landings on Mindoro
. In January 1945, the squadron struck ships and targets on Formosa
and Luzon in support of the landings in Lingayen Gulf
, Luzon. The squadron participated in operations in the South China Sea
(the first time an American Task Force had entered these waters since the beginning of the war), striking targets at Cam Ranh Bay
and a convoy off Qui Nhon, French Indo-China, shipping at the Pescadores Island, and Hong Kong
.
After the war, Naval Air Station San Diego became VT-11's new homeport, and the squadron was redesignated as Attack Squadron 12A (VA-12A) in November 1946. VA-12A, along with its Carrier Air Group (CVAG-11), underwent extensive training and embarked in USS Valley Forge, the U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier. In June 1948, VA-12A deployed on a world cruise, a first for a U.S. Navy air group and milestone for the squadron. A symbolic globe later became part of the squadron's official insignia to commemorate the cruise.
On July 15, 1948, VA-12A was redesignated Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115), and in December, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas
AD Skyraider
. The squadron upgraded models of the "Spad" several times for the next ten years.
In July 1950, VA-115 deployed aboard USS Philippine Sea
for nine months conducting strikes in Inchon
, South Korea
in preparation for landings in September 1950. During and after the invasion the squadron flew deep support missions and also encountered MIG-15s
. On 31 December, 1951, VA-115 provided close air support
for American troops in the Chosen Reservoir
area and flew combat missions against North Korean rail, transportation, communication, industrial and supply targets. VA-115 flew 2,268 combat missions over both Korea deployments. For this outstanding performance, the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
.
In June 1952, the squadron participated in coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants - the first heavy attacks conducted against these installations. Nine different hydroelectric power plants were struck. VA-115 made two deployments to Korea in 1950/51 and 1951/52 aboard the USS Philippine Sea
. It returned to Korea shortly after the Armistice Agreement in July 1953 aboard the USS Kearsarge
. This was followed by another deployment on the Kearsarge in 1954/55.
In February 1955, the squadron flew air cover missions during the evacuation of over 26,000 personnel from Tachen Islands which had come under bombardment by the People’s Republic of China in January. In August and September 1958, the squadron was part of the task force that provided support to the Republic of China
during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese Communists.
CVG-11 then moved to the USS Essex
in 1956, followed by two cruises aboard the USS Shangri-La
in 1958 and 1959.
, while being deployed aboard the USS Hancock
in 1960/61.
Later in 1961 CVW-11 was reassigned to the USS Kitty Hawk
. VA-115 made three deployements aboard the Kitty Hawk to the Western Pacific between 1962 and 1966. In May and June 1964, during the Laotian crisis, the squadron flew Combat Air Patrol
and Search and Rescue.
In October 1965, the squadron returned to Southeast Asia
. During six months on Yankee Station
in the Gulf of Tonkin
, VA-115 flew 2,051 sorties, over 8,000 hours and delivered 3,200 t (7 mio lb) of ordnance against enemy targets in Vietnam
. In September 1966, VA-115 joined CVW-5
aboard the USS Hancock
and made its second deployment to Vietnam from January to July 1967.
From August 1967 to January 1970, the squadron was put in an inactive, stand-down status. This was a transitional period as the squadron awaited the arrival of the Grumman A-6A Intruder
, and there were no aircraft and only a few administrative personnel assigned. This is the only known instance in which a squadron was not disestablished but remained on the active squadron inventory in an inactive status.
, Washington for transition to the A-6 Intruder
. The squadron received their first KA-6D tanker aircraft in February 1971. In 1970 VA-115 was assigned to CVW-16 (tail code "AH") and should be deployed on the modernized carrier USS Midway
. However, while the modernization of Midway took longer than expected, CVW-16 was disestablished in 1971 and all its squadrons were assigned to CVW-5
(tail code "NF"). From 1971 to 1990 VA-115 and CVW-5 were assigned to the USS Midway. In 1971 and 1972/73 Midway made two deployeents to Vietnam. From May to October 1972 VA-115 participated in Operation Linebaker I
, where VA-115 earned a fourth Presidential Unit Citation.
In September 1973, Midway changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, and CVW-5 was based at NAF Atsugi. Again Midway and VA-115 would serve off the coast of Vietnam and in 1975, participated in Operation Eagle Pull
and Operation Frequent Wind
, supporting the evacuation of Saigon.
In August and September 1976 Midway and VA-115 operated off Korea following the murder of U.S. service personnel in the demilitarized zone by the North Koreans. In the Spring/Summer of 1977, VA-115 transitioned to the A-6E. The "Arabs" of VA-115 then became the "Eagles," officially changing the nickname in March 1978.
From April to May 1979 the USS Midway
, with VA-115 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to relieve the USS Constellation
and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the Shah of Iran. As a response to anti-American demonstrations in Iran, Midway and her air wing, including VA-115, were ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean for the second time from October to December 1979, when an Iranian mob also seized the American Embassy and its staff.
In May and June 1980 following the massacre of several hundred people in the city of Kwangju, South Korea, the squadron operated from Midway off the coast of South Korea until the crisis subsided. Midway operated again off South Korea in December 1981 following political unrest. During the Summer Olympics of September 1988 in Seoul
, South Korea, the squadron was embarked on Midway operating in the Sea of Japan
to demonstrate U.S. support for a peaceful Olympics.
in support of re-flagged Kuwait
i tankers in the Persian Gulf
. In October 1990, the "Eagles" deployed to the North Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. On January 17, 1991, "Eagle" Intruders launched from the deck of Midway against Iraqi targets to mark the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. In total, the "Eagles" flew 456 combat sorties and delivered 724,000 pounds of ordnance against enemy targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait. The squadron also was credited with the confirmed destruction of 12 Iraqi naval vessels.
In 1992, the squadron deployed aboard USS Independence
, USS Midway's relief as the Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier homeported in Japan
.
VA-115 again deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch
enforcing United Nations
resolutions against Iraq. The "Eagles" were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
for their performance flying 115 combat missions over Iraq. In 1993, VA-115 deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, and in 1994 the Eagles received four aircraft with night vision device capability. In 1996, VA-115 supported contingency operations in the vicinity of Taiwan
and again supported Operation Southern Watch
.
In October 1996, the "Eagles" conducted a homeport change to NAS Lemoore, California and began transition to their fifth aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet
. They were redesignated as Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115) on September 30, 1996. The squadron accepted 12 F/A-18Cs in six months and joined CVW-14
on board USS Abraham Lincoln
. In June 1998 the "Eagles" deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch
.
After two deployments in the "C" model Hornet, the squadron was chosen to be the first Navy squadron to transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. VFA-115 was also the first fleet squadron to receive the Advanced Tactical Forward Looking InfraRed targeting pod
.
In July 2002, the Eagles embarked on the first fleet Super Hornet combat deployment, flying 214 combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Southern Watch
(OSW). The Eagles dropped 22 JDAM on 14 targets in Iraq, before taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before hostilities ceased on April 9, 2003, the Eagles dropped 170 t (380,000 lb) of ordnance and passed 1.2 mio l (3.5 mio lb) of fuel in the tanker support role. This wartime performance earned the Eagles and the Lincoln Battle Group the Navy Unit Commendation
(the sixth awarded to VFA-115).
In May 2004, the Eagles deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis
. In support of the "Fleet Response Plan", the Eagles participated in various joint exercises including "Northern Edge", "Rim of the Pacific", "Joint Air and Sea Exercise" and a MIG-29 passage exercise. Additionally, VFA-115 authored a comprehensive joint doctrine for maritime interdiction. This document was adopted by Commander Pacific Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations as the model for joint employment, and is today the primary training focus for deploying U.S. West Coast strike groups. The Eagle’s were awarded the coveted Commander Naval Air Pacific Battle Efficiency Award
for 2004.
In January 2006, the Eagles deployed aboard USS Ronald Reagan
to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFA-115 flew hundreds of combat sorties providing close air support for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, tanking for the carrier-based aircraft, and maritime interdiction for the strike group.
In January 2007, VFA-115 again deployed aboard Ronald Reagan, returning in April 2007 to resume shore based flight training at Naval Air Station Lemoore
. On 19 May 2008 VFA-115 started another deployment aboard Ronald Reagan to the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
On May 28, 2009, VFA-115 deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard Reagan to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
On December 13, 2009, VFA-115 arrived in Naval Air Facility Atsugi
to replace VFA-192
as a forward deployed squadron under Carrier Air Wing 5.
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-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
is a naval air base located in the cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest United States Navy air base in the Pacific Ocean and houses the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 5, which deploys with the aircraft carrier...
. Their tail code is NF.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
, was approved by CNO
CNO
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 25 June 1945, consisting of a black torpedo and a winged cherub wearing a green helmet. A new squadron insignia was approved on 17 September 1956 and is still in use. The squadron was known as the Arabs from the 1950s to 1979, at which time they were renamed the Eagles. During the squadron’s deployment to 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...
in 1989, they temporarily changed their nickname back to Arabs to enhance the esprit de corps while operating in 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...
.
1940s
On October 10, 1942, Torpedo Squadron Eleven (VT-11) was commissioned at NAS San Diego, flying TBF AvengerTBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
, a carrier based torpedo bomber known in the fleet as the "Turkey." Over the next five years, the squadron upgraded through several models of TBF and TBM Avengers.
Kanton Island
Kanton Island , alternatively known as "Mary Island", "Mary Balcout's Island" or "Swallow Island", is the largest, northernmost, and as of 2007, the sole inhabited island of the Phoenix Islands, in the Republic of Kiribati. It is an atoll located in the South Pacific Ocean roughly halfway between...
for antisubmarine defense and search missions. The squadron's first combat was flown from Honiara International Airport during the Guadalcanal in April-May 1943 as part of Carrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11). The squadron was landbased at Guadalcanal, and in June 1943, VT-11 pilots conducted the first daylight raids on Bougainville and the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. They flew patrol, search, spotting, strike, and night mine-laying missions.
On 5 May 1944, squadron aircraft were involved in an antisubmarine attack off the coast of Hilo, Hawaii. The attack against the enemy submarine was assessed as "probable" by the squadron commander. From 29 September 1944 to 1 February 1945 VT-11 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-12)
USS Hornet is a United States Navy aircraft carrier of the Essex class. Construction started in August 1942; she was originally named , but was renamed in honor of the , which was lost in October 1942, becoming the eighth ship to bear the name.Hornet was commissioned in November 1943, and after...
. In October 1944, the squadron participated in the first strikes against Okinawa and two weeks later converged on Leyte Gulf
Battle of Leyte Gulf
The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters...
to protect the landing and supply ships engaged in the liberation of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. On 25 October, the Japanese Fleet
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
converged on Leyte to oppose the landings. Squadron TBMs were launched from 550 km (340 mi) away (well beyond normal range) to strike the fleet. The TBMs struck the retiring Japanese ships, scoring hits on a battleship and two cruisers. All the squadron’s aircraft returned, completing a 1.000 km (600 mi) round trip. Seven Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
es were awarded to VT-11 aircrews during this campaign.
In November and December 1944, the squadron continued to provide support for the cccupation of Leyte, striking targets on Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
in support of the landings on Mindoro
Mindoro
Mindoro is the seventh-largest island in the Philippines. It is located off the coast of Luzon, and northeast of Palawan. The southern coast of Mindoro forms the northeastern extremum of the Sulu Sea.-History:...
. In January 1945, the squadron struck ships and targets on Formosa
Formosa
Formosa or Ilha Formosa is a Portuguese historical name for Taiwan , literally meaning, "Beautiful Island". The term may also refer to:-Places:* Formosa Strait, another name for the Taiwan Strait...
and Luzon in support of the landings in Lingayen Gulf
Lingayen Gulf
The Lingayen Gulf is an extension of the South China Sea on Luzon in the Philippines stretching . It is framed by the provinces of Pangasinan and La Union and sits between the Zambales Mountains and the Cordillera Central...
, Luzon. The squadron participated in operations in the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
(the first time an American Task Force had entered these waters since the beginning of the war), striking targets at Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay
Cam Ranh Bay is a deep-water bay in Vietnam in the province of Khánh Hòa. It is located at an inlet of the South China Sea situated on the southeastern coast of Vietnam, between Phan Rang and Nha Trang, approximately 290 kilometers / 180 miles northeast of Hồ Chí Minh City / Saigon.Cam Ranh is...
and a convoy off Qui Nhon, French Indo-China, shipping at the Pescadores Island, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
On July 15, 1948, VA-12A was redesignated Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115), and in December, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas
Douglas Aircraft Company
The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer, based in Long Beach, California. It was founded in 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas, Sr. and later merged with McDonnell Aircraft in 1967 to form McDonnell Douglas...
AD Skyraider
A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
. The squadron upgraded models of the "Spad" several times for the next ten years.
1950s
USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)
USS Philippine Sea was one of 24 s built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the first US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for the 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea. Philippine Sea was commissioned in May 1946, too late to serve in World War II...
for nine months conducting strikes in Inchon
Battle of Inchon
The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations . The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels, and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital Seoul two...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
in preparation for landings in September 1950. During and after the invasion the squadron flew deep support missions and also encountered MIG-15s
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was a jet fighter developed for the USSR by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich. The MiG-15 was one of the first successful swept-wing jet fighters, and it achieved fame in the skies over Korea, where early in the war, it outclassed all straight-winged enemy fighters in...
. On 31 December, 1951, VA-115 provided 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...
for American troops in the Chosen Reservoir
Battle of Chosin Reservoir
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign or the Changjin Lake Campaign ,Official Chinese sources refer to this battle as the Second Phase Campaign Eastern Sector . The Western Sector is the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River. was a decisive battle in the Korean War...
area and flew combat missions against North Korean rail, transportation, communication, industrial and supply targets. VA-115 flew 2,268 combat missions over both Korea deployments. For this outstanding performance, the squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation (US)
The Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the Distinguished Unit Citation, is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after 7 December 1941...
.
USS Philippine Sea (CV-47)
USS Philippine Sea was one of 24 s built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the first US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for the 1944 Battle of the Philippine Sea. Philippine Sea was commissioned in May 1946, too late to serve in World War II...
. It returned to Korea shortly after the Armistice Agreement in July 1953 aboard the USS Kearsarge
USS Kearsarge (CV-33)
USS Kearsarge was one of 24 s completed during or shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the third US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for a Civil War-era steam sloop. Kearsarge was commissioned in March 1946...
. This was followed by another deployment on the Kearsarge in 1954/55.
In February 1955, the squadron flew air cover missions during the evacuation of over 26,000 personnel from Tachen Islands which had come under bombardment by the People’s Republic of China in January. In August and September 1958, the squadron was part of the task force that provided support to the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese Communists.
CVG-11 then moved to the USS Essex
USS Essex (CV-9)
USS Essex was an aircraft carrier, the lead ship of the 24-ship built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name. Commissioned in December 1942, Essex participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations, earning the...
in 1956, followed by two cruises aboard the USS Shangri-La
USS Shangri-La (CV-38)
USS Shangri-La was one of 24 s completed during or shortly after World War II for the United States Navy.Commissioned in 1944, Shangri-La participated in several campaigns in the Pacific Theater of Operations in World War II, earning two battle stars...
in 1958 and 1959.
1960s
In 1960 the squadron adopted the nickname "Arabs" after passage through the Suez CanalSuez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
, while being deployed aboard the USS Hancock
USS Hancock (CV-19)
USS Hancock was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress and first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
in 1960/61.
Later in 1961 CVW-11 was reassigned to 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...
. VA-115 made three deployements aboard the Kitty Hawk to the Western Pacific between 1962 and 1966. In May and June 1964, during the Laotian crisis, the squadron flew Combat Air Patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
and Search and Rescue.
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...
. During six months on 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 the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
, VA-115 flew 2,051 sorties, over 8,000 hours and delivered 3,200 t (7 mio lb) of ordnance against enemy 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 –...
. In September 1966, VA-115 joined CVW-5
Carrier Air Wing Five
Carrier Air Wing Five , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington .-Mission:...
aboard the USS Hancock
USS Hancock (CV-19)
USS Hancock was one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the fourth US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for John Hancock, president of the Second Continental Congress and first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts...
and made its second deployment to Vietnam from January to July 1967.
From August 1967 to January 1970, the squadron was put in an inactive, stand-down status. This was a transitional period as the squadron awaited the arrival of the Grumman A-6A Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
, and there were no aircraft and only a few administrative personnel assigned. This is the only known instance in which a squadron was not disestablished but remained on the active squadron inventory in an inactive status.
1970s
In January 1970, the squadron resumed active status and was reassigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey IslandNaval Air Station Whidbey Island
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island is a naval air station located in two sections around Oak Harbor, Washington, USA. It was commissioned as an active U.S. Navy installation on 21 September 1942....
, Washington for transition to the A-6 Intruder
A-6 Intruder
The Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
. The squadron received their first KA-6D tanker aircraft in February 1971. In 1970 VA-115 was assigned to CVW-16 (tail code "AH") and should be deployed on the modernized carrier USS Midway
USS Midway (CV-41)
USS Midway was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II...
. However, while the modernization of Midway took longer than expected, CVW-16 was disestablished in 1971 and all its squadrons were assigned to CVW-5
Carrier Air Wing Five
Carrier Air Wing Five , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS George Washington .-Mission:...
(tail code "NF"). From 1971 to 1990 VA-115 and CVW-5 were assigned to the USS Midway. In 1971 and 1972/73 Midway made two deployeents to Vietnam. From May to October 1972 VA-115 participated in Operation Linebaker I
Operation Linebacker
Operation Linebacker was the title of a U.S. Seventh Air Force and U.S. Navy Task Force 77 aerial interdiction campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 9 May to 23 October 1972, during the Vietnam War....
, where VA-115 earned a fourth Presidential Unit Citation.
In September 1973, Midway changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, and CVW-5 was based at NAF Atsugi. Again Midway and VA-115 would serve off the coast of Vietnam and in 1975, participated in Operation Eagle Pull
Operation Eagle Pull
Operation Eagle Pull was the American evacuation by air of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on 12 April, 1975. At the beginning of April 1975, Phnom Penh, the last remaining stronghold of the Khmer Republic, was surrounded by the Khmer Rouge and totally dependent on aerial resupply through Pochentong Airport...
and 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...
, supporting the evacuation of Saigon.
In August and September 1976 Midway and VA-115 operated off Korea following the murder of U.S. service personnel in the demilitarized zone by the North Koreans. In the Spring/Summer of 1977, VA-115 transitioned to the A-6E. The "Arabs" of VA-115 then became the "Eagles," officially changing the nickname in March 1978.
From April to May 1979 the USS Midway
USS Midway (CV-41)
USS Midway was an aircraft carrier of the United States Navy, the lead ship of her class, and the first to be commissioned after the end of World War II...
, with VA-115 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to relieve 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...
and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the Shah of Iran. As a response to anti-American demonstrations in Iran, Midway and her air wing, including VA-115, were ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean for the second time from October to December 1979, when an Iranian mob also seized the American Embassy and its staff.
1980s
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...
, South Korea, the squadron was embarked on Midway operating in the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
to demonstrate U.S. support for a peaceful Olympics.
1990s
The "Eagles" deployed again to the Middle EastMiddle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
in support of re-flagged Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
i tankers in the 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 October 1990, the "Eagles" deployed to the North Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. On January 17, 1991, "Eagle" Intruders launched from the deck of Midway against Iraqi targets to mark the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. In total, the "Eagles" flew 456 combat sorties and delivered 724,000 pounds of ordnance against enemy targets in Iraq and occupied Kuwait. The squadron also was credited with the confirmed destruction of 12 Iraqi naval vessels.
In 1992, the squadron deployed aboard USS Independence
USS Independence (CV-62)
The fifth USS Independence is a of the United States Navy. It was the fourth and final member of the Forrestal-class conventional-powered Supercarrier...
, USS Midway's relief as the Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier homeported in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
VA-115 again deployed to the Persian Gulf 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...
enforcing United Nations
United 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...
resolutions against Iraq. The "Eagles" were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation
Meritorious Unit Commendation
The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
for their performance flying 115 combat missions over Iraq. In 1993, VA-115 deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, and in 1994 the Eagles received four aircraft with night vision device capability. In 1996, VA-115 supported contingency operations in the vicinity of Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
and again supported 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 October 1996, the "Eagles" conducted a homeport change to NAS Lemoore, California and began transition to their fifth aircraft, the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C 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...
. They were redesignated as Strike Fighter Squadron 115 (VFA-115) on September 30, 1996. The squadron accepted 12 F/A-18Cs in six months and joined CVW-14
Carrier Air Wing Fourteen
Carrier Air Wing Fourteen , is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan.-Mission:...
on board USS Abraham Lincoln
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
USS Abraham Lincoln , is the fifth Nimitz-class supercarrier in the United States Navy. She is the second Navy ship named after former president Abraham Lincoln. Her home port is Everett, Washington.-Construction:...
. In June 1998 the "Eagles" deployed to the Persian Gulf 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...
.
After two deployments in the "C" model Hornet, the squadron was chosen to be the first Navy squadron to transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. VFA-115 was also the first fleet squadron to receive the Advanced Tactical Forward Looking InfraRed targeting pod
Forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...
.
2000s
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...
(OSW). The Eagles dropped 22 JDAM on 14 targets in Iraq, before taking part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before hostilities ceased on April 9, 2003, the Eagles dropped 170 t (380,000 lb) of ordnance and passed 1.2 mio l (3.5 mio lb) of fuel in the tanker support role. This wartime performance earned the Eagles and the Lincoln Battle Group the Navy Unit Commendation
Navy Unit Commendation
The Navy Unit Commendation of the United States Navy is an award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944...
(the sixth awarded to VFA-115).
In May 2004, the Eagles deployed aboard USS John C. Stennis
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...
. In support of the "Fleet Response Plan", the Eagles participated in various joint exercises including "Northern Edge", "Rim of the Pacific", "Joint Air and Sea Exercise" and a MIG-29 passage exercise. Additionally, VFA-115 authored a comprehensive joint doctrine for maritime interdiction. This document was adopted by Commander Pacific Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations as the model for joint employment, and is today the primary training focus for deploying U.S. West Coast strike groups. The Eagle’s were awarded the coveted Commander Naval Air Pacific 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...
for 2004.
In January 2006, the Eagles deployed aboard USS Ronald Reagan
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
USS Ronald Reagan is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the service of the United States Navy. The ninth ship of her class, she is named in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 to 1989...
to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFA-115 flew hundreds of combat sorties providing close air support for the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps, tanking for the carrier-based aircraft, and maritime interdiction for the strike group.
In January 2007, VFA-115 again deployed aboard Ronald Reagan, returning in April 2007 to resume shore based flight training 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....
. On 19 May 2008 VFA-115 started another deployment aboard Ronald Reagan to the Western Pacific and the Indian Ocean.
On May 28, 2009, VFA-115 deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard Reagan to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.
On December 13, 2009, VFA-115 arrived in Naval Air Facility Atsugi
Naval Air Facility Atsugi
is a naval air base located in the cities of Yamato and Ayase in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is the largest United States Navy air base in the Pacific Ocean and houses the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing 5, which deploys with the aircraft carrier...
to replace VFA-192
VFA-192
Strike Fighter Squadron 192 , also known as the "World Famous Golden Dragons", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at NAS Lemoore...
as a forward deployed squadron under Carrier Air Wing 5.
Aircraft flown
- TBM Avenger — October 1942 - July 1948
- A-1 SkyraiderA-1 SkyraiderThe Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
— July 1948 - August 1967 - A-6 IntruderA-6 IntruderThe Grumman A-6 Intruder was an American, twin jet-engine, mid-wing attack aircraft built by Grumman Aerospace. In service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps between 1963 and 1997, the Intruder was designed as an all-weather medium attack aircraft to replace the piston-engined A-1 Skyraider...
— 1977 - October 1996 - F/A-18C Hornet — October 1996 - June 2001
- F/A-18E Super Hornet — June 2001–present
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...
- 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...
- 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 United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft