VFA-113

Strike Fighter Squadron 113
VFA-113 Insignia
Active	August 15, 1948
Country	United States
Branch	US Navy
Type	Fighter/Attack
Role	Close air support Air interdiction
Part of	Carrier Air Wing 17
Garrison/HQ	Naval Air Station Lemoore
Nickname(s)	"Stingers"
Motto(s)	"The First and the Finest" Stingtown Stinger Sorties
Equipment	F/A-18E
Engagements	Korean War Vietnam War Operation Desert Shield Operation Southern Watch Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation 2 Navy Unit Commendations 6 Service stars Battle Efficiency "E" Admiral Wade McClusky Award Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award 1971, 1982, 1991 Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Award 1992, 1993
Commanders
Current commander	Commander Eric "Popeye" Doyle
Ceremonial chief	CMDCM R.T. McClain III

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 (VFA-113), also known as the Stingers, is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

The "Stingers" are an operational fleet F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) and based at NAS Lemoore, CA. Their tailcode is NA and their radio callsign is Sting.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s original insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 15 April 1949, and it was slightly modified in 1985. Nickname: Stingers, 1949 to present.

History

1940s

A Vought F4U-4B Corsair of fighter squadron VF-113 Stingers flies over U.S. ships at Inchon, Korea, on 15 September 1950. VF-113 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Eleven (CVG-11) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47). The battleship USS Missouri (BB-63) is visible below the Corsair.

Strike Fighter Squadron 113 originated as Fighter Squadron 113 (VF-113) on 15 July 1948 at NAS San Diego, flying the F8F-1 and F8F-2 Bearcat.

1950s

In March 1950, the squadron transitioned to the F4U-4B Corsair. Attached to Air Group 11, the "Stingers" flew their first combat strikes on 5 August 1950 from USS Philippine Sea and USS Valley Forge against targets near Kunsan, Korea. In September 1950, the squadron flew combat sorties in support of the United States Marine Corps landings at Incheon. In November 1950, squadron aircraft participated in Operation Pinwheel, the docking and departing of the carrier from the pier using aircraft engine power to move the ship. Also in November 1950, during strikes on bridges crossing the Yalu River, squadron F4U-4Bs were attacked by MiG-15s, with neither side suffering any damage. On 23 June 1952, squadron aircraft, along with planes from 3 other air groups, participated in the first coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants. This was the first time that enemy power plants had been so heavily targeted. It also marked the first time that four carriers were on line off the coast of Korea since the fall of 1950. VF-113 won six engagement stars as well as the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendations in two Korean combat tours.

The squadron moved to NAS Miramar on 15 September 1952 and transitioned to the F9F-1 Panther on 5 October 1952. In February 1954, the squadron upgraded to the F9F-2. In May 1955, the squadron again upgraded to the swept wing F9F-8 Cougar and in March 1956 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VA-113). In April 1957, the Stingers transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, flying several different Skyhawk models over the next 11 years.

While operating from USS Shangri-La (CVA-38) in August– September 1958, the squadron was part of a task force that provided support to the Republic of China during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese Communists. The squadron was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for 1958, denoting it as the best Attack Squadron on the West Coast.

1960s

VA-113 A-4C landing on the USS Kitty Hawk in 1966

In the fall of 1961, the squadron embarked in USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) for her transit, via Cape Horn, from NS Norfolk to her new home port at NAS North Island. The Stingers also moved to a new home at NAS Lemoore on 12 December 1961. In June 1964, squadron aircraft participated in Yankee Team operations, including aerial refuelling for RF-8A Crusaders and F-101 Voodoos, and search and rescue missions over South Vietnam and Laos. From November 1964 to October 1965, the squadron provided a detachment of personnel and A-4s for use as fighter protection for USS Bennington (CVS-20).

October 1965 brought the "Stingers" back to the Western Pacific for a combat deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The squadron flew numerous missions into North Vietnam against enemy lines of communications, as well as close air support in South Vietnam. In December 1965 during the squadron’s first line-period on Yankee Station, they participated in three major strikes against important North Vietnamese targets, including the Hai Phong Bridge, Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant and the Hai Duong Bridge.

The "Stingers'" second tour in Vietnam was aboard USS Enterprise, from 19 November 1966 to 6 July 1967, earning them Navy Unit Commendation. The squadron upgraded to the A-4F in October 1967.

The "Stingers" again deployed to South East Asia aboard Enterprise on 3 January 1968. En route to Yankee Station, the carrier was ordered to the Sea of Japan for operations following the seizure of the USS Pueblo (AGER-2) by the North Koreans. After return from deployment on 18 July 1968, the squadron transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II in December 1968, and was awarded the coveted Arlie Burke Award, and the Battle Efficiency "E" award for the year.

1970s

VA-113 upgraded to the A-7E in April 1970, and returned to combat operations in Southeast Asia during November 1970 aboard USS Ranger. The squadron's performance during this deployment earned them the Admiral Wade McClusky Award, given annually to the "Outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy." Additionally, VA-113 earned the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for Fiscal Year 1971.

VA-113 departed Alameda, California in November 1972 for its sixth combat cruise to Southeast Asia. During this deployment the squadron participated in air strikes during Linebacker II and saw action over South Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and North Vietnam.

May 1974 found the "Stingers" again returning to WESTPAC as an integral part of the Carrier Air Wing 2/Ranger team. VA-113 continued this association for the next eight years, completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while compiling an accident-free safety record in the A-7E.

1980s

An A-7E of VA-113 on the USS Ranger in 1970/71

From 15 October 1980 to 22 March 1981, under the "Swing Wing Concept" to reduce the deck multiple on Ranger, VA-113 operated as a CVW-2 Detachment from NAS Cubi Point. In August 1982 the "Stingers" surpassed 40,000 accident-free flight hours which represented the longest accident-free period in the entire Navy A-7 community. In recognition of superior safety awareness and operations, the squadron was presented the prestigious Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1982.

On 24 August 1984, the first F/A-18 Hornet bearing Stinger colors was delivered to VFA-125, and the VA-113 pilots began transition training. The Stingers were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN (VFA-113) on 25 March 1984, and they completed the transition on 14 December 1984, becoming the first operational fleet Hornet squadron. The squadron soon embarked aboard USS Constellation for the first carrier deployment of the F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing 14 from February to August 1985.

From April to October 1987, the squadron again deployed to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The "Stingers" played a key role in Operation Earnest Will, the armed escort of American-flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region.

The "Stingers" deployed in December 1988 aboard Constellation to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, returning in June 1989. Immediately upon their return, they upgraded to C model Hornets.

1990s

F/A-18C Hornet from VFA-113 on the deck of the USS Ronald Reagan

Safety and proficiency milestones were set again in May 1990, as the "Stingers" advanced the Navy's Tactical Aviation Safety Record to 16 years and over 70,000 mishap-free hours.

In June 1990, the "Stingers" once again sailed to the Western Pacific, this time aboard USS Independence (CV-62). Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces on 2August 1990, Independence was ordered to the Gulf of Oman, becoming the first aircraft carrier on station. VFA-113 conducted Operation Desert Shield missions over the North Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. On 3–4 October 1990, VFA-113 conducted flight operations from Independence while she operated in the Persian Gulf, marking the first time a carrier had operated in the Gulf since 1974. The "Stingers" returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990.

In February 1994, the "Stingers" deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson as part of Cruiser Destroyer Group Three. During this deployment, the "Stingers" conducted operations throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean theatres. In addition to missions off the coast of Korea during International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations negotiations, they also flew multiple missions into Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch. The "Stingers" compiled a record 21 years and over 93,000 mishap free flight hours, and received three consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards from 1991–1993.

In May 1996, the VFA-113 "Stingers" deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 14 embarked on USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70). WESTPAC 96 included participation in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike. The "Stingers" returned from deployment on 12 November 1996. In March 1997, the "Stingers" made Naval Aviation history when they broke the 100,000 mishap free flight hour mark, making the "Stingers" the safest tactical carrier squadron in aviation history.

2000s

The Stingers, along with the rest of CVW-14 took part in the Ronald Reagan's maiden deployment from January through July 2006. The deployment took the squadron through the Western Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2010s

On 11 April 2011, an F/A-18 strike fighter from squadron VFA-113 made a successful single-engine landing aboard the Carl Vinson, bursting in flames in the process. However, no fatalities occurred due to the fire-fighting efforts of the flight deck personnel.^[1]

In August 2014, VFA-113 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific and Middle East. The Stingers took part in Operation Inherent Resolve supporting combat operations in Iraq and Syria. The deployment was nearly ten months.

On 12 September 2015, two F/A-18C Hornet single-seat strike fighters collided and crashed approximately 250 nautical miles (460 km; 290 mi) west of Wake Island. One aircraft was from squadron VFA-94 and the other was from squadron VFA-113. Both squadrons were based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, and both squadron were part of Carrier Air Wing Seventeen embarked aboard the carrier Carl Vinson. One aviator was recovered in fair condition and received medical treatment aboard the Carl Vinson. Search-and-rescue (SAR) operations continued for the other aviator (pictured). The squadron was participating in Exercise Valiant Shield 2015 at the time of the mid-air collision.^[2] The search was called off on 14 September 2015, and the missing aviator was declared missing and presumed dead, with an investigation called to look into the accident.^[3] The investigation into the crash was completed the summer after returning from deployment.

On 17 February 2016, the final VFA-113 F/A-18C Legacy Hornet departed the Stinger flightline and was transferred to NAS Oceana, Virginia. Since then, the Stingers have transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. As the last Navy F/A-18C squadron on the west coast to transition to the Super Hornet, that last flight happened to be the last operational Legacy Hornet flight ever for NAS Lemoore. The naval air station is now comprised entirely of Super Hornets until the F-35 Lightning II arrives in 2017.