VFA-37

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 37


caption= VFA-37 Insignia
dates= July 1, 1967 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing 3
current_commander= CDR James Sigler
garrison= Naval Air Station Oceana
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Ragin Bulls
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Deliberate Guard Operation Desert Fox Operation Deliberate Force Operation Iraqi Freedom
aircraft_attack= A-7 Corsair II
aircraft_fighter= F/A-18 Hornet
anniversaries=

Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37), also known as the "Ragin’ Bulls", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and are attached to the USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75. Their radio callsign is "Ragin’" and their tail code is AG.

Mission

quadron insignia and nickname

The squadron’s initial insignia was approved by CNO on 26 March 1968. The design centered on a bull was selected to symbolizethe spirit, pride and mission of the unit. The "Bulls" current insignia was based on the Schlitz Malt Liquor logo. Over the years, the size of the testicles has been changed several times. After the Tailhook scandal, the testicles were removed completely from the logo for a time.Nickname: Bulls, 1968-present.

History

1960s

VA-37 was established as an A-7 Corsair II squadron on July 1,1966. After training with VA-174 in the operation of the A-7 Corsair II from Jul–Nov 1967, VA-37 became operational in 1967, deploying aboard the USS "Kitty Hawk".

1970s

March 2003: The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFA-37 participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in northern Iraq.Oct-Apr 2004: VFA-37 deployed to the Arabian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom.Nov 2007-Jun 2008: The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.In Sep 1970, VA-37 was embarked on USS Saratoga (CV-60) when fighting erupted between Palestinian forces and the Jordanian Army, and was directed to operate in the eastern Mediterranean in response to this crisis. On 29 Sep 1970, VA-37 participated in an air power demonstration for President Richard Nixon during his two day visit to "Saratoga" while she steamed in the Med. From June to October 1971, VA-37 participated in the test and evaluation of the new CV concept during the "Saratoga’s" deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The CV concept involved combining the capabilities of the attack and antisubmarine carriers (CVA and CVS) into a single ship.

The "Bulls" deployed twice to Yankee Station in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War. On 1 Aug 1972, a "Bull" A-7A Corsair II was used to establish a sonobuoy field in an anchorage area near the island of Hon Nieu, off the coast of North Vietnam - the first time an A-7 had ever been used to drop sonobuoys.

In 1973, the squadron received their first A-7E, a more advanced version of the plane. They made seven cruises with this plane in the 1970s and early 1980s, including responding to regional crises in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

1980s

In June 1982, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), with VA-37 embarked, took station off the coast of Lebanon after Israel invaded that country. In June 1984, the squadron's primary mission was changed to close air support in preparation for its deployment to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program. The deployment of the two Navy attack squadrons was designed to test the interoperability of the Marine Corps and Navy.

In Dec 1984, VA-37 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and relieved VA-105. While deployed to Iwakuni, the squadron was detached to Yechon, Korea, to participate in exercise Team Spirit 85. This was the first time a Navy carrier-based squadron had deployed in field conditions since World War II.

1990s

During the 90s, the "Bulls" deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), [USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and [USS Enterprise (CVN-65).

Following the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, several "Bulls" were deployed with VA-72 in support of Operation Desert Shield.

On October 31, 1990, the "Bulls" flew their last official sortie in the A-7E Corsair II. This ended a 25-year association with the "Harley of the Fleet" in which over 115,000 flight hours and 25,000 arrestments were flown. On 28 Nov 1990, VA-37 was redesignated VFA-37 and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet. From October 1992 to April 1993, the "Bulls" deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and were key participants in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq and Operation Provide Promise in the airspace near the former Yugoslavia.

In 1994 the squadron flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch and later over Bosnia in support of Operation Deny Flight. The "Bulls" also participated in major exercises with the Kuwaitis, Saudis, and Israelis, as well as with many NATO allies.

In November 1996, the "Bulls" flew in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The "Bulls" deployed again in November 1998. After four weeks of participating in OSW, the order was issued for Operation Desert Fox in Iraq. They also flew missions over the former Yugoslavia in Operation Deliberate Force.

The "Bulls" relocated from Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, to NAS Oceana, Virginia in July 1999.

2000s

The next major deployment for the "Bulls" was the maiden voyage of the USS|Harry S. Truman|CVN-75 in 2000.

In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard the "Truman". On March 19, 2003, "TEAM BULL" participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the "Bulls" participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq.

By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the "Bulls" had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to Virginia on Memorial Day 2003.

VFA-37 deployed again on "Truman" in late 2003 to the Northern Persian Gulf, flying combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom until their return in April 2004. In the spring of 2006, VFA-37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight for seven months to cover for VFA-213 as they transitioned to the FA-18F.

The squadron deployed on "Truman" in Nov 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning to Oceana on June 4, 2008. While deployed, the dropped a total of 22,000 pounds of ordnance.VFA-37 is currently in the work-up cycle in preparation for deployment in 2009.

ee also

*History of the United States Navy
*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

References

* [http://www.vfa37.navy.mil The VFA-37's official website]