VFA-97
| Strike Fighter Squadron 97 | |
|---|---|
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VFA-97 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 1 June 1967 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance Aerial Refueling |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Lemoore |
| Nickname(s) | "Warhawks" |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Operation Restore Hope Operation Desert Fox Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A-7 Corsair II |
| Fighter |
F/A-18 Hornet F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), also known as the "Warhawks", are a United States Navy F/A-18E squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. Their tail code of "NH" and their radio callsign is Warhawk.
The squadron was originally established as Attack Squadron 97 (VA-97) on 1 June 1967 and redesignated VFA-97 on 24 January 1991.
The original VA-97 squadron insignia was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on 6 March 1968 and they have been called the Warhawks since establishment. According to the US Navy History and Heritage Command, "The squadron continued to use its old insignia approved for VA-97. The squadron did not request a designation change to its banner following its redesignation to VFA-97." However, newer VFA-97 insignia appears to be in use.
VA-97 was established on 1 June 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW 14). On 28 May 1968, they departed San Diego embarked on USS Constellation for the squadron's first WESTPAC deployment. On 28 June 1968 the squadron conducted its first combat missions, flying the A-7A Corsair II, against targets in Vietnam.
On 4 February 1971, the squadron embarked on USS Enterprise at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia for her transit around South America to her new home port of Alameda, California. The squadron's third deployment began in USS June 1971, embarked on Enterprise. In December of that year following the outbreak of the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, USS Enterprise was ordered to leave Yankee Station for the Indian Ocean. The carrier, with VA-97 embarked, operated in the Bay of Bengal until the cessation of hostilities in the latter part of December.
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