VFA-94
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94), also known as the "Mighty Shrikes", are a United States Navy
F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore
. Currently a land-based "Unit Deployment Program" squadron, they deploy with no tail code assigned. Their radio callsign is Hobo.
on 21 November 1955, and consisted of a yellow and black tiger paw with lightning bolts on a blue background. A new insignia was approved on 21 April 1959 consisting of a dark blue stylized aircraft with above an atom symbol on a blue background. A modification to this insignia was approved on 16 May 1967, replacing the atom symbol by a stylized bird design. The stylized bird was orange and the other colors from the previous design stayed the same.
Nicknamed the Mighty Shrike
s, the squadron was named after a small carnivorous bird of prey, the Loggerhead Shrike
. It engages in aerial combat to strike its prey in the air and on the ground, and then impales its victim on a sharp thorn.
. VB-99 was initially equipped with the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
. On October 15, 1943, the squadron was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), and on November 15, 1943 the squadron started to receive its first SB2C-1C Helldivers.
From August 16 through November 23, 1944, VB-20 flew the Helldiver from for the first of two World War II Pacific Theater combat cruises. The squadron's first combat action occurred on August 31, 1944 and involved an attack on the Bonin Islands. In September 1944, VB-20 participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island. In October 1944, the squadron participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa
and Luzon
. On October 24, 1944, VB-20 participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Squadron SB2Cs flew sorties against Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea
, these attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi
, one of the two largest battleships in the world. On October 25, 1944, VB-20 aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement.
From November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945, VB-20 embarked aboard , for the second of two World War II combat cruises. Squadron Helldivers struck Japanese positions in Ormoc Bay, Leyte
, Luzon
, Formosa
, Hong Kong
, the South China Sea
and Okinawa.
On November 15, 1946, VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A). On August 12, 1948, they were re-designated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94), and in October 1948 they received the new AD-2 Douglas Skyraider
. On November 30, 1949, VA-94 was disestablished.
on March 26, 1952. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair
, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. Over the next eight years, the squadron received and flew numerous fighter aircraft before becoming an attack squadron. In Sep 1953, the squadron received the F9F-5 Panther. In Jan 1955 the Shrikes moved to NAS Moffett Field and received the FJ Fury
in Feb 1955. In Nov 1955, they transitioned to the F9F Cougar
. They again flew various models of the FJ-3 Fury from Jun 1957 until 1959.
The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron VA-94 on Aug 1, 1958 and moved back to NAS Alameda on 20 Aug 1958. In Jan 1959, they transitioned to the aircraft they would fly (in various models) for the next twelve years, the A-4 Skyhawk
.
escalated, the Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia
, commencing with a cruise aboard in 1964.
On 1 Dec 1964, the squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team Operations, armed escort for photo-reconnaissance missions over Laos
. On 7 Feb 1965 following a Viet Cong attack against American advisors in South Vietnam
, the President Lyndon Johnson ordered a reprisal strike against
North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron’s target was concealed by heavy weather and the mission was aborted. On 11 Feb, the squadron participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. In Mar 1965, the squadron participated in Rolling Thunder
strikes against targets in North Vietnam
.
In Oct 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk
to join on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard and .
In February 1971, the squadron transitioned to the Ling-Temco-Vought
A-7 Corsair II
and was assigned to Air Wing 15 / .
On 9 May 1972, the squadron participated in Operation Pocket Money, the mining of Haiphong
harbor.
The first mine was dropped at 08:59 to coincide with President Richard Nixon
's public announcement of the mining. All mines were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for departure or a change in destination consistent with the President's public warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000 MK36 type destructor and 108 special Mk 52-2 mines over the next eight months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy's ability to continue receiving war supplies.
In May–Jun 1972, VA-94 participated in operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.
In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade, again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea.
On 29 Apr 1975, squadron aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind
, the evacuation of
American citizens from Saigon that terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. On 15 May 1975, Shrike aircraft, along with other elements from CVW-15 launched air strikes against the Cambodia
n mainland after the capture of the by Cambodian gunboats.
From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard to the Western Pacific
and Indian Ocean
s, including 63 days of operations in the Arabian Sea
during the Iran Hostage Crisis
.
In 1986, aboard USS Enterprise, VA-94 made history as part of the first nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal
. The Shrikes cruised the Mediterranean
for three months, supporting operations against Libya
.
In Feb–May 1988, the Mighty Shrikes flew air support for Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. In April 1988, the squadron struck the naval forces of Iran
as part of Operation Praying Mantis
, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II
. Squadron aircraft delivered direct hits on the Iranian frigate Sahand.
In Dec 1989, the squadron participated in Operation Classic Resolve, providing support for the Philippine government during a coup attempt.
In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first F/A-18C Hornet and was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINE FOUR (VFA-94) on Jan 1, 1991. In May 1991, they deployed aboard to the Persian Gulf
in support of United Nations
sanctions following the war in Iraq. The Mighty Shrikes also participated in Operation Fiery Vigil
, evacuating thousands of homeless people from the Philippines after the Mount Pinatubo
eruption. They subsequently received the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for their contribution to the disaster relief efforts.
On 15 June 1993, the squadron deployed aboard Abraham Lincoln flying missions over southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch
. In October 1993, Abraham Lincoln left the Persian Gulf for Somalia
to provide force protection for U.S. and other United Nations forces aiding in the humanitarian relief effort.
The Mighty Shrikes were key participants in Operation Vigilant Sentinel
during their 1995 deployment, again aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72.
The Shrikes next deployed aboard Kitty Hawk on 10 October 1996 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. On 13 May 1997, the Mighty Shrikes deployed aboard , and again on 10 November 1998 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Fox
.
, the Mighty Shrikes led the first missions of Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001. In the months that followed, VFA-94 and Air Wing Eleven participated in precision strikes against key Taliban locations in Afghanistan
. The squadron amassed 664 combat sorties and expended 550,000 pounds of ordnance on targets in Afghanistan. The squadron returned home on 19 January 2002.
The squadron deployed again on 3 March 2003 for an eight-month combat deployment aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with CVW-11 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 7 May 2005, the squadron again deployed aboard Nimitz to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In Oct 2006, the Mighty Shrikes successfully completed the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program, in preparation for the squadron's transition to an expeditionary role. In January 2007, VFA-94 joined their sister squadron VFA-97 as one of only two F/A-18 squadrons to deploy overseas as part of the Unit Deployment Program(UDP). Strike Fighter Squadron 94 departed Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA on its first expeditionary evolution to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron traversed nearly 7000 nautical miles (12,964 km) of open ocean, totaling almost 18 flight hours per jet. During the deployment, VFA-94 participated in Operation Foal Eagle
, the first ever U.S. Navy expeditionary deployment to Korea, and Operation Cobra Gold in Thailand. The squadron received numerous accolades for success in number of sorties completed and overall mission accomplishment.
In July 2008, VFA-94 completed their second UDP deployment to Japan in support of the Global War on Terror and Pacific Operations. The Mighty Shrikes participated in Exercises Talon Vision at Clark AFB, Philippines; Wolmi-Do Fury at Kadena AFB, Okinawa; and Exercise Lava Viper at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The Shrikes returned home in February 2009 after completing this successful 7 month deployment.
The squadron has been awarded two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, five Navy Unit Commendations, five Meritorious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency Awards, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
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 Hornet 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....
. Currently a land-based "Unit Deployment Program" squadron, they deploy with no tail code assigned. Their radio callsign is Hobo.
Insignia and nickname
The original squadron was known as the Tough Kitties and had a cartoon cat insignia. When the second squadron was formed and deployed aboard USS Hornet (CVA-12) during its world cruise in 1954, it also used a cartoon cat insignia. There is no record of this insignia being officially approved for use by the squadron. The squadron’s first official insignia was approved by 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 21 November 1955, and consisted of a yellow and black tiger paw with lightning bolts on a blue background. A new insignia was approved on 21 April 1959 consisting of a dark blue stylized aircraft with above an atom symbol on a blue background. A modification to this insignia was approved on 16 May 1967, replacing the atom symbol by a stylized bird design. The stylized bird was orange and the other colors from the previous design stayed the same.
Nicknamed the Mighty Shrike
Shrike
Shrikes are passerine birds of the family Laniidae. The family is composed of thirty-one species in three genera. The family name, and that of the largest genus, Lanius, is derived from the Latin word for "butcher", and some shrikes were also known as "butcher birds" because of their feeding habits...
s, the squadron was named after a small carnivorous bird of prey, the Loggerhead Shrike
Loggerhead Shrike
The Loggerhead Shrike is a passerine bird. It is the only member of the shrike family endemic to North America; the related Northern Shrike occurs north of its range but also in the Palearctic....
. It engages in aerial combat to strike its prey in the air and on the ground, and then impales its victim on a sharp thorn.
History
Two distinct US Navy squadrons have held the designation VA-94. The first served in World War II and was disestablished in the late '40s. The second of those squadrons later became VFA-94, the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage of newly formed squadrons with disestablished squadrons.. Often however, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons. That appears to have happened in this case, as (for a short time) the new squadron used a cat insignia similar to the earlier one.1940s
The first VA-94 was established on July 1, 1943, as Bombing Squadron NINETY NINE (VB-99), an experimental squadron for the new SB2C HelldiverSB2C Helldiver
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was a carrier-based dive bomber aircraft produced for the United States Navy during World War II. It replaced the Douglas SBD Dauntless in US Navy service. Despite its size, the SB2C was much faster than the SBD it replaced...
. VB-99 was initially equipped with the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless
SBD Dauntless
The Douglas SBD Dauntless was a naval dive bomber made by Douglas during World War II. The SBD was the United States Navy's main dive bomber from mid-1940 until late 1943, when it was largely replaced by the SB2C Helldiver...
. On October 15, 1943, the squadron was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), and on November 15, 1943 the squadron started to receive its first SB2C-1C Helldivers.
From August 16 through November 23, 1944, VB-20 flew the Helldiver from for the first of two World War II Pacific Theater combat cruises. The squadron's first combat action occurred on August 31, 1944 and involved an attack on the Bonin Islands. In September 1944, VB-20 participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island. In October 1944, the squadron participated in air strikes against Okinawa, 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
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...
. On October 24, 1944, VB-20 participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Squadron SB2Cs flew sorties against Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea
Sibuyan Sea
The Sibuyan Sea is a small sea in the Philippines that separates the Visayas from the northern Philippine island of Luzon.-Description:It is bounded by the island of Panay to the south, Mindoro to the west, Masbate to the east, and to the north Marinduque and the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island.The...
, these attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi
Japanese battleship Musashi
, named after the ancient Japanese Musashi Province, was a battleship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II and flagship of the Japanese Combined Fleet. She was the second ship of the...
, one of the two largest battleships in the world. On October 25, 1944, VB-20 aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement.
From November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945, VB-20 embarked aboard , for the second of two World War II combat cruises. Squadron Helldivers struck Japanese positions in Ormoc Bay, Leyte
Leyte
Leyte is a province of the Philippines located in the Eastern Visayas region. Its capital is Tacloban City and occupies the northern three-quarters of the Leyte Island. Leyte is located west of Samar Island, north of Southern Leyte and south of Biliran...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, 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...
and Okinawa.
On November 15, 1946, VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A). On August 12, 1948, they were re-designated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94), and in October 1948 they received the new AD-2 Douglas 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...
. On November 30, 1949, VA-94 was disestablished.
1950s
A new squadron, Fighter Squadron 94 was established at NAS Alameda, CaliforniaCalifornia
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...
on March 26, 1952. The Mighty Shrikes began 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...
, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. Over the next eight years, the squadron received and flew numerous fighter aircraft before becoming an attack squadron. In Sep 1953, the squadron received the F9F-5 Panther. In Jan 1955 the Shrikes moved to NAS Moffett Field and received the FJ Fury
FJ Fury
The North American FJ-2/-3 Fury were a series of swept-wing carrier-capable fighters for the United States Navy and Marine Corps. Based on the United States Air Force's F-86 Sabre, these aircraft featured folding wings, and a longer nose landing strut designed to both increase angle of attack upon...
in Feb 1955. In Nov 1955, they transitioned to the F9F Cougar
F9F Cougar
The Grumman F9F/F-9 Cougar was an aircraft carrier-based fighter aircraft for the United States Navy. Based on the earlier Grumman F9F Panther, the Cougar replaced the Panther's straight wing with a more modern swept wing...
. They again flew various models of the FJ-3 Fury from Jun 1957 until 1959.
The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron VA-94 on Aug 1, 1958 and moved back to NAS Alameda on 20 Aug 1958. In Jan 1959, they transitioned to the aircraft they would fly (in various models) for the next twelve years, the A-4 Skyhawk
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
.
1960s
On 08 Mar 1962, VA-94 moved to NAS Lemoore, California. As the Vietnam WarVietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
escalated, the Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
, commencing with a cruise aboard in 1964.
On 1 Dec 1964, the squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team Operations, armed escort for photo-reconnaissance missions over Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
. On 7 Feb 1965 following a Viet Cong attack against American advisors in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, the President Lyndon Johnson ordered a reprisal strike against
North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron’s target was concealed by heavy weather and the mission was aborted. On 11 Feb, the squadron participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. In Mar 1965, the squadron participated in Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder
Operation Rolling Thunder was the title of a gradual and sustained US 2nd Air Division , US Navy, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force aerial bombardment campaign conducted against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 2 March 1965 until 1 November 1968, during the Vietnam War.The four objectives...
strikes against targets in North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
.
In Oct 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
to join on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard and .
1970s
Ling-Temco-Vought
Ling-Temco-Vought was a large U.S. conglomerate which existed from 1969 to 2000. At its peak, its component parts were involved in the aerospace industry, electronics, steel manufacturing, sporting goods, the airline industry, meat packing, car rentals and pharmaceuticals, among other...
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 was assigned to Air Wing 15 / .
On 9 May 1972, the squadron participated in Operation Pocket Money, the mining of Haiphong
Haiphong
, also Haiphong, is the third most populous city in Vietnam. The name means, "coastal defence".-History:Hai Phong was originally founded by Lê Chân, the female general of a Vietnamese revolution against the Chinese led by the Trưng Sisters in the year 43 C.E.The area which is now known as Duong...
harbor.
The first mine was dropped at 08:59 to coincide with President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
's public announcement of the mining. All mines were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for departure or a change in destination consistent with the President's public warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000 MK36 type destructor and 108 special Mk 52-2 mines over the next eight months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy's ability to continue receiving war supplies.
In May–Jun 1972, VA-94 participated in operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.
In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade, again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea.
On 29 Apr 1975, squadron aircraft provided air cover for 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...
, the evacuation of
American citizens from Saigon that terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. On 15 May 1975, Shrike aircraft, along with other elements from CVW-15 launched air strikes against the Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
n mainland after the capture of the by Cambodian gunboats.
From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard to the Western Pacific
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...
and 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...
s, including 63 days of operations 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...
during the Iran Hostage Crisis
Iran 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...
.
1980s
The squadron's next deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk was completed in 1981.In 1986, aboard USS Enterprise, VA-94 made history as part of the first nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal
Suez 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...
. The Shrikes cruised the Mediterranean
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
for three months, supporting operations against Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
.
In Feb–May 1988, the Mighty Shrikes flew air support for Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. In April 1988, the squadron struck the naval forces of Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
as part of Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis
Operation Praying Mantis was an attack on April 18, 1988, by U.S. naval forces within Iranian territorial waters in retaliation for the Iranian mining of the Persian Gulf during the Iran Iraq war and the subsequent damage to an American warship....
, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Squadron aircraft delivered direct hits on the Iranian frigate Sahand.
In Dec 1989, the squadron participated in Operation Classic Resolve, providing support for the Philippine government during a coup attempt.
1990s
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
in support of 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...
sanctions following the war in Iraq. The Mighty Shrikes also participated in Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil
Operation Fiery Vigil was the emergency evacuation of all non-essential military and United States Department of Defense civilian personnel and their dependents from Clark Air Base and U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay during the June 1991 volcanic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines...
, evacuating thousands of homeless people from the Philippines after the Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo
Mount Pinatubo is an active stratovolcano located on the island of Luzon, near the tripoint of the Philippine provinces of Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga. It is located in the Tri-Cabusilan Mountain range separating the west coast of Luzon from the central plains, and is west of the dormant and...
eruption. They subsequently received the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for their contribution to the disaster relief efforts.
On 15 June 1993, the squadron deployed aboard Abraham Lincoln flying missions over southern Iraq 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...
. In October 1993, Abraham Lincoln left the Persian Gulf for 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...
to provide force protection for U.S. and other United Nations forces aiding in the humanitarian relief effort.
The Mighty Shrikes were key participants in Operation Vigilant Sentinel
Operation Vigilant Sentinel
Operation Vigilant Sentinel was a response to Saddam Hussein advance of its military forces on the border with Kuwait. The United States deployed the 74th Air Control Squadron to Kuwait on August 24, 1995. The specific battle management functions the 74th Air Control Squadron and its counterparts...
during their 1995 deployment, again aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72.
The Shrikes next deployed aboard Kitty Hawk on 10 October 1996 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. On 13 May 1997, the Mighty Shrikes deployed aboard , and again on 10 November 1998 to the Persian Gulf in support of 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...
.
2000s
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001September 11, 2001 attacks
The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks The September 11 attacks (also referred to as September 11, September 11th or 9/119/11 is pronounced "nine eleven". The slash is not part of the pronunciation...
, the Mighty Shrikes led the first missions of Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001. In the months that followed, VFA-94 and Air Wing Eleven participated in precision strikes against key Taliban locations 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...
. The squadron amassed 664 combat sorties and expended 550,000 pounds of ordnance on targets in Afghanistan. The squadron returned home on 19 January 2002.
The squadron deployed again on 3 March 2003 for an eight-month combat deployment aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with CVW-11 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 7 May 2005, the squadron again deployed aboard Nimitz to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In Oct 2006, the Mighty Shrikes successfully completed the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program, in preparation for the squadron's transition to an expeditionary role. In January 2007, VFA-94 joined their sister squadron VFA-97 as one of only two F/A-18 squadrons to deploy overseas as part of the Unit Deployment Program(UDP). Strike Fighter Squadron 94 departed Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA on its first expeditionary evolution to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. The squadron traversed nearly 7000 nautical miles (12,964 km) of open ocean, totaling almost 18 flight hours per jet. During the deployment, VFA-94 participated in Operation Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle
Foal Eagle is an annual combined Field Training Exercise conducted between the Republic of Korea and United States armed forces under the auspices of Combined Forces Command within the Korean Theater of Operations . It is one of the largest military exercises conducted annually in the world...
, the first ever U.S. Navy expeditionary deployment to Korea, and Operation Cobra Gold in Thailand. The squadron received numerous accolades for success in number of sorties completed and overall mission accomplishment.
In July 2008, VFA-94 completed their second UDP deployment to Japan in support of the Global War on Terror and Pacific Operations. The Mighty Shrikes participated in Exercises Talon Vision at Clark AFB, Philippines; Wolmi-Do Fury at Kadena AFB, Okinawa; and Exercise Lava Viper at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The Shrikes returned home in February 2009 after completing this successful 7 month deployment.
The squadron has been awarded two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, five Navy Unit Commendations, five Meritorious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency Awards, two Navy Expeditionary Medals, three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals, and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal and a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
External links
- VFA-94's Official Webpage
- http://www.skyhawk.org/3e/va94/va94.htm
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...
- 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