DEPLOYMENTS:
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July
1950 - March 1951 with CVG-11 aboard USS
Philippine Sea (CVA 47)
December
1951 - August 1952 with CVG-11 aboard USS Philippine Sea (CVA 47)
July
1953 - January 1954 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kearsarge
(CVA 33)
October
1954 - May 1955 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kearsarge (CVA 33)
July
1956 - January 1957 with CVG-11 aboard USS Essex (CVA
9)
March
1958 - November 1958 with CVG-11 aboard USS Shangri-La
(CVA 38)
March
1959 - October 1959 with CVG-11 aboard USS Shangri-La (CVA 38)
July
1969 - March 1961 with CVG-11 aboard USS Hancock
(CVA 19)
August
1961 - November 1961 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kitty
Hawk (CVA 63)
September
1962 - April 1963 with CVG-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
October
1963 - July 1964 with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
October
1965 - June 1966 with CVW-11 aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63)
January
1967 - July 1967 with CVW-5 aboard USS Hancock (CVA 19)
April
1971 - November 1971 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
April
1972 - March 1972 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway (CVA 41)
June
1973 - August 1991: permanently forward deployed to Naval Station Yokosuka,
Japan
as
part of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), assigned to USS Midway (CV 41):
September 1973 -
October 1973 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
November 1973 -
December 1973 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
January 1974 - March
1974 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
October 1974 -
December 1974 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
January 1975 -
February 1975 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
March 1975 - May
1975 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CVA 41)
October 1975 -
December 1975 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
March 1976 - April
1976 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
May 1976 - June
1976 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
July 1976 - August
1976 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
November 1976 - December
1976 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
January 1977 -
March 1977 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
April 1977 - May
1977 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
August 1977 -
September 1977 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
September 1977 - December
1977 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
April 1978 - May
1978 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
November 1978 -
December 1978 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
January 1979 -
February 1979 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
April 1979 - June
1979 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
August 1979 -
September 1979 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
September 1979 -
February 1980 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
July 1980 -
November 1980 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
February 1981 -
June 1981 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
June 1981 - July
1981 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
September 1981 -
October 1981 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
April 1982 - June
1982 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
September 1982 - December
1982 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
February 1983 -
May 1983 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
June 1983 - August
1983 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
October 1983 -
December 1983 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
December 1983 - May
1984 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
October 1984 -
December 1984 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
February 1985 -
March 1985 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
June 1985 -
October 1985 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
November 1985 - December
1985 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
January 1986 -
March 1986 with CVW-5 aboard USS Midway
(CV 41)
January
1987 - March 1987 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
April
1987 - July 1987 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
October
1987 - April 1988 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
October
1988 - November 1988 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
January
1989 - February 1989 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
February
1989 - April 1989 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
May
1989 - July 1989 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
August
1989 - December 1989 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
February
1990 - April 1990 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
October
1990 - April 1991 with
CVW-5 aboard USS
Midway (CV 41)
August
1991 - 1996: permanently forward deployed to Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan
as
part of Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5), assigned to USS Independence (CV 62):
October
1991 - November 1991 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
April
1992 - October 1992 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
February
1993 - March 1993 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
May
1993 - July 1993 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
November
1993 - March 1994 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
July
1994 - August 1994 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
August
1995 - November 1995 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
February
1996 - March 1996 with
CVW-5 aboard USS Independence
(CV 62)
>> NOTE: the squadron
would normally operate out of NAF Atsugi or Misawa when the carrier was in
port NS Yokosuka.
Detachment deployment only:
VA-115 / Det. Arab:
February 1987 - May 1987 with
CVW-9
aboard USS Kitty
Hawk (CV 63)
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Significant events:
1 Jan-1 Feb 1943: A detachment of 6 aircraft from the squadron were sent to
Kanton Island, in the Phoenix Islands, for antisubmarine defense and search
missions.
Apr-Jul 1943: The squadron was landbased at Guadalcanal and participated in
the Solomons (New Georgia) Campaign. They flew patrol, search, spotting,
strike, and night minelaying missions against targets in the Solomon Islands.
5 May 1944: Squadron aircraft were involved in an antisubmarine attack off
the coast of Hilo, Hawaii. The attack against the enemy submarine was
assessed as probable by the squadron commander.
10 Oct 1944: The squadron participated in the first strikes against Okinawa,
part of the opening of the Leyte Campaign.
25 Oct 1944: The Japanese Fleet, in three elements, converged on Leyte to
oppose the landings. While 340 miles from Leyte, which was beyond the normal
combat radius for World War II carrier aircraft, squadron aircraft were
launched for a strike on the central element of the Japanese Fleet. Its TBMs
arrived over the enemy fleet after it had broken off its engagement, the
Battle Off Samar, with the American escort carriers and destroyers guarding
the landing and supply ships. The TBMs struck the retiring Japanese Central
Fleet, scoring hits on a battleship and two cruisers. All the squadron’s
aircraft returned, completing a 600 mile round trip combat flight. For their
actions during this engagement, the following squadron personnel were awarded
the Navy Cross: Lieutenants Wilbur J. Engman, Melvin L. Tegge, and Thomas B. Adams
and Lieutenant (jg)s Richard W. Russell, Lawrence E. Helmuth, John M. Davis
and William Maier.
26 Oct 1944: Strikes continued against the Japanese Fleet and Lieutenant
Leroy H. Grau was awarded the Navy Cross for a successful torpedo attack
against a Japanese light cruiser.
Nov 1944: The squadron continued to provide support for the Occupation of
Leyte, striking targets on Luzon.
13 Nov 1944: The squadron’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander R.
Denniston, Jr., was lost on a combat mission over Manila Harbor.
Dec 1944: Squadron aircraft struck targets on Luzon in support of the
landings on Mindoro.
18 Dec 1944: While operating east of the Philippines the task force was
overtaken by an unusually severe typhoon causing the loss of three destroyers
and damage to several other ships, including four light carriers.
Jan 1945: In early January, the squadron struck ships and targets on Formosa
and Luzon in support of the landings in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon.
9-20 Jan 1945: The squadron participated in operations in the South China
Sea, the first time an American Task Force had entered these waters since the
beginning of the war. The squadron struck targets at Cam Ranh Bay and a
convoy off Qui Nhon, French Indo-China; shipping at the Pescadores Island; and
Hong Kong.
12-18 Sep 1950: The squadron participated in the pre-assault strikes against
targets in and around Inchon, Korea, in preparation for the landings there on
15 September. During and after the invasion, the squadron continued to fly
deep support missions into the areas surrounding Inchon, striking at targets
of opportunity.
9 Nov 1950: The squadron’s first encounter with MiG-15s was during a mission
against Sinuiju, Korea. All the aircraft returned safely to Philippine Sea.
Dec 1950: The squadron provided close air support for American troops in the
Chosen Reservoir area.
Feb-Jul 1952: The squadron’s combat missions
in Korea during this time period centered on rail interdiction, with some
strikes against North Korean transportation, communication, industrial and
supply facilities.
23-24 Jun 1952: The squadron participated in coordinated strikes against
North Korean hydroelectric power plants, these were the first heavy attacks
conducted against these installations. Nine different hydroelectric power
plants were struck by forces from Carrier Air Groups 2, 7, 11, 19, and the
5th Air Force.
Feb 1955: The squadron flew air cover missions during the evacuation of over
26,000 personnel from Tachen Islands which had come under bombardment by the
People’s Republic of China in January.
Aug-Sep 1958: The squadron was part of the task force that provided support
to the Republic of China during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by
the Chinese Communists.
May-Jun 1964: During the Laotian crisis, the squadron flew Combat Air Patrol
and Search and Rescue sorties over the country.
Aug 1967-Jan 1970: During this period the squadron was in an inactive
stand-down status. There were no aircraft and only a few administrative
personnel assigned. The inactive status was a transitional period, awaiting
the time when the squadron would assume an active status and receive the A-6
Intruder. This is the only known instance in which a squadron was not
disestablished but remained on the active squadron inventory in an inactive
status. The squadron resumed an active status on 1 January 1970.
May-Oct 1972: The squadron participated in Linebacker I operations, heavy air
strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies.
Apr-May 1975: The squadron participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the
evacuation of American personnel from Saigon, South Vietnam, as the country
fell to the communists.
Aug-Sep 1976: The squadron operated near the Korean Peninsula following the
murder of U.S. military personnel in the Korean DMZ by North Koreans.
Apr-May 1979: Midway, with VA-115 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden to
relieve Constellation (CV 64) and maintain a U.S. carrier presence following
the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the fall of the
Shah of Iran.
Oct 1979: As a response to anti-American demonstrations in Iran, Midway and
its air wing, including VA-115, were ordered to deploy to the Indian Ocean
for the second time in 1979.
Nov-Dec 1979: In response to the seizure of the American Embassy and its
staff by an Iranian mob, Midway returned to the Arabian Sea.
May–Jun 1980: Following the massacre of several hundred people in the city of
Kwangju, South Korea, the squadron operated from Midway off the coast of
South Korea until the crisis subsided.
Dec 1981: Following unrest in South Korea the squadron operated from Midway
off the coast of South Korea for several days.
29 Feb 1988: During an exercise in the Gulf of Siam, a squadron aircraft
spotted a boatload of Vietnamese refugees, leading to their rescue by Midway
(CV 41).
Sep 1988: During the Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the squadron was
embarked on Midway and operating in the Sea of Japan to demonstrate U.S.
support for a peaceful olympics.
Nov 1990-Jan 1991: The squadron flew missions in support of Operation Desert
Shield, the build-up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened
invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and were part of an economic blockade of
Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.
20 Jan-9 Mar 1991: The squadron participated in Operation Desert Storm,
striking Iraqi naval targets and bases, airfields and bridges, a
communication center, and providing close air support for Allied ground
forces.
Homeport assignments:
NAS San Diego: 1948-52
NAS Miramar: 1952-61
NAS Moffett Field: 1961-63
NAS Lemoore: 1963-70
NAS Whidbey Island: 1970-73
Naval Station Yokosuka (NAF Atsugi & NAF Misawa): 1973-96 **
** VA-115, along with CVW-5 and Midway (CVA 41), were part of a program to
permanently assign a carrier and air wing to an overseas home port. Midway’s
new home port was Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan, and the squadron would
normally operate out of NAF Atsugi or Misawa when the carrier was in NS
Yokosuka.
- - -
another history:
On July 15, 1948, VA-12A was re-designated
Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115), and in December, the squadron transitioned to
the Douglas AD Skyraider. The squadron upgraded models of the
"Spad" several times for the next ten years.
In July 1950, VA-115 deployed aboard USS Philippine Sea for nine months
conducting strikes in Inchon, South Korea in preparation for landings in
September 1950. During and after the invasion the squadron flew deep support
missions and also encountered Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15s. On 31 December 1951,
VA-115 provided close air support for American troops in the Chosen Reservoir
area and flew combat missions against North Korean rail, transportation,
communication, industrial and supply targets. VA-115 flew 2,268 combat
missions over both Korea deployments. For this outstanding performance, the
squadron was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
In June 1952, the squadron participated in coordinated strikes against North
Korean hydroelectric power plants - the first heavy attacks conducted against
these installations. Nine different hydroelectric power plants were struck.
VA-115 made two deployments to Korea in 1950/51 and 1951/52 aboard the USS
Philippine Sea. It returned to Korea shortly after the Armistice Agreement in
July 1953 aboard the USS Kearsarge. This was followed by another deployment
on the Kearsarge in 1954/55.
In February 1955, the squadron flew air cover missions during the evacuation
of over 26,000 personnel from Tachen Islands which had come under bombardment
by the People’s Republic of China in January. In August and September 1958,
the squadron was part of the task force that provided support to the Republic
of China during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese
Communists.
CVG-11 then moved to the USS Essex in 1956, followed by two cruises aboard
the USS Shangri-La in 1958 and 1959.
In 1960 the squadron adopted the nickname "Arabs" after passage
through the Suez Canal, while being deployed aboard the USS Hancock in
1960/61.
Later in 1961 CVW-11 was reassigned to the USS Kitty Hawk. VA-115 made three
deployments aboard the Kitty Hawk to the Western Pacific between 1962 and
1966. In May and June 1964, during the Laotian crisis, the squadron flew
Combat Air Patrol and Search and Rescue.
In October 1965, the squadron returned to Southeast Asia. During six months
on Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin, VA-115 flew 2,051 sorties, over
8,000 hours and delivered 3,200 t (7 mio lb) of ordnance against enemy
targets in Vietnam. In September 1966, VA-115 joined Carrier Air Wing Five
aboard the USS Hancock and made its second deployment to Vietnam from January
to July 1967.
From August 1967 to January 1970, the squadron was put in an inactive,
stand-down status. This was a transitional period as the squadron awaited the
arrival of the Grumman A-6 Intruder, and there were no aircraft and only a
few administrative personnel assigned. This is the only known instance in
which a squadron was not disestablished but remained on the active squadron
inventory in an inactive status.
In January 1970, the squadron resumed active status and was reassigned to
Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington for transition to the A-6
Intruder. The squadron received their first KA-6D tanker aircraft in February
1971. In 1970 VA-115 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 16 (tail code
"AH") and should be deployed on the modernized carrier USS Midway.
However, while the modernization of Midway took longer than expected, CVW-16
was disestablished in 1971 and all its squadrons were assigned to Carrier Air
Wing Five (tail code "NF"). From 1971 to 1990 VA-115 and CVW-5 were
assigned to the USS Midway. In 1971 and 1972/73 Midway made two deployeents
to Vietnam. From May to October 1972 VA-115 participated in Operation
Linebacker I, where VA-115 earned a fourth Presidential Unit Citation.
In September 1973, Midway changed homeport to Yokosuka, Japan, and CVW-5 was
based at NAF Atsugi. Again Midway and VA-115 would serve off the coast of
Vietnam and in 1975, participated in Operation Eagle Pull and Operation
Frequent Wind, supporting the evacuation of Saigon.
In August and September 1976 Midway and VA-115 operated off Korea following
the murder of U.S. service personnel in the demilitarized zone by the North
Koreans. In the Spring/Summer of 1977, VA-115 transitioned to the A-6E. The
"Arabs" of VA-115 then became the "Eagles," officially
changing the nickname in March 1978.
From April to May 1979 the USS Midway, with VA-115 embarked, deployed to the
Gulf of Aden to relieve the USS Constellation and maintain a U.S. carrier
presence following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and
the fall of the Shah of Iran. As a response to anti-American demonstrations
in Iran, Midway and her air wing, including VA-115, were ordered to deploy to
the Indian Ocean for the second time from October to December 1979, when an
Iranian mob also seized the American Embassy and its staff.
In May and June 1980 following the massacre of several hundred people in the
city of Kwangju, South Korea, the squadron operated from Midway off the coast
of South Korea until the crisis subsided. Midway operated again off South
Korea in December 1981 following political unrest. During the Summer Olympics
of September 1988 in Seoul, South Korea, the squadron was embarked on Midway
operating in the Sea of Japan to demonstrate U.S. support for a peaceful
Olympics.
The "Eagles" deployed again to the Middle East in support of
re-flagged Kuwaiti tankers in the Persian Gulf. In October 1990, the
"Eagles" deployed to the North Persian Gulf in support of Operation
Desert Shield. On January 17, 1991, "Eagle" Intruders launched from
the deck of Midway against Iraqi targets to mark the beginning of Operation
Desert Storm. In total, the "Eagles" flew 456 combat sorties and
delivered 724,000 pounds of ordnance against enemy targets in Iraq and
occupied Kuwait. The squadron also was credited with the confirmed
destruction of 12 Iraqi naval vessels.
In 1992, the squadron deployed aboard USS Independence, USS Midway's relief
as the Navy's forward deployed aircraft carrier homeported in Japan.
VA-115 again deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern
Watch enforcing United Nations resolutions against Iraq. The
"Eagles" were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their
performance flying 115 combat missions over Iraq. In 1993, VA-115 deployed to
the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, and in 1994 the
Eagles received four aircraft with night vision device capability. In 1996,
VA-115 supported contingency operations in the vicinity of Taiwan and again
supported Operation Southern Watch.
In October 1996, the "Eagles" conducted a homeport change to NAS
Lemoore, California and began transition to their fifth aircraft, the
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet. They were redesignated as Strike Fighter
Squadron 115 (VFA-115) on September 30, 1996.
source: wikipedia
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