VFA-81
| Strike Fighter Squadron 81 | |
|---|---|
VFA-81 Insignia
|
|
| Active | July 1, 1955 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Oceana |
| Nickname(s) | Sunliners |
| Motto(s) | “Anytime, Anyplace” |
| Engagements |
Gulf War Operation Deny Flight Operation Southern Watch Operation Deliberate Force Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander |
CDR Sweeney, Michael |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack |
A4 Skyhawk A-7 Corsair II |
| Fighter |
F9F-8B Cougar F/A-18C Hornet F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81), also known as the "Sunliners", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen, their radio callsign is Inferno, and their tail code is AA. Their mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations from the sea, putting fuzed ordnance on target, on time. The squadron was originally designated VA-66 in 1955, was immediately redesignated VF-81, and finally redesignated VFA-81 in 1988.
The squadron was originally called Crusaders and their first insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on December 16, 1955. The original insignia was a black cougar on a light blue background.
On 21 November 1963, the squadron was renamed the Sunliners and a new insignia was approved consisting of a black background with the international orange "mach wave" design. They also adopted the motto "Anytime, Anyplace" at this time.
When the squadron was redesignated VFA, a modification to the current design was made on March 30, 1988.
The squadron was originally established as Attack Squadron 66 (VA-66) on 1 July 1955. On the same day, they were redesignated Fighter Squadron 81 (VF-81), an all weather fighter interceptor squadron flying the F9F-8B Cougar. Their first deployment was with CVG-17 in late 1956 aboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Suez Crisis. In 1958 VF-81 made a deployment as part of Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard USS Lake Champlain to the Mediterranean Sea. In the next year VF-81 went to sea with ATG-182 to the North Atlantic aboard USS Intrepid.
On 4 March 1959 VF-81 was reequipped with the A4D-2 Skyhawk and redesignated attack squadron VA-81 on 1 July 1959.
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