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US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 22
(STRKFITRON 22) VFA-22 'Fighting Redcocks' |
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 F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2023  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) at NAS Lemoore, California - March 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2022  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) during exercise Checkered Flag at Tyndall AFB, Florida - November 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2021  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Kuwait - November 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) over Iraq - October 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during refueling over Iraq - October 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) over Iraq - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during refueling over Iraq - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during refueling over Iraq - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2020  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2019  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) at Naval Base Ventura County (Point Mugu), California - September 2019  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - May 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - March 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - February 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - January 2018  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - December 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - October 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - August 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - August 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - August 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) - April 2017  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) at NAS Fallon, Nevada - December 2016  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornets (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2011  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-17) was loaded onto USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - San Diego, California - June 2010  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornets (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2009  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - October 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - September 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - August 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2008  F/A-18F Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - December 2007  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - January 2007  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - November 2006  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - June 2006  F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2006  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - March 2006  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - February 2006  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2005  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2005  F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-14) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2005  VFA-22 embarked with CVW-14 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  F/A-18E and F/A-18F Super Hornet - undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  undated (VFA-22 website)  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2003  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-9) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2002  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-11) over Fort Jefferson, Florida - June 2002  Three brothers, US Air Force (USAF) Captain (CPT) Mike Kensickin (foreground) a F-15C Eagle aircraft pilot assigned to the 71st Fighter Squadron; US Navy (USN) Lieutenant (LT) Steve Kensick, an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft pilot assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 22 (VFA-22), and USAF CPT Dave Kensick, an F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft pilot assigned to the 115th Fighter Wing (FW); fly their respective aircraft while participating in exercise Combat Archer, a Weapons System Evaluation Program (WSEP) hosted by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron located at Tyndall, AFB, Florida. - May 2002  May 2002  May 2002  May 2002  May 2002  May 2002  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2001  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) armed with laser-guided bombs - October 2001  F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-22 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) - October 1993 |
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History: The Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron TWO TWO have been a mainstay of Naval Aviation for almost 60 years. Originally commissioned as Fighter Squadron 63 at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia in July 1948, the squadron was re-designated Attack Squadron 22 in July 1959. The first pilots flew the Grumman F-8F Bearcat, with the squadron later operating the F-4U Corsair, F9F-2/5 Panther, F9F-6/8 Cougar, FJ-4B Fury, A-4B/C/D/F Skyhawk, A-7E Corsair II, FA-18C Hornet and the FA-18E/F Super Hornet. Today, the Fighting Redcocks are based in NAS Lemoore, California and operate the two seat FA-18F Super Hornet, the Navy’s newest and most lethal strike-fighter aircraft. For nearly 60 years, the Fighting Redcocks repeatedly have been called into action in support of U.S. national policy. The squadron completed three combat deployments during the Korean War and six combat deployments during the Vietnam War. In 1988, the squadron deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) and participated in Operation EARNEST WILL. During that deployment, VA-22 aircraft participated in sinking the Iranian Frigate SAHAND which had fired missiles at two A-6E Intruders during Operation PRAYING MANTIS. In 1993, the Fighting Redcocks deployed to the Arabian Gulf aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) participating in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH enforcing the United Nations No-Fly Zone over southern Iraq. Before returning home from deployment, ABRAHAM LINCOLN was diverted to the coast of Somalia where the Redcocks provided air support for United Nations forces during Operation CONTINUE HOPE. In December 1998, VFA-22 led the only Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN air strike of Operation DESERT FOX which significantly degraded Iraq’s capability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction. In October 2001, USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) with VFA-22 aboard was the first carrier on station to perform strikes against Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The squadron flew over 500 sorties and delivered over 300 tons of ordnance in the opening days of the Global War on Terror. In January 2003, VFA-22 joined Carrier Air Wing NINE and completed an eight-month WESTPAC deployment aboard CARL VINSON. Following the 2003 deployment, VFA-22 traded their FA-18Cs for the Navy’s new FA-18E Super Hornets and joined Carrier Air Wing FOURTEEN. In 2006, the Redcocks participated in the maiden deployment of USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) while supporting coalition forces in Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. During the 2006 deployment, VFA-22 flew an impressive 2,390 sorties totaling 3,685 flight hours in support of the Global War on Terror. In January 2007, the Fighting Redcocks deployed as an element of the USS RONALD REAGAN Carrier Strike Group for a short notice Surge deployment to the western Pacific. Returning home in April of that year, the Redcocks received Lot 29 FA-18F Super Hornets equipped with the APG-79 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar. In 2008, the Fighting Redcocks completed the maiden deployment with APG-79 radar while supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Throughout history, the Redcocks consistently have made a significant and positive impact on Naval Aviation’s operational capabilities. In 1985, the squadron was the first West Coast squadron to successfully employ an AGM-88 High-Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM). In 1993, VFA-22 was the first Navy squadron to deploy with the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air to Air Missile (AMRAAM). In 1999, Fighting Redcock aviators employed the AGM-154 Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW) in combat for the first time. During Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in 2001, VFA-22 not only employed record amounts of ordnance, but also was one of the first Navy squadrons to integrate the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) into the close air support mission. During the command’s history, the Fighting Redcocks have deployed on sixteen different aircraft carriers and have won many distinctive honors. The squadron received the C. Wade McClusky Award in 1981, designating the squadron the finest attack squadron in the Navy; the Navy Battle Efficiency “E” five times, including three consecutive awards from 1979-1981; two Navy Unit Commendations; two Meritorious Unit Commendations; three prestigious Bruce Carrier Awards for Maintenance Excellence and multiple Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet Retention Excellence Awards. In October 2001, VFA-22 operating from USS Carl Vinson performed strikes against Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003, VFA-22 deployed with Carrier Air Wing 9 on board Carl Vinson on an extended eight month Western Pacific deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In July 2004, VFA-22 transitioned to F/A-18E Super Hornets, and in January, 2006, deployed with Carrier Air Wing 14 on board USS Ronald Reagan for six months in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In early 2007, VFA-22, made a surge deployment with Carrier Air Wing 14 and USS Ronald Reagan to the Pacific Ocean with a mixed unit of F/A-18E and F/A-18F as the unit was in the middle of transitioning aircraft again, this time from the single seat F/A-18E to the two seat F/A-18F. By the end of 2007, VFA-22 had transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet, marking the first time in the squadron's history that it had operated twin-seat tactical aircraft and integrated Naval Flight Officers with the Naval Aviators in its officer complement. On May 28, 2009, VFA-22 and Carrier Air Wing 14 deployed with USS Ronald Reagan on a deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. In 2010, The squadron re-located from Carrier Air Wing Fourteen to Carrier Air Wing Seventeen sporting the CVW-17 "AA" tailcode, and are now attached to USS NIMITZ. The Fighting Redcocks most recently completed a historic deployment spanning nearly ten months from August 2014 to June 2015. During this time the squadron delivered over 170,000 lbs of ordnance in the fight against ISIS in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Over the skies of Iraq and Syria the Redcocks flew 516 combat sorties in the F/A-18F Super Hornet while expertly employing air to surface weaponry including laser and GPS guided bombs, missiles and 20mm cannon. The Fighting Redcocks take pride knowing they were an integral part of accomplishing this mission. source: VFA-22 website + wikipedia |
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