VFA-86
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| Strike Fighter Squadron 86 | |
|---|---|
 VFA-86 insignia |
|
| Active | Early 1950s - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USN |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Marine Aircraft Group 31 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing |
| Garrison/HQ | Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort |
| Nickname | Sidewinders |
| Tail Code | AB |
| Engagements | Vietnam War * Operation Linebacker * Operation Linebacker II Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander Geoffrey Gage |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A4D-1 Skyhawk A-7A Corsair II |
| Fighter | F8F-2 Bearcat F9F-5 Panther F7U-3M Cutlass F/A-18 Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Known as the Sidewinders, they fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Their call sign is Winder, tail code is AB, and they fly the F/A-18 Hornet.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
To conduct prompt and sustained combat operations in support of the National Command Authority.[1]
[edit] History
The Sidewinders began in the early 1950s as Reserve Fighter Squadron 921 (VF-921), flying the F4U Corsair, the F8F Bearcat, and the F9F Panther. In 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-84. In 1955 the squadron began flying the F7U Cutlass, and was redesignated VA-86. In 1957 the squadron began flying the A4D Skyhawk.
From 1970 until 1986 the squadron flew the Vought A-7 Corsair II, a true attack workhorse. The Sidewinders were deployed to Southeast Asia for two combat cruises while operating the A-7s and participated in several intense and lengthy bombing campaigns including Operation Linebacker and Linebacker II in late-1972 and remained on station until the Paris Peace Accord was signed in late January 1973. The Squadron operated the -A, and C variants of the A-7 before transitioning to the A-7-E in 1974 and early 1975.
The Sidewinders were deployed in response to the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran in 1979.
On July 15, 1986, VA-86 was officially redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet. The squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm and NATO missions off the coast of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Following the decommissioning of NAS Cecil Field, the squadron relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.
[edit] References
- ^ VFA-86 Mission. Retrieved on 2008-04-20.
[edit] External links
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