VFA-15
| Strike Fighter Squadron 15 | |
|---|---|
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VFA-15 insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 August 1968–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing Eight |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Oceana |
| Nickname(s) | Valions |
| Motto(s) | None Finer |
| Tail Code | AJ |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War Gulf War Iraq War |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | CDR Matt "Disney" Stevenson |
| Executive Officer | CDR. William "Fathead" Mathis |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
A-7 Corsair II F/A-18 Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) is a U.S. Navy strike fighter squadron based at NAS Oceana. Their call sign is Pride, tail code is AJ, and they fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Their nickname is Valions and their mottos are Pugna Ama Arma Ferre and None Finer.
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.
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.
In October–November 1973 while embarked on USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, 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 USS America operated in the vicinity of Lebanon in support of the evacuation of non-combatants.
In November 1980, the squadron, embarked on USS Independence were on station when the American hostages were released from Iran.
In May 1981 USS Independence transited the Suez Canal and maintained station in the eastern Mediterranean due to the crisis between Israel and Syria following Israeli raids against Syrian surface-to-air missile sites in Lebanon.
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Wikipedia