AIRCRAFT:
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Grumman F9F-8B
Cougar (1956-57)
Douglas A4D-1
Skyhawk (1957-60)
Douglas A4D-2
Skyhawk (1960-61)
Douglas A4D-2N
Skyhawk (1961-62)
Douglas A-4C
Skyhawk (1962-67)
Douglas A-4F
Skyhawk (1967-68)
Ling-Temco-Vought A-7B
Corsair II (1968-70)
Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E
Corsair II (1970-83)
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DEPLOYMENTS:
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July 1956
- January 1957 with CVG-11 aboard USS Essex (CVA
9)
March
1958 - November 1958 with CVG-11 aboard USS
Shangri-La (CVA 38)
March
1959 - October 1959 with CVG-11 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38)
July
1960 - March 1961 with CVG-11 aboard USS Hancock
(CVA 19)
August
1961 - November 1961 with CVG-11 aboard USS
Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
September
1962 - April 1963 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
October
1963 - July 1964 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
October
1965 - June 1966 with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
November
1966 - July 1967 with CVW-9 aboard USS
Enterprise (CVAN 65)
January
1968 - July 1968 with CVW-9 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65)
July
1969 - January 1970 with CVW-3 aboard USS
Saratoga (CVA 60)
October
1970 - June 1971 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger
(CVA 61)
November
1972 - June 1973 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)
May
1974 - October 1974 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)
January
1976 - September 1976 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61)
February
1979 - September 1979 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61)
September
1980 - May 1981 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61)
April
1982 - October 1982 with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger (CV 61)
Detachment
deployment only:
VA-113
/ Det.Q: March 1965 - October 1965 with CVSG-59 aboard USS Bennington
(CVS 20)
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homecoming from CVW-2 deployment aboard
USS Ranger (CV 61) - NAS Lemoore - 1982
homecoming from CVW-2 deployment aboard
USS Ranger (CV 61) - NAS Lemoore - 1982
homecoming from CVW-2 deployment aboard
USS Ranger (CV 61) - NAS Lemoore - 1982
A-7E Corsair II (VA-113 / CVW-2) embarked
on USS Ranger (CV 61) - 1978
A-7E Corsair II (VA-113 / CVW-2) aboard
the training carrier USS Lexington (CVT 16) - 1973 (NNAM)
A-4F Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVW-9) embarked on
USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) fires ZUNI rockets over Vietnam - 1968
A-4C Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVW-11) embarked
on USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) - 1966
A-4C Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVW-11) embarked
on USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) - 1966
A-4C Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVW-11) embarked
on USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) - 1966
A4D-1 Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVG-11) embarked
on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1958
A4D-1 Skyhawk (VA-113 / CVG-11) - undated
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In March 1956 VF-113 was redesignated Attack Squadron
ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113). In April 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 August-September 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.
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 December
1961. In June 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 November 1964 to
October 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 December 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 November 1966 to 6 July 1967, earning them Navy Unit Commendation.
The squadron upgraded to the A-4F in October 1967.
The "Stingers" again deployed to South East Asia aboard Enterprise
on 3 January 1968. En route 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 July 1968, the
squadron transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II in December 1968, and was awarded
the coveted Arlie Burke Award, and the Battle Efficiency "E" award
for the year.
VA-113 upgraded to the A-7E in April 1970, and returned to combat operations
in Southeast Asia during November 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.
From 15 October 1980 to 22 March 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 August 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.
source: wikipedia
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