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Fighter Squadron 94
was commissioned at NAS Alameda, California in 1952. Nicknamed the Mighty
Shrikes, the squadron was named after a small carnivorous bird of prey, the
Loggerhead Shrike. It engages in aerial combat to strike its prey in the air
and on the ground, and then impales its victim on a sharp thorn. The Mighty
Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair, but quickly transitioned to jet
aircraft. For the next five years, the squadron received and flew the F7U-7,
FJ-3, F9F-8, F8U-1, F11F-1 Tiger and FJ-4.
The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron 94 in 1958 and
moved to NAS Lemoore, California in 1962. VA-94 aviators flew all models of
the A-4 Skyhawk before transitioning to the A-7 Corsair II in February 1971.
The Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to
Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard USS RANGER in 1964. In 1965,
as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron was airlifted to Norfolk to join USS
ENTERPRISE on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5
in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard USS HANCOCK and USS BON
HOMME RICHARD. After transitioning to the A 7 Corsair II, the squadron was
assigned to Air Wing 15 and completed its final Southeast Asia combat
deployment aboard USS CORAL SEA. VA-94 aircraft led the first major Navy
bombing strikes into North Vietnam after the 1968 bombing halt and
participated in the mining of Haiphong harbor.
In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade,
again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS CORAL SEA. In 1975, the Mighty
Shrikes participated in Operation FREQUENT WIND, the Saigon evacuation that
terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. Shortly thereafter,
the squadron participated in the recovery of SS MAYAGUEZ after its seizure by
Cambodia. From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard USS
KITTY HAWK to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including 63 days of
operations in the Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The squadron's
next deployment aboard USS KITTY HAWK was completed in 1981.
In January 1982, the Mighty Shrikes joined Carrier Air Wing 11 and deployed
aboard USS ENTERPRISE. A Navy milestone was set in April 1983 when VA-94
became the first single engine tactical aircraft squadron to fly across the
Pacific Ocean from the Philippines to the United States. In May 1984, the
Mighty Shrikes deployed again aboard USS ENTERPRISE to the Western Pacific
and Indian Oceans.
In 1986, aboard USS ENTERPRISE, VA-94 made history as part of the first
nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The Shrikes cruised the
Mediterranean for three months, supporting operations against Libya.
In 1988, during their 19th deployment, the Mighty Shrikes again made history
by striking the naval forces of Iran as part of Operation PRAYING MANTIS, the
first major U.S. naval battle since World War II. In October 1988, VA-94
received the coveted LTJG Bruce Carrier Award for excellence in Aviation
Maintenance.
In the fall of 1989, the Mighty Shrikes deployed again aboard USS ENTERPRISE.
After completing a world cruise, the Mighty Shrikes retired their trusty,
battle proven A-7E Corsairs. This successful deployment was marked by winning
the CNAP Battle "E."
In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first FA-18C, Lot XII Hornet
and were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 94.
source:
VFA-94 website
- - -
another VA-94
history:
Two distinct US
Navy squadrons have held the designation VA-94. The first served in World War
II and was disestablished in the late 1940s. The second of those squadrons
later became VFA-94, the main subject of this article. Officially, the US
Navy does not recognize a direct lineage of newly formed squadrons with
disestablished squadrons. Often however, the new squadron will assume the
nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons. That appears to
have happened in this case, as (for a short time) the new squadron used a cat
insignia similar to the earlier one.
1940s
The first VA-94 was established on July 1, 1943, as Bombing Squadron NINETY
NINE (VB-99), an experimental squadron for the new SB2C Helldiver. VB-99 was
initially equipped with the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless. On October 15, 1943, the
squadron was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), and on November
15, 1943 the squadron started to receive its first SB2C-1C Helldivers.
From August 16 through November 23, 1944, VB-20 flew the Helldiver from USS
Enterprise (CV-6) for the first of two World War II Pacific Theater combat
cruises. The squadron's first combat action occurred on August 31, 1944 and
involved an attack on the Bonin Islands. In September 1944, VB-20
participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air
support for landings on Peleliu Island. In October 1944, the squadron
participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon. On October
24, 1944, VB-20 participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Squadron SB2Cs
flew sorties against Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea, these attacks
contributed to the sinking of the Musashi, one of the two largest battleships
in the world. On October 25, 1944, VB-20 aircraft were part of the Fast
Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of
Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement.
From November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945, VB-20 embarked aboard USS
Lexington (CV-16), for the second of two World War II combat cruises.
Squadron Helldivers struck Japanese positions in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Luzon,
Formosa, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Okinawa.
On November 15, 1946, VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A).
On August 12, 1948, they were re-designated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR
(VA-94), and in October 1948 they received the new AD-2 Douglas Skyraider. On
November 30, 1949, VA-94 was disestablished.
1950s
A new squadron, Fighter Squadron 94, was established at NAS Alameda,
California on March 26, 1952. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U
Corsair, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. Over the next eight years,
the squadron received and flew numerous fighter aircraft before becoming an
attack squadron. In Sep 1953, the squadron received the F9F-5 Panther. In Jan
1955 the Shrikes moved to NAS Moffett Field and received the FJ Fury in Feb
1955. In Nov 1955, they transitioned to the F9F Cougar. They again flew
various models of the FJ-3 Fury from Jun 1957 until 1959.
The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron VA-94 on Aug 1,
1958 and moved back to NAS Alameda on 20 Aug 1958. In January 1959, they
transitioned to the aircraft they would fly (in various models) for the next
twelve years, the A-4 Skyhawk.
1960s
On 8 March 1962, VA-94 moved to NAS Lemoore, California. As the Vietnam War
escalated, the Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments
to Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard USS Ranger in 1964. On 1
Dec 1964, the squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team
Operations, armed escort for photo-reconnaissance missions over Laos. On 7
February 1965, following a Viet Cong attack against American advisors in
South Vietnam, President Lyndon Johnson ordered a reprisal strike against
North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron’s target was concealed by
heavy weather and the mission was aborted. On 11 February, the squadron
participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa
military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. In March 1965, the squadron
participated in Rolling Thunder strikes against targets in North Vietnam.
In October 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk to
join USS Enterprise (CVN-65) on her first combat cruise. The squadron was
assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard
USS Hancock and USS Bon Homme Richard.
1970s
In February 1971, the squadron transitioned to the Ling-Temco-Vought A-7
Corsair II and was assigned to Air Wing 15 / USS Coral Sea.
On 9 May 1972, the squadron participated in Operation Pocket Money, the
mining of Haiphong harbor. The first mine was dropped at 08:59 to coincide
with President Richard Nixon's public announcement of the mining. All mines
were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for
departure or a change in destination consistent with the President's public
warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000
MK36 type destructor and 108 special Mk 52-2 mines over the next eight
months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about
an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy's
ability to continue receiving war supplies. In May-June 1972, VA-94
participated in operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in
North Vietnam.
In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade,
again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea. On 29 April 1975,
squadron aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the
evacuation of American citizens from Saigon that terminated United States
military involvement in Vietnam. On 15 May 1975, Shrike aircraft, along with
other elements from CVW-15 launched air strikes against the Cambodian
mainland after the capture of the SS Mayaguez by Cambodian gunboats. From May
1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk to the
Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including 63 days of operations in the
Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis.
1980s
The squadron's next deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk was completed in 1981.
In 1986, aboard USS Enterprise, VA-94 made history as part of the first
nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The Shrikes cruised the
Mediterranean for three months, supporting operations against Libya.
In Feb–May 1988, the Mighty Shrikes flew air support for Operation Earnest
Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. In April
1988, the squadron struck the naval forces of Iran as part of Operation
Praying Mantis, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II.
Squadron aircraft delivered direct hits on the Iranian frigate Sahand. In Dec
1989, the squadron participated in Operation Classic Resolve, providing
support for the Philippine government during a coup attempt.
1990s
In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first F/A-18C Hornet and was
redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINE FOUR (VFA-94) on Jan 1, 1991.
source:
wikipedia
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