VFA-87
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| Strike Fighter Squadron 87 | |
|---|---|
 VFA-87 Insignia |
|
| Active | 1968 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Oceana |
| Nickname | War Party Golden Eagles |
| Motto | “Excellence attained through the pursuit of perfection” |
| Tail Code | AJ |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Operation Urgent Fury Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom * 2003 invasion of Iraq |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander Richard J. Zins |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A-7 Corsair |
| Fighter | F/A-18 Hornet |
The Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87) is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana. Nicknamed the Golden Warriors, their call sign is Party, tail code is AJ, and they fly the F-18 Hornet. The squadron was established in 1968 and has seen combat during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Vietnam War and the 1970s
In 1968, the Golden Warriors were established as VA-87, the first to fly the A-7 Corsair II, at NAS Cecil Field, Florida. In March 1969, the squadron flew its first combat missions from the USS Ticonderoga, striking targets in South Vietnam.
In 1970, VA-87 made 12 deployments aboard three different carriers -- the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, the USS America and the USS Independence.
In 1973, the Golden Warriors protected U.S. interests during the Yom Kippur War. Transitioning to the improved A-7E Corsair II, the squadron returned in October 1975 to the Middle East following the assassination of the American ambassador to Lebanon, assisting in the evacuation of U.S. citizens.
[edit] 1980s and 90s
During the Iran hostage crisis and the Israeli-Syrian disputes of 1981, VA-87 deployed to the region for 195 days. One year later the Golden Warriors were back, supporting U.S. peacekeeping operations in Lebanon.
In October 1983, the Golden Warriors participated in Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada. During the same deployment, VA-87 participated in strikes against Syria.
On October 24, 1986, the Golden Warriors transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet and were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 87 (VFA-87).
On December 28, 1990, following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the Golden Warriors deployed for Operation Desert Storm, flying 629 sorties over 43 days of intense combat.
The Golden Warriors, equipped with the newer F/A-18C, deployed to the Adriatic Sea and Red Sea from March to September 1993, flying hundreds of missions in support of United Nations Operation Deny Flight, Operation Provide Comfort and Operation Southern Watch. Embarked for the last time on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, VFA-87 returned in March 1995 to Southwest Asia for a month to participate in Operation Southern Watch.
Following a hasty transit to the Adriatic, the Golden Warriors spent four months flying combat sorties over the increasingly embattled former Yugoslavia. On August 30, 1995, Golden Warrior jets were the first to strike Bosnian Serb targets as the Operation Deliberate Force campaign commenced.
VFA-87 again headed to the Adriatic to fly over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Guard and again in Operation Southern Watch.
[edit] Global War on Terror
In April 2001, VFA-87 deployed on a Persian Gulf cruise enforcing the no fly zone over Southern Iraq aboard the USS Enterprise when the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred. They, along with the entire USS Enterprise battle group, were held on station to conduct first strike combat missions over Afghanistan against embedded Taliban targets. After successfully helping to oust the Taliban regime, VFA-87 enjoyed a heroes welcome-home to NAS Oceana on November 2001.
In January 2003, following a short turnaround period, the USS Theodore Roosevelt battle group along with Warparty conducted combat operations over Iraq initiating Operation Iraqi Freedom. Having successfully accomplished their assigned goals in the Middle East they hastily returned home to the welcoming arms of friends and family.
Answering their next call into in support of the GWOT, VFA-87 deployed again in September 2005 on the USS Theodore Roosevelt once again. They were sent to the Persian Gulf, where they were later relieved by the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). They returned in March of 2006 and later that year received the "Battle E" award for the Atlantic Fleet. This was under the command of CDR David J Silkey (a former Blue Angel).
In Septemeber of 2006, they successfully transitioned from the F/A-18C to the F/A-18 A+ and have been flying with those jets ever since. They were again named the "Battle E" squadron for the Atlantic Fleet, in March of 2007 (This time under the command of CDR Francis Morley.)
VFA-87 has since been participating in training exercises throughout the United States including Alaska, Nevada and Key West, Florida. They have also been participating in detachments in the Atlantic Ocean, on various Aircraft Carriers.
