Attack Squadron 94 (ATKRON 94)

VA-94 ‘Mighty Shrikes’

 

va-94 mighty shrikes crest insignia patch badge attack squadron atkron us navy

va-94 mighty shrikes attack squadron atkron us navy skyhawk corsair

 

STATUS:

established as VF-94 on March 26, 1952

VF-94 redesignated VA-94 on August 1, 1958

VA-94 redesignated VFA-94 on June 28, 1990

AIRCRAFT:

Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk (1958-60)

Douglas A4D-2N Skyhawk (1960-62)

Douglas A-4C Skyhawk (1962-67)

Douglas A-4E Skyhawk (1967-71)

Ling-Temco-Vought A-7E Corsair II (1971-90)

 

 

DEPLOYMENTS:

February 1960 - August 1960 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)

August 1961 - March 1962 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)

November 1962 - June 1963 with CVG-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)

August 1964 - May 1965 with CVW-9 aboard USS Ranger (CVA 61)

October 1965 - June 1966 with CVW-9 aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65)

January 1967 - July 1967 with CVW-5 aboard USS Hancock (CVA 19)

January 1968 - October 1968 with CVW-5 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31)

March 1969 - October 1969 with CVW-5 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31)

April 1970 - November 1970 with CVW-5 aboard USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31)

November 1971 - July 1972 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)

March 1973 - November 1973 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)

December 1974 - July 1975 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA 43)

February 1977 - October 1977 with CVW-15 aboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43)

May 1979 - February 1980 with CVW-15 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

April 1981 - November 1981 with CVW-15 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)

September 1982 - April 1983 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

May 1984 - December 1984 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

January 1986 - August 1986 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

January 1988 - July 1988 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

September 1989 - March 1990 with CVW-11 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

 

images

 

va-94 mighty shrikes

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) during Operation Praying Mantis (Persian Gulf) - 1988 (NNAM)

 

va-94 mighty shrikes a-7e corsair ii cvw-11

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1987

 

va-94 mighty shrikes a-7e corsair ii uss enterprise cvn 65 carrier air wing cvw-11

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1986

 

attack squadron va-94 mighty shrikes a-7e corsair ii cvw-15

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-15) - 1981

 

a-7e corsair ii va-94 mighty shrikes atkron

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-15) - 1981

 

attack squadron va-94 mighty shrikes atkron a-7e corsair ii carrier air wing cvw-15

excerpt from above

 

va-94 mighty shrikes a-7e corsair ii

excerpt from above

 

va-94 mighty shrikes a-7e corsair ii carrier air wing cvw-15 uss kitty hawk cv 63

A-7E Corsair II (VA-94 / CVW-15) embarked on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) - 1981

 

 

attack squadron va-94 mighty shrikes a-4e skyhawk cvw-5 uss bon homme richard cva 31

A-4E Skyhawk (VA-94 / CVW-5) embarked on USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA 31) - 1968

 

va-94 mighty shrikes atkron a4d-2 skyhawk cvg-9 uss ranger cva-61

A4D-2 Skyhawk (VA-94 / CVG-9) embarked on USS Ranger (CVA 61) - 1960

 

 

history

Fighter Squadron 94 was commissioned at NAS Alameda, California in 1952. Nicknamed the Mighty Shrikes, the squadron was named after a small carnivorous bird of prey, the Loggerhead Shrike. It engages in aerial combat to strike its prey in the air and on the ground, and then impales its victim on a sharp thorn. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. For the next five years, the squadron received and flew the F7U-7, FJ-3, F9F-8, F8U-1, F11F-1 Tiger and FJ-4.

The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron 94 in 1958 and moved to NAS Lemoore, California in 1962. VA-94 aviators flew all models of the A-4 Skyhawk before transitioning to the A-7 Corsair II in February 1971.
The Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard USS RANGER in 1964. In 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron was airlifted to Norfolk to join USS ENTERPRISE on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard USS HANCOCK and USS BON HOMME RICHARD. After transitioning to the A 7 Corsair II, the squadron was assigned to Air Wing 15 and completed its final Southeast Asia combat deployment aboard USS CORAL SEA. VA-94 aircraft led the first major Navy bombing strikes into North Vietnam after the 1968 bombing halt and participated in the mining of Haiphong harbor.

In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade, again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS CORAL SEA. In 1975, the Mighty Shrikes participated in Operation FREQUENT WIND, the Saigon evacuation that terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. Shortly thereafter, the squadron participated in the recovery of SS MAYAGUEZ after its seizure by Cambodia. From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard USS KITTY HAWK to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including 63 days of operations in the Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis. The squadron's next deployment aboard USS KITTY HAWK was completed in 1981.
In January 1982, the Mighty Shrikes joined Carrier Air Wing 11 and deployed aboard USS ENTERPRISE. A Navy milestone was set in April 1983 when VA-94 became the first single engine tactical aircraft squadron to fly across the Pacific Ocean from the Philippines to the United States. In May 1984, the Mighty Shrikes deployed again aboard USS ENTERPRISE to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

In 1986, aboard USS ENTERPRISE, VA-94 made history as part of the first nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The Shrikes cruised the Mediterranean for three months, supporting operations against Libya.

In 1988, during their 19th deployment, the Mighty Shrikes again made history by striking the naval forces of Iran as part of Operation PRAYING MANTIS, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II. In October 1988, VA-94 received the coveted LTJG Bruce Carrier Award for excellence in Aviation Maintenance.

In the fall of 1989, the Mighty Shrikes deployed again aboard USS ENTERPRISE. After completing a world cruise, the Mighty Shrikes retired their trusty, battle proven A-7E Corsairs. This successful deployment was marked by winning the CNAP Battle "E."

In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first FA-18C, Lot XII Hornet and were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 94.

 

source: VFA-94 website

 

- - -

 

another VA-94 history:

 

Two distinct US Navy squadrons have held the designation VA-94. The first served in World War II and was disestablished in the late 1940s. The second of those squadrons later became VFA-94, the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage of newly formed squadrons with disestablished squadrons. Often however, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons. That appears to have happened in this case, as (for a short time) the new squadron used a cat insignia similar to the earlier one.

1940s
The first VA-94 was established on July 1, 1943, as Bombing Squadron NINETY NINE (VB-99), an experimental squadron for the new SB2C Helldiver. VB-99 was initially equipped with the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless. On October 15, 1943, the squadron was redesignated Bombing Squadron TWENTY (VB-20), and on November 15, 1943 the squadron started to receive its first SB2C-1C Helldivers.

From August 16 through November 23, 1944, VB-20 flew the Helldiver from USS Enterprise (CV-6) for the first of two World War II Pacific Theater combat cruises. The squadron's first combat action occurred on August 31, 1944 and involved an attack on the Bonin Islands. In September 1944, VB-20 participated in pre-invasion strikes on Palau Islands and provided air support for landings on Peleliu Island. In October 1944, the squadron participated in air strikes against Okinawa, Formosa and Luzon. On October 24, 1944, VB-20 participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf. Squadron SB2Cs flew sorties against Japanese surface force in the Sibuyan Sea, these attacks contributed to the sinking of the Musashi, one of the two largest battleships in the world. On October 25, 1944, VB-20 aircraft were part of the Fast Carrier Task Force that attacked the Japanese carrier force in the Battle of Cape Engaño. Four Japanese carriers were sunk during this engagement.

From November 23, 1944 through February 2, 1945, VB-20 embarked aboard USS Lexington (CV-16), for the second of two World War II combat cruises. Squadron Helldivers struck Japanese positions in Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Luzon, Formosa, Hong Kong, the South China Sea and Okinawa.

On November 15, 1946, VB-20 was redesignated Attack Squadron NINE A (VA-9A). On August 12, 1948, they were re-designated Attack Squadron NINETY FOUR (VA-94), and in October 1948 they received the new AD-2 Douglas Skyraider. On November 30, 1949, VA-94 was disestablished.

1950s
A new squadron, Fighter Squadron 94, was established at NAS Alameda, California on March 26, 1952. The Mighty Shrikes began flying the F4U Corsair, but quickly transitioned to jet aircraft. Over the next eight years, the squadron received and flew numerous fighter aircraft before becoming an attack squadron. In Sep 1953, the squadron received the F9F-5 Panther. In Jan 1955 the Shrikes moved to NAS Moffett Field and received the FJ Fury in Feb 1955. In Nov 1955, they transitioned to the F9F Cougar. They again flew various models of the FJ-3 Fury from Jun 1957 until 1959.

The Mighty Shrikes were redesignated as Light Attack Squadron VA-94 on Aug 1, 1958 and moved back to NAS Alameda on 20 Aug 1958. In January 1959, they transitioned to the aircraft they would fly (in various models) for the next twelve years, the A-4 Skyhawk.

1960s
On 8 March 1962, VA-94 moved to NAS Lemoore, California. As the Vietnam War escalated, the Mighty Shrikes completed seven consecutive combat deployments to Southeast Asia, commencing with a cruise aboard USS Ranger in 1964. On 1 Dec 1964, the squadron flew its first sorties in support of Yankee Team Operations, armed escort for photo-reconnaissance missions over Laos. On 7 February 1965, following a Viet Cong attack against American advisors in South Vietnam, President Lyndon Johnson ordered a reprisal strike against North Vietnam, named Flaming Dart I. The squadron’s target was concealed by heavy weather and the mission was aborted. On 11 February, the squadron participated in Flaming Dart II, retaliatory strikes against the Chanh Hoa military barracks near Dong Hoi, North Vietnam. In March 1965, the squadron participated in Rolling Thunder strikes against targets in North Vietnam.

In October 1965, as part of Air Wing 9, the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk to join USS Enterprise (CVN-65) on her first combat cruise. The squadron was assigned to Air Wing 5 in 1966 and completed four combat deployments aboard USS Hancock and USS Bon Homme Richard.

1970s
In February 1971, the squadron transitioned to the Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 Corsair II and was assigned to Air Wing 15 / USS Coral Sea.

On 9 May 1972, the squadron participated in Operation Pocket Money, the mining of Haiphong harbor. The first mine was dropped at 08:59 to coincide with President Richard Nixon's public announcement of the mining. All mines were set with 72-hour arming delays, thus permitting merchant ships time for departure or a change in destination consistent with the President's public warning. It was the beginning of a mining campaign that planted over 11,000 MK36 type destructor and 108 special Mk 52-2 mines over the next eight months. It is considered to have played a significant role in bringing about an eventual peace arrangement, particularly since it so hampered the enemy's ability to continue receiving war supplies. In May-June 1972, VA-94 participated in operation Linebacker I, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam.

In 1973, the squadron deployed on its first peacetime cruise in a decade, again with Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea. On 29 April 1975, squadron aircraft provided air cover for Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon that terminated United States military involvement in Vietnam. On 15 May 1975, Shrike aircraft, along with other elements from CVW-15 launched air strikes against the Cambodian mainland after the capture of the SS Mayaguez by Cambodian gunboats. From May 1979 to January 1980, the squadron deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, including 63 days of operations in the Arabian Sea during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

1980s
The squadron's next deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk was completed in 1981. In 1986, aboard USS Enterprise, VA-94 made history as part of the first nuclear aircraft carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The Shrikes cruised the Mediterranean for three months, supporting operations against Libya.

In Feb–May 1988, the Mighty Shrikes flew air support for Operation Earnest Will, escorting reflagged Kuwaiti oil tankers in the Persian Gulf. In April 1988, the squadron struck the naval forces of Iran as part of Operation Praying Mantis, the first major U.S. naval battle since World War II. Squadron aircraft delivered direct hits on the Iranian frigate Sahand. In Dec 1989, the squadron participated in Operation Classic Resolve, providing support for the Philippine government during a coup attempt.

1990s
In June 1990, the Mighty Shrikes received their first F/A-18C Hornet and was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINE FOUR (VFA-94) on Jan 1, 1991.

 

source: wikipedia

 

patches

 

va-94 mighty shrikes insignia crest patch badge attack squadron atkron us navy   attack squadron va-94 mighty shrikes insignia patch crest badge us navy atkron a-4 skyhawk a-7 corsair

va-94 mighty shrikes patch insignia attack squadron atkron us navy

 

 

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