VFA-86

Strike Fighter Squadron 86
VFA-86 insignia
Active	1 February 1951 - present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Fighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance
Part of	Carrier Air Wing Three
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Lemoore
Nickname(s)	Sidewinders
Tail Code	AC
Engagements	Vietnam War Gulf War Iraq War Operation Enduring Freedom
Commanders
Current commander	CDR Michael Burks
Aircraft flown
Attack	A-4B/C/E Skyhawk A-7A/C/E Corsair II
Fighter	F4U-4 Corsair F8F-2 Bearcat F9F-5 Panther F7U-3M Cutlass F/A-18C Hornet F/A-18E Super Hornet

Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86) is a strike fighter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The squadron is nicknamed Sidewinders, leading to the call sign Winder. The unit currently flies the F/A-18E Super Hornet and is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Three, tail code AC.

Reserve Fighter Squadron 921 (VF-921) was called to active duty from NAS St. Louis on 1 February 1951, for the Korean War flying the F4U-4 Corsair. VF-921 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eight and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Tarawa, in 1951-52. On 4 February 1953, the squadron was redesignated Fighter Squadron 84 (VF-84), while deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba aboard USS Antietam. In June 1953, the squadron briefly flew the F8F-2 Bearcat in preparation for transition to the F9F-5 Panther in November 1953. The squadron's current "Sidewinder" name and insignia were adopted in April 1954. Flying the Panther, VF-84 was again deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Lake Champlain from September 1954 to April 1955.

On 1 July 1955 the squadron began flying the F7U-3M Cutlass, was redesignated Attack Squadron 86 (VA-86), and conducted extensive evaluation of the AIM-7 Sparrow missile. VA-86 was deployed with the F7U only for the shakedown cruise of USS Forrestal, being assigned to Air Task Group 181.

...
Wikipedia