VFA-97
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| Strike Fighter Squadron 97 | |
|---|---|
 VFA-97 Insignia |
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| Active | June 1, 1967 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Lemoore |
| Nickname | "Warhawks" |
| Engagements | Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Restore Hope Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), also known as the "Warhawks", are a United States Navy F/A-18C fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Currently being a land-based squadron, they deploy with no tail code assigned.
Contents |
[edit] History
[edit] Vietnam War
The Warhawks of VA-97 were commissioned on June 1, 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW 14). On May 28, 1968, they departed San Diego embarked on USS Constellation (CV-64)for the squadron’s first WESTPAC deployment. Beginning in June 1968, Warhawk pilots, flying the A-7 Corsair flew strike missions against targets in Vietnam.
In January 1970, the Warhawks airlifted to Norfolk, Virginia and a meeting with the USS Enterprise (CVN-65), their new home, for her transit around the world to Alameda, California. The squadron’s third deployment began in June 1971, embarked on the USS Enterprise.
After returning to Alameda and a short turn-around period, the Warhawks once again returned to WESTPAC in September 1972. There they were on hand off the coast of Vietnam to witness the signing of the Vietnam Peace Accords.
[edit] The 1980s & 1990s
The squadron supported United Nations coalition forces by participating in Operation Southern Watch in Iraq as well as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.
[edit] Global War on Terror
During Operation Enduring Freedom, the Warhawks flew 680 combat missions and dropped 417,000 pounds of ordnance on enemy targets while achieving a 99% sortie completion rate. Each pilot flew an average of 275 flight hours and 35 combat missions for the deployment[1]. In 2003, the squadron was assigned to the 5th Fleet aboard the USS Nimitz and flew numerous sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As of June 2006, VFA-97 is attached to Marine Aircraft Group 12 as the first Navy squadron to take part in the Unit Deployment Program.
