VFA-211
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The VFA-211 "Fighting Checkmates," a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron, call NAS Oceana their home port. Their call sign is Nickel, tail code is AB, and they fly the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
[edit] History
In May of 1945, Bombing Squadron 74 (VB-74) was born, destined to become Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), the Fighting Checkmates. In 1946, VB-74 became Attack Squadron 1B. Less than two years later, the Navy again reorganized its air groups and VA-1B became VA-24. On December 1, 1949 the squadron was redesignated VF-24.
VF-24 made two back-to-back deployments to Korea on USS Boxer and Valley Forge. Over Korea, VF-24 inflicted heavy damage on enemy emplacements, railyards, bridges, warehouses, and airfields. After the second deployment, VF-24 relocated to Santa Rosa, California, and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther, the squadron’s first jet. In February 1952, VF-24 once again joined the USS Boxer and headed to Korea for their third combat tour, including a strike on Pyongyang.
Throughout the 1950’s, VF-24 flew a number of aircraft. These included the FJ-3 Fury, the F3H-2M Demon, the F11F Tiger, and finally the F-8 Crusader.
In 1959, VF-24 traded air wings and designations, becoming the present day VF-211 Fighting Checkmates. In 1961 the Checkmates moved to NAS Miramar, their home for the next 35 years. On seven deployments during the Vietnam War, the Crusader carried VF-211 pilots in combat against North Vietnamese MiGs. By the end of the war VF-211 had earned the reputation as "The MiG Killers," having downed eight enemy aircraft.
In 1975 VF-211 began flying the F-14A Tomcat, upgrading in 1989 to the more powerful F-14B. In 1991, the Fighting Checkmates deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm, providing air superiority and aerial reconnaissance imagery to coalition forces.
Shifting back to the F-14A in 1992, the Fighting Checkmates deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1993 and 1995-1996. In August 1996 the Fighting Checkmates moved back to NAS Oceana, in conjunction with the turnover of Miramar to the U.S. Marine Corps.
In 1997 the squadron deployed aboard Nimitz, spending four months in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. VF-211 flew daily sorties over Iraq enforcing the United Nations-imposed no-fly zone, providing aerial reconnaissance imagery and standing by to conduct precision strikes if ordered.
In 2000, VF-211 joined John C. Stennis for the Millennium Cruise. Over a 4-month period in the Persian Gulf, the Checkmates led the way conducting 16 precision strikes in support of Operation Southern Watch.
In 2005, VF-211 began flying the F/A-18F Super Hornets, acquiring a new unit designation: VFA-211.
[edit] Present day
Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Checkmates were sent to Afghanistan by Christmas of that year as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Anaconda, flying day and night sorties to defend coalition special forces and eliminate Al-Qaeda resistance. For their precision and innovation in strike warfare they were selected as the coveted "Sweetpea" Allen Precision Strike award winner for 2002. The Checkmates returned home after flying 1,250 combat missions.
VFA-211’s performance in 2002 was recognized throughout the fleet. For their achievements they were awarded the West Coast Battle "E" for battle efficiency, the Grand Slam for excellence in air-to-air employment, and the Clifton Award for the most outstanding overall performance in battle efficiency and employment.
Since its establishment, as of 2004, VF-211 has completed 40 deployments.
On September 8, 2006, VFA-211 F/A-18F Super Hornet expanded GBU-12 and GBU-38 bombs against Taliban extremists and Taliban fortifications west and northwest of Kandahar. This was the first time the unit was in combat with the Super Hornet.
