VFA-86

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 86


caption= VFA-86 insignia
dates= February 1951 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= USN
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Marine Aircraft Group 31 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing
current_commander= Commander Paul Spedero
garrison= Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Sidewinders
patron=
motto=
colors=AB
colors_label=Tail Code
march=
mascot=
battles= Vietnam War * Operation Linebacker * Operation Linebacker II Operation Desert Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom
aircraft_attack= A4D-1 Skyhawk A-7A Corsair II
aircraft_fighter= F8F-2 Bearcat F9F-5 Panther F7U-3M Cutlass F/A-18 Hornet
anniversaries=

Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Known as the "Sidewinders", they fall under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 31 and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing. Their call sign is "Winder", tail code is "AB", and they fly the F/A-18C Hornet.

Mission

To conduct prompt and sustained combat operations in support of the National Command Authority.cite web|accessdate=2008-04-20
url=http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG31/VFA86/vfa86info/mission.asp
title=VFA-86 Mission]

History

1950s

Reserve Fighter Squadron 921 (VF-921) was called to active duty from NAS St Louis on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War flying the F4U Corsair. On 4 Feb 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-84, while deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard USS Antietam. In June 1953, the squadron briefly flew the F8F-2 Bearcat in preparation for transition to the F9F-5 Panther in November 1953. The squadron's current Sidewinder name and insignia were adopted in April 1954.

On 1 Jul 1955 the squadron began flying the F7U-3M Cutlass, was redesignated VA-86, and conducted extensive evaluation of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile.

From May 1957 until 1967, the squadron flew the Douglas A4D Skyhawk.

1960s

In April 1961 the squadron operated from USS Independence (CVA 62) near Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Bay of Pigs invasion.

In Nov 1962, the squadron embarked in USS Lexington (CV-16) during the Cuban Missile Crisis operating off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida.

In Apr–May 1963, VA-86 provided A-4C detachments aboard USS Randolph (CVS-15), USS Essex (CVS-9) and USS Wasp (CVS-18). The aircraft were equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles to provide the carriers with anti-air warfare capability.

On 1 Jul 1965, the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying from "Independence" against targets in South Vietnam.

On 1 June 1967, VA-86 became the Navy's first operational fleet squadron to fly the Vought A-7 Corsair II, and in September 1969, VA-86 transitioned to the E model of the A-7.

The squadron conducted it's second South East Asia combat deployment aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) from September 1969 to July 1970.

1970s

In late spring of 1971, VA-86 was forced to transition to the A-7C due to unexpected problems with the A-7E's TF-41 engines. The "Sidewinders" then deployed from Jun 1972 to Mar 1973 aboard USS America (CV-66) for a ten-month combat cruise, it's third to Southeast Asia, participating in several intense and lengthy bombing campaigns, including Operation Linebacker and Linebacker II in late-1972. The squadron remained on station until the Paris Peace Accord was signed in late January 1973. This was the squadron’s fourth combat deployment to Southeast Asia, more than any other East Coast attack squadron and resulted in the receipt of the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

The squadron transitioned to the A-7E in 1974 and early 1975 and made numerous deployments to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic flying from USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during the 1970s and 1980s.

1980s

In Jan 1980, after the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran VA-86 departed Naples, Italy embarked in "Nimitz", en route to the Indian Ocean via the Cape of Good Hope, beginning of 144 consecutive days at sea.

In 1981 while aboard "Nimitz", the squadron participated in a Freedom of Navigation Exercise in the Gulf of Sidra incident. During this tense period, VA-86 flew Aerial refuelling and reconnaissance missions over potentially hostile Libyan ships.

The "Sidewinders" were awarded the 1982 COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E", as the best East Coast A-7 squadron.

In Jun- July 1985 while aboard "Nimitz", VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon due to the hijacking of TWA flight 847 by Arab radicals, and later that year the Sidewinders were awarded the Admiral Wade McClusky Award, signifying the best attack squadron in the Navy.

Jan–Feb 1987 while embarked in "Nimitz", VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon after three U.S. citizens were taken hostage from the American University in Beirut.

On July 15, 1987, VA-86 was officially redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), and began flying the FA-18 Hornet. They were the first East Coast squadron to receive the C model (Lot 10) of the FA-18.

In 1988 during an eight month deployment aboard "America", VFA-86 provided air cover for the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon.

1990s

In 1991, the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm from "America" operating in both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.

In 1992, the "Sidewinders" accomplished the first East Coast FA-18 Standoff Land Attack Missile shoot to a target on San Nicolas Island, California.

In 1993 the "Sidewinders" deployed aboard "America" in support of Operation Deny Flight. In October, "America" was ordered to the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia in support of United Nations relief efforts. After conducting NATO Operation Deliberate Force missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Adriatic Sea, they returned to Cecil Field in February 1994.

The "Sidewinders" received the CNO's Safety "S" Award for 1995.

On 3 October 1997, the "Sidewinders" deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73). The "Sidewinders" remained on station in the Gulf through mid-March 1998 during the crisis involving Iraq's non-compliance with UN sanctions, flying Operation Southern Watch contingency missions.

VFA-86 was awarded the 1997 Battle E recognizing it as the best East Coast FA-18 Hornet squadron. On September 22, 1998 the "Sidewinders" deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Arabian aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), participating Freedom of Navigation Operations off the coast of Libya.

Following the decommissioning of NAS Cecil Field in 1999, the squadron relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina.

2000s

On 19 September 2001, the "Sidewinders" deployed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) over Afghanistan against Taliban and Al Qaeda military targets. When they departed the area on 2 March 2002, the squadron had flown over 3500 hours and expended over 213 tons of ordnance. During this period, the "Sidewinders" were at sea for 160 continuous days.

From August 2003 to July 2004, VFA-86 deployed in USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and OEF.

In July 2007, VFA-86 deployed again aboard "Enterprise" in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, returning MCAS Beaufort in December of 2007.

References

External links

* [http://www.2maw.usmc.mil/MAG31/VFA86/default.asp Official website of VFA-86]
* [http://www.skyhawk.org/3e/va86/va86.htm VFA-86 Sidewinders page on Skyhawk.org]

= See also =
*Naval aviation
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
*United States Naval Aviator
*United States Marine Corps Aviation
*Military aviation
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons