VFA-27

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Strike Fighter Squadron 27

VFA-27 Insignia
Active September 1, 1967
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Type Fighter/Attack
Role Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
Part of Carrier Air Wing 5
Garrison/HQ NAF Atsugi
Nickname "Royal Maces"
Engagements Vietnam War
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Commanders
Current
commander		 Commander Dan Dwyer Family: Christina, Thomas, Kennedy, Rachel

Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27), also known as the "Royal Maces", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 5 and are attached to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Their tail code is NF.

Contents

[edit] Mission

To conduct carrier based air strike and strike force escort missions, anti-ship operations, battle group anti-air operations, and surveillance/intelligence collection operations in support of Carrier Air Wing 5 tasking and requirements. The squadron is permanently forward deployed with Carrier Air Wing 5, shore based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and embarked on the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).

[edit] History

[edit] Vietnam War

The Royal Maces were commissioned Attack Squadron 27 on September 1, 1967 flying the A-7 Corsair, and in January 1968, the squadron officially reported to Carrier Air Wing 14. In May of 1968, as the Vietnam War continued, the Royal Maces departed for their first combat deployment aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64). During a second combat cruise aboard “Constellation” in August 1969, VA-27 flew over 2,500 combat sorties. Attack Squadron 27 transitioned to the newer A-7E on June 20, 1970, and a year later the Royal Maces embarked on their third combat cruise aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). Squadron pilots amassed over 4,400 combat flight hours and participated in over 1,500 air strikes without the loss of a single aircraft. The Royal Maces commenced their fourth combat deployment in September 1972. The squadron began its next deployment to the Western Pacific in September 1974. The Royal Maces flew surveillance missions over Vietnam and flew escort for United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force helicopters during the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel as part of Operation Frequent Wind.

[edit] The Gulf War & the 1990s

In 1991 the Royal Maces transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and were officially re-designated the Chargers of Strike Fighter Squadron 27. In November 1992, while deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), VFA-27 operated off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope and augmented United States Central Command’s multi-national coalition Air Forces supporting Operation Southern Watch. The squadron participated in a coalition night strike against Iraq on 13 January 1993, delivering over 18,000 pounds of ordnance on target. The squadron transitioned to F/A-18C's in 1994, and in 1996 commenced their homeport change to NAF Atsugi, Japan deploying aboard USS Independence (CV-62).

[edit] Global War on Terror

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the squadron participated in Operation Enduring Freedom flying missions against the Al Qaida infrastructure and Taliban forces in Afghanistan as well as protecting valued assets in Diego Garcia. When the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, VFA-27 was soon heavily involved in combat prior to the war. As part of Carrier Air Wing 5, VFA-27 attacked command, control and communications sites, surface-to-surface missile batteries and an air traffic control radar near Basrah. At the Al Faw peninsula long range artillery guns and 155mm howitzers near Az Zubayr were targeted. The Royal Maces flew hundreds of close air support and strike sorties against Iraqi forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFA-27 completed their transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in October 2004 at NAS Lemoore.

[edit] External links and reference