VFA-132
Encyclopedia
VFA-132 Strike Fighter Squadron 132, also known as the "Privateers" was a United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron that was based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field
, Florida prior to being disestablished on 1 June 1992.
The Privateers were established on 3 January 1984 as (VFA-132) the first squadron to be assigned the VFA designation. operating the F/A-18C Hornet from NAS Lemoore, CA, and moved to NAS Cecil Field in February 1985. They made their inaugural deployment aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
(which was retired in 1989) and saw combat operations during Operations Prairie Fire and El Dorado Canyon
against Libya.
In March 1986, during Freedom of Navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra
, the squadron’s aircraft flew Combat Air Patrols in support of the exercise, including the period of 24 and 25 March following a 24 March Libyan firing of an SA-5 missile against an American aircraft operating in international waters. On 14–15 April 1986 Squadron aircraft, along with other units of CVW-13 and A-7s from CVW-1, provided air-to-surface Shrike and Harm missile strikes against Libyan surface-to-air missile sites at Banghazi. This was the first use of the F/A-18 in combat.
From October 1987 through April 1988 the squadron deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and was assigned to Marine Air Group 15. While deployed to Japan, the squadron operated detachments at NAS Cubi Point, Tsuiki AB, Clark AB, Yechon AB, Misawa AB and Kadena AB.
During August-September 1989, The USS Coral Sea (CV-43)
, with VFA-132 embarked, operated off the coast of Lebanon
following the Israeli capture of Sheik Obeid and the reported killing of Lieutenant Colonel William R. Higgins
, USMC. In early September the squadron provided air cover for the CH-53 helos used to evacuate personnel from the U.S. embassy in Beirut.
During June-September 1991, CVW-6 squadrons participated in Operation Provide Comfort
, flying missions over northern Iraq
in support of the Kurdish relief effort.
The squadron was disestablished on 1 June 1992.
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 prior to being disestablished on 1 June 1992.
History
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...
(which was retired in 1989) and saw combat operations during Operations Prairie Fire and El Dorado Canyon
Operation El Dorado Canyon
The 1986 United States bombing of Libya, code-named Operation El Dorado Canyon, comprised the joint United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps air-strikes against Libya on April 15, 1986. The attack was carried out in response to the 1986 Berlin discotheque bombing.-Origins:Shortly after his...
against Libya.
In March 1986, during Freedom of Navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra
Gulf of Sidra
Gulf of Sidra is a body of water in the Mediterranean Sea on the northern coast of Libya; it is also known as Gulf of Sirte or the Great Sirte or Greater Syrtis .- Geography :The Gulf of Sidra has been a major centre for tuna fishing in the Mediterranean for centuries...
, the squadron’s aircraft flew Combat Air Patrols in support of the exercise, including the period of 24 and 25 March following a 24 March Libyan firing of an SA-5 missile against an American aircraft operating in international waters. On 14–15 April 1986 Squadron aircraft, along with other units of CVW-13 and A-7s from CVW-1, provided air-to-surface Shrike and Harm missile strikes against Libyan surface-to-air missile sites at Banghazi. This was the first use of the F/A-18 in combat.
From October 1987 through April 1988 the squadron deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, and was assigned to Marine Air Group 15. While deployed to Japan, the squadron operated detachments at NAS Cubi Point, Tsuiki AB, Clark AB, Yechon AB, Misawa AB and Kadena AB.
During August-September 1989, The 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...
, with VFA-132 embarked, operated 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...
following the Israeli capture of Sheik Obeid and the reported killing of Lieutenant Colonel William R. Higgins
William R. Higgins
William Richard "Rich" Higgins was a United States Marine Corps colonel who was captured in 1988 while serving on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. He was held hostage, tortured and eventually murdered by his captors.-Biography:William Higgins was born in Danville, Kentucky on...
, USMC. In early September the squadron provided air cover for the CH-53 helos used to evacuate personnel from the U.S. embassy in Beirut.
During June-September 1991, CVW-6 squadrons participated 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...
, flying missions over 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....
in support of the Kurdish relief effort.
The squadron was disestablished on 1 June 1992.
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