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US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (STRKFITRON 81)
VFA-81 'Sunliners'
 
vfa-81 sunliners insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy 02x vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron us navy f/a-18e super hornet nas oceana virginia 22x
03/23
STATUS:   established as VA-66 on July 1, 1955
VA-66 redesignated VF-81 on July 1, 1955
VF-81 redesignated VA-81 on July 1, 1959
VA-81 redesignated VFA-81 on February 4, 1988
 

Homebase: NAS Oceana, Virginia
Carrier Air Wing: CVW-1
Aircraft Carrier:
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

ACTIVE UNIT
 AIRCRAFT:   McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet (1988-2008)
Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet (2008- )
 DEPLOYMENTS:   August 1990 - March 1991 with CVW-17 aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60)
May 1992 - November 1992 with CVW-17 aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60)
January 1994 - June 1994 with CVW-17 aboard USS Saratoga (CV 60)
February 1996 - March 1996 with CVW-17 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
June 1996 - December 1996 with CVW-17 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65)
June 1998 - December 1998 with CVW-17 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)
June 2000 - December 2000 with CVW-17 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73)
June 2002 - December 2002 with CVW-17 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73)
June 2004 - December 2004 with CVW-17 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67)
April 2006 - May 2006 with CVW-17 aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73)
April 2007 - September 2007 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
January 2008 - June 2008 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
February 2010 - April 2010 with CVW-17 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
November 2010 - June 2011 with CVW-17 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
November 2011 - May 2012 with CVW-17 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
August 2014 - June 2015 with CVW-17 aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70)
April 2018 - July 2018 with CVW-1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
August 2018 - December 2018 with CVW-1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
November 2019 - June 2020 with CVW-1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
December 2021 - September 2022 with CVW-1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)
 
images

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 uss gerald r. ford cvn-78 carrier qualifications 104
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) during carrier qualifications aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) - February 2023

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-78 uss gerald r. ford 105
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) during carrier qualifications aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) - February 2023

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 returning nas oceana virginia 102
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) returning to NAS Oceana, Virginia - September 5, 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 nas oceana virginia 103
F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-81 / CVW-1) returning to NAS Oceana, Virginia - September 5, 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 101
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - August 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 99
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 98
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 100
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 96
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 97
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 90
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 88
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 91
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 92
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 93
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 94
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 95
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 87
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - February 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 aviano air base italy 86
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) at Aviano Air Base, Italy - February 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 84
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 85
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 83
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2022

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 82
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2021

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 81
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2021

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 80
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - December 2021

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 79
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2021

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 78
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2021

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 nas oceana virginia 76
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) returning to NAS Oceana, Virginia - June 5, 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 returning nas oceana virginia 77
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) returning to NAS Oceana, Virginia - June 5, 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 75
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 74
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 120
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 73
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - March 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 72 cockpit
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 71
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - January 2020

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 68
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 70
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 69
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2019

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 67
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - November 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 66
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - November 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 raf lakenheath united kingdom 65
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. - October 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 64
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - September 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 63
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - July 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 60
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 62
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 61
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 59
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - June 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 58
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - May 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 57
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - April 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 56
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - February 2018

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 52
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 54
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 55
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 53
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - October 2017

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-75 uss harry s. truman 51
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-1) embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - August 2017

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 cvn-73 uss george washington 50
F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-81) aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) - March 2016

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-1 nas oceana virginia 16p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81) returning to NAS Oceana, Virginia - June 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 47
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 49
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 46
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 48
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 20p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - April 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 45 rafale-m french
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) refueling a French Navy Rafale-M aircraft - April 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson super etendard french 22p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) refueling a French Navy Super Etendard aircraft - March 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 44
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 43
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 42
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 41
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 38
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 39
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 40
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 37
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 36
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 35
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2015

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 34
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 27
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 33
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - November 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 30p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 32
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 29
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 30
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - September 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 31
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during a 200-hour inspection - September 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 34p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 28
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - August 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 27
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 39p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 40p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 41p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2014

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 42p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 43p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 44p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - May 2013

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 46p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2013

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 51p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2012

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 52p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 53p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2012

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 54p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 55p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2011

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 26
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 57p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 25
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet cvw-17 cvn-70 uss carl vinson 60p
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - June 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during operation Enduring Freedom - March 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during operation Enduring Freedom - March 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) during operation Enduring Freedom - March 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - January 2011

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - December 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - March 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornet - 201, 202 (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2010

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F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - February 2010



vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-11 cvn-68 uss nimitz 09 agm-84 slam-er
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) armed with an AGM-84 SLAM-ER missile - August 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - July 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2007

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-11 cvn-68 uss nimitz 68p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2006

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet 69p cockpit
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81) - October 2005

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81) - October 2005

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy agm-65 maverick 71p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - November 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 72p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - November 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 73p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - October 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 75p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - July 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 74p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - July 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 05
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - June 2004

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-67 uss john f. kennedy 76p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) with General Electric F404-GE-400 engine removed - June 2004

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - February 2004

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - December 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 77p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - August 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 80p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 81p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) with other F/A-18's embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 82p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 78p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 79p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - July 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 83p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - April 2002

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-73 uss george washington 04
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS George Washington (CVN 73) - September 2000

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-69 uss dwight d. eisenhower 104p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) - 1998

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - September 1996

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cvn-65 uss enterprise 116p
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with a Federal German Airforce MiG-29 - August 1996

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) armed with an AGM-84 Harpoon SSM missile - mid 1990's

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F/A-18C Hornets of VFA-81 and VFA-83, assigned to CVW-17, on their way to NAS Cecil Field, Florida - 1994

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F/A-18C Hornets of VFA-81 and VFA-83, assigned to CVW-17, on their way to NAS Cecil Field, Florida - 1994

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F/A-18C Hornets of VFA-81 and VFA-83, assigned to CVW-17, over NAS Cecil Field, Florida - 1994

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81) - June 1993

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81) - June 1993

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81) - June 1993

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - August 1992

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-60 uss saratoga 112
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1992

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) during Operation Desert Storm - February 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) during Operation Desert Storm - February 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) during Operation Desert Storm - February 1991

vfa-81 sunliners strike fighter squadron f/a-18c hornet cvw-17 cv-60 uss saratoga 110 desert storm 1991
F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) during Operation Desert Storm - February 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) were refueled by an USAF KC-135 tanker aircraft during Operation Desert Storm - February 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) with an AGM-62 Walleye missile - 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1991
LT. CMDR. Mark Fox sits in the cockpit of the F/A-18C Hornet aircraft that he was flying when he
became the first coalition pilot to shoot down an Iraqi MiG aircraft during Operation Desert Storm.

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - 1991

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F/A-18C Hornet (VFA-81 / CVW-17) embarked on USS Saratoga (CV 60) - May 1990
 
 
History:
 
Along with many changes in aircraft, mission, and air wing assignments, VFA-81 has also possessed several different callsigns and insignia. Flexibility has been a requirement, quite literally, since day one. Originally established as an attack squadron July 1, 1955, the squadron was redesignated later that same day as Fighter Squadron Eighty-One, the "Crusaders." The squadron's first insignia, approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on December 16, 1955, embodied their first aircraft, the F9F-8B Cougar, with a black cougar on a light blue background.

On 21 November 1963, the squadron transitioned to the Douglas A4E Skyhawk and was renamed the Sunliners, to distinguish it from squadrons flying the Vought F-8 Crusader aircraft. The squadron also took a new insignia, comprised of an international orange "mach wave" design on a black background, along with a new motto: "Anytime, Anyplace." The squadron flew with this insignia for the next 25 years, and still wear it with pride every Tuesday.

When the Navy redesignated the squadron as a strike fighter squadron (VFA) on March 30th, 1988, the logo was modified into its current form to reflect the squadron's rich history. The traditional mach wave design was surrounded with four stars to represent different airframes the squadron has been assigned. Beneath the mach wave are three small stars, one for each of the three past airframes: F9F-8B Cougar, A-4E Skyhawk, and A-7 Corsair II. The large single star above the mach wave represents the current airframe: the FA-18E Super Hornet. Crossing the background are three spears representing the three missions the squadron has been called upon to perform: fighter squadron, attack squadron, and strike fighter squadron. The logo has remained unchanged in the 21 years since then.

The Hornet years (1988 to 2008)
On February 4th, 1988, VA-81 transitioned to the McDonnell-Douglas FA-18C Hornet, becoming Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT-ONE (VFA-81). Along with the new aircraft, the squadron adopted the current squadron logo and patches that Sunliners wear today. On August 7th, 1990, Sunliners deployed once again with CVW-17 aboard Saratoga for their first FA-18C Hornet cruise and their first mission as a strike fighter squadron. This deployment took place one week after Iraq had invaded Kuwait, and VFA-81 actively participated in both OPERATION DESERT SHIELD and later OPERATION DESERT STORM as part of the Red Sea Battle Force. On January 17th, 1991, VFA-81 participated in some of the first carrier-based strikes of the Persian Gulf War. The first division of Sunliners to enter combat succeeded in proving the strike fighter concept by successfully engaging in both air-to-air and air-to-ground engagement in the same flight. As three VFA-81 and one VFA-83 Rampager aircraft flew into Iraq on CVW-17's first daylight strike of the war, they were confronted by two Iraqi Mig-21s. Sunliner LCDR Mark "MRT" Fox, and LT Nick "Mongo" Mongillo each downed one enemy aircraft before proceeding to and destroying their target. These were the Navy's only two aerial victories of the war.

The day was to become bittersweet for the squadron, however. That evening, Sunliner LCDR Scott "Spike" Speicher was shot down over west-central Iraq-the only aircraft downed that first night of the war. Through the remainder of Operation Desert Storm, none of the limited information available on dead or missing coalition personnel revealed the fate of LCDR Speicher. Although postwar analysis suggested an Iraqi Air Force Mig-25 destroyed Speicher's Hornet with an air-to-air missile, this has never been conclusively proven. LCDR Speicher was the only U.S. serviceman lost over land during Operation Desert Storm whose status remained Killed in Action-Body Not Recovered at the war's end. VFA-81 returned to NAS Cecil Field March 27th, 1991, following the swift coalition victory. The squadron made a total of three deployments to the Persian Gulf aboard Saratoga with CVW-17 between 1990 and 1994, bringing their total number of Mediterranean deployments completed to 24.

In early 1994, the squadron participated in OPERATION DENY FLIGHT and OPERATION PROVIDE PROMISE supporting United Nations resolutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the last deployment of Saratoga. That was VFA-81's third Hornet cruise, and the first Atlantic Fleet deployment with the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). After completion of the deployment, Saratoga was decommissioned in August, 1994. VFA-81 embarked on USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 1996 for their 26th Mediterranean Cruise, and a series of deployments in support of OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. During this cruise the squadron participated in an historic first U.S. aircraft carrier port call to Bahrain. A deployment aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) began 10 June 1998. In addition to participation in OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH, this was the first deployment by an East Coast air wing equipped with the new Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW), a long range glide cluster bomb.

In 2000 to 2002, the squadron completed two deployments to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf aboard USS George Washington (CVN-73) again participating in OPERATION SOUTHERN WATCH. After the renewal of hostilities with Iraq and the launch of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, the squadron deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy in 2004, travelling directly to the Persian Gulf and participating in daily air strikes against the regime of Saddam Hussein. In 2007 and 2008, VFA-81 was reassigned to CVW-11 in the Pacific Fleet and completed two deployments aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68). During the first of these deployments, from March to September 2007, Sunliners completed missions in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan, and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. Between combat missions USS Nimitz also became the first U.S. carrier ever to visit India, completing a successful four-day port call to the city of Chennai. The second deployment aboard Nimitz brought the Sunliners to the Western Pacific for Foal Eagle 2008.


The Super Hornet years (2008 to present)

Upon returning the NAS Oceana at the completion of the 2008 deployment, the Sunliners turned in their FA-18C Hornets, and began the four-month transition to the Navy's newest and most lethal strike fighter, the Boeing FA-18E Super Hornet. On 20 November, the squadron was pronounced "Safe-For-Flight" in the Super Hornet and newest era of the squadron began. Currently, the squadron is assigned to CVW-17, the Navy's first planned "All Hornet" airwing, and will serve aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on its next deployment.

In 2011, the squadron was embarked with CVW-17 for a Western Pacific and Persian Gulf deployment aboard USS Carl Vinson.

In 2012, the squadron completed a surge deployment with Carrier Air Wing 17 aboard USS Carl Vinson.

In 2014, the squadron was embarked with CVW-17 aboard USS Carl Vinson in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and returned to NAS Oceana in 2015.

In spring 2018, the squadron was embarked with CVW-1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and returned to NAS Oceana in late summer 2018.

source: VFA-81 website + wikipedia
 
patches + more

vfa-81 sunliners insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy 02c

vfa-81 sunliners insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy 02p  vfa-81 sunliners insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy 03p
 
 
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