VFA-11

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= VFA-11


caption= VFA-11 Insignia
dates= 1950-Present
country= United States of America
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing Three
current_commander=
garrison= NAS Oceana
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "Red Rippers"
patron=
motto=
colors=Red and White
march=
mascot=
battles= World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=

VFA-11, also known as the "Red Rippers", are a United States Navy fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their call sign is "Ripper," tail code is "AC", and they fly the F/A-18F Super Hornet.

Insignia and nickname

The squadron's original insignia and nickname (used from inception in 1950 to 1959) are unknown. In 1959, the squadron changed designations and adopted the name and insignia of another, recently disestablished, squadron.

The "Red Ripper" squadron insignia as described by an early member: "The boars head is taken from the one that graces the label of the Gordon's Gin bottle. The scroll effect under the head is a string of link sausage, a good line of bologna which all members of the squadron were to be adept at 'shooting'. The balls on the shield might be called balls of fire; actually, they were supposed to typify good, strong, masculinity. The bolt of lightning was the bar sinister of bastardy. The whole theme was worked into a sort of toast or creed with which the squadron members were to begin and end all good drinking bouts. I can't remember all of the toast, but it was something to the effect that, 'Here's to us, the RED RIPPERS – a goddamn bunch of gin drinking, bologna slinging, two-balled, he-man bastards'."

History

Three distinct squadrons have been designated VF-11, and two distinct squadrons have been known as the "Red Rippers". The first VF-11 (never known as the "Red Rippers") was established in 1942, was redesignated VF-111 in 1948, and was disestablished in 1959. The second VF-11, known as the "Red Rippers" was established in 1927 and went through numerous redesignations before being disestablished in 1959. The third distinct squadron was established as VF-43 in 1950, was eventually redesignated VFA-11, and is the primary subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation [http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq6-1.htm] . Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.

The first "Red Rippers"

Early years

The first Navy fighter squadron known as the "Red Rippers" (the second VF-11) was established as VF-5 on 1 Feb 1927 at Hampton Roads, Virginia flying the Curtis F6C-3 Hawk. From 1927 to World War II, the "Rippers" flew several propeller aircraft including the Boeing F3B-1 and F4B-1, the Grumman FF-1 and F3F-1 and also held the following designations (designations tended to change based on the mission; e.g., "S" for scout, "B" for bomber): VF-5S, VF-5B, VB-1B, and VF-4.

1940s

On 15 March 1941, the "Rippers" were redesignated as VF-41. During World War II, they supported the Allied invasion of Northwest Africa, downing 14 Vichy French aircraft in the Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat. [Barrett Tillman, 1995, "Wildcat Aces of World War 2" Oxford Osprey Publishing, p.91] , and conducted air strikes against German forces in Norway in September 1943. The "Red Rippers" were redesignated VF-4 when they transferred to the Pacific Theatre in Aug 1943 aboard USS|Bunker Hill|CV-17 and USS|Essex|CV-9. In the Pacific they flew the first air strikes against Tokyo in the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The "Rippers" also flew the F8F Bearcat for a time.

In Nov 1946, the "Red Rippers" were redesignated VF-1A, and finally as VF-11 on 2 Aug 1948.

1950s

After World War II, VF-11 entered the jet age, flying the McDonnell F2H Banshee during the Korean War from the USS|Kearsarge|CV-33.

During 1956 the "Red Rippers" deployed to the Mediterranean aboard "USS Coral Sea (CVA-43)" and in November 1956, "Coral Sea" covered the Suez Crisis.

In January 1958, the "Rippers" reported aboard USS Essex (CVA-9) flying the F2H-4 Banshee. In the Mediterranean, "Essex" supported the Marines landing in Lebanon on July 15 until the end of August. "Essex" then transited the Suez Canal, operated with the U.S. Seventh Fleet, and then returned to the East Coast via the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1959, VF-11 moved to NAS Jacksonville and on 15 February, the original VF-11 "Red Rippers" were disestablished, their men and equipment being disbursed to other squadrons and activities.

The second/current "Red Rippers"

1950s

On 1 September 1950, Fighter Squadron 43 (VF-43), known as "Rebel's Raiders", was commissioned at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. They moved to NAS Cecil Field on 18 Sept 1950, and were initially outfitted with new F4U-5N Corsair night fighters. The squadron traded its night fighters for F4U-5s (day fighters) in October 1950. The squadron's first deployment was aboard USS Oriskany (CV-34) to the Mediterranean from April-October 1951. [http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-11/1950.pdf] In Feb 1952, the squadron transitioned to the F4U-4 and deployed to the Med aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) [http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-11/1952.pdf] .

In the mid-50s, the squadron transitioned to the F9F-8 Cougar. In April 1958, the squadron transitioned to the Chance-Vought F-8 Crusader. On 16 February 1959 (the day after VF-11 was disestablished), VF-43 was redesignated as VF-11, the second to be so designated. That squadron decided to adopt the traditions and insignia of the first "Red Rippers" (although they do not claim the lineage).

1960s

The "new" VF-11 transitioned to USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42, where they helped quell the unrest in the Dominican Republic in 1961. VF-11 was the first operational squadron to receive the F8U-2NE, receiving its first aircraft on 8 Feb 1962. [http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-11/1959-1965.pdf?bcsi_scan_54F62DAEA9067ADF=0&bcsi_scan_filename=1959-1965.pdf]

In January 1966 the "Rippers" traded their F-8Es for F-8Ds. In the Fall of 1966, they moved to NAS Oceana and transitioned to the F-4B Phantom.

The squadron saw its first combat on 25 July 1967 over North Vietnam from USS Forrestal (CV-59). The brief combat period on Yankee Station was cut short when, on 29 July 1967, the Forrestal fire occurred. VF-11 lost 47 men in the catastrophy. [http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-11/1967.pdf]

1970s

The squadron made several Med cruises in the 70s aboard "Forrestal". In 1972, the landed an F-4 aboard HMS Ark Royal in a cross deck exercise.On 20 August 1973, the squadron received its first F-4J, beginning the transition from the F-4B. [http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-11/1973.pdf]

1980s

The Red Rippers transitioned to the F-14 in 1980 and deployed two years later. The squadron’s combat debut occurred in early December 1983 when VF-11 F-14s engaged eight Syrian MiGs over Lebanon and were fired upon by Syrian surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery. On December 4 1983 the squadron flew combat air patrols over a Navy strike force from the carrier USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67, attacking Syrian positions in Lebanon. The strikes were in response to the Syrian SAM and AAA engagements. Two of the twenty-eight strong strike package were shot down, one A-7 from USS|Independence|CV-62 and one A-6, the pilot of the A-6 crew died while the B/N was held prisoner by the Syrians for a year before being released. While they were deployed for operations in Lebanon, one aircraft sustained damage from a suspected surface-to-air missile.After three cruises with Carrier Air Wing Three and the "Kennedy" Battle Group, VF-11 and its sister squadron transferred to Carrier Air Wing Six and USS|Forrestal|CV-59. They deployed again in 1986, and stayed with CVW6/Forrestal until its last cruise in 1991, making a total of five deployments.

1990s

In January 1992, VF-11 and VF-31 moved to NAS Miramar and transitioned to the F-14D Tomcat. VF-11’s F-14As were transferred to VF-24 and VF-211.

In February 1994, VF-11 and CVW-14 deployed aboard USS|Carl Vinson|CVN-70, in support of Operation Southern Watch. The "Red Rippers" returned to NAS Miramar on August 15.

In the Fall of 1994, VF-11 acquired Night vision goggles requiring substantial changes to the F-14's internal and instrument lighting.

In 1995, VF-11 received upgrades to their mission computers, providing air-to-ground ordnance capability. VF-11 sent their first aircrews to Forward Air Controller school in September 1995.

In May 1996, CVW-14 deployed with "Carl Vinson" in support of Operation Southern Watch. On August 31 the Iraqi army attacked the town or Irbil in northern Iraq and several SAM missiles were launched against U.S. aircraft. The United States responded with Operation Desert Strike by attacking targets in the southern no-fly zone with cruise missiles launched from B-52s escorted by VF-11 Tomcats. "Carl Vinson" left the Gulf on October 1.

Upon return from deployment, VF-11 moved to NAS Oceana as the US Marines took over Miramar. At the same time, VF-11 transitioned to the F-14B and changed air wings to Carrier Air Wing Seven.

In 1997, VF-11 was awarded the Battle E and Clifton Awards as the squadron celebrated their 70th Anniversary. Also that year, VF-11 received the LANTIRN infrared targeting pod and dropped their first GBU-16 laser guided bomb.

In February 1998, the "Red Rippers" deployed from Norfolk with CVW-7 aboard USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74 on its Maiden voyage/world deployment. They supported Operation Southern Watch, travelled to Australia and Pearl Harbor before the carrier arrived at its new home, Naval Air Station North Island.

2000s

VF-11 made a deployment in 2000 aboard USS|Dwight D. Eisenhower|CVN-69, in support of Operation Southern Watch.

Seven hours after the September 11 terrorist attacks, VF-11 emergency sortied all squadron aircraft aboard USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67 to support Operation Noble Eagle.

They deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in early February 2002, and employed the first JDAM bombs from F-14s in combat on March 11, 2002. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3834/is_200210/ai_n9102713 Red Rippers, The - Wings of Gold Fall 2002] ] .

In 2004 VF-11 deployed for the last time with the F-14 aboard USS|George Washington|CVN-73 in support of Iraqi Freedom. During that cruise, VF-11 F-14s participated in the bombing of Fallujah during a 48-hour period between April 28 and 29.

On April 20, 2005, VF-11 delivered the last of their F-14s to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona.

The squadron reported to VFA-106 for F/A-18 Super Hornet transition training, completing on November 5, 2005.

In May, 2006, VFA-11 deployed to the Caribbean Sea supporting the Partnership of the Americas for two months as part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen.

VFA-11 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Three and deployed with USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75 in November 2007 to the Persian Gulf [ [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=33089 - Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Deploys] ] . VFA-11 and the rest of CVW-3 returned home on June 4, 2008.

ee also

*Naval aviation
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
*United States Naval Aviator
*Military aviation
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

References

* [http://www.tomcatalley.com/squadron/vf11hist.htm VF-11 History]
* [http://whileyouweredeployed.com/squadron_histories_vfa_11.php?osCsid=352d9913a9ac1e3e313fe88ac32223e6 Squadron History VF-11 Red Rippers]
* [http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-combat.htm#lebanon Lebanon: VF-11 and VF-31 in Lebanon]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/usmnf.htm US Multinational Force (USMNF) Lebanon]
* [http://www.vfa11.navy.mil/ VFA-11 Red Rippers Web Page]
*Tony Holmes (2005). "US Navy F-14 Tomcat Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom", Osprey Publishing Limited.

Notes