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US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (STRKFITRON 101)
VFA-101 'Grim Reapers'
 
vfa-101 grim reapers insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy f-35c lightning 04x vfa-101 grim reapers strike fighter squadron us navy f-35c lightning jsf fleet replacement 67x
10/24
STATUS:   established as VF101 on May 1, 1952
becomes the Fleet Replacement Squadron in April 1958
VF-101 disestablished on September 30, 2005
 
reactivated and redesignated VFA-101 on May 1, 2012
VFA-101 disestablished on May 23, 2019
 AIRCRAFT:   Lockheed Martin F-35C Lightning II (2012-2019)
 DEPLOYMENTS:   no combat deployments
VFA-101 was a Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-35C Lighning II
 
images

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101)

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101)


F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - May 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over Eglin AFB, Florida - February 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over Eglin AFB, Florida - February 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over Eglin AFB, Florida - February 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over Eglin AFB, Florida - February 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over Eglin AFB, Florida - February 2019

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - August 2018

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - September 2017

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - December 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) over NAS Key West, Florida - November 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Peterson AFB, Colorado - September 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at NAS Key West, Florida - May 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Hill AFB, Utah - April 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Hill AFB, Utah - April 2016

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E/F's over NAS Fallon, Nevada - September 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E/F's over NAS Fallon, Nevada - September 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E/F's over NAS Fallon, Nevada - September 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) near NAS Fallon, Nevada - April 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E/F's near NAS Lemoore, California - April 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E near NAS Lemoore, California - April 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) with F/A-18E/F's over NAS Lemoore, California - April 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at NAS Lemoore, California - April 2015

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - October 2014

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at NAS Oceana, Virginia - October 2014

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - September 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - September 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - September 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - August 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - June 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - June 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) at Eglin AFB, Florida - June 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) and a F/A-18F Super Hornet at Eglin AFB, Florida - June 2013

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated

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F-35C Lightinig II (VFA-101) - undated
 
 
History:

On 1 May 2012, VF-101 'Grim Reapers' was reactivated and redesignated as Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101),with a homeport change from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. VFA-101 again serves as a U.S. Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), this time for the F-35C Lightning II, the aircraft carrier-capable variant of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) that will serve in the U.S. Navy and selected carrier-deployable squadrons of the U.S. Marine Corps. The squadron will administratively fall under Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic. However, VFA-101 will operationally function as a subordinate squadron of the U.S. Air Force's 33d Fighter Wing, a joint USAF-USN-USMC organization at Eglin AFB, Florida.


Story Number: NNS120405-07Release Date: 4/5/2012 12:40:00 PM
By Ens. Elizabeth Allen, Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

EGLIN AFB, Fla. (NNS) -- Navy personnel are busy preparing to teach the next generation of Sailors how to work with and fly the newest military aircraft, the F-35C Lightening II Joint Strike Fighter, as Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101) readies for its stand-up ceremony on Eglin Air Force Base May 1.

The F-35 is a single seat, multi-role fighter aircraft with the capability to perform ground attack, reconnaissance, and air defense missions. The aircraft is in full production at the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. The F-35 is designed to eventually replace the F/A-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier tactical fighter aircraft and was planned with a common design, but three unique service variants, to keep development, production, and operating costs down.

"This is brand new aircraft platform from tooth to tail," said Cmdr. Scott Kartvedt, commanding officer of VFA-101. "We're not parlaying off any Navy stealth legacy programs or support systems. This will be the first new stealth and carrier-based tactical fighter aircraft since the introduction of the F/A-18 29 years ago."

The original Fighter Squadron 101 (VF-101), nicknamed the "Grim Reapers," was established May 1, 1952 and flew various models of fighter aircraft including the F-4 Phantom and F-14 Tomcat. With the retirement of the F-14, VF-101 was disestablished in 2005.

To support the new Navy version of the F-35, VFA-101 will be reestablished May 1 at a new hangar and training facility on Eglin AFB and will serve as the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), training pilots and maintainers for the fleet.

The first Sailors to help stand up VFA-101 will receive 'Plank Owner' certificates for their assistance with the new aircraft, new training facilities and redesignated squadron. As per Navy tradition, plank owners are individuals who were members of the crew of a ship when that ship was placed in commission.

"I'm learning a lot and really enjoy working with other services," said Senior Chief Logistics Specialist (AW/SW) Mirtha Martinez, Material Control Department leading chief petty officer for the squadron. "I'd love to come back in five years and see the squadron fully functioning."

Marine Col. Arthur Tomassetti, vice commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, said establishing a squadron to train and work with the F-35 aircraft has not been easy, but the leadership has taken charge and is working towards building the best facilities possible to work with this new aircraft.

"The concept was simple; establish an initial training center for pilots and maintainers for the F-35 weapon system," said Tomassetti. "Bringing that concept to reality has been and will continue to be complicated and challenging. So the first step is you start with the best people you can find, put them together, and say 'go.' Over the past two-and-one-half years, those carefully selected people have put together a strategy, developed plans, adapted to the dynamic and ever changing environment and schedule, and continued to track towards the goal of establishing a training center for F-35 pilots and maintainers."

The mechanics of the Navy F-35 will initially be taught by Lockheed Martin personnel to Navy instructors, who will then begin teaching students after completing instructor certification. Students are expected to arrive for maintenance instruction in 2015, with the first F-35s scheduled for deployment 2017-2018.

The Navy's version of the F-35, the 'C' model is distinct from the F-35A and F-35B versions with larger wing surfaces and reinforced landing gear for greater control in the demanding carrier take-off and landing environment.

Sailors in the majority of aviation rates are eligible to attend the F-35 course of instruction, including aviation ordnancemen, aviation structural mechanics, aviation machinist's mates, aviation electronics technicians, aviation electrician's mates, aviation structural mechanics and aircrew survival equipmentmen.

VFA-101 is a part of the 33rd Fighter Wing, a joint-service graduate flying and maintenance training wing responsible for F-35 A/B/C pilot and maintenance training for the Navy, Marine Corps, and the Air Force. Initially, 59 aircraft and three flying squadrons, one for each service's aircraft variant will be based at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The F-35 Academic Training Center serves as the schoolhouse, where wing personnel expect to train more than 2,000 maintenance students and 100 pilots each year.
 
patches + more

vfa-101 grim reapers insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy f-35c lightning 04c
vfa-101 grim reapers insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy f-35c lightning 02c     vfa-101 grim reapers insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy f-35c lightning 02p
 
 
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