VFA-113

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Strike Fighter Squadron 113
VFA-113 Insignia
Active	August 15, 1948
Country	United States
Branch	US Navy
Type	Fighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Carrier Air Wing 14
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Lemoore
Nickname	"Stingers"
Equipment	F/A-18C
Battles/wars	Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation 2 Navy Unit Commendations 6 Service stars Battle Efficiency "E" Admiral McClusky Award Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award 1971, 1982, 1991 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award 1992, 1993
Commanders
Current commander	Commander George “Chopper” Slook
Ceremonial chief	CMDCM David Bentley

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113) also known as the "Stingers" is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore California.

The "Stingers" are an operational fleet squadron and fly the F/A-18C Hornet. The Stingers are attached to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW 14), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions. The squadron is currently deployed on board the USS Ronald Reagan.

[edit] History

F/A-18C Hornet from VFA-113 on the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 originated as Fighter Squadron 113 on 15 July 1948. Attached to Air Group 11, the "Stingers" proved themselves in the first strikes flown by the Navy in Korea where the squadron operated the F4U Corsair on board the USS Philippine Sea and the USS Valley Forge. VF-113 won six engagement stars and the Presidential and Navy Unit Commendations in two combat tours before trading the F4U Corsair for the F9F Panther. After four years of flying the Grumman "Panther" and "Cougar" jets, the "Stingers" were given a new role, a new designation, and a new aircraft. Fighter Squadron 113 was redesignated an Attack Squadron in March 1956, and equipped with the A-4D "SKYHAWK." A short two years later the squadron was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for 1958, denoting it as the best Attack Squadron on the West Coast. October 1965 brought the "Stingers" back to WESTPAC, this time for combat, flying the A-4 Skyhawk. The squadron flew numerous missions into North Vietnam against enemy lines of communications, as well as close air support in South Vietnam. The "Stingers" recorded their second tour in Vietnam aboard the USS Enterprise and received the Navy Unit Commendation for direct support during this period. In 1968, the "Stingers" again won the coveted Battle Efficiency "E" and in December transitioned from the A-4 Skyhawk to the A-7 Corsair II aircraft.

VA-113 returned to combat operations in Southeast Asia during December 1970 on board the USS Ranger. The squadron's performance during this deployment earned them the Admiral McClusky Award, given annually to the "Outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy." Additionally, VA-113 earned the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for Fiscal Year 1971.

VA-113 departed Alameda, California in November 1972 for its sixth combat cruise to Southeast Asia. During this deployment the squadron participated in air strikes during Linebacker II and saw action over South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam. May 1974 found the "Stingers" again returning to WESTPAC as an integral part of the Carrier Air Wing 2/USS Ranger fighting team. VA-113 continued this association for the next eight years, completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while compiling an awesome accident-free safety record in the A-7E "CORSAIR II." In August 1982 the "Stingers" surpassed 40,000 accident-free flight hours which represented the longest accident-free period in the entire Navy A-7 community. In recognition of superior safety awareness and operations, the squadron was presented the prestigious Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1982.

25 March 1983 marked the dawning of the Strike Fighter Squadron era as VA-113 was redesignated VFA-113 and traded their stalwart A-7 Corsair II for the brand new F/A-18C Hornets. They completed the historic transition to the new multi-role Hornet and on 14 December 1983 became the first fleet operational, combat ready Strike Fighter Squadron. The squadron soon embarked for the first carrier deployment of the multi-mission F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing 14 on board USS Constellation from February to August 1985.

From April to October 1987, the squadron again deployed to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The "Stingers" played a key role in the armed escort of American flagged merchant ships in the war-torn Persian Gulf region.

Following a rigorous turnaround cycle, the "Stingers" deployed in December 1988 aboard USS Constellation. In June 1989, they completed a six-month deployment to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Safety and proficiency milestones were set again in May 1990, as the "Stingers" advanced the Navy's Tactical Aviation Safety Record to 16 years and over 70,000 mishap-free hours.

In June 1990, the "Stingers" once again sailed to the Western Pacific, this time on board [USS Independence. As the world's eyes focused on the Persian Gulf crisis, the "Stingers" found themselves first on the scene, combat ready and dedicated to draw the line against the advance of terror. Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces in August 1990, USS Independence, as part of Battle Group Delta, was the first aircraft carrier on station. Immediately making their presence known with missions flown over the northern Persian Gulf, VFA-113 contributed to the U. S. Navy's bold effort to forestall further Iraqi aggression until other U.S. and foreign forces could arrive in theater. The "Stingers" returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990. In February 1994, the "Stingers" deployed on board the USS Carl Vinson as part of Cruiser Destroyer Group Three. During this deployment, the "Stingers" conducted operations throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean Theatres. In addition to missions off the coast of Korea during International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations negotiations, they also flew multiple missions into Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. By now the "Stingers" had compiled a record 21 years and over 93,000 mishap free flight hours, and received three consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards from 1991–1993.

In May 1996, the VFA-113 "Stingers" deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 14 embarked on the USS Carl Vinson. WESTPAC 96 included participation in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike, and in Exercise Rugged Nautilus. As the world focused on terrorist attacks against U.S. military facilities and on Iraqi intrusion into United Nations-declared Kurdish safe area, the "Stingers" led in all areas of combat operations. After being on station for over three very busy months, the "Stingers" returned from deployment on 12 November 1996 having flown over 97,000 mishap free flight hours.

In March 1997, LT Kieth "Gunny" Henderson and the "Stingers" made Naval Aviation history when he and aircraft 301 broke the 100,000 mishap free flight hour mark. No tactical fleet squadron has even come close to such a milestone, making the "Stingers" the safest tactical carrier squadron in aviation history. ^{[citation needed]}

The “Stingers” along with the rest of CVW-14 took part in the USS Ronald Reagan maiden deployment from January though July 2006. The deployment took the squadron through the Western Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For over 3 months the “Stingers” supported Coalition Forces as they battled to stabilize Iraq. VFA-113 tallied 3,973 flight hours over the 6 months. Two of those months, March and April, each surpassed the 1,000 hour mark. The long flights over the beach into Iraq helped protect US troops on the ground. On the way home the squadron took part in Exercise Valiant Shield, a large scale event that brought together 3 Carrier Strike Groups along with air assets from the Air Force and Marines. The exercise took place off Guam and had several highlights to include a successful SLAM-ER shot executed by the “Stingers” and their sister squadron VFA-25 “The Fists of the Fleet.” VFA-113 returned home in early July and will continue to train in Lemoore for the remainder of 2006.