VFA-86
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) is a United States Navy
strike fighter
squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore
, California
. Known as the Sidewinders, they fall under the command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven
. Their call sign is Winder, tail code is NH, and they fly the F/A-18C Hornet.
.
flying the F4U Corsair
. On 4 Feb 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-84, while deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard USS Antietam
. In June 1953, the squadron briefly flew the F8F-2 Bearcat
in preparation for transition to the F9F-5 Panther
in November 1953. The squadron's current Sidewinder name and insignia were adopted in April 1954.
On 1 Jul 1955 the squadron began flying the F7U-3M Cutlass
, was redesignated VA-86, and conducted extensive evaluation of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile.
From May 1957 until 1967, the squadron flew the Douglas A4D Skyhawk, later redesignated the A-4B Skyhawk.
.
In Nov 1962, the squadron embarked in USS Lexington (CV-16)
during the Cuban Missile Crisis
operating off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.
In Apr–May 1963, VA-86 provided A-4C detachments aboard USS Randolph (CVS-15), USS Essex (CVS-9) and USS Wasp (CVS-18). The aircraft were equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder
missiles to provide the carriers with anti-air warfare capability.
On 1 Jul 1965, the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying from Independence against targets in South Vietnam
.
On 1 June 1967, VA-86 became the Navy's first operational fleet squadron to fly the Vought A-7 Corsair II
, and in September 1969, VA-86 transitioned to the E model of the A-7.
The squadron conducted its second South East Asia combat deployment aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from September 1969 to July 1970.
for a ten-month combat cruise, its third to Southeast Asia, participating in several intense and lengthy bombing campaigns, including Operation Linebacker
and Linebacker II in late-1972. The squadron remained on station until the Paris Peace Accord
was signed in late January 1973. This was the squadron’s fourth combat deployment to Southeast Asia, more than any other East Coast attack squadron and resulted in the receipt of the Meritorious Unit Commendation
.
The squadron transitioned to the A-7E in 1974 and early 1975 and made numerous deployments to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic flying from USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the 1970s and 1980s.
in Tehran, Iran
VA-86 departed Naples, Italy embarked in Nimitz, en route to the Indian Ocean
via the Cape of Good Hope
, beginning of 144 consecutive days at sea.
In 1981 while aboard Nimitz, the squadron participated in a Freedom of Navigation Exercise in the Gulf of Sidra incident
. During this tense period, VA-86 flew Aerial refuelling and reconnaissance missions over potentially hostile Libyan ships.
The Sidewinders were awarded the 1982 COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E", as the best East Coast A-7 squadron.
In Jun- July 1985 while aboard Nimitz, VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon due to the hijacking of TWA flight 847
by Arab radicals, and later that year the Sidewinders were awarded the Admiral Wade McClusky Award, signifying the best attack squadron in the Navy.
Jan–Feb 1987 while embarked in Nimitz, VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon after three U.S. citizens were taken hostage from the American University in Beirut.
On July 15, 1987, VA-86 was officially redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), and began flying the FA-18 Hornet. They were the first East Coast squadron to receive the C model (Lot 10) of the FA-18.
In 1988 during an eight month deployment aboard America, VFA-86 provided air cover for the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
and the Persian Gulf
.
In 1992, the Sidewinders accomplished the first East Coast FA-18 Standoff Land Attack Missile
shoot to a target on San Nicolas Island
, California.
In 1993 the Sidewinders deployed aboard America in support of Operation Deny Flight
. In October, America was ordered to the Indian Ocean
off the coast of Somalia
in support of United Nations relief efforts. After conducting NATO Operation Deliberate Force missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Adriatic Sea
, they returned to Cecil Field in February 1994.
The Sidewinders received the CNO's Safety "S" Award for 1995.
On 3 October 1997, the Sidewinders deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73)
. The Sidewinders remained on station in the Gulf through mid-March 1998 during the crisis involving Iraq's non-compliance with UN sanctions, flying Operation Southern Watch contingency missions.
VFA-86 was awarded the 1997 Battle E recognizing it as the best East Coast FA-18 Hornet squadron.
On September 22, 1998 the Sidewinders deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Arabian aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
, participating Freedom of Navigation Operations off the coast of Libya.
Following the decommissioning of NAS Cecil Field, Florida
in 1999 due to BRAC
action, VFA-86 was one of two Navy strike fighter squadrons that relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
in lieu of NAS Oceana, Virginia
. The other Navy squadron at MCAS Beaufort, VFA-82
, was deactivated in 2005.
, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) over Afghanistan
against Taliban and Al Qaeda military targets. When they departed the area on 2 March 2002, the squadron had flown over 3500 hours and expended over 213 tons of ordnance. During this period, the Sidewinders were at sea for 160 continuous days.
From August 2003 to July 2004, VFA-86 deployed in USS Enterprise (CVN-65)
in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and OEF.
From May to November 2006, the Sidewinders were deployed on Enterprise in support of OIF and OEF, visiting ports in Croatia, Crete, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, & Portugal.
In July 2007, VFA-86 deployed again aboard Enterprise in support of OIF and OEF, returning MCAS Beaufort in December 2007. Sidewinders earned the 2007 Commander Naval Air Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet Safety "S."
July 2009, VFA-86 deployed aboard "Nimitz" in support of OIF and OEF.
to Naval Air Station Lemoore
, California
.
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...
strike fighter
Strike fighter
In a current military parlance, a strike fighter is a multi-role combat aircraft designed to operate primarily in the air-to-surface attack role while also incorporating certain performance characteristics of a fighter aircraft. As a category, it is distinct from fighter-bombers...
squadron based 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....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Known as the Sidewinders, they fall under the command of Carrier Air Wing Eleven
Carrier Air Wing Eleven
Carrier Air Wing Eleven 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 Nimitz.-Mission:...
. Their call sign is Winder, tail code is NH, and they fly the F/A-18C Hornet.
Mission
To conduct prompt and sustained combat operations in support of the National Command AuthorityNational Command Authority
National Command Authority is a term used by the Department of Defense of the United States of America to refer to the ultimate lawful source of military orders. The NCA comprises the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense jointly, or their duly deputized successors, i.e...
.
1950s
Reserve Fighter Squadron 921 (VF-921) was called to active duty from NAS St. Louis on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean WarKorean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
flying the F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
. On 4 Feb 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-84, while deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard USS Antietam
USS Antietam (CV-36)
USS Antietam was one of 24 s built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy. The ship was the second US Navy ship to bear the name, and was named for the American Civil War Battle of Antietam . Antietam was commissioned in January 1945, too late to actively serve in World...
. In June 1953, the squadron briefly flew the F8F-2 Bearcat
F8F Bearcat
The Grumman F8F Bearcat was an American single-engine naval fighter aircraft of the 1940s. It went on to serve into the mid-20th century in the United States Navy and other air forces, and would be the company's final piston engined fighter aircraft...
in preparation for transition to the F9F-5 Panther
F9F Panther
|-Popular culture:The Panther played a prominent role in the 1954 movie Men of the Fighting Lady . The F9F was featured in the flying sequences in the 1954 movie The Bridges at Toko-Ri, although in the 1953 James A...
in November 1953. The squadron's current Sidewinder name and insignia were adopted in April 1954.
On 1 Jul 1955 the squadron began flying the F7U-3M Cutlass
F7U Cutlass
The Vought F7U Cutlass was a United States Navy carrier-based jet fighter and fighter-bomber of the early Cold War era. It was a highly unusual, semi-tailless design, allegedly based on aerodynamic data and plans captured from the German Arado company at the end of World War II, though Vought...
, was redesignated VA-86, and conducted extensive evaluation of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile.
From May 1957 until 1967, the squadron flew the Douglas A4D Skyhawk, later redesignated the A-4B Skyhawk.
1960s
In April 1961 VA-86 operated from USS Independence (CVA-62) near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Bay of Pigs InvasionBay of Pigs Invasion
The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an unsuccessful action by a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles to invade southern Cuba, with support and encouragement from the US government, in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government of Fidel Castro. The invasion was launched in April 1961, less than three months...
.
In Nov 1962, the squadron embarked in USS Lexington (CV-16)
USS Lexington (CV-16)
USS Lexington , known as "The Blue Ghost", is one of 24 s built during World War II for the United States Navy. The ship, the fifth US Navy ship to bear the name, is named in honor of the Revolutionary War Battle of Lexington...
during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
operating off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.
In Apr–May 1963, VA-86 provided A-4C detachments aboard USS Randolph (CVS-15), USS Essex (CVS-9) and USS Wasp (CVS-18). The aircraft were equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is a heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile carried mostly by fighter aircraft and recently, certain gunship helicopters. The missile entered service with United States Air Force in the early 1950s, and variants and upgrades remain in active service with many air forces...
missiles to provide the carriers with anti-air warfare capability.
On 1 Jul 1965, the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying from Independence against targets in South 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 –...
.
On 1 June 1967, VA-86 became the Navy's first operational fleet squadron to fly the Vought 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...
, and in September 1969, VA-86 transitioned to the E model of the A-7.
The squadron conducted its second South East Asia combat deployment aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from September 1969 to July 1970.
1970s
In late spring of 1971, VA-86 was forced to transition to the A-7C due to unexpected problems with the A-7E's TF-41 engines. The Sidewinders then deployed from Jun 1972 to Mar 1973 aboard USS America (CV-66)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...
for a ten-month combat cruise, its third to Southeast Asia, participating in several intense and lengthy bombing campaigns, including Operation Linebacker
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....
and Linebacker II in late-1972. The squadron remained on station until the Paris Peace Accord
Paris Peace Accords
The Paris Peace Accords of 1973 intended to establish peace in Vietnam and an end to the Vietnam War, ended direct U.S. military involvement, and temporarily stopped the fighting between North and South Vietnam...
was signed in late January 1973. This was the squadron’s fourth combat deployment to Southeast Asia, more than any other East Coast attack squadron and resulted in the receipt of 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....
.
The squadron transitioned to the A-7E in 1974 and early 1975 and made numerous deployments to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic flying from USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the 1970s and 1980s.
1980s
In Jan 1980, after the seizure of the American EmbassyIran hostage crisis
The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian...
in Tehran, Iran
Iranian Revolution
The Iranian Revolution refers to events involving the overthrow of Iran's monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi and its replacement with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, the leader of the...
VA-86 departed Naples, Italy embarked in Nimitz, en route 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...
via the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
, beginning of 144 consecutive days at sea.
In 1981 while aboard Nimitz, the squadron participated in a Freedom of Navigation Exercise in the Gulf of Sidra incident
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...
. During this tense period, VA-86 flew Aerial refuelling and reconnaissance missions over potentially hostile Libyan ships.
The Sidewinders were awarded the 1982 COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E", as the best East Coast A-7 squadron.
In Jun- July 1985 while aboard Nimitz, VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon due to the hijacking of TWA flight 847
TWA Flight 847
TWA Flight 847 was an international Trans World Airlines flight which was hijacked by Lebanese Shia extremists, later identified as members of Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad, on Friday morning, June 14, 1985, after originally taking off from Cairo. The flight was en route from Athens to Rome and then...
by Arab radicals, and later that year the Sidewinders were awarded the Admiral Wade McClusky Award, signifying the best attack squadron in the Navy.
Jan–Feb 1987 while embarked in Nimitz, VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon after three U.S. citizens were taken hostage from the American University in Beirut.
On July 15, 1987, VA-86 was officially redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), and began flying the FA-18 Hornet. They were the first East Coast squadron to receive the C model (Lot 10) of the FA-18.
In 1988 during an eight month deployment aboard America, VFA-86 provided air cover for the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.
1990s
In 1991, the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm from America operating in both the Red SeaRed Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
and 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 1992, the Sidewinders accomplished the first East Coast FA-18 Standoff Land Attack Missile
Standoff Land Attack Missile
The Standoff Land Attack Missile or SLAM is a subsonic, over-the-horizon, all-weather standoff cruise missile which grew out of the United States Navy's Harpoon anti-ship missile in the 1970s.-Original SLAM:...
shoot to a target on San Nicolas Island
San Nicolas Island
San Nicolas Island is the most remote of California's Channel Islands. It is part of Ventura County. The 14,562 acre island is currently controlled by the United States Navy and is used as a weapons testing and training facility, served by Naval Outlying Field San Nicolas Island...
, California.
In 1993 the Sidewinders deployed aboard America in support of Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. In October, America was ordered 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...
off the coast of 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...
in support of United Nations relief efforts. After conducting NATO Operation Deliberate Force missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Adriatic Sea
Adriatic Sea
The Adriatic Sea is a body of water separating the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula, and the system of the Apennine Mountains from that of the Dinaric Alps and adjacent ranges...
, they returned to Cecil Field in February 1994.
The Sidewinders received the CNO's Safety "S" Award for 1995.
On 3 October 1997, the Sidewinders deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73)
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...
. The Sidewinders remained on station in the Gulf through mid-March 1998 during the crisis involving Iraq's non-compliance with UN sanctions, flying Operation Southern Watch contingency missions.
VFA-86 was awarded the 1997 Battle E recognizing it as the best East Coast FA-18 Hornet squadron.
On September 22, 1998 the Sidewinders deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Arabian aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67)
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...
, participating Freedom of Navigation Operations off the coast of Libya.
Following the decommissioning of NAS Cecil Field, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1999 due to BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
action, VFA-86 was one of two Navy strike fighter squadrons that relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina
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...
in lieu of NAS Oceana, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. The other Navy squadron at MCAS Beaufort, VFA-82
VFA-82
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.-History:Call sign: StreetCar...
, was deactivated in 2005.
2000s
On 19 September 2001, the Sidewinders deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier. Her radio call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War...
, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) over 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...
against Taliban and Al Qaeda military targets. When they departed the area on 2 March 2002, the squadron had flown over 3500 hours and expended over 213 tons of ordnance. During this period, the Sidewinders were at sea for 160 continuous days.
From August 2003 to July 2004, VFA-86 deployed in 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 support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and OEF.
From May to November 2006, the Sidewinders were deployed on Enterprise in support of OIF and OEF, visiting ports in Croatia, Crete, Dubai, Hong Kong, South Korea, Malaysia, & Portugal.
In July 2007, VFA-86 deployed again aboard Enterprise in support of OIF and OEF, returning MCAS Beaufort in December 2007. Sidewinders earned the 2007 Commander Naval Air Forces U.S. Atlantic Fleet Safety "S."
July 2009, VFA-86 deployed aboard "Nimitz" in support of OIF and OEF.
2010s
In 2011 Relocated from MCAS Beaufort, South CarolinaSouth 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...
to 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....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
External links
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
- List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons