VFA-113

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 113


caption= VFA-113 Insignia
dates= August 15, 1948
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= US Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing 14
garrison= Naval Air Station Lemoore
equipment= F/A-18C
current_commander= Commander George “Chopper” Slook
ceremonial_chief= CMDCM David Bentley
colonel_of_the_regiment=
notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_2=
nickname= "Stingers"
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Korean War
Vietnam War
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=
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
battle_honours=

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113) "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".

quadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s original insignia was approved by CNO on 15 April 1949, and it was slightly modified in 1985. Nickname: Stingers, 1949 to present.

History

1940s

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 originated as Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) on 15 July 1948 at NAS San Diego, flying the F8F-1 and F8F-2 Bearcat.

1950s

In Mar 1950, the squadron transitioned to the F4U-4B Corsair. Attached to Air Group 11, the "Stingers" flew their first combat strikes on 5 Aug 1950 from USS "Philippine Sea" and USS "Valley Forge" against targets near Kunsan, Korea. In Sep 1950, the squadron flew combat sorties in support of the United States Marine Corps landings at Inchon. In November 1950, squadron aircraft participated in Operation Pinwheel, the docking and departing of the carrier from the pier using aircraft engine power to move the ship. Also in Nov 1950, during strikes on bridges crossing the Yalu River, squadron F4U-4Bs were attacked by MiG-15s, with neither side suffering any damage. On 23 Jun 1952, squadron aircraft, along with planes from 3 other air groups, participated in the first coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants. This was the first time that enemy power plants had been so heavily targeted. It also marked the first time that four carriers were on line off the coast of Korea since the fall of 1950. VF-113 won six engagement stars as well as the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendations in two Korean combat tours.

The squadron moved to NAS Miramar on 15 Sep 1952 and transitioned to the F9F-1 Panther on 5 Oct 1952. In Feb 1954, the squadron upgraded to the F9F-2. In May 1955, the squadron again upgraded to the swept wing F9F-8 Cougar and in March 1956 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113). In Apr 1957, the "Stingers" transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, flying several different "Skyhawk" models over the next 11 years. While operating from USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) in Aug–Sep 1958, the squadron was part of a task force that provided support to the Republic of China during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese Communists. The squadron was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for 1958, denoting it as the best Attack Squadron on the West Coast.

1960s

In the fall of 1961, the squadron embarked in USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) for her transit, via Cape Horn, from NS Norfolk to her new home port at NAS North Island. The "Stingers" also moved to a new home at NAS Lemoore on 12 Dec 1961.In Jun 1964, squadron aircraft participated in Yankee Team operations, including aerial refuelling for RF-8A Crusaders and F-101 Voodoos, and search and rescue missions over South Vietnam and Laos. From Nov 1964 to Oct 1965, the squadron provided a detachment of personnel and A-4s for use as fighter protection for USS Bennington (CVS-20).

October 1965 brought the "Stingers" back to the Western Pacific for a combat deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The squadron flew numerous missions into North Vietnam against enemy lines of communications, as well as close air support in South Vietnam. In Dec 1965 during the squadron’s first line-period on Yankee Station, they participated in three major strikes against important North Vietnamese targets, including the Hai Phong Bridge, Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant and the Hai Duong Bridge.

The "Stingers'" second tour in Vietnam was aboard USS "Enterprise", from 19 Nov 1966 to 6 Jul 1967, earning them Navy Unit Commendation. The squadron upgraded to the A-4F in Oct 1967.

From to 18 Jul 1968, The "Stingers" again deployed to South East Asia aboard "Enterprise" on 3 Jan 1968. Enroute to Yankee Station, the carrier was ordered to the Sea of Japan for operations following the seizure of the USS Pueblo (AGER-2) by the North Koreans. After return from deployment on 18 Jul 1968, the squadron transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II in Dec 1968, and was awarded the coveted Battle Efficiency "E" award for the year.

1970s

VA-113 upgraded to the A-7E in Apr 1970, and returned to combat operations in Southeast Asia during December 1970 aboard USS "Ranger". The squadron's performance during this deployment earned them the Admiral Wade 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/"Ranger" team. VA-113 continued this association for the next eight years, completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while compiling an accident-free safety record in the A-7E.

1980s

From 15 Oct 1980 to 22 Mar 1981, under the "Swing Wing Concept" to reduce the deck multiple on "Ranger", VA-113 operated as a CVW-2 Detachment from NAS Cubi Point. 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.

On 24 Aug 1983, the first F/A-18 Hornet bearing "Stinger" colors was delivered to VFA-125, and the VA-113 pilots began transition training. The "Stingers" were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VFA-113) on 25 March 1983, and they completed the transition on 14 December 1983, becoming the first operational fleet Hornet squadron. The squadron soon embarked aboard USS "Constellation" for the first carrier deployment of the F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing 14 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 Operation Earnest Will, the armed escort of American flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region.

The "Stingers" deployed in December 1988 aboard "Constellation" to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, returning in June 1989. Immediately upon their return, they upgraded to C model "Hornets".

1990s

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 aboard USS Independence (CV-62). Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces on 2August 1990, "Independence" was ordered to the Gulf of Oman, becoming the first aircraft carrier on station. VFA-113 conducted Operation Desert Shield missions over the North Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. On 3–4 Oct 1990, VFA-113 conducted flight operations from "Independence" while she operated in the Persian Gulf, marking the first time a carrier had operated in the Gulf since 1974. The "Stingers" returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990.

In February 1994, the "Stingers" deployed aboard 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. The "Stingers" 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 USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). WESTPAC 96 included participation in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike. The "Stingers" returned from deployment on 12 November 1996. In March 1997, the "Stingers" made Naval Aviation history when they broke the 100,000 mishap free flight hour mark, making the "Stingers" the safest tactical carrier squadron in aviation history. Fact|date=September 2007

2000s

The "Stingers", along with the rest of CVW-14 took part in the USS "Ronald Reagan" maiden deployment from January through July 2006. The deployment took the squadron through the Western Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

References

*cite web
title = Official website: Strike Fighter Squadron 113
url= http://www.csfwp.navy.mil/vfa-113/
accessdate = 2006-10-31

*cite web
title = Global Security.org: Strike Fighter Squadron 113
url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/vfa-113.htm
accessdate = 2006-10-31

External links

* [http://www.lemoore.navy.mil/vfa-113/ Strike Fighter Squadron 113] (official site)

= See 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
*United States Marine Corps Aviation
*Military aviation
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons