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F-14B Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) - NAS
Oceana, Virginia - 2005
F-14B Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
3 F-14B Tomcats (VF-32) and 1 F-14D
Tomcat (VF-101) - NAS Oceana, Virginia - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
engine of a F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3)
embarked on USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2005
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2004
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2003
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2001
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) - 2000
F-14B Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - 1998
F-14A Tomcats of VF-32 and VF-14 / CVW-3
embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during aerial refueling - 1991
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) flying over Nevada - 1991
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1991
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1991
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1991
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1991
F-14A Tomcats of VF-32 and VF-14 / CVW-3
embarked on USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1990
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1990
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1990
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1990
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1990
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) with a RAF Phantom FGR.2 from 19(F) Squadron -
1990
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) launches an AIM-54 Phoenix missile - 1989
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during NATO exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION 1986
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during NATO exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION 1986
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during NATO exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION 1986
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during NATO exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION 1986
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-3) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) during NATO exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION 1986
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-6) embarked on
USS Independence (CV 62) - 1983
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-6) embarked on
USS Independence (CV 62) - off Lebanon - 1983
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-6) embarked on USS
Independence (CV 62) - off Lebanon - 1983
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1981 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked on USS
John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1980 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F-14A Tomcats (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1975 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) - 1975
F-14A Tomcat (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked on
USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) - 1974
F-4B Phantom II (VF-32 / CVW-1) embarked
on USS John F. Kennedy (CVA 67) launches an AQM-37 target drone - 1970-71
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32 / CVG-3) embarked
on USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1958 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32 / CVG-3) embarked
on USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1958 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32 / CVG-3) embarked
on USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1958 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32 / CVG-3) embarked
on USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1958 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32 / CVG-3) embarked
on USS Saratoga (CVA 60) - 1958 (courtesy of the National Naval Aviation
Museum)
F8U-1 Crusader (VF-32) embarked on USS
Saratoga (CVA 60) with other aircraft of CVG-3 - 1957/58 (courtesy of the
National Naval Aviation Museum)
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Squadron history (from the VFA-32 homepage):
The VF-32 Swordsmen originated on
February 1, 1945 as VBF-3, after VF-3 was split into two squadrons. VBF-3
joined Carrier Air Group THREE onboard USS YORKTOWN (CV 10) operating in the
Pacific theater. Flying F6F-5 "Hellcats", VBF-3 pilots became the
first Navy carrier-based pilots to attack the homeland of the Japanese
Empire. During the heavy action on that day, the squadron shot down 24
Japanese aircraft for which the Swordsmen received the Presidential Unit
Citation. In 1946, VBF-3 transitioned to F8F-1 "Bearcats" and
redesignated as VF-4A. In August 1948, the squadron became VF-32, with the
transition to the F4U-4.
At the outbreak of the Korean conflict, pilots from VF-32 were flying F4U-4
"Corsairs" onboard USS LEYTE (CV 32). From October 1950 to January
1951, VF-32 participated in strikes against Korean targets including Wonsan
Harbor, Puckchong, Chonjin, and the Chosin Reservoir. A significant event for
the Swordsmen occurred on the 4th of December, 1950 during a strike against
the Chosin Reservoir. ENS Jesse L. Brown, the first black Navy fighter pilot,
was hit by anti-aircraft fire and forced down in North Korean territory. A
squadron mate, LTJG Thomas Hudner looked down and saw his friend trapped in
his aircraft, reaching up to Hudner for help as the plane caught fire. LTJG
Hudner crash landed his aircraft alongside ENS Brown in an attempt to rescue
him, but his efforts were in vain. The President awarded LTJG Hudner the
Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroic effort and ENS Brown the
Distinguished Flying Cross. After operations in Korea, the squadron returned
to the East Coast where they became the first operational unit to fly the
Grumman F9F-6 "Cougar", the Navy's first swept wing jet fighter.
VF-32 made subsequent deployments onboard USS TARAWA (CV 40) in 1953 and the
USS TICONDEROGA (CV 14) in 1955.
In 1956, VF-32 became the first Navy squadron to transition to the new F8U-1
“Crusader”. While deployed onboard USS SARATOGA (CVA 60) as a unit of Carrier
Air Group THREE, VF-32 participated in the Lebanese conflict of 1958. During
the Cuban missile crisis in late 1962, VF-32 flew 96 sorties in support of photoreconnaissance
flights and intelligence gathering missions. The Squadron changed home port
from Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida to Naval Air Station Oceana,
Virginia after returning from cruise in 1965. VF-32 detached from Carrier Air
Group THREE, ending a relationship that had lasted continuously since the
squadron's inception.
VF-32 deployed on the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CVA 42) in June 1966 as a
component of Carrier Air Group ONE and sailed for Southeast Asia. The
squadron flew 940 combat sorties in five months, building a highly successful
combat record and losing no aircraft or aircrew. In May 1968, VF-32 deployed
on USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) for her maiden voyage. In 1971, the squadron
received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions in support of SIXTH
FLEET operations during the Middle East Crisis. In 1974, VF-32 introduced the
F-14A "Tomcat" to the East coast, embarking on their first Atlantic
Fleet deployment in June 1975. On that cruise, the Navy awarded VF-32 the Admiral
Joseph Clifton Award as the Navy's top fighter squadron. In October 1977,
VF-32 became the first fleet squadron to fly against the Air Force F-15,
setting the stage for regularly scheduled dissimilar air combat training
between the Air Force and the Navy. The Gypsies of VF-32 again deployed for
the Mediterranean on USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) in June 1978. VF-32
conducted the first fleet test and evaluation of the new and highly
successful Television Camera System. The Swordsmen also deployed with AIM-9L
missiles for the first fleet captive-carry evaluation. A mid-cruise missile
exercise, "BUZZARDEX", was an unqualified success with firings of
AIM-54A PHOENIX and AIM-7F SPARROW missiles at five Mach 2.5 targets.
In October 1979, VF-32 completed an unprecedented 10 years of accident-free
flying. In those 10 years, the squadron flew over 33,000 hours with 17,000 of
those in the F-14A "Tomcat". In 1980, the Swordsmen received with
the Admiral Clifton Award. The Swordsmen enjoyed an accident-free Mediterranean
cruise onboard JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) in 1980 and 1981.
In 1982, the squadron completed another accident-free Mediterranean
deployment onboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62), achieving the 1982 COMNAVAIRLANT
Battle "E" and CNO Safety "S”. VF-32 flew combat air patrol
missions and provided TARPS imagery for air strikes on Syrian positions in
Lebanon and in support of American forces in Grenada. The deployment
concluded with participation in NATO exercise "TEAMWORK 84" in the
Norwegian Sea. After a quick turnaround, the Swordsmen made a third
deployment onboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) from October 1984 through
February 1985 to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean.
The Swordsmen rejoined CVW-3 in February 1985, deploying onboard JOHN F.
KENNEDY (CV 67) in August of 1986 for another Mediterranean cruise. VF-32
participated in a variety of NATO and combined exercises, and celebrated a
second decade of safety. On January 4, 1989, a section of "Gypsy"
Tomcats, while conducting routine operations north of Libya, were vectored on
two approaching Libyan Fighters. After attempts at a peaceful intercept, and
with hostile intent evident, the section of Swordsmen fired AIM-7 and AIM-9
missiles downing two Libyan MIG-23 Floggers. The combat proven Swordsmen
returned to Oceana in February of 1989.
In August of 1990, the Swordsmen deployed to the Red Sea in support of
Operation DESERT SHIELD. Combat operations over Iraq from 16 January to 28
February 1991 marked the sixth decade of Swordsmen participation in armed
conflict.
Throughout Operation DESERT STORM, VF-32 aircrew logged 1,445 combat flight
hours on 403 missions, including 38 combat TARPS missions. Returning from the
Red Sea in 1991, the Swordsmen won the 1991 AIRLANT Grand Slam missile firing
competition with an unprecedented 17 of 17 scored kills.
VFA-32 and the JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) again deployed in October 1992. The
Gypsies conducted several air-to-ground operations while on cruise, marking
the beginning of the Tomcat STRIKE/FIGHTER mission. The Swordsmen returned
home to NAS Oceana in April 1993 highlighting the year with presentations of
the Golden Wrench, Battle "E", and Clifton Awards.
From May 1994 to November 1998, the Swordsmen participated in a number of
combat operations to include: Operation RESTORE DEMOCRACY in Haiti, Operation
SOUTHERN WATCH in Iraq and in Bosnia/Herzegovina in support of Operation DENY
FLIGHT. The Gypsies brought digital imagery to the TARPS mission, receiving
the Meritorious Unit Commendation for their cutting edge work with Digital TARPS.
From December 16 to 19, 1998, Carrier Air Wing THREE participated in combat
operation against Iraqi targets in Operation DESERT FOX. The Gypsies expended
over 111,000 pounds of precision guided munitions while participating in 16
strike missions and 38 sorties. The Tomcat achieved many firsts; the first
GBU-24's to be dropped by the Navy in combat, the first multiple
(“consecutive miracles”) GBU-24 drop by any platform in combat, the first
combat use of the LANTIRN targeting pod, the first autonomous F-14 delivery
of a GBU-10/16/24, and the first use of Night Vision Devices (NVD) in combat.
The combat proven Swordsmen completed this historic deployment and returned
to NAS Oceana in May 1999.
The Swordsmen deployed again in November 2000, for the maiden voyage of USS
HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75). This time they spent four months in support of
Operation SOUTHERN WATCH as the only deployed Tomcat squadron in the world.
Swordsmen Maintenance also won the coveted CVW-3 Golden Wrench award for have
a completion rate of over 99.7% in two back to back line periods. VF-32
returned home to Oceana on 23 May 2001.
In December of 2002, the Swordsmen deployed once again on board USS HARRY S.
TRUMAN (CVN-75) to the Mediterranean Sea in support of Operations NOBLE EAGLE,
NORTHERN WATCH, and IRAQI FREEDOM. Participating in liberation efforts, the
Swordsmen released over 402,000 pounds of ordnance on targets in Northern
Iraq during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. Once again, VF-32 set a Tomcat benchmark
being the first fighter squadron to release multiple JDAM. Having contributed
significantly to the liberation of Iraq, the battle hardened Swordsmen
returned to Oceana in May of 2003.
During their 2004-2005 deployment,VF-32 spent four months in the Northern
Arabian Gulf in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. On their last Tomcat
cruise, they flew over 413 combat missions and dropped 21 tons of ordnance
ensuring the first successful Democratic election in Iraq. The Swordsmen
returned to home port on April 18, 2005 transitioning to the FA-18F Super
Hornet and re-designated VFA-32.
Aircraft history:
Vought F4U-4 Corsair
Development of the Corsair began in 1938, when the US Navy issued a request
for a new single-seat carrier-based fighter. The prototype of the Corsair was
first flown on 29 May 1940, but due to design revisions, the first production
F4U-1 Corsair was not delivered until 31 July 1942. Further landing gear and
cockpit modifications resulted in a new variant, the F4U-1A, which was the
first version approved for carrier duty. The Corsair quickly became the most
capable carrier-based fighter/bomber of the war. Production ceased in 1952.
Over two dozen Corsairs are believed to be still airworthy, most in the
United States.
Grumman F9F-6 Cougar
The Cougar first entered squadron service in November 1952, but was too late
to fly combat sorties in Korea. Immediately following the Korean War, large
numbers of Cougars entered service with carrier-based Navy fighter squadrons.
By the mid-1950s, the Cougar was the most prevalent carrier-based fighter in
service. The Cougar was popular with its crew, who admired it for its
pleasant handling properties and its strong airframe. However, the Cougar was
destined to have a short front-line operational life because of the rapid
development of more advanced supersonic carrier-based fighters. In the late
1950s, the Cougar was replaced in the fighter and reconnaissance roles by the
Tiger and the Crusader, and Douglas A4D Skyhawks replaced the Cougar in the
light attack role. The last F9F-8 and F9F-8B Cougars were phased out in the
Pacific and Atlantic Fleets in 1958 and 1959, respectively. The Blue Angels
flight demonstration team flew F9F-8s from 1954 to 1957, when they converted
to the F11F-1 Tiger.
Vought F8U-1 Crusader
First manufactured in March 1955, The F-8 Crusader was the last carrier-based
American fighter with guns as the primary weapon. The RF-8 Crusader was a
photo-reconnaissance aircraft that played a crucial role in the Cuban Missile
Crisis, providing essential low-level photographs impossible to acquire by
other means. Naval Reserve units continued to operate the RF-8 until 1987.
Coming from a previous generation, the Crusader was the best American fighter
for dog fighting with Vietnamese MiGs. The Crusader would be credited with
the best kill ratio of any American aircraft in the war, 19:3. A unique
feature of the Crusader was its variable-incidence wing, capable of being
raised at the front. Additionally, the entire leading edge was slatted, and
the ailerons drooped with the flaps. This allowed for better low-speed
performance and visibility, by permitting both a nose-low fuselage and a high
angle of attack, during carrier landings. Nevertheless, the Crusader's low
speed yaw behavior was always dangerous, in spite of the vertical fin
increase, installation of skegs and strong dihedral built into its horizontal
tail, among other modifications of the original project. Several modified
F-8s were used by NASA in the early 1970s, proving the viability of both
digital fly-by-wire and supercritical wings.
McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantom II
By any criterion one of the five or six most important warplanes ever
produced and the only Western warplane to be built in numbers exceeding 5,000
since World War II, the Phantom II is still in service. Named Phantom II in
July 1959, the F4H was thus the first U.S. all-missile fighter with a radar
fire-control system that removed the need for surface radar assistance.
Performance was thus optimized for climb rate, speed and range, and estimates
of flight characteristics suggested Mach 2+ performance. The design used a
wing based on flat inner panels supporting dog toothed outer panels set at a
dihedral angle of 12 degrees that could fold upward for reduced carrier borne
width. Directional stability at high angles of attack was provided by slab
tailplane halves set at an anhedral angle of 23 degrees. Engine aspiration
was prevented by variable-geometry inlets designed with moving ramps for
optimum pressure recovery through the full operating envelope. Prototype
construction was authorized in December 1956, and the first XF4H-1 was
completed in April 1958 fitted with two J79-GE-3A turbojets each rated at
9,300 lbs dry and 14,800 lbs with afterburner.
Grumman F-14A/F-14B Tomcat
Overall, The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was without equal among the other fighter
aircraft. Six long-range AIM-54A Phoenix missiles could be guided against six
separate threat aircraft at long range by the F-14's AWG-9 weapons control
system. For medium-range combat, Sparrow missiles were carried; Sidewinders
and a 20mm are available for dogfighting. In the latter role, the Tomcat's
variable-sweep wings gave the F-14 a combat maneuvering capability that could
not have been achieved with a "standard" fixed planform wing. From
its first flight on 21 December 1970, the F-14A went through years of
development, evaluation, squadron training and carrier deployments to become
the carrier air wings' most potent fighter. In addition to its outstanding
fighter capabilities, the Tomcat was configured as a potent, adverse weather,
medium-range strike aircraft with the ability to launch Joint Direct Attack
Munitions (JDAM), coupled with an INS/GPS integration and off-the-shelf
electronic countermeasure improvements. The Tomcat provided a multi-mission
strike/escort capability until its retirement in 2006.
another VF-32 history (from
wikipedia):
1940s:
VFA-32 was established as Bombing Fighting Three (VBF-3) on February 1, 1945,
flying the F6F Hellcat, when it was split off from VF-3, the famed Felix
squadron. Fritz Wolf, a former member of the American Volunteer Group (AVG)
or Flying Tigers, was assigned as the first VBF-3 commanding officer. At the
time, U.S. Navy carriers were closing on the Japanese home islands and were
facing aggressive Kamikaze attacks. VBF-3 was assigned to Carrier Air Group
THREE on board USS Yorktown (CV-10) in the Pacific theater. On 16 February
1945, VBF-3 pilots became the Navy's first carrier-based pilots to strike the
Japanese islands. During the heavy action on that day, the squadron shot down
24 Japanese aircraft, earning the Presidential Unit Citation. On 15 November
1946, VBF-3 was redesignated VF-4A and switched to the F8F-1 Bearcat. On
August 7, 1948, VBF-3 became VF-32 and switched to the F4U Corsair.
1950s:
In 1950, the Swordsmen were deployed to the Korean War with F4U Corsairs
aboard USS Leyte (CV-32). From October 1950 to January 1951, VFA-32 hit
Korean targets including Wonsan Harbor, Puckchong, Chonjin, and Chosin
Reservoir. On December 4, 1950, the aircraft of Ensign Jesse L. Brown, the
first Black American Naval Aviator, was hit by flak while supporting
embattled Marines at Chosin. He crash-landed his Corsair behind enemy lines
on a snow-covered mountain slope. His wingman, Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., could see that Brown survived the forced landing, but
appeared to be trapped in the cockpit with smoke coming from the engine
compartment. In an attempt to save his squadron mate, Hudner crash-landed his
plane alongside Browns'. Hudner found Brown semi-conscious, but was unable to
extricate him from the crumpled fuselage. Brown died in Hudner's arms, and
although the attempted rescue failed, Hudner received the Medal of Honor and
Brown received the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After the Korean war ended in November 1952 the squadron returned to the East
Coast and became the first squadron to operate the swept-wing F9F-6 Cougar.
VFA-32 made subsequent deployments aboard USS Tarawa (CV-40) in 1953 and the
USS Ticonderoga (CV-14) in 1955. In 1956, VF-32 became the first squadron to
transition to the F8U-1 Crusader, thus becoming the first supersonic squadron
in the Navy.
While deployed aboard USS Saratoga (CV-60) as a unit of Carrier Air Group
THREE, VFA-32 participated in the 1958 Lebanon crisis.
1960s:
During the Cuban missile crisis in late 1962, VF-32 flew 96 sorties to
support photoreconnaissance flights and intelligence-gathering missions. After
returning from cruise in 1965, the squadron changed homeport from NAS Cecil
Field, Florida to NAS Oceana, Virginia, and switched to the F-4B Phantom II.
VF-32 detached from Carrier Air Group THREE, ending a relationship that had
lasted since the squadron's establishment.
In June 1966, VF-32 embarked aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) as a
component of Carrier Air Group ONE and sailed for Yankee Station in Southeast
Asia. The squadron flew 940 combat sorties during three line periods in five
months, building a highly successful Vietnam War combat record, losing no
aircraft or aircrew. In May 1968, VF-32 deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy
(CV-67) for her maiden voyage.
1970s:
In 1971, the squadron received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions
in support of SIXTH FLEET operations during the Middle East Crisis.
In 1974, VF-32 switched to the F-14 Tomcat at NAS Miramar before moving to
NAS Oceana as one of the first fleet Tomcat squadrons based there. VF-32 made
the first Atlantic Fleet F-14 deployment in June 1975. On that cruise, VF-32
was awarded the Admiral Joseph Clifton Award as the Navy's top fighter
squadron. In October 1977, VF-32 became the first fleet squadron to fly
against the Air Force F-15 Eagle, setting the stage for regularly scheduled
dissimilar air combat training between the Air Force and Navy. VF-32 again
embarked for the Mediterranean aboard Kennedy in June 1978. During this
deployment, VF-32 conducted the first fleet test and evaluation of the new
Television Camera System. The Swordsmen also deployed with AIM-9L Sidewinder
missiles for the first fleet captive-carry evaluation. A mid-cruise missile
exercise, "BUZZARDEX", was an unqualified success with firings of
AIM-54 Phoenix and AIM-7 Sparrow missiles at five targets moving at Mach 2.5.
In October 1979, VF-32 completed 10 years of accident-free flying. In those
10 years, the squadron flew over 33,000 hours, including 17,000 in the F-14A.
1980s:
In 1980, the Swordsmen were again presented with the Admiral Clifton Award.
In 1980 and 1981, the squadron achieved an accident-free Mediterranean
deployment aboard Kennedy, followed in 1982 by another accident-free Med
cruise aboard USS Independence (CV-62) and the 1982 COMNAVAIRLANT Battle
"E" and CNO Safety "S" awards. In 1982, three VF-32
Tomcats were modified to carry the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System
TARPS pod.
In 1983-84, the Swordsmen completed the Navy's first combat deployment since
the Vietnam era with CVW-6 aboard Independence. Fighter Squadron 32 flew combat
air patrol missions and provided TARPS imagery for the 4 December 1983
CVW-6/CVW-3 air strikes on Syrian positions in Lebanon. VF-32 TARPS also flew
missions in support of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada providing pre- and
post-battle damage assessment using photography from the TARPS pod. Fighter
Squadron 32 TARPS aircraft flew 39 successful reconnaissance mission during
the Urgent Fury operation, often flying as many as six missions per day, a
record unequaled by any other F-14A/TARPS configured squadron. This was the
first combat operation using all branches of the military since Vietnam. The
deployment concluded with participation in NATO exercise "TEAMWORK
84" in the Norwegian Sea. The Swordsmen made a third deployment aboard
Independence from October 1984 through February 1985 to the Mediterranean and
Indian Ocean.
The Swordsmen rejoined CVW-3 in February 1985, and embarked aboard Kennedy in
August 1986 for another Mediterranean deployment. This cruise saw the
Swordsmen Class "A" safety record extended another year, but also
included the first night F-14 barricade landing. VF-32 participated in a
variety of NATO and combined exercises, and extended their major mishap-free
safety record to nine years during a 1988-89 Mediterranean deployment, again
aboard Kennedy.
On January 4, 1989, while flying from Kennedy during a routine patrol over
the Gulf of Sidra, two VF-32 F-14s intercepted two Libyan MiG-23 Floggers,
which had originated from the Al Bumbai airfield in Tobruk. After attempting
a peaceful intercept, the F-14s used their Television Camera System (TCS) to
verify that the MiGs were armed. Hostile intent was declared and the
Swordsmen were cleared to engage. The lead fired an AIM-7 Sparrow, which
failed to track. His wingman also fired a Sparrow, which tracked and
destroyed one of the MiGs, its pilot ejecting. The first F-14 then closed to
AIM-9 Sidewinder range and downed the remaining MiG-23, whose pilot also
ejected. The Swordsmen and Kennedy returned to Virginia in February 1989.
1990s:
When Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces in August 1990, VF-32 joined Carrier
Air Wing 3, was put on emergency recall from Nellis AFB and returned to NAS
Oceana to prepare to sortie with Kennedy. Kennedy immediately proceeded to
the Red Sea to participate in Operation Desert Shield alongside USS Saratoga
(CV-60). During Desert Shield, the ship made several Suez Canal transits and
operated in the Eastern Med. When Desert Shield turned into Operation Desert
Storm in January 1991, VF-32 Tomcats were in the first strike wave flying
Combat Air Patrol mainly in central and western Iraq. VF-32 TARPS aircrews
flew daily missions throughout Iraq including supersonic runs over highly
defended Al Qa'im. Throughout Operation DESERT STORM, VF-32 aircrew logged
1,445 combat flight hours on 403 missions, including 38 combat TARPS
missions. After an eight-month deployment, the Swordsmen returned to NAS
Oceana on 28 March 1991. Later that year, the Swordsmen won the 1991 AIRLANT
Grand Slam missile firing competition with an unprecedented 17 of 17 scored
kills. Fighting 32 and the Kennedy again deployed in October 1992. The
Swordsmen conducted a great deal of air-to-ground operations in the Adriatic
Sea while on cruise in support of Operation Provide Promise, marking the beginning
of the Tomcat strike/fighter mission and provided significant carrier air
patrol support for C-130 food drop missions in the former Yugoslavia. The
Swordsmen returned home to NAS Oceana in April 1993 and throughout the summer
conducted joint ACM exercises with the Air Force and was coined the first
"Toms to Bomb" squadron to fully certify the use of bombs on the
F14 platform. The year was highlighted with presentations of the Battle
"E" and Clifton Awards to VF-32.
In May 1994, VF-32 and CVW-3 embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
(CVN-69). This four-week deployment marked the first extensive at-sea period
where women worked alongside men on a fleet aircraft carrier. In September, a
small detachment provided crucial TARPS photography and air support for
Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti. In November 1994, VF-32 deployed aboard
Eisenhower for another tour in the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean. The
Gypsies flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch and
over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deny Flight. 1995 marked
fifty years of service from the men and women of VF-32. In November 1996,
VF-32 and CVW-3 deployed on board USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) for another
tour in support of Operation Deny Flight and OSW over Bosnia and Iraq. The
cruise proved to be yet another milestone as the Gypsies brought digital
imagery to the TARPS mission. The new cameras could take up to two hundred
digital images and was able to store them on board or transmit them to
appropriately equipped ground or sea based receivers up to 300 kilometers
away, resulting in a near-real-time reconnaissance capability. The squadron
received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its cutting edge work with
Digital TARPS. In August 1997, the Swordsmen of VF-32 began transitioning
from the F-14A to F-14B. In February 1998, the Swordsmen received the F-14B
Upgrade.
In November 1998, VF-32 and CVW-3 deployed aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65) to
the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean Sea to support OSW and Operation Deliberate
Force. With Iraq’s failure to cooperate with United Nations inspections of
known weapon sites, Operation Desert Fox was launched on December 16, 1998.
F-14Bs from VF-32 took part in a 33-aircraft strike package on December 16.
The first night of the four-day operation was conducted by the US Navy only.
Over four days, VF-32 expended 111,054 lb (50,373 kg) of ordnance during 16
strike missions and 38 sorties. During Desert Fox many Tomcat firsts were
achieved, including the first GBU-24s dropped in combat by the US Navy, the
first multiple GBU-24 drop by any platform in combat, the first combat use of
the LANTIRN, the first autonomous F-14 delivery of a GBU-10/16/24, and the
first F-14 use of Night Vision Devices in combat. The Swordsmen returned home
in May 1999.
2000s:
VF-32 deployed once again in November 2000 for the maiden voyage of the USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). They spent four months in support of Operation
Southern Watch and returned home on May 23, 2001. In December 2002 VF-32
deployed once again on Truman in support of Operation Noble Eagle and
Operation Northern Watch.
In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2003, VF-32 was deployed to
the Mediterranean Sea aboard Truman. VF-32 flew strike missions and missions
in support of US Special Forces on the ground. VF-32 was involved in the
worst friendly fire incident of the war when on April 6, 2003 a squadron F-14
crew was cleared to attack an Iraqi tank near Dibakan, 30 miles (48 km) south
east of Mosul. Instead, they mistakenly dropped a single laser-guided bomb on
a vehicle convoy consisting of US Special Forces and Kurdish resistance
fighters, killing 18 Kurdish fighters, 4 US soldiers and a BBC translator. An
additional 80 people were wounded. An investigation following the war found
that the pilot had been cleared to drop without the benefit of target
coordinates provided by the Forward Air Controller, who was “operating under
great stress” at the time. Overall, VF-32 flew 275 sorties and expended 247
laser-guided bombs and 118 JDAM. January 2004 marked another historic first
when VF-32 became the first operational squadron to attempt the launch of six
AIM-54 Phoenix missiles from one aircraft. A launch such as this had not been
attempted since 1972. Five of the six active radar missiles were successfully
launched. VF-32 returned to Oceana in May 2003.
In 2004 VF-32 deployed again in support of OIF, becoming the first Naval
squadron to redeploy in support of OIF. The Swordsmen delivered multiple
precision guided munitions on insurgent hideouts using the LANTIRN pod in the
urban Close Air Support environment. This would be the squadron's final
deployment with the F-14.
In October 2005, VF-32 transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and in
November 2005 the squadron was designated Strike Fighter Squadron Thirty Two
(VFA-32).
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