VFA-113
| Strike Fighter Squadron 113 | |
|---|---|
VFA-113 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 15 August 1948 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing 17 |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Lemoore |
| Nickname(s) | "Stingers" |
| Motto(s) | "The First and the Finest" Stingtown Stinger Sorties |
| Engagements |
Korean War Vietnam War Gulf War Operation Southern Watch Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Decorations |
Presidential Unit Citation 2 Navy Unit Commendations 6 Service stars Battle Efficiency "E" Admiral Wade McClusky Award Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award 1971, 1982, 1991 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award 1992, 1993 |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
Commander Eric "Popeye" Doyle |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
A-4 Skyhawk A-7 Corsair II |
| Fighter |
F8F Bearcat F4U Corsair F9F Panther F9F Cougar F/A-18 Hornet F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113), also known as the Stingers, is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. They are an operational fleet F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) and based at NAS Lemoore, California. Their tailcode is NA and their radio callsign is Sting.
The squadron’s original insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) on 15 April 1949, and it was slightly modified in 1985. The squadron's "Stingers" nickname was adopted in 1949.
The squadron was originally established as Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) on 15 July 1948 at NAS San Diego, flying the F8F-1/2 Bearcat.
In March 1950, the squadron transitioned to the F4U-4B Corsair. Attached to Air Group 11, the squadron flew their first combat strikes on 5 August 1950 from USS Philippine Sea and USS Valley Forge against targets near Kunsan, Korea. In September 1950, the squadron flew combat sorties in support of the United States Marine Corps landings at Incheon. In November 1950, squadron aircraft participated in Operation Pinwheel, the docking and departing of the carrier from the pier using aircraft engine power to move the ship. Also in November 1950, during strikes on bridges crossing the Yalu River, squadron F4U-4Bs were attacked by MiG-15s, with neither side suffering any damage. On 23 June 1952, squadron aircraft, along with planes from 3 other air groups, participated in the first coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants. This was the first time that enemy power plants had been so heavily targeted. It also marked the first time that four carriers were on line off the coast of Korea since late 1950. VF-113 won six engagement stars as well as the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendations in two Korean combat tours.
...
Wikipedia