VFA-101

Strike Fighter Squadron 101
F-35C Lightning II

Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101), also known as the "Grim Reapers", was a

as a subordinate unit of the U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

History

Two distinct squadrons have been called the Grim Reapers, VF-10 and later VF-101, which is the main subject of this article. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation or nickname.^[3] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.

1950s

On 1 May 1952, VF-101 was established at

and circumnavigated the globe between 27 December 1954 and 14 July 1955.

In 1956, VF-101 transitioned to the

. In becoming part of the training structure, VF-101 became part of Readiness Attack Carrier Air Wing 4 and ceased to be a deployable unit.

1960s

In June 1960, VF-101 established "Detachment A" at NAS Oceana which operated the

air-to-air combat

, missile firing and radar intercept techniques. In August 1967, VF-101 received the F-4J.

1970s

VF-101’s administrative command, Readiness Attack Carrier Air Wing 4, was disestablished on 1 June 1970, with VF-101 shifting control of Command to Fleet Air Key West. This moved lasted only a year, and the squadron moved from NAS Key West to NAS Oceana under the command of Commander Fighter Wing One. A detachment remained at Key West until the 2000s. From 6 July to 16 December 1971, VF-101 Det.66 was assigned to

for a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea.

In January 1976, VF-101 began operating and instructing aircrews and maintainers in the F-14 Tomcat. In 1975 and 1976 the squadron was awarded the

VF-103

) began to transition to the Tomcat. VF-101 continued to train F-14 crews.

1980s

In 1986, VF-101 had completed 3 years of accident free operations earning them another Safety Citation, and in March 1988 they received a third CNO Safety Award. The same year, VF-101 began to receive the F-14A+ (later redesignated F-14B), which upgraded the F-14A's underpowered and troublesome engines with new engines that improved fuel economy and added 14,600 pounds-force (65,000 newtons) of thrust over the F-14A. The new fuel economy gave the F-14B one third more time on-station and sixty percent more range.

1990s

Following a year of dedicated fleet efforts, led primarily by

.

VF-101's West Coast counterpart, VF-124 at

, was disestablished in 1994, making VF-101 the sole F-14 FRS. A VF-101 detachment was created at Miramar to continue F-14 crews and ground personnel training. When NAS Miramar became Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in 1996, all F-14 squadrons were moved to NAS Oceana and the VF-101 detachment was disestablished. Around this period the squadron also receive their first group of F-14D airplanes, which was the penultimate version of the Tomcat.

2000s

As F-14 squadrons began to transition to the

for currency training and range safety.

VF-101 was deactivated on 30 September 2005, at a ceremony at NAS Oceana. Honored guests at the ceremony were the surviving members of the Flatley family (three generations of which were VF-101 pilots), who were presented with the squadron flag.

Reactivation and redesignation to "VFA-101" as F-35C Fleet Replacement Squadron

On 1 May 2012, the squadron was reactivated at

Deactivation

On 10 September 2018, the Chief of Naval Operations promulgated a notice of the "Deactivation of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero One." .^[7] On 23 May 2019, VFA-101 completed deactivation, and was consolidated into the remaining F-35C FRS, VFA-125, the "Rough Raiders". Its assets and support personnel were moved to NAS Lemoore, home of VFA-125.^[1]

See also

• Naval aviation
• Carrier-based aircraft
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

Notes

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fighter Squadron 101 (United States Navy).

• VF-101 History
• VF-101 Grim Reaper History