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Unit · Gulf War · 1955–present

Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81)

The 'Sunliners', an F/A-18 squadron that flew from USS Saratoga on the first night of Desert Storm.

History

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 currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 1. Their mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations from the sea. The squadron was originally designated VA-66 on 1 July 1955, was redesignated VF-81 the same day, redesignated VA-81 on 1 July 1959, and finally redesignated VFA-81 on 4 February 1988. Their radio callsign is Inferno.

Text adapted from Wikipedia: VFA-81 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Timeline

  1. 1 July 1955
    The squadron was originally designated VA-66 on 1 July 1955, was redesignated VF-81 the same day, redesignated VA-81 on 1 July 1959, and finally redesignated VFA-81 on 4 February 1988.
    Wikipedia
  2. 1958
    In 1958 VF-81 made a deployment as part of Air Task Group 181 (ATG-181) aboard USS Lake Champlain to the Mediterranean Sea.
    Wikipedia
  3. October 1961
    From October 1961 to February 1962, a detachment of VA-81 Skyhawks deployed to the North Atlantic embarked on USS Essex.
    Wikipedia
  4. 1966
    In 1966 and 1967, VA-81 was deployed with CVG-8 to the Mediterranean, this time aboard USS Shangri-La.
    Wikipedia
  5. February 1970
    In February 1970, the squadron won the Navy Battle "E" for East Coast A-4 squadrons.
    Wikipedia
  6. December 1972
    In December 1972, the squadron's A-7Es conducted cross-deck operations with the British carrier HMS Ark Royal.
    Wikipedia
  7. August 1981
    In August 1981, the squadron participated a Freedom of Navigation Exercise in the Gulf of Sidra.
    Wikipedia
  8. 4 February 1988
    On 4 February 1988, VA-81 transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet and was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81).
    Wikipedia
  9. 17 January 1991
    On 17 January 1991, the first night of the war, LCDR Scott Speicher was shot down and killed while flying an F/A-18C, by a Mig-25PDS piloted by Lt.
    Wikipedia

Example reports

Did a relative serve with Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81)? A report can show the dates and pages that place them there. Records that place a person with a unit are muster rolls, morning reports, unit rosters or discharge papers; a unit history alone doesn't prove someone took part in an event.