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US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 113
(STRKFITRON 113) VFA-113 'Stingers' |
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 F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - Exercise RIMPAC 24 - Pacific Ocean - August 2024  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2023  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) at NAS Lemoore, California - March 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2021  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2020  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2020  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) General Electric F414-GE-400 turbofan engine maintenance on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - November 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2015  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2015  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) during Exercise Red Flag Alaska 13-3 at Eielson AFB - August 2013  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) during Exercise Red Flag Alaska 13-3 at Eielson AFB - August 2013  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2011  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2010  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2009  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2009  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) taking fuel from a Royal Air Force L-1011 tanker over Afghanistan - October 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) over Afghanistan - October 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) over Afghanistan - October 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2008  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2008  F/A-18C Hornet, 300 (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2007  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2007  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - January 2007  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - January 2007  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2006  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - February 2006  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - February 2006  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - October 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - September 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - June 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - March 2004  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - November 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - November 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2002  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - November 2002  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2002  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2000  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113) at Roswell Airport, New Mexico - April 1997  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113) - May 1995  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113) - May 1995  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 1994  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 1994  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - Operation Desert Shield - January 1991  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - December 1990  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - September 1990  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - August 1990  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) with Mk-82 500lbs bombs during Operation Desert Storm - August 1990  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Independence (CV 62) - April 1990  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - October 1989  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - September 1989  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - 1980's  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - 1980's  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - 1980's  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) - June 1986  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - March 1985  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - March 1985  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - March 1985  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Constellation (CV 64) - March 1985  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113 / CVW-14) flying alongside a Soviet Tupolev Tu-142 Bear A aircraft - March 1985  F/A-18A Hornet (VFA-113) - October 1983 |
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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. The squadron soon embarked aboard USS Constellation
for the first carrier deployment of the F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing
14 from February to August 1985. From April to October 1987, the squadron again deployed to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The "Stingers" played a key role in Operation Earnest Will, the armed escort of American-flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region. The "Stingers" deployed in December 1988 aboard Constellation to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, returning in June 1989. Immediately upon their return, they upgraded to C model Hornets. Safety and proficiency milestones were set again in May 1990, as the "Stingers" advanced the Navy's Tactical Aviation Safety Record to 16 years and over 70,000 mishap-free hours. In June 1990, the "Stingers" once again sailed to the Western Pacific, this time aboard USS Independence (CV-62). Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces on 2August 1990, Independence was ordered to the Gulf of Oman, becoming the first aircraft carrier on station. VFA-113 conducted Operation Desert Shield missions over the North Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. On 3–4 October 1990, VFA-113 conducted flight operations from Independence while she operated in the Persian Gulf, marking the first time a carrier had operated in the Gulf since 1974. The "Stingers" returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990. In February 1994, the "Stingers" deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson as part of Cruiser Destroyer Group Three. During this deployment, the "Stingers" conducted operations throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean theatres. In addition to missions off the coast of Korea during International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations negotiations, they also flew multiple missions into Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. The "Stingers" compiled a record 21 years and over 93,000 mishap free flight hours, and received three consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards from 1991-1993. In May 1996, the VFA-113 "Stingers" deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 14 embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). WESTPAC 96 included participation in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike. The "Stingers" returned from deployment on 12 November 1996. In March 1997, the "Stingers" made Naval Aviation history when they broke the 100,000 mishap free flight hour mark, making the "Stingers" the safest tactical carrier squadron in aviation history. The Stingers, along with the rest of CVW-14 took part in the Ronald Reagan's maiden deployment from January through July 2006. The deployment took the squadron through the Western Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On 13 April 2011. an F/A-18 strike fighter from squadron VFA-113 made a successful single-engine landing aboard the Carl Vinson, bursting in flames in the process. However, no fatalities occurred due to the fire-fighting efforts of the flight deck personnel. In August 2014, VFA-113 embarked aboard the USS Carl Vinson for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East. The squadron took part in Operation Inherent Resolve supporting combat operations in Iraq and Syria. On 12 September 2014, two F/A-18Cs, one from VFA-94 and the other from VFA-113 collided and crashed approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) west of Wake Island. One aviator was recovered in fair condition and received medical treatment aboard the Carl Vinson. Search-and-rescue (SAR) operations continued for the other aviator. The Carl Vinson was participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2014 at the time of the mid-air collision. The search was called off on 14 September 2014, and the missing aviator was declared missing and presumed dead, with the crash incident under investigation. On 17 February 2016, the final F/A-18C departed VFA-113's flightline and was transferred to NAS Oceana, Virginia. Since then, the squadron has transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. As the last Navy F/A-18C squadron on the west coast to transition to the Super Hornet, that last flight happened to be the last operational legacy Hornet flight ever for NAS Lemoore. On 6 October 2017, VFA-113 embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Western Pacific and Middle East. While deployed they operated in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel, returning in May 2018. in 2019, the squadron was reassigned to Carrier Air Wing 2, thus swapping places with VFA-137. On 3 June 2022 an F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed near the city of Trona, California in the Mojave Desert. The pilot did not eject and was the only fatality in the crash. source: wikipedia - - - - - another history: Strike Fighter Squadron One One Three was commissioned as Fighter Squadron One One Three on July 15th, 1948. Nicknamed the "Stingers," the squadron first proved itself in the first strikes flown by the U.S. Navy over Korea where the squadron flew the F4U "CORSAIR" from both the USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CVA 47) and USS VALLEY FORGE (CVA 45). After Korea, the Stingers traded in their F-4U "CORSAIR" jets for the Grumman "PANTHER" and later "COUGAR" aircraft. After four years of flying the "PANTHER" and "COUGAR," the Stingers were given a new role, a new designation, and a new jet. Fighter Squadron One One Three was re-designated an Attack Squadron in March 1956 and equipped with the A-4D "SKYHAWK." October 1965 brought the Stingers back to the Western Pacific, this time flying combat missions over Vietnam in the A-4C version of the "SKYHAWK." The squadron flew numerous missions into North Vietnam against enemy lines of communications, and also flew close air support missions over South Vietnam in support of troops on the ground. December marked their transition from the A-4 "SKYHAWK" to the A-7 "CORSAIR II" aircraft. VA-113 returned to combat operations in Southeast Asia during December 1970 on board USS RANGER (CV 61). The squadron's performance during this deployment earned it the Admiral McClusky Award, given annually to the "Outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy." In November of 1972 VA-113 departed for another combat cruise to Southeast Asia. During this deployment the squadron participated in air strikes in support of Linebacker II and saw action over South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam. May 1974 found the Stingers again returning to the Western Pacific as an integral part of the Carrier Air Wing 2/USS RANGER fighting team. VA-113 continued this association for the next eight years, completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while at the same time beginning a trend of accident-free flying in the A-7E "CORSAIR II" which led to them reaching the 40,000 accident-free flying hours mark in August of 1982. March 25th, 1983 marked the dawning of the Strike Fighter Squadron era as VA-113 re-designated to VFA-113 and traded its stalwart A-7 "CORSAIR" for the brand new F/A-18 "HORNET." The squadron completed the historic transition to the new multi-role Hornet and on December 14th, 1983 became the first fleet operational, combat ready Strike Fighter Squadron in the U.S. Navy. The squadron soon embarked for the first carrier deployment of the multi-mission F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen on board USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) in February 1985. After numerous deployments flying the "HORNET" throughout the late 1980's, in June 1990 the Stingers once again sailed to the Western Pacific, this time on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62). As the world's eyes focused on the Persian Gulf crisis, the Stingers found themselves first on the scene, combat ready, and dedicated to draw the line against the advance of terror. Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces in August 1990, USS INDEPENDENCE, as part of Battle Group Delta, was the first aircraft carrier on station. Immediately making their presence known with missions flown over the northern Persian Gulf, VFA-113 contributed to the U. S. Navy's bold effort to forestall further Iraqi aggression until other U.S. and foreign forces could arrive in theater. The Stingers made additional deployments to the Western Pacific and to the Persian Gulf participating in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike throughout the mid-1990s while stationed onboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70). In March 1997, LT Keith "Gunny" Henderson and the Stingers made Naval Aviation history when while flying aircraft 301 he broke the 100,000-mishap free flight hour mark. No tactical fleet squadron had even come close to such a milestone at the time, making the Stingers the safest tactical aircraft squadron in aviation history. The year 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of the commissioning of VFA-113. The Stingers celebrated a half century of flying while on deployment in the Western Pacific at the time. Between 1998 and 2006, the Stingers made multiple deployments off of both the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) and USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) aircraft carriers, participating in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom following the September 11th Terrorist Attacks on the U.S. homeland in 2001. In 2006, the Stingers moved along with Carrier Air Wing Fourteen to deploying off of their country's newest operational carrier, USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76). The Stingers took part in the REAGAN'S maiden deployment from January through July of 2006 operating throughout the Western Pacific and also the Arabian Gulf where they flew missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After returning home in July of 2006, they were ordered back to sea from February through April of 2007 for a surge deployment to the Western Pacific. The Stingers deployed again in May of 2008 where they flew missions in support of coalition forces on the ground in Afghanistan before returning home in November of 2008. During the deployment, the squadron celebrated its sixtieth birthday and also celebrated being awarded the Overall Excellence Award from Carrier Air Wing Fourteen. On March 12th, 2009, the squadron surpassed 150,000 hours of class-A mishap free-flight time. This noteworthy milestone comes almost thirty-five years after the Stingers last had a class-A mishap, when an A-7 Corsair suffered an engine failure and was lost on May 12th, 1974. In November 2010 the squadron deployed aboard the USS CARL VINSON in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and returned in June 2011. The Stingers again deployed in November 2011 aboard USS CARL VINSON. VFA-113 accomplished a 100% combat sortie completion rate and was recognized with the Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) Golden Wrench and Top Hook honors for cruise upon return in May 2012. In March 2013, the Stingers were awarded the 2012 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific (CNAP) Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") Award. The squadron was also recognized with the Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific Fleet (CSFWP) 2012 AOC Scott F. Kirby Award for Ordnance Excellence. The year 2013 marks the 30th anniversary of the squadron flying the F/A-18 HORNET. Starting in late 2015, VFA-113 Transition aircraft and acquired a brand new set of 12 F/A-18E Super Hornets. These were, at the time, some of the newest and most capable Rhinos in the fleet. In October of 2017, VFA-113 employed aboard the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Freedoms Sentinel. While on cruise, The Stingers of VFA-113 supported CVW-17 both in combat and around the ship as the Air Wings premier tanking squadron. In operations abroad, the Stingers Employed more than 50 munitions in support of counter-ISIS operations. The pilots of VFA-113 distinguished themselves in the Air Wing by sweeping the Top Hook award for 4 consecutive line periods, proving to be the most competent Naval Aviators when flying behind the ship. July 15th, 2018, the Stingers celebrated their 70th Anniversary. source: VFA-113 website |
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