Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) was an aviation unit of the United States Navy, based at Naval Air Station Oceana. The squadron was in service from 1 August 1968 to 31 May 2017, although the squadron had adopted the traditions of the first VA-15, which was established on 10 January 1942. The unit's nickname was "Valions" and its call sign was Pride.

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. 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

thumb|left|VA-15 [[LTV A-7 Corsair II|A-7Es in 1976]]

In October–November 1973 while embarked on , the squadron operated in the vicinity of Crete in response to the Yom Kippur War.

In June–July 1976 following the assassination of the American Ambassador to Lebanon, VA-15 embarked on operated in the vicinity of Lebanon in support of the evacuation of non-combatants.

1980s

In November 1980, the squadron, embarked on were on station when the American hostages were released from Iran.

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 7 October, 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 19 March to 15 April 2003, the squadron delivered over 245,000 pounds of ordnance.

In September 2005 the squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf, returning on 11 March 2006. On 8 September 2008 the squadron deployed again to the Persian Gulf in support of OEF. They returned 18 April 2009.

2010s

On 11 May 2011, the squadrons of CVW-8 embarked on '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.

In February 2016, plans were announced to deactivate VFA-15 in FY 2017. The deactivation ceremony took place on 31 May 2017 and the squadron was deactivated on the same day.

See also

  • Naval aviation
  • Modern US Navy carrier air operations
  • List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
  • List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

Bibliography

  • Thomas, Gerald W. Torpedo Squadron Four: a Cockpit View of World War II. Las Cruces, New Mexico: Rio Grande Historical Collection (New Mexico State University), 1991 (2nd impression, with corrections; first published July 1990).
  • [Thomas, Gerald W. Torpedo Squadron Four: a Cockpit View of World War II. Doc45 Publications, 2011 (Revised Edition)]

References

  • navy.mil
  • VFA-15 official website
  • AG-4 and VF-4 history website