VFA-83
Strike Fighter Squadron 83 (VFA-83), also known as the "Rampagers", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 7, their tailcode is AG and their radio callsign is Ram.
Insignia and nickname
The squadron was first known as the Roaring Bulls and the first insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 16 May 1950, consisting of a black bull with machine gun barrels for horns. The squadron was renamed and the first Rampager insignia was approved on 12 April 1957.
History
1950s
VFA-83 was originally formed as Naval Reserve Fighter Squadron 916 at NAS Squantum in Massachusetts in April 1950. VF-916 was called to active duty in NAS Jacksonville on 11 February 1951 and moved to NAS Oceana, Virginia in September 1951. The squadron was assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) and was equipped with the Vought F4U-4 Corsair. CVG-8 was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa to the Mediterranean Sea from November 1951 to June 1952. Afterwards VF-916 transitioned to the Grumman F9F-5 Panther. They also flew the F8F Bearcat for a short time in 1952. On 4 February 1953, the squadron was redesignated fighter squadron VF-83. In the same year VF-83 made a deployment aboard the USS Coral Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. In August 1954, VF-83 transitioned to the Vought F7U-3M Cutlass equipped with the Sparrow I air-to-air missile, and on 1 July 1955 was re-designated as attack squadron VA-83. VA-83 made another deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Intrepid in 1956, this being the first overseas deployment of a naval missile squadron.
VFA
VFA may refer to:
VFA-192
Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192), also known as the "World Famous Golden Dragons", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at NAS Lemoore.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname
The squadron’s first insignia was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on 11 October 1945 and consisted of a reddish brown kangaroo with crimson boxing gloves on a white cloud. The squadron was known as the Fightin' Kangaroos. Following the squadron’s redesignation to VF-15A, the squadron changed its name to the Black Knights and a new insignia was approved on 24 November 1947. It was a black helmet with gold markings and a gold shield. When the squadron was redesignated VF-151, the helmet/shield insignia was modified and the Latin inscription In Omnia Paratus was added, meaning ever ready. A new squadron insignia was approved on 8 August 1950, consisting of a silver dragon and grey/black aircraft carrier. This design was modified with a yellow dragon, white nuclear symbol and white cloud with a red rising center when the squadron became VA-192 on 21 June 1956. The squadron took on the nickname Golden Dragons at this time.
VFA-161
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 1988, the squadron was redesignated VFA-161. It was disestablished in 1987.
Operational history
Vietnam War
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. On 13 June, one of the squadron's aircraft shot down a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) MiG-17, using a Sidewinder missile. 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.
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