va-203 blue dolphins - seaforces online

HOME | US Navy - ships | US Navy - air units | USMC - air units | International Navies | Weapon Systems | Special Reports
 
 
US Navy - Attack Squadron 203 (ATKRON 203)
VA-203 'Blue Dolphins'
 
va-203 blue dolphins insignia crest patch badge attack squadron us navy 02x va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron atkron us navy reserve a-7 corsair nas jacksonville cecil field florida
 10/19
STATUS:   established as VA-203 on July 1, 1970
VA-203 redesignated VFA-203 on October 1, 1989
 AIRCRAFT:   Douglas A-4L Skyhawk (1971-74)
Ling Temco Vought A-7A Corsair II (1974-77)
Ling Temco Vought A-7B Corsair II (1977-83)
Ling Temco Vought A-7E Corsair II (1983-89)
 DEPLOYMENTS:   VA-201 was a Reserve Squadron and part of CVWR-20
> no combat deployments
 
images

va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron us navy reserve a-7b corsair ii cvwr-20 02
A-7B Corsair II (VA-203 / CVWR-20) - early 1980's

va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron us navy reserve a-7b corsair ii cvwr-20 05 uss carl vinson cvn-70
A-7B Corsair II (VA-203 / CVWR-20) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - 1982

va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron us navy reserve a-7b corsair ii cvwr-20 06
A-7B Corsair II (VA-203 / CVWR-20) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - 1982

va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron us navy reserve a-7a corsair ii cvwr-20 04 nas jacksonville
A-7A Corsair II (VA-203) - 1970's


va-203 blue dolphins attack squadron us navy reserve a-4l skyhawk 03
A-4L Skyhawk (VA-203) - 1970
   
 
Attack Squadron 203 (VA-203), nicknamed the Blue Dolphins, was established at NAS Jacksonville, Florida on 1 July 1970, as a reserve force squadron (RESFORON) under a new concept in the reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve Force. The reorganization was intended to make the reserves more compatible with active duty units and to increase their combat readiness.
It was redesignated VFA-203 in 1989.


VA-203 was part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing TWENTY (CVWR-20) at NAS Cecil Field, with local Reserve-specific administrative support provided by Naval Air Reserve Jacksonville (NAVAIRES JAX) as the Local Area Coordinator for Air (LACAIR) for RESFORONs at NAS Jacksonville, NAS Cecil Field and NS Mayport.

In May 1972, the VA-203 deployed to NAS Oceana to participate in exercise Exotic Dancer V, designed to test multiservice operations under a unified command organization. On 1 December 1977, the squadron moved from NAS Jacksonville to NAS Cecil Field, Florida.

In February 1980, the squadron participated in a combined NATO forces exercise 'Safe Passage' conducted at NAS Bermuda.

Transitioning to the A-7E Corsair II in 1983, VA-203's primary mission was to provide contributory support to the fleet, and to be ready to deploy to an aircraft carrier during a crisis as an activated reserve light attack squadron.

VA-203 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 203 (VFA-203) on October 1, 1989 - flying the F/A-18A Hornet.


Homeport assignments:
NAS Jacksonville, Florida - July 1, 1970
NAS Cecil Field, Florida - December 1, 1977

Aircraft assignment:
Douglas A-4L Skyhawk (July 1971-)
Ling Temco Vought A-7A Corsair II (April 1974-)
Ling Temco Vought A-7B Corsair II (August 1977-)
Ling Temco Vought A-7E Corsair II (September 1983-)

source: wikipedia + NHHC
 
 
 
patches + more
 
 
| seaforces.org | US Navy Air Units start page |