- VFA-15
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 15
caption= VFA-15 insignia
dates= January 1942 - present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch= USN
type= Fighter/Attack
role=Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure=Carrier Air Wing Eight
current_commander=
garrison=NAS Oceana
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Valions
patron=
motto= None Finer
colors=AJ
colors_label=Tail Code
march=
mascot=
battles=World War II Vietnam War Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom
aircraft_attack=TBD Devastator TBM Avenger AD Skyraider A-4 Skyhawk A-7B Corsair IIF/A-18 Hornet
anniversaries=The VFA-15 Valions is a
U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron based atNAS Oceana . Their call sign is "Pride", tail code is "AJ", and they fly theF-18 Hornet . Their mottos are "Pugna Ama Arma Ferre" and "None Finer."Mission
Fighter Squadron FIFTEEN will prepare to forward deploy and, when directed, lethally project power from the sea in America's defense. Our people are our most valuable resource, so we are committed to ensuring the safe return of our squadron. [http://www.vfa15.navy.mil/index.php?id=32&secid=81]
History
Two distinct squadrons have been called the Valions of VA-15/VFA-15. 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.
1940s - The first VA-15
The first "Valion" squadron was established just one month after the attack on
Pearl Harbor as Torpedo Squadron FOUR (VT-4) on 10 January 1942 aboard the USS "Ranger" in Grassy Bay, Bermuda. [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/va-1-23.pdf] The squadron initially flew theTBD Devastator and was assigned to protect the sea lanes betweenBermuda and Newfoundland from their homeport ofNaval Air Station Quonset Point ,Rhode Island . In August1942 , VT-4 transitioned from the Devastator to theTBF Avenger (laterTBM ). The "Valions" were aboard the "Ranger" when it escorted the RMS "Queen Mary", with British Prime MinisterWinston Churchill aboard, to theQuebec Conference in August1943 .From August to November 1943, VT-4, while deployed aboard "Ranger," operated as part of the British Home Fleet. On 4 Oct 1943, the squadron participated in Operation Leader and struck at shipping targets around Kunna Head, Norway. The squadron’s TBF-1 Avengers, along with its escort of F4F Wildcats, destroyed a German freighter and a small coaster and damaged a troop transport.In Oct 1943, VT-4, flying from "Ranger," operated with the British Second Battle Squadron and patrolled the waters of the Norwegian Sea.In July 1944, VT-4 transferred from Atlantic to Pacific Fleet.On 21 Sep 1944 during a pre-dawn sortie, three of the squadron’s aircraft collided with each other, resulting in the loss of nine personnel, including the squadron’s commanding officer. From 4–17 Nov 1944, VT-4 was temporarily embarked onUSS Bunker Hill (CV-17) for operations in support of landings atLeyte . The squadron participated in combat strikes at Ormoc Bay, Cavite and Clark Field.In Dec 1944, the squadron participated in combat operations in support of landings onMindoro . In Jan 1945 while operating fromUSS Essex (CV-9) , the squadron struck targets onFormosa ,Luzon ,Hainan and the Ryukyu Island chain as well as in French Indochina (Vietnam ). Operations in Vietnam were around Saigon and Camranh Bay. These operations were in support of the continued assault against the Japanese in the Philippines.On 16 Feb 1945 the squadron conducted its first strikes against the home islands of Japan, hitting Mawatari airfield onHonshu . From 19–22 Feb 1945, the squadron provided support for theBattle of Iwo Jima . On 1 Mar 1945, the airfield, facilities and shipping onOkinawa were hit by squadron aircraft. On 4 Mar 1945, VT-4 disembarked from "Essex" atUlithi completing the squadron’s last combat cruise during World War II. VT-4 returned toNAS Alameda in April 1945.In Spring 1946, VT-4 participated in USS Tarawa's shakedown cruise in the
Caribbean Sea following the ship’s commissioning in December 1945.In the closing months of
World War II , VT-4 moved toSan Diego and was redesignated VA-2A on 15 November 1946. On 2 August1948 , the squadron’s designation was changed to Attack Squadron 15 (VA-15). Then in March1949 , VA-15 moved toNAS Cecil Field ,Florida and transitioned to theAD Skyraider .1950s
On 22 May 1950, VA-15, was designated as training squadron, with the primary mission of training fleet pilots in attack aircraft. VA-15’s training syllabus emphasized glide bombing, dive-bombing, rocket firing, day-and-night tactics and carrier qualifications in the AD Skyraider. [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/va-1-23.pdf]
On 19 September 1951, the
CNO approved the current insignia, which was a modification of an earlier one depicting a lion riding a torpedo. The lion was retained to represent the strong attack capabilities of the squadron and the torpedo was replaced by a missile.In Feb 1955 while deployed aboardUSS Midway (CV-41) , the squadron supported the evacuation ofChinese Nationalist civilians and military personnel from theDachen Archipelago which were being bombarded by thePeople’s Republic of China .In Nov–Dec 1956 as a result of theSuez Crisis , VA-15 deployed aboardUSS Forrestal (CV-59) and operated in the vicinity of theAzores .On 12 Sep 1958, VA-15 was assigned the additional mission of
Aerial refuelling .1960s – The second VA-15
Although scheduled to transition to the
A-6 Intruder , VA-15 transitioned to theA-4 Skyhawk in1965 . Having completed the transition, VA-15 deployed 4 Apr–21 Nov 1966 aboard the USS "Intrepid" toSoutheast Asia . On 15 May 1966, the squadron flew its first combat mission since March. [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/va-1-23.pdf]VA-15 again returned to Southeast Asia in 1967 on the USS Intrepid and deployed to the Mediterranean in 1968-69 on
USS Forrestal (CV-59) after she was restored from the disastrous fire.On 1 June 1969 the first VA-15 was disestablished, and the men and equipment were merged with Attack Squadron 67 (VA-67), which had been established on 1 August 1968.
On the following day (2 June 1969), the combined squadron was redesignated VA-15 and adopted the insignia and traditions of the "Valions".In Aug 1968, the squadron began training under
VA-174 in theA-7 Corsair II .1970s
In Oct–Nov 1973 while embarked in
USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42) , the squadron operated in the vicinity ofCrete in response to theArab-Israeli war . [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/va-1-23.pdf] In Jun–Jul 1976 following the assassination of the American Ambassador to Lebanon, VA-15 embarked onUSS America (CV-66) operated in the vicinity ofLebanon in support of the evacuation of non-combatants.1980s
In November
1980 , the "Valions", embarked on USS "Independence" were on station when the American hostages were released fromIran . [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/vfa15-81.pdf]In May 1981"Independence" transited the
Suez Canal and maintained station in the eastern Mediterranean due to the crisis between Israel and Syria following Israeli raids against Syrian surface-to-air missile sites in Lebanon.In Oct–Nov 1983, VA-15 aircraft flew combat close air support and reconnaissance sorties in support of
Operation Urgent Fury , the landing of U.S. Marines and Army rangers onGrenada .On 4 Dec 1983 in response to hostile fire against U.S. reconnaissance aircraft from Syrian positions in Lebanon, VA-15 aircraft participated in coordinated strikes against
Syria n radar, communications and artillery positions overlooking the Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces. One of the squadron’s A-7E Corsair IIs, flown by the Air Wing Commander, Command Edward Andrews, was lost when it was hit by a Syrian surface-to-air missile. Commander Andrews ejected, was rescued and returned to "Independence."From Dec 1985 to Jun 1986 the squadron was assigned to MAG-12, 1st Marine Air Wing for a six-month deployment to
MCAS Iwakuni , Japan. This deployment was designed to test the enhanced interoperability between Marine and Navy squadrons, with emphasis on close air support for Marine ground operations and the sharing of other techniques used by both communities.In June
1986 , the "Valions" began transition training in the F/A-18 Hornet, and on 1 October1986 , VA-15 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15). The "Valions" accepted their first F/A-18 Hornet in January1987 .1990s
On
December 28 ,1990 , the "Valions" departed for a six-month deployment to thePersian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. The "Valions" flew daily strikes intoIraq and occupiedKuwait until the suspension of hostilities onFebruary 28 . [http://www.history.navy.mil/download/vfa15-81.pdf]During
1992 , the "Valions" transitioned to the F/A-18C (night attack) Hornet. In March1999 , the "Valions" departed for an historic deployment which would involve two theaters of operation. After crossing theAtlantic in record time aboard the USS "Theodore Roosevelt", "Valion" aircraft were launched in support ofOperation Allied Force . For the next thirteen weeks, VFA-15 flew over 1,100 combat sorties overKosovo to bring an end toSerbia nethnic cleansing . The battle group then steamed to the Persian Gulf and supportedOperation Southern Watch . Upon their return, the Valions made a homeport change to NAS Oceana inVirginia Beach, Virginia .2000s
During the "Valions"'
2001 deployment, the squadron took station in the Persian Gulf, patrolling the skies of the southern Iraqi no-fly zone. [http://www.vfa15.navy.mil/index.php?id=1132&secid=81]Soon after returning through the
Strait of Hormuz in early fall2001 to begin the voyage home, theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks unfolded. For the next four weeks the "Valions" took station in the NorthIndian Ocean and prepared for combat, with flight operations in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom , including combat air patrols overPakistan . Missions intoAfghanistan began onOctober 7 , and over the next several weeks the "Valions" flew four– to eight-hour missions deep into Afghanistan.In
2002 , the "Valions" deployed on "Theodore Roosevelt" to theMediterranean . In combat operations against Iraqi military facilities, air defense sites and terrorist camps fromMarch 19 toApril 15 ,2003 , the squadron delivered over 245,000 pounds of ordnance.in September, 2005 the Valions deployed to the Persian Gulf, returning on March 11, 2006.
External links
* [http://www.vfa15.navy.mil/ VFA-15 official website]
= 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
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.