VFA-2
Encyclopedia
Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2) also known as the "Bounty Hunters" is a United States Navy
F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore
, California. Their tail code is NE and their callsign is "Bullet". The Bounty Hunters are attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions that deploy aboard the .
biplane
. The squadron, also known as the "Flying Chiefs," operated from , the US Navy's 1st aircraft carrier. Between 1922 and 1925, VF-2/VF-2B experimented with carrier operations from Langley off the coast of California
. Air activity was initially limited to scouting, but the Commander-in-Chief, US Fleet saw the potential of Naval Aviation and recommended that and be completed as soon as possible.
Flying F6C Hawk
s in 1926, VF-2B was the 1st squadron to demonstrate the concept of dive-bombing, carrying out mock-attacks on Pacific Fleet
ships. Commanders of the surface ships had expected standard, low-altitude, level bombing, but were surprised when the VF-2B aircraft attacked, unseen, from 12,000 feet making simulated drops before the ships defenses could be manned.
On January 4, 1927, VF-2B was re-designated VF-6. The squadron flew VE-7s, followed, by the F6C and FC-1. In 1927, the squadron was tasked to provide 1 aircraft to each fleet battleship, with the remaining planes shore-based at North Island
. The squadron's FU-1s were launched from the ship's catapults, landed as seaplanes and then hoisted back aboard by the ship's crane.
In 1928, the squadron transferred to Langley and was redesignated VF-2B. Over the course of the next 15 years, the squadron was variously called VF-6B, VF-3, and VF-6 based on their ship assignment ("B" appended meaning the squadron was attached to the Battle Fleet, and "S" indicating that it belonged to the Scouting Fleet). In 1937, the last letter of Navy squadron designations were removed.
VF-6B made 2 Langley deployments in 1930 and 1931 flying F2B
s. They later transitioned to Boeing F3B
high altitude fighters. VF-6 was disestablished on 1 Oct 1945.
, VF-2 was flying the Brewster Buffalo
, but soon transitioned to the F4F Wildcat
.
The squadron’s 1st combat occurred during the 2-day Battle of the Coral Sea
, the world’s 1st engagement between aircraft carriers. On May 7, 1942, VF-2's commanding officer led the escort of Lexingtons strike aircraft against the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō
. VF-2 claimed 6 confirmed aerial kills and 3 probable kills. The next day, Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku exchanged air strikes with the US force, and VF-2 lost 5 aircraft while claiming 11 kills. Lexington succumbed to torpedo damage and was sunk. Without an aircraft carrier, VF-2 was disestablished on July 1, 1942.
fighting squadron to bear the same designation as a previous unit in the war. Several pilots came from VF-6 and VF-10. The squadron initially deployed 8 FM-1s but soon received the F6F Hellcat
. VF-2 trained on the east-coast until October 1943 when the squadron headed west to San Francisco and then Hawaii
. In Hawaii, VF-2 participated in a Marine landing exercise and so impressed the influential "Butch" O'Hare
that he requested that VF-2 replace VF-6 in his Air Group aboard . A notable pilot in the squadron was fighter ace Arthur Van Haren, Jr.
From November 1943 to January 1944, VF-2 saw action during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands
, Makin Atoll and Tarawa Atoll
. They also participated in raids against the Marshall Islands
of Kwajalein
, Ebeye
and Roi-Namur
. VF-2 participated in O'Hare-designed "bat teams" of 1 TBF Avenger
and 2 Hellcats for night interceptions.
In March 1944, VF-2 deployed aboard . From Hornet, VF-2 participated in strikes against the Marianas on the afternoon June 11, 1944. Over 200 Hellcats were launched from American carriers 200 miles (321.9 km) from their targets of Guam
and Rota (island)
. VF-2 claimed 23 victories during the attack over the Guam airfield, while squadron aircraft closer to Hornet destroyed 3 Mitsubishi G4M
"Betty" medium bombers. A 2nd strike on Guam claimed another 10 Japanese aircraft. VF-2 scored 37 victories and only lost 1 plane. The next day, VF-2 attacked the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima
with intent to destroy Japanese aircraft. Only pilots which had not previously scored aerial kills were sent on this mission, claiming 17 kills.
Between June 19 and June 20, 1944, VF-2 was credited with 47 victories with only 1 airplane damaged beyond repair. On the afternoon of June 20, the Japanese carriers were located approximately 200 miles (321.9 km) to the west. A strike was ordered with bombs and torpedoes. After the strike, only 6 VF-2 aircraft returned to Hornet, the remaining having landed on other carriers. 5 aircraft were lost at sea. 5 days later, VF-2 claimed 67 kills in 1 day during a sweep of Iwo Jima, losing only 1 Hellcat (an additional one was damaged beyond repair). On September 22, 1944, the Rippers closed their victory log when "Spider" Webb downed an enemy aircraft over Manila
.
During the 1943-44 period, VF-2 had conducted 184 strikes and 2050 sorties, destroying 50,000 tons of ships and 216 airborne airplanes and 245 airplanes on the ground. Losses totaled 3 airplanes in aerial combat and 4 to anti-aircraft fire. VF-2 was disestablished on 9 Nov 1945.
The lead article in the 23 October 1944 edition of Life Magazine highlighted VF-2 in a seven-page spread. There are pictures of 27 of the unit's Aces including Roy Butch Voris, later to become Blue Angel 1 in the original Blue Angels flight demonstration team, Connie Hargreaves, who became Ace in a Day, and Wilbur Spider Webb, another Ace in a Day.
.
VF-2 completed aircrew training and received its 1st Tomcats in July 1973, attaining full strength of 12 F-14As in the spring of 1974. The Bounty Hunters was the 1st Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) unit for both CVW-14 and later CVW-2.
VF-2's 1st deployment was in 1974 with her sister squadron VF-1
aboard . The squadron flew over Saigon in support of Operation Frequent Wind
, the evacuation of US personnel in April, 1975.
and Persian Gulf
during the Iran hostage crisis
.
They deployed aboard in 1984 and returned for multiple Ranger deployments throughout the '80's.
On June 2, 1984, VF-2 became the 1st squadron to launch an F-14 from an aircraft carrier while towing an air-to-air gunnery target. In 1987, the squadron logged Ranger’s 260,000th landing.
(BRAC) decision to make Miramar a Marine Corps Air Station.
In April 1996, VF-2 Tomcats were modified to carry the LANTIRN
infrared targeting pod, giving them precision strike capabilities.
During their 1999 cruise, VF-2 supported Operation Southern Watch
and on September 9, attacked Surface-to-Air Missile
sites and anti-aircraft guns around Basra
. The same day, a VF-2 Tomcat engaged 2 Iraq
i MiG-23’s that were heading south into the No-Fly Zone
from Al Taqaddum airbase, west of Baghdad
with AIM-54 Phoenix
es. The missile did not score as the MiGs turned north once they detected the Phoenix launch.
.
During the 2002-2003 deployment, the final cruise with the Tomcat, VF-2 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom flying a wide range of missions including, reconnaissance
, Close Air Support
, Combat Air Patrol
and strike missions. On February 28, 2003, during Operation Southern Watch, a VF-2 aircraft delivered the 1st Tomcat JDAM in combat. During this deployment, VF-2 flew 483 sorties and dropped 294 Laser-guided bomb
's/JDAM/MK-82 bombs.
On July 1, 2003, VF-2 was redesignated VFA-2, and began transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. On October 6, 2003, VFA-2 took delivery of its first Super Hornet.
VFA-2 deployed to the Western Pacific aboard with CVW-2 in October, 2004. They returned in March 2005 after supporting Operation Unified Assistance
which provided humanitarian support to Southeast Asia
after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
.
In 2006, VFA-2 and CVW-2 embarked on a WESTPAC deployment.
On March 13, 2008, VFA-2 embarked with CVW-2 aboard Abraham Lincoln on a 7-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, returning home on October 8.
and Persian Gulf
.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore
Naval Air Station Lemoore or NAS Lemoore is a United States Navy base, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California. Lemoore Station, California, a census-designated place, is located inside the base's borders....
, California. Their tail code is NE and their callsign is "Bullet". The Bounty Hunters are attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions that deploy aboard the .
History
4 distinct squadrons have been designated VF-2. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation. Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.The First VF-2
The 1st VF-2 was originally established as Combat Squadron Four on 23 Sep 1921, home-based at Naval Air Station San Diego, California. The squadron was re-designated Fighter Squadron 2 on 1 Jul 1922, flying the Vought VE-7Vought VE-7
|-References:*; accessed 13 May 2007-External links:*...
biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
. The squadron, also known as the "Flying Chiefs," operated from , the US Navy's 1st aircraft carrier. Between 1922 and 1925, VF-2/VF-2B experimented with carrier operations from Langley off the coast of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Air activity was initially limited to scouting, but the Commander-in-Chief, US Fleet saw the potential of Naval Aviation and recommended that and be completed as soon as possible.
F6C Hawk
|-See also:-References:*Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng. The complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London:Amber Books, 2002.*Swanborough, Gordon and Peter M. Bowers. United States Navy Aircraft since 1911. London:Putnam, Second edition, 1976. ISBN 0-370-10054-9....
s in 1926, VF-2B was the 1st squadron to demonstrate the concept of dive-bombing, carrying out mock-attacks on Pacific Fleet
United States Pacific Fleet
The United States Pacific Fleet is a Pacific Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources under the operational control of the United States Pacific Command. Its home port is at Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii. It is commanded by Admiral Patrick M...
ships. Commanders of the surface ships had expected standard, low-altitude, level bombing, but were surprised when the VF-2B aircraft attacked, unseen, from 12,000 feet making simulated drops before the ships defenses could be manned.
On January 4, 1927, VF-2B was re-designated VF-6. The squadron flew VE-7s, followed, by the F6C and FC-1. In 1927, the squadron was tasked to provide 1 aircraft to each fleet battleship, with the remaining planes shore-based at North Island
North Island
The North Island is one of the two main islands of New Zealand, separated from the much less populous South Island by Cook Strait. The island is in area, making it the world's 14th-largest island...
. The squadron's FU-1s were launched from the ship's catapults, landed as seaplanes and then hoisted back aboard by the ship's crane.
In 1928, the squadron transferred to Langley and was redesignated VF-2B. Over the course of the next 15 years, the squadron was variously called VF-6B, VF-3, and VF-6 based on their ship assignment ("B" appended meaning the squadron was attached to the Battle Fleet, and "S" indicating that it belonged to the Scouting Fleet). In 1937, the last letter of Navy squadron designations were removed.
VF-6B made 2 Langley deployments in 1930 and 1931 flying F2B
Boeing F2B
|-See also:-Bibliography:*Eden, Paul and Sophn Moeng. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books Ltd., 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1.*Jones, Lloyd S. U.S. Naval Fighters. Fallbrook CA: Aero Publishers, 1977. ISBN 0-8168-9254-7....
s. They later transitioned to Boeing F3B
Boeing F3B
|-References:NotesBibliography* Eden, Paul and Soph Moeng, eds. The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. London: Amber Books, 2002. ISBN 0-7607-3432-1....
high altitude fighters. VF-6 was disestablished on 1 Oct 1945.
The Second VF-2
The 2nd squadron to be designated VF-2 was established on 1 Jan 1927. Over the next 10 years, it was referred to as VF-2B, BF-2S, VF-2B and VF-2. At the time of the Japanese Attack on Pearl HarborAttack on Pearl Harbor
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941...
, VF-2 was flying the Brewster Buffalo
Brewster Buffalo
The Brewster F2A Buffalo was an American fighter aircraft which saw limited service early in World War II. Though the Buffalo won a competition against the Grumman F4F Wildcat in 1939 to become the US Navy's first monoplane fighter aircraft, it turned out to be a big disappointment...
, but soon transitioned to the F4F Wildcat
F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft that began service with both the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy in 1940...
.
The squadron’s 1st combat occurred during the 2-day Battle of the Coral Sea
Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged...
, the world’s 1st engagement between aircraft carriers. On May 7, 1942, VF-2's commanding officer led the escort of Lexingtons strike aircraft against the Japanese aircraft carrier Shōhō
Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho
Shōhō , the lead ship of her class, was a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II...
. VF-2 claimed 6 confirmed aerial kills and 3 probable kills. The next day, Japanese carriers Shokaku and Zuikaku exchanged air strikes with the US force, and VF-2 lost 5 aircraft while claiming 11 kills. Lexington succumbed to torpedo damage and was sunk. Without an aircraft carrier, VF-2 was disestablished on July 1, 1942.
1940s - The Third VF-2
The 3rd distinct squadron to be designated VF-2 was established on June 1, 1943, at Naval Air Station Atlantic City. VF-2, known now as the "Rippers," became the 1st World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
fighting squadron to bear the same designation as a previous unit in the war. Several pilots came from VF-6 and VF-10. The squadron initially deployed 8 FM-1s but soon received the F6F Hellcat
F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a carrier-based fighter aircraft developed to replace the earlier F4F Wildcat in United States Navy service. Although the F6F resembled the Wildcat, it was a completely new design powered by a 2,000 hp Pratt & Whitney R-2800. Some tagged it as the "Wildcat's big...
. VF-2 trained on the east-coast until October 1943 when the squadron headed west to San Francisco and then Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. In Hawaii, VF-2 participated in a Marine landing exercise and so impressed the influential "Butch" O'Hare
Edward O'Hare
Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry “Butch” O’Hare was an Irish-American naval aviator of the United States Navy who on February 20, 1942 became the U.S. Navy's first flying ace and Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. Butch O’Hare’s final action took place on the night of November 26, 1943,...
that he requested that VF-2 replace VF-6 in his Air Group aboard . A notable pilot in the squadron was fighter ace Arthur Van Haren, Jr.
Arthur Van Haren, Jr.
Arthur Van Haren Jr. was a World War II fighter pilot and considered the top fighter ace of World War II from Arizona. He may be one of very few highly decorated Hispanic fighter-pilot aces in the history of aerial warfare....
From November 1943 to January 1944, VF-2 saw action during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
, Makin Atoll and Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
. They also participated in raids against the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
of Kwajalein
Kwajalein
Kwajalein Atoll , is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands . The southernmost and largest island in the atoll is named Kwajalein Island. English-speaking residents of the U.S...
, Ebeye
Ebeye
Ebeye is the most populous island of Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, as well as the center for Marshallese culture in the Ralik Chain of the archipelago. Settled on 80 acres of land, it has a population of more than 15,000. Over 50% of the population is estimated to be under the age of...
and Roi-Namur
Roi-Namur
Roi-Namur is an island in the northern part of the Kwajalein atoll in the Marshall Islands.Occupied by Japanese forces prior to World War II, it was the target of the U.S. 4th Marine Division in the Battle of Kwajalein, in February 1944....
. VF-2 participated in O'Hare-designed "bat teams" of 1 TBF Avenger
TBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, and eventually used by several air or naval arms around the world....
and 2 Hellcats for night interceptions.
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
and Rota (island)
Rota (island)
Rota also known as the "peaceful island", is the southernmost island of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the second southernmost of the Marianas Archipelago. It lies approximately 40 miles north-northeast of the United States territory of Guam...
. VF-2 claimed 23 victories during the attack over the Guam airfield, while squadron aircraft closer to Hornet destroyed 3 Mitsubishi G4M
Mitsubishi G4M
The Mitsubishi G4M 一式陸上攻撃機, 一式陸攻 Isshiki rikujō kōgeki ki, Isshikirikkō was the main twin-engine, land-based bomber used by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service in World War II. The Allies gave the G4M the reporting name Betty...
"Betty" medium bombers. A 2nd strike on Guam claimed another 10 Japanese aircraft. VF-2 scored 37 victories and only lost 1 plane. The next day, VF-2 attacked the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima, officially , is an island of the Japanese Volcano Islands chain, which lie south of the Ogasawara Islands and together with them form the Ogasawara Archipelago. The island is located south of mainland Tokyo and administered as part of Ogasawara, one of eight villages of Tokyo...
with intent to destroy Japanese aircraft. Only pilots which had not previously scored aerial kills were sent on this mission, claiming 17 kills.
Between June 19 and June 20, 1944, VF-2 was credited with 47 victories with only 1 airplane damaged beyond repair. On the afternoon of June 20, the Japanese carriers were located approximately 200 miles (321.9 km) to the west. A strike was ordered with bombs and torpedoes. After the strike, only 6 VF-2 aircraft returned to Hornet, the remaining having landed on other carriers. 5 aircraft were lost at sea. 5 days later, VF-2 claimed 67 kills in 1 day during a sweep of Iwo Jima, losing only 1 Hellcat (an additional one was damaged beyond repair). On September 22, 1944, the Rippers closed their victory log when "Spider" Webb downed an enemy aircraft over Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
.
During the 1943-44 period, VF-2 had conducted 184 strikes and 2050 sorties, destroying 50,000 tons of ships and 216 airborne airplanes and 245 airplanes on the ground. Losses totaled 3 airplanes in aerial combat and 4 to anti-aircraft fire. VF-2 was disestablished on 9 Nov 1945.
The lead article in the 23 October 1944 edition of Life Magazine highlighted VF-2 in a seven-page spread. There are pictures of 27 of the unit's Aces including Roy Butch Voris, later to become Blue Angel 1 in the original Blue Angels flight demonstration team, Connie Hargreaves, who became Ace in a Day, and Wilbur Spider Webb, another Ace in a Day.
1970s – The current VF-2
27 years after disestablishment, a new VF-2 now known as the "Bounty Hunters," was established on October 14, 1972 flying the F-14A TomcatF-14 Tomcat
The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental program following the collapse of the F-111B project...
.
VF-2 completed aircrew training and received its 1st Tomcats in July 1973, attaining full strength of 12 F-14As in the spring of 1974. The Bounty Hunters was the 1st Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) unit for both CVW-14 and later CVW-2.
VF-2's 1st deployment was in 1974 with her sister squadron VF-1
VF-1
This article is about the fighter squadron; for the mecha seen in Macross/Robotech, see VF-1 Valkyrie.Fighter Squadron 1 was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Known as the "Wolfpack" the squadron saw combat during World War II, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm...
aboard . The squadron flew over Saigon in support of Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind
Operation Frequent Wind was the evacuation by helicopter of American civilians and 'at-risk' Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, on 29–30 April 1975 during the last days of the Vietnam War...
, the evacuation of US personnel in April, 1975.
1980s
VF-2 was assigned to (CVA-61) for the September 1980 deployment, 4 months of which were spent in the Indian OceanIndian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
and Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
during the Iran hostage crisis
Iran hostage crisis
The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States where 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981, after a group of Islamist students and militants took over the American Embassy in Tehran in support of the Iranian...
.
They deployed aboard in 1984 and returned for multiple Ranger deployments throughout the '80's.
On June 2, 1984, VF-2 became the 1st squadron to launch an F-14 from an aircraft carrier while towing an air-to-air gunnery target. In 1987, the squadron logged Ranger’s 260,000th landing.
1990s
The unit participated in Operation Desert Storm, flying over 500 combat mission from Ranger operating in the Persian Gulf. VF-2 performed escort, reconnaissance and Combat Air Patrol (CAP) missions. After the 1992-1993 cruise, Ranger was decommissioned (along with VF-2’s sister squadron VF-1), and VF-2 was switched to the . At the same time, VF-2 transitioned to the F-14D Tomcat. Several months after the 1995 cruise, VF-2 was awarded the battle "E" and relocated from NAS Miramar to NAS Oceana due to a Base Realignment and ClosureBase Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
(BRAC) decision to make Miramar a Marine Corps Air Station.
In April 1996, VF-2 Tomcats were modified to carry the LANTIRN
LANTIRN
Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, or LANTIRN, is a combined navigation and targeting pod system for use on the USAF's premier fighter aircraft — the F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon...
infrared targeting pod, giving them precision strike capabilities.
During their 1999 cruise, VF-2 supported Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
and on September 9, attacked Surface-to-Air Missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
sites and anti-aircraft guns around Basra
Basra
Basra is the capital of Basra Governorate, in southern Iraq near Kuwait and Iran. It had an estimated population of two million as of 2009...
. The same day, a VF-2 Tomcat engaged 2 Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i MiG-23’s that were heading south into the No-Fly Zone
No-fly zone
A no-fly zone is a territory or an area over which aircraft are not permitted to fly. Such zones are usually set up in a military context, somewhat like a demilitarized zone in the sky, and usually prohibit military aircraft of a belligerent nation from operating in the region.-Iraq,...
from Al Taqaddum airbase, west of Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
with AIM-54 Phoenix
AIM-54 Phoenix
The AIM-54 Phoenix is a radar-guided, long-range air-to-air missile , carried in clusters of up to six missiles on F-14 Tomcats, its only launch platform. The Phoenix was the United States' only long-range air-to-air missile. The weapons system based on Phoenix was the world's first to allow...
es. The missile did not score as the MiGs turned north once they detected the Phoenix launch.
2000s
In the summer of 2001, VF-2 deployed aboard in support of Operation Southern WatchOperation Southern Watch
Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...
.
During the 2002-2003 deployment, the final cruise with the Tomcat, VF-2 participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom flying a wide range of missions including, reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
, Close Air Support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
, Combat Air Patrol
Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft.A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, for the purpose of intercepting and destroying hostile...
and strike missions. On February 28, 2003, during Operation Southern Watch, a VF-2 aircraft delivered the 1st Tomcat JDAM in combat. During this deployment, VF-2 flew 483 sorties and dropped 294 Laser-guided bomb
Laser-guided bomb
A laser-guided bomb is a guided bomb that uses semi-active laser homing to strike a designated target with greater accuracy than an unguided bomb. LGBs are one of the most common and widespread guided bombs, used by a large number of the world's air forces.- Overview :Laser-guided munitions use a...
's/JDAM/MK-82 bombs.
On July 1, 2003, VF-2 was redesignated VFA-2, and began transition to the F/A-18F Super Hornet. On October 6, 2003, VFA-2 took delivery of its first Super Hornet.
VFA-2 deployed to the Western Pacific aboard with CVW-2 in October, 2004. They returned in March 2005 after supporting Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance
Operation Unified Assistance is the name of the United States military's response to the tsunami of 2004.-Overview:On 28 December, the first elements of the Combined Support Force were deployed to Utapao, Thailand following that country's approval of the use of that base.More than 12,600...
which provided humanitarian support to Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
.
In 2006, VFA-2 and CVW-2 embarked on a WESTPAC deployment.
On March 13, 2008, VFA-2 embarked with CVW-2 aboard Abraham Lincoln on a 7-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, returning home on October 8.
2010s
On September 11, 2010, VFA-2 deployed with CVW-2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian SeaArabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
and Persian Gulf
Persian Gulf
The Persian Gulf, in Southwest Asia, is an extension of the Indian Ocean located between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula.The Persian Gulf was the focus of the 1980–1988 Iran-Iraq War, in which each side attacked the other's oil tankers...
.
See also
- Naval aviationNaval aviationNaval aviation is the application of manned military air power by navies, including ships that embark fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters. In contrast, maritime aviation is the operation of aircraft in a maritime role under the command of non-naval forces such as the former RAF Coastal Command or a...
- Modern US Navy carrier air operationsModern US Navy carrier air operationsModern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or non-combat missions. Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier flight operations are highly evolved, based on experiences...
- List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
- United States Naval AviatorUnited States Naval AviatorA United States Naval Aviator is a qualified pilot in the United States Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard.-Naming Conventions:Most Naval Aviators are Unrestricted Line Officers; however, a small number of Limited Duty Officers and Chief Warrant Officers are also trained as Naval Aviators.Until 1981...
- Military aviationMilitary aviationMilitary aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
External links
- Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (official site)
- From Tomcats to Super Hornets: VF-2 Becomes VFA-2 - Naval Aviation News (March-April 2003)