 |
||||||
|
HOME
|
US Navy -
ships
|
US Navy - air
units
|
USMC - air
units
|
International
Navies
|
Weapon Systems
|
Special Reports |
||||||
|
US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 2
(STRKFITRON 2) VFA-2 'Bounty Hunters' |
||||||
|
||||||
| 02/23 | ||||||
|
||||||
| images | ||||||
 undated  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) during Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) East 22.12 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida - September 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at NAS Lemoore, California - March 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at Travis AFB, California - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at Travis AFB, California - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at Travis AFB, California - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at Travis AFB, California - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) at Travis AFB, California - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) over Hawaiian waters - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - July 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - November 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - October 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - April 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornets (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - May 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - April 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - March 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - March 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - March 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - March 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - October 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - October 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) during exercise Northern Edge over Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) during exercise Northern Edge over Alaska - June 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - March 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - December 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) with a F/A-18E (VFA-137) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) refuels an EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-131 - May 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - January 2006  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - July 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - June 2005  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) during refueling with a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker - November 2004  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2 / CVW-2) during refueling with a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker - November 2004  F-14D Tomcat (VF-2) and F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) - May 2003  F-14D Tomcat (VF-2) and F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-2) - May 2003  undated |
||||||
|
History: As VF-2 made its way back across the states for its fly-in at NAS Oceana, Bullet 100 of VF-2, flown by LCDR Kurt "Webstur" Frankenberger and CDR Doug "Boog" Denenny, was met by Bullet 100 of VFA-2, one of the jets that they would be flying in a few short months. As the two jets joined up, the bright red, white, and blue Langley stripes painted on both aircraft made for a memorable photo op that marked the end of an era as well as an awesome preview of what was to come. On 1 July 2003, VF-2 was officially re-commissioned as VFA-2, thus beginning transition training to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. On 6 October, VFA-2 took delivery of its first F/A-18F, wearing the traditional Langley Stripe. All in all, the transition took only four and a half months, the shortest time ever for a Tomcat-to-Super Hornet transition. VFA-2 made its first deployment with the new F/A-18F Super Hornet and CVW-2 beginning in October 2004. As part of the Navy's new war fighting strategy known as the Fleet Response Plan, CVW-2 and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) were chosen to be the first emergency surge Carrier Air Wing. The "Bounty Hunters" deployed with their new aircraft on a unique 4 1/2 month deployment which included Operation UNIFIED ASSISTANCE after a tragic tsunami struck Sumatra, Indonesia in December of 2004. Following the humanitarian efforts, VFA-2 participated in the two-week international training exercise COPE TIGER 2005, working with Air Forces from the United States, Thailand, and Singapore. One month following the 2005 surge deployment, VFA-2 began training for their 2006 deployment with detachments to NAS Fallon, NAS Key West, and the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. While underway, VFA-2 participated in exercises FOAL EAGLE in South Korea, VALIANT SHIELD in Guam, and RIMPAC in Hawaii. These multinational exercises included countries such as Australia, China, Chile, Peru, South Korea, and Singapore. From March to October 2008, the Bounty Hunters were deployed to the Western Pacific and the Persian Gulf as part of the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, operating in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. In 2009, VFA-2 was recognized as the Commander Naval Air Forces Pacific 2008 Battle Efficiency Award for the eighth time in the squadron's history. Just weeks after learning they won the 2008 West Coast "Battle E" for Super Hornet squadrons, the VFA-2 Bounty Hunters were awarded the 2008 Rear Admiral C. Wade McClusky Award for their performance on cruise in 2008. These two prestigious awards capped a banner year for the Bullets and are a testament to the quality of the men and women on the Bounty Hunter team. Shortly after the very successful 2008 deployment, VFA-2 began preparing for future operations with a very busy year of training and detachments. The Bullets were able to send a detachment to NAS Key West to partake in a joint tactical training exercise with various types of aircraft, honing their skills in the Air-to-Air arena. Throughout the year, various detachments onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN ensured not only the aircrew were maintaining their carrier qualifications, but also to keep Bullet maintainers and the flight deck crew proficient and ready for future operations. 2010 began quickly with preparation for a demanding workup cycle and 2010-2011 combat deployment. Multiple detachments to NAS Fallon and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN tested VFA-2's ability to plan, brief, and fly large force exercises and evaluated their overall mission effectiveness. These arduous training environments prepared VFA-2 for their deployment in support of OPERATION NEW DAWN and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM from September 2010 to March 2011. VFA-2 proved to be an vital asset to the CVW-2 team, contributing to the 100% combat sortie completion rate. Flying 424 combat sorties for a combined 2,515 combat flight hours, the Bullets employed 4,500 pounds of ordnance and over 1,500 rounds of 20mm ammunition during close air support missions for coalition ground forces in Afghanistan. Returning home to families and friends, VFA-2 was able to enjoy some time home before again beginning the challenging and demanding workup cycle to prepare for their next deployment. The Bullets were very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in joint Exercise NORTHERN EDGE at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska in June of 2011. VFA-2 personnel and 6 aircraft participated in this event which would test and expose the squadron to various aspects of large force exercises and joint service integration. This bi-annual event has proven an important joint exercise, incorporating Navy, Marine, Air Force, Coast Guard, and other active and reserve units. Following Exercise NORTHERN EDGE VFA-2 was again detached to NAS Fallon for more training and preparation for the upcoming deployment. In December of 2011, VFA-2 embarked on another combat Deployment scheduled to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM onboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN. This deployment is unique for VFA-2 and CVW-2 in that the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN departed NAS North Island, California but will return to NAS Norfolk, Virginia for refurbishment and scheduled maintenance. This around the world sail will be the first for most of the sailors in VFA-2 and will allow them to see many parts of the world with planned port calls in Thailand, Bahrain, Dubai, and Turkey. In February 2012, the Bounty Hunters of Strike Fighter Squadron TWO learned they were recipients of the 2011 Command, Naval Air Forces RADM C. Wade McClusky award recognizing them as the preeminent Super Hornet squadron in the Navy. Earning the 2011 Commander, Naval Air Force Pacific Battle Efficiency award for the ninth time in squadron history put VFA-2 in the running for the McClusky award. The McClusky and Battle "E" were awarded to VFA-2 for achieving the highest standards of excellence as leaders in aircraft, combat readiness, as well as tactical employment. These two awards are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and sacrifice the Bounty Hunters of VFA-2 have made throughout 2011 and into 2012. In 2013, the Bounty Hunters, along with CVW-2, changed home ships to the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) In early 2014, CVW-2 began an arduous work-up cycle, compressing a normally year long process into a grueling six months, both at sea and at NAS Fallon, NV. In June of 2014, the Bounty Hunters deployed onboard the USS RONALD REAGAN for the 2014 "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC), the wold's largest international maritime exercise, involing 22 nations cooperating in complex and robust wartime scenarios. In late 2015, the Bullets completed an unprecedented three hull swap between the USS RONALD REAGAN, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, and USS CARL VINSON. In winter 2015 they completed the 3 month Southern Seas Transit around South America from San Diego to Norfolk aboard the WASHINGTON. During the spring of 2016, the "Bullets" started work-ups for what would be come an almost three year deployment and sustainment cycle. After executing four successful detachments to NAS Fallon and aboard CVW-2's new home, the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), they deployed on their 2017 WESTPAC. While at sea, they made port calls in Guam, South Korea, Singapore, and Hawaii. While executing their mission of strategic deterrence and freedom of navigation operations in the vicinity of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the People's Republic of China, VFA-2, along with the rest of the CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ONE (CSG-1), made headlines around the world. Making their presence known, the Bounty Hunters contributed to the overall mission of ensuring freedom of navigation in the contested waters of the South China Sea and helped deter the aggressive ballistic missile operations of the DPRK. Returning home six months later after a highly successful 2017 WESTPAC, the "Bullets" immediately began work-ups yet again in order to deploy on another WESTPAC in January of 2018. Detaching to NAS Fallon and the CARL VINSON yet again, VFA-2 met the tight turnaround schedule in stride and was fully mission capable by the time that they left San Diego in January . Heading to a familiar part of the world for most of the squadron now, the Bounty Hunters executed similar strategic deterrence operations in the South China Sea. While underway, CARL VINSON made port calls in Guam, Manila, and a historic port call in Da Nang, Viet Nam. This last visit would mark the first time in history that an aircraft carrier visited the communist country of Vietnam and was proof of the great strides that the United States and Vietnam are making to help solidify partnerships in the region. Returning home to Lemoore in April, Fighting Two utilized a quick two month break to recharge and re-cage their minds in preparation for their mission. source: VFA-2 website |
||||||
| patches + more | ||||||
   |
||||||
|
|
seaforces.org
|
US Navy
Air Units start page
| |
