VFA-15

"VT-4" redirects here. VT-4 may also refer to Vermont's 4th congressional district.
Strike Fighter Squadron 15

VFA-15 insignia
Active 10 January 1942–present
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Type Fighter/Attack
Role Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
Part of Carrier Air Wing Eight
Garrison/HQ NAS Oceana
Nickname(s) Valions
Motto(s) None Finer
Tail Code AJ
Engagements Vietnam War
Gulf War
Iraq War
Commanders
Commanding Officer CDR Matt "Disney" Stevenson
Executive Officer CDR. William "Fathead" Mathis
Aircraft flown
Attack A-7 Corsair II
F/A-18 Hornet

Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) is a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron based at NAS Oceana. Their call sign is Pride, tail code is AJ, and they fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Their nickname is Valions and their mottos are Pugna Ama Arma Ferre and None Finer.

History

Two distinct squadrons have been called the "Valions". Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.[1] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons. The first VA-15 was established on 10 January 1942 and disestablished on 1 June 1969.

1960s

On 1 June 1969 after the first VA-15 was disestablished, the men and equipment were merged with Attack Squadron 67 (VA-67), which had been established on 1 August 1968. On 2 June 1969, the combined squadron was redesignated VA-15 and adopted the insignia and traditions of the Valions. In August 1968, the squadron began training under VA-174 in the A-7 Corsair II.

1970s

VA-15 A-7Es in 1976

In October–November 1973 while embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, the squadron operated in the vicinity of Crete in response to the Yom Kippur War.[2] In June–July 1976 following the assassination of the American Ambassador to Lebanon, VA-15 embarked on USS America operated in the vicinity of Lebanon in support of the evacuation of non-combatants.

1980s

In November 1980, the squadron, embarked on USS Independence were on station when the American hostages were released from Iran.[2]

In May 1981 USS Independence transited the Suez Canal and maintained station in the eastern Mediterranean due to the crisis between Israel and Syria following Israeli raids against Syrian surface-to-air missile sites in Lebanon.

In October–November 1983, VA-15 aircraft flew combat close air support and reconnaissance sorties in support of Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada.

On December 4, 1983 in response to hostile fire against U.S. reconnaissance aircraft from Syrian positions in Lebanon, VA-15 aircraft participated in coordinated strikes against Syrian radar, communications and artillery positions overlooking the Multi-National Peacekeeping Forces. One of the squadron’s A-7E Corsair IIs, flown by the Air Wing Commander, Command Edward Andrews, was lost when it was hit by a Syrian surface-to-air missile. Commander Andrews ejected, was rescued and returned to USS Independence.

From December 1985 to June 1986 the squadron was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12M, 1st Marine Air Wing for a six-month deployment to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. This deployment was designed to test the enhanced interoperability between Marine and Navy squadrons, with emphasis on close air support for Marine ground operations and the sharing of other techniques used by both communities. The squadron participated in Operation "Team Spirit" in Korea.

In June 1986, the squadron began transition training in the F/A-18 Hornet, and on October 1, 1986, VA-15 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15). The squadron accepted their first F/A-18 Hornet in January 1987.

1990s

On December 28, 1990, VFA-15 departed for a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Shield. The squadron flew daily strikes into Iraq and occupied Kuwait until the suspension of hostilities on February 28.[2]

During 1992, VFA-15 transitioned to the F/A-18C (night attack) Hornet.

In March 1999, VFA-15 departed for a deployment which would involve two theaters of operation. After crossing the Atlantic in record time aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt, squadron aircraft were launched in support of Operation Allied Force. For the next thirteen weeks, VFA-15 flew over 1,100 combat sorties over Kosovo to bring an end to Serbian ethnic cleansing. The battle group then steamed to the Persian Gulf and supported Operation Southern Watch. Upon their return, the squadron made a homeport change to NAS Oceana due to the closure of NAS Cecil Field.

2000s

VFA-15 F/A-18s on the USS Enterprise in 2000

During their 2001 deployment, the squadron took station in the Persian Gulf, patrolling the skies of the southern Iraqi no-fly zone.[3]

Soon after returning through the Strait of Hormuz in early fall 2001 to begin the voyage home, the September 11 attacks unfolded. For the next four weeks VFA-15 took station in the North Indian Ocean and prepared for combat, with flight operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), including combat air patrols over Pakistan. Missions into Afghanistan began on October 7, and over the next several weeks the squadron flew four to eight-hour missions deep into Afghanistan.

In 2002, VFA-15 deployed on USS Theodore Roosevelt to the Mediterranean. In support of the US invasion of Iraq, from March 19 to April 15, 2003, the squadron delivered over 245,000 pounds of ordnance.

In September, 2005 the squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf, returning on March 11, 2006.

On September 8, 2008 the squadron deployed again to the Persian Gulf in support of OEF. They returned April 18, 2009.

2010s

On 11 May 2011, the squadrons of CVW-8 embarked on USS George H.W. Bush's maiden deployment, scheduled to conduct operations in the US 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations. Upon return from deployment, the squadron was awarded the Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic Battle "E" Award as the dominant Strike Fighter Squadron on the East Coast.[4]

In February 2016, it was reported that it is planned to deactivate VFA-15 in FY 2017.[5]

See also

Bibliography

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons.

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 6, 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-17.
  2. 1 2 3 Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). "VA-15" (pdf). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Naval Historical Center. 1. Washington, DC: Department of the Navy. p. 317.
  3. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on April 1, 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  4. ↑ This story was written by Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs. "George H.W. Bush Strike Group to Deploy". Navy.mil. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  5. ↑ Navy to disband a carrier air wing in fiscal 2017 by Meghann Myers, Navy Times, 9 February 2016, retrieved 16 June 2016.
  6. ↑ "Torpedo Squadron Four – A Cockpit View of World War II". Doc45.com. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
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