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VFA-131
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Strike Fighter Squadron 131 | |
|---|---|
 VFA-131 Insignia |
|
| Active | 1952 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing 7 |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Oceana |
| Nickname | "Wildcats" |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Storm Operation Deny Flight Operation Southern Watch Operation Decisive Endeavor Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Strike Fighter Squadron 131 {VFA-131), also known as the "Wildcats", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their catail code is AG.
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The mission of VFA-131 is combat readiness as a part of U.S. Atlantic Fleet Carrier Strike Forces, utilizing the F/A-18 aircraft to project power ashore and at sea, to defend the fleet against air and sea threats and to carry out all other missions which may be assigned by cognizant authority.
VFA-131 was established at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, on 2 October, 1983. The squadron received their first F/A-18 Hornet in May 1984. In January 1985, the Wildcats moved to Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, and became the Atlantic’s first FA-18 squadron.
As a part of Carrier Air Wing 13, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in October 1985 aboard USS Coral Sea (CV-43) and participated in air strikes against Libya. In October 1988, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing 7 and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in March 1990. In August 1990, they were among the units to respond to the Iraq invasion of Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Shield.
In September 1990, the squadron transitioned to FA-18C Lot XIII Night Strike Hornets. One year later, after a rapid turnaround, the squadron again deployed aboard the “Eisenhower” to the Red Sea and North Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.
In May 1994, the squadron was part of the maiden deployment of the USS George Washington (CVN-73). They flew sorties in support of Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch over Southern Iraq. In October 1994, they returned to the Persian Gulf and participated in Operation Vigilant Warrior, in response to Iraqi aggression.
In April 1996 the Wildcats once again deployed aboard the “Washington” to the Mediterranean, Adriatic, and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor and Operation Southern Watch In February 1998, the squadron deployed for the “Around the World”, maiden deployment of USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), again Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. Upon return, in December 1998, they relocated from NAS Cecil Field, Florida, toNAS Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
September 11, 2001 had the squadron underway aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67). Within hours of the attacks, armed Wildcat Hornets were conducting air patrols over the Washington D.C. and New York City. In February 2002, the squadron deployed to the North Arabian Sea to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom flying combat sorties over Afghanistan. From January to July 2004, VFA-131 deployed aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.