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US Navy - Fighter Squadron 161 (FITRON 161)
VF-161 'Chargers'
 
vf-161 chargers insignia crest patch badge fighter squadron us navy 02x
 vf-161 chargers fighter squadron us navy f-4 phantom ii nas naf atsugi cvw-5 uss midway 14x
 04/19
STATUS:   established as VF-161 on September 1, 1960
 VF-161 redesignated VFA-161 on June 1, 1986
 AIRCRAFT:   McDonnell F3H-2 / F-3B Demon (1960-64)
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II (1964-73)
McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II (1973-77)
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II (1977-81)
McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II (1981-86)
 DEPLOYMENTS:   June 1962 - December 1962 with CVG-16 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34)
August 1963 - March 1964 with CVG-16 aboard USS Oriskany (CVA 34)
May 1966 - December 1966 with CVW-15 aboard USS Constellation (CVA 64)
June 1967 - April 1968 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)
September 1968 - April 1969 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)
September 1969 - July 1970 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)
April 1971 - November 1971 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41)
April 1972 - March 1973 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41)
September 1973 - October 1973 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41)

October 1973 - March 1986
permanently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) aboard USS Midway (CV 41)
and forward deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan
 
images

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 19
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - March 1985

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 04
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - March 1985

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 17
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - November 1981

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 18
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - November 1981

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 16
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - November 1981

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4s phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 15
F-4S Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - 1981

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4j phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 13 soviet iljushin il-38 may
F-4J Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) intercepts a Soviet Iljushin Il-38 May reconnaissance aircraft - May 1979

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4n phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 14
F-4N Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CV 41) - circa 1975 (NNAM)

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 11 vietnam war bombing
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) and A-7C Corsair II (VA-85 / CVW-8) embarked on USS America (CVA 66)
during a Loran-guided strike mission over Vietnam, in March 1973

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 07
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) - 1972 (NNAM)

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 12 san diego
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) over San Diego, California - 1971

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-5 uss midway cv-41 10 soviet tupolev tu-95 bear
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Midway (CVA 41) intercepts a Soviet Tupolev Tu-95MR Bear-E aircraft over the Sea of Japan - 1971

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-15 uss coral sea cv-43 05
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - December 1969

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-15 uss coral sea cv-43 09
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Coral Sea (CVA 43) - 1967

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-16 08 nas miramar
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-16) over NAS Miramar, California - September 1964 (NNAM)

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-4b phantom ii carrier air wing cvw-16 uss oriskany cv-34 06
F-4B Phantom II (VF-161 / CVW-16) at NAS Miramar, California - September 1964 (NNAM)


vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-3b demon carrier air wing cvw-16 uss oriskany cva-34 02
Retirement of the last US Navy McDonnell F-3B Demon (BuNo 145295) in September 1964.
This aircraft had been assigned to fighter squadron VF-161 "Chargers", Attack Carrier Air Wing 16 (CVW-16), aboard the aircraft carrier USS Oriskany (CVA 34)
on a deployment to the Western Pacific from 1 August 1963 to 10 March 1964. The last two Demons were "piped over the side" in a colourful ceremony
at Naval Air Station, Miramar, California, which at the same time, welcomed aboard the first F-4B Phantom II to be delivered to the squadron. CDR W.J. Welty, Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 161, and LCDR L.D. Baldridge, squadron Executive Officer, taxied the last two F3Hs past the assembled men of the squadron, who rendered honours to the Demons as they prepared for their last flight (NNAM)

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f-3b demon carrier air wing cvw-16 uss oriskany cva-34 03
F-3B Demon (VF-161 / CVW-16) embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34) - 1964 (NNAM)

vf-161 chargers fighter squadron navy f3h-2 demon carrier air wing cvw-16 uss kitty hawk cva-63 20
F3H-2 Demon (VF-161 / CVW-16) landing aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) - November 1961 (NNAM)
 
 
History:

Established as Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE (VF-161) on 1 September 1960.
Redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE (VFA-161) on 1 June 1986
Disestablished on 1 April 1988.
The first squadron to be assigned the VFA-161 designation

Squadron Insignia and Nickname:
The squadrons first insignia was approved by CNO on 14 June1962. Colors for the shield insignia were: a black shield with a white diagonal stripe;white trident and compass rose; and red stylized symbols on the diagonal stripe. A modification to the insignia was adopted at a later date, placing the design inside a red circular background with white scrolls outlined in red and red lettering on the scrolls. A new squadron insignia was approvedby CNO on 19 January 1982. Colors for the torii gate insignia were: a white background with a black and red torii gate; red lightning bolt outlined in white and black; black scrolls with red and white lettering.

Nickname: Chargers,1960-1988.


Chronology of Significant Events:

Nov 1963:
Embarked on USS Oriskany (CVA 34), the squadron operated in the South China Sea during a crisis in South Vietnam and the coup that overthrew President Diem.

13 Jun 1966:
Following a strike by CVW-15 aircraft against a railroad and highway bridge in North Vietnam, four Phantoms from VF-161 engaged six North Vietnamese MiG-17s that were pursuing there tiring strike aircraft. Lieutenant William M. McGuiganand his RIO, Lieutenant (jg) Robert M. Fowler, shotdown one of the MiG-17s with a Sidewinder missile. The other MiGs were driven off and all CVW-15 aircraft returned from the mission.

Mar 1968:
USS Coral Sea (CVA 43), with VF-161 embarked, operated on station off the coast of Korea following the capture of USS Pueblo (AGER 2) in January by North Korea.

May-Oct 1972:
The squadron participated in Linebacker I operations, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies and to reduce North Vietnam’s ability to continue the war effort in South Vietnam.

18 May 1972:
While flying MiG Combat Air Patrol near Kep Airfield in North Vietnam, two of the squadron’s F-4B Phantoms engaged two MiG-19s. Lieutenant Henry A. Bartholomay and his RIO, Lieutenant Oran R. Brown, shot down the first MiG with a Sidewinder. A few seconds later, their wingman, Lieutenant Patrick E. Arwood and his RIO, Lieutenant James M. Bell, shot down the other MiG with a Sidewinder.

23 May 1972:
Two of the squadron’s aircraft, while flying MiG Combat Air Patrol for a strike in the Haiphong area, were vectored toward Kep Airfield and sighted 4 MiG-17s and 2 MiG-19s. VF-161’s aircraft proceeded to engage the MiGs even though they were outnumbered 3 to 1. In the ensuing battle Lieutenant Commander Ronald E. McKeown and his RIO, Lieutenant John C. Ensch, shot down a MiG-17 and a MiG-19 with Sidewinders. The other 4 MiGs escaped and both of VF-161’s aircraft returned to USS Midway(CVA 41). Both men were awarded the Navy Cross for their actions.

12 Jan 1973:
Lieutenant Victor T. Kovaleski and his RIO, Lieutenant James A. Wise, shot down a MiG-17 over the Gulf of Tonkin. This was the last MiG aircraft to be shot down during the Vietnam Conflict.

Apr-May 1975:
Squadron aircraft participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam, as the country fell to the communists.

Aug-Sep 1976:
Embarked in USS Midway (CV 41), the squadron conducted flight operations near the Korean Peninsula following the murder of U.S. military personnel in the Korean DMZ by North Koreans.

Apr-May 1979:
USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to relieve USS Constellation (CV 64) and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the Shah of Iran.

Nov 1979-Feb 1980:
Following the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Teheran and the taking of American hostages on 4 November, USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, proceeded to the Gulf of Oman and remained on station until relieved in early February1980.

May-Jun 1980:
USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea due to the civil unrest in South Korea and the massacre of several hundred people in the town of Kwangju.

Dec 1981:
Due to tensions in Korea the squadron operated from USS Midway off the coast of Korea until the tensions subsided.

May-Oct 1986:
The squadron relocated to NAS Lemoore for transition training in the F/A-18 Hornet and redesignation to a Strike Fighter Squadron. VF-161 was one of only two F-4 fighter squadrons to beassigned the VFA designation.

Oct 1986-Jun 1987:
Following the transfer of the squadron from CVW-5, and awaiting transfer to a newly established air wing, the squadron was in an inactive status at NAS Lemoore.


Home Port Assignments:
NAS Cecil Field, Florida - 01 Sep 1960
NAS Miramar, California - 19 Sep 1961
NS Yokosuka, Japan (NAF Atsugi & Misawa) - 05 Oct 1973
(VF-161, along with CVW-5 and USS Midway (CVA 41), were part of a program to permanently assign a carrier and air wing to an overseas home port. Midway’s new home port was NS Yokosuka, Japan and the squadron would normally operate out of NAF Atsugi or Misawa when the carrier was in NS Yokosuka. The assignment was effective 30 June 1973. However, the squadron and carrier did not arrive until 5 Oct 1973)
NAS Lemoore, California - Oct 1986
(When the decision was made to remove VFA-161 from CVW-5 and not send it back to Japan following its transition training in the F/A-18, it is believed the squadron’s home port was changed to NAS Lemoore at that time)


Commanding Officers - date assumed command
CDR W. C. Hartung - 01 Sep 1960
CDR Albert R. Groves - 28 Dec 1961
CDR Joseph F. Bolger - 28 Dec 1962
CDR Walter T. Broughton II - 12 Jul 1963
CDR Wayne J. Welty - 10 Jul 1964
CDR L. N. Hoover - 28 Sep 1965
CDR Richard J. Schulte -16 Dec 1966
CDR Roger E. Sheets - 04 Feb 1968
CDR Sherman W. Turner - 09 May 1969
CDR Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr. - 17 Apr 1970
CDR John A. Dickson - 26 Mar 1971
CDR Earl W. Connell - 10 Mar 1972
CDR C. C. Hoffner - 23 Mar 1973
CDR T. R. Swartz - 08 Mar 1974
CDR J. W. Lovell - 25 Jun 1975
CDR Thomas C. Koehler - 23 Sep 1976
CDR John M. Nash - 30 Dec 1977
CDR Andrew L. Burgess - 27 Mar 1979
CDR Joseph L. K. Corcoran - 05 Jun 1980
CDR Newell Tarrant - 22 Oct 1981
CDR R. C. Williamson - 22 Dec 1982
CDR John P. Patton - 22 Jun 1984
CDR John F. Williams - 03 Apr 1986
CDR A. R. Gorthy, Jr. - 1987

Aircraft assignment - date type first received
McDonnell F3H-2 / F-3B Demon - October 1960
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II - August 1964
McDonnell Douglas F-4N Phantom II - 1973
McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II - 1977
McDonnell Douglas F-4S Phantom II - February 1981
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet - July 1986


source: US Naval History & Heritage Command (NHHC)

- - - - -

another history:

VFA-161, nicknamed the Chargers, was a Strike Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy. It was established at NAS Cecil Field as Fighter Squadron VF-161 on 1 September 1960. It moved to NAS Miramar on 19 September 1961, and to Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan. On 1 April 1986, the squadron was redesignated VFA-161. It was disestablished on 1 April 1988.


The squadron made 9 deployments during the Vietnam War.

From 1 August 1963 to 10 March 1964, VF-161 equipped with F-3Bs was embarked on USS Oriskany.

From 12 May to 3 December 1966, VF-161 equipped with F-4Bs was embarked on USS Constellation with Carrier Air Wing 15. On 13 July, four of the squadron's aircraft engaged six of the Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) MiG-17. Using a Sidewinder missile, LT William 'Squeaky' McGuigan and LT (jg) Robert Fowler shot down one of the MiG-17s.

On 22 October F-4B #151009 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot LTCDR Earl McBride was killed in action body not recovered, the copilot ejected successfully and was rescued.

From 29 July 1967 to 6 April 1968, VF-161 was deployed on USS Coral Sea. On 28 December F-4B #150449 was hit by antiaircraft fire near Haiphong both crewmen ejected successfully and were rescued. In March USS Coral Sea left Yankee Station to operate off the coast of Korea following the capture of USS Pueblo.

From 7 September 1968 to 18 April 1969, VF-161 was deployed on USS Coral Sea.

From 23 September 1969 to 1 July 1970, VF-161 was deployed on USS Coral Sea. On 25 February F-4B #152286 was lost due to fuel exhaustion, both crewmen ejected successfully and were rescued. On 17 May F-4B #152239 crashed on launch the pilot Lt Norman Westwood was killed in action, body not recovered while the radar intercept officer ejected successfully and was rescued.

From 16 April to 6 November 1971, VF-161 was deployed on USS Midway.

From 10 April 1972 to 3 March 1973, VF-161 was deployed on USS Midway. From May to October 1972, the squadron participated in air strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies and to reduce North Vietnam's ability to continue the war effort in South Vietnam. On 18 May squadron aircraft shot down two VPAF MiG-17s, a further two MiG-17s were shot down on 23 May. On 12 January 1973, squadron aviators shot down another MiG-17, this was the last MiG to be shot down during the Vietnam War.

From 11 September to 31 December 1973, VF-161 equipped with F-4Ns was deployed on USS Midway. From this deployment USS Midway and Carrier Air Wing Five were permanently homeported in Yokosuka.

In April and May 1975, squadron aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam, as the country fell to the communists.

In August 1976, embarked on USS Midway, the squadron conducted flight operations near the Korean peninsula following the Axe murder incident. In 1979, USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to relieve USS Constellation and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the Shah of Iran. Following the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Teheran and the taking of American hostages on 4 November 1979, USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, proceeded to the Gulf of Oman and remained on station until relieved in early February 1980.

From May-June 1980, USS Midway, with VF-161 embarked, operated off the coast of Korea due to the civil unrest in South Korea and the Kwangju massacre. In December 1981 due to tensions in Korea the squadron operated from USS Midway off the coast of Korea until the tensions subsided.

From May to October 1986, the squadron relocated to NAS Lemoore for transition training in the F/A-18 Hornet and redesignation as a Strike Fighter Squadron. VF-161 was one of only two F-4 fighter squadrons to be assigned the VFA designation.

From October 1986 to June 1987, following the transfer of the squadron from CVW-5 and awaiting transfer to a newly established air wing, the squadron was in an inactive status at NAS Lemoore. The squadron was then briefly assigned to the newly re-established Carrier Air Wing Ten (CVW-10, Tailcode NM). VFA-161 conducted work-ups on USS Enterprise and was scheduled to deploy on board USS Independence. Following budget cuts, CVW-10 was disestablished. VFA-161 was disestablished on 1 April 1988.

source: wikipedia
 
 
 
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