VFA-94
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| Strike Fighter Squadron 94 | |
|---|---|
 VFA-94 Insignia |
|
| Active | 1943 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Lemoore |
| Nickname | "Mighty Shrikes" |
| Battles/wars | WWII Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander Scott R. Gallagher |
Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94), also known as the "Mighty Shrikes", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Currently being a land-based squadron, they deploy with no tail code assigned.
Contents |
[edit] History
July 1, 1943, Bombing Squadron NINETY NINE (VB-99) established, July thru October 1943, as an experimental squadron for the new SB2C Helldiver aircraft until its redesignation as VB-20 and assignment to CVG-20. VB-99 was initially assigned the tried and true Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless. On November 15, 1943 the squadron started to receive the SB2C-1C Curtiss Helldiver. October 15, 1943: VB-99 was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20). August 16, 1944 through November 23, 1944: VB-20 Tough Kitties flying the SB2C-3 Curtiss Helldiver were aboard USS Enterprise CV 6, for the first of two World War II (VB-20) Pacific Theater combat cruises. August 31, 1944 Tough Kitty's first combat action involved striking from USS Enterprise CV 6, in an attack on the Bonin Islands. September 1944, VB-20 striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island. October 1944, Tough Kitty aircraft striking from USS Enterprise CV 6, participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon. October 24, 1944, VB-20 striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Tough Kitty's SB2Cs flew sorties against Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea, these attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi, one of the two largest battleships in the world. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for this action: Ensign M. E. Adams, Ensign R. J. Barnes, Ensign H. A. Koster,Ensign R. D. Olson, Ensign M. T. Ross, Ensign D. D. J. Spanagel, Lieutenant (jg) P. P. Cook, Lieutenant (jg) J. M. Glynn, Lieutenant (jg) R. D. Reed, Lieutenant (jg) J. P. Trytten, Lieutenant (jg) J. E. Tsarnas; Lieutenant W. N. Christensen, Lieutenant J. S. Cooper, Lieutenant H. C. Hogan, Lieutenant R. E. Moore, Lieutenant R. D. Warner, Lieutenant R. S. Wilcox; & Commander R. E. Riera.
October 25, 1944:Tough Kitty aircraft striking from United States Ship Enterprise CV 6, were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engano. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement. The following squadron personnel were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions during the Battle of Cape Engano: Ensign H. C. Bearden, Ensign D. F. Hughes, Ensign C. Z. Stevens III, Ensign W. P. Wright, Lieutenant (jg) W. C. Phtilla, Lieutenant W. W. Anderson, Lieutenant C. Burkhart, Lieutenant L. C. Flynt; & Commander R. E. Riera.
November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945: VB-20 cross-decked (switched ships during the cruise) to United States Ship Lexington CV 16, for the second of two World War II VB-20 Pacific combat cruises. November 1944, Tough Kitty Helldivers striking from USS Lexington CV 16, against a Japanese troop convoy in Ormoc Bay, Leyte and enemy positions on Luzon. December 1944:Tough Kitty Helldivers striking from United States Ship Lexington CV 16, participated in strikes flown against Luzon. January 1945, VB-20 aircraft flew strikes against Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, and Japanese convoys in South China Sea and Okinawa. January 12, 1945:The following VB-20 personnel were awarded the Silver Star medal for action against a Japanese cruiser while protecting a convoy of cargo ships: Lieutenant (jg) H. Rubner, Lieutenant W. N. Christensen, Lieutenant W. W. Anderson.
November 15, 1946: VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A). August 12, 1948: VA-9A was re-designated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94). October 4, 1948: VA-94 received the new AD-2 Douglas Skyraider. November 30, 1949, Attack Squadron 94 (VA-94) is dis-established.
Fighter Squadron 94 was re-established at NAS Alameda, California in March 26, 1952. Nicknamed the Mighty Shrikes, the squadron was named after a small carnivorous bird of prey, the Loggerhead Shrike. It engages in aerial combat to strike its prey in the air and on the ground, and then impales its victim on a sharp thorn. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. For the next five years, the squadron received and flew the F7U-7, FJ-3, F9F-8, F8U-1, F11F-1 Tiger and FJ-4. The Mighty Shrikes was redesignated as Light Attack Squadron VA-94 on Aug 1, 1958[1] and moved to NAS Lemoore, California in 1962. VA-94 aviators flew all models of the A-4 Skyhawk before transitioning to the Ling-Temco-Vought, A-7 Corsair II in February 1971.
The Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard USS Ranger in 1964. In 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron was airlifted to NAS Norfolk to join USS Enterprise on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard USS Hancock and USS Bon Homme Richard. After transitioning to the A-7 Corsair II, the squadron was assigned to Air Wing 15 and completed its final Southeast Asia combat deployment aboard USS Coral Sea. VA-94 aircraft led the first major Navy bombing strikes into North Vietnam after the 1968 bombing halt and the participated in the mining of Haiphong harbor. Operation Pocket Money, the mining campaign against principal North Vietnamese ports, was launched 9 May 1972. Early that morning, an EC-121 aircraft took off from Da Nang airfield to provide support for the mining operation. A short time later, Kitty Hawk launched 17 ordnance-delivering sorties against the Nam Dinh railroad siding as a diversionary air tactic. Poor weather, however, forced the planes to divert to secondary targets at Thanh and Phu Qui. Coral Sea launched three A-6A Intruders and six A-7E Corsair II aircraft loaded with naval mines and one EKA-3B Skywarrior in support of the mining operation directed against the outer approaches to Haiphong Harbor. The mining aircraft departed the vicinity of Coral Sea timed to execute the mining at precisely 09:00 local time to coincide with President Richard M. Nixon's public announcement in Washington that naval mines had been seeded. The Intruder flight led by the CAG, Commander Roger E. Sheets, was composed of United States Marine Corps aircraft from VMA-224 and headed for the inner channel. The Corsairs, led by Commander Leonard E. Giuliani and made up of aircraft from VA-94 and VA-22, were designated to mine the outer segment of the channel. Each aircraft carried four MK52-2 mines. Captain William R. Carr, USMC, the bombardier/navigator in the lead plane, established the critical attack azimuth and timed the naval mine releases. The first mine was dropped at 08:59 and the last of the field of 36 mines at 09:01. Twelve mines were placed in the inner harbor and the remaining 24 in the outer. All mines were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for departure or a change in destination consistent with the President's public warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000 MK36 type destructor and 108 special Mk 52-2 mines over the next eight months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy's ability to continue receiving war supplies.
In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade, again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea. In 1975, the Mighty Shrikes participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the Saigon evacuation that terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, the squadron participated in the recovery of SS Mayaguez after its seizure by Cambodia. From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including 63 days of operations in the Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The squadron's next deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk was completed in 1981.
In 1986, aboard USS Enterprise, VA-94 made history as part of the first nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The Shrikes cruised the Mediterranean for three months, supporting operations against Libya.
In 1988, the Mighty Shrikes struck the naval forces of Iran as part of Operation Praying Mantis, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II.
[edit] The 1990s
In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first F/A-18C Hornet and was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-94 on Jan 1, 1991[1]. In May 1991, they transferred to USS Abraham Lincoln and deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of United Nations sanctions following the war in Iraq. The Mighty Shrikes also participated in Operation Fiery Vigil, evacuating thousands of homeless people from the Philippines after the Mount Pinatubo eruption. They subsequently received the Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation for their contribution to the disaster relief efforts.
On 15 June 1993, the squadron deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln for its 22nd deployment. Soon thereafter, the Mighty Shrikes flew their first missions over southern Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. In October 1993, USS Abraham Lincoln left the Persian Gulf for Somalia to provide force protection for U.S. and other United Nations forces aiding in the humanitarian relief effort.
The Mighty Shrikes were key participants in Operation Vigilant Sentinel. Following another short turnaround training cycle, the Mighty Shrikes deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk on 10 October 1996 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. On 13 May 1997, the Mighty Shrikes transferred to USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) under the direction of Commander, Carrier Group Three. The Mighty Shrikes deployed aboard the Carl Vinson on 10 November 1998 to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Fox.
[edit] Global War on Terror
Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Mighty Shrikes led the first missions of Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7, 2001. In the months that followed, VFA-94 and Air Wing Eleven participated in precision strikes against key Taliban locations in Afghanistan. The squadron amassed over 2,400 combat hours, 664 combat sorties and the expenditure of 550,000 pounds of ordnance on targets in Afghanistan. The squadron returned home on 19 January 2002.
After an accelerated turn-around, the squadron deployed on 3 March 2003. It resulted in an extended eight-month combat deployment aboard USS Nimitz with CVW-11 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the following months, the Mighty Shrikes flew 492 combat sorties, 1871.2 combat hours, and expended 60,000 pounds of ordnance on targets in Iraq.
On 7 May 2005, the squadron again deployed aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the following months, the Mighty Shrikes achieved a 97 percent sortie completion rate, more than 2,900 mishap free flight hours, and over 1,400 carrier-arrested landings.
[edit] UDP duty
Mid-January 2007 a new chapter has begun for VFA-94, when they for the first time deployed to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, as the second Navy's F/A-18 squadron joining the UDP (Unit Deployment Program) rotations in Marine Air Group 12.
