VFA-2

Strike Fighter Squadron Two
Strike Fighter Squadron Two
	F/A-18F Super Hornet

Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2) also known as the "Bounty Hunters" is a

Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW-2), a composite unit made up of a wide array of aircraft performing a variety of combat and support missions that deploy aboard the Carl Vinson

.

History

Four distinct squadrons have been designated VF-2. Officially, the US Navy does not recognize a direct lineage with disestablished squadrons if a new squadron is formed with the same designation.[1] Often, the new squadron will assume the nickname, insignia, and traditions of the earlier squadrons.

1970s

F-14As aboard USS Enterprise

during their first deployment, 1975

VF-2, known as the "Bounty Hunters," was established on 14 October 1972 flying the F-14A Tomcat. VF-2 completed aircrew training and received its first Tomcats in July 1973, attaining full strength of 12 F-14As in the spring of 1974.

VF-2's initial deployment was in 1974 with her sister squadron

Saigon in support of Operation Frequent Wind

, the evacuation of US personnel in April, 1975. Deployed on USS Enterprise Westpac 1978 Ports of call: Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Subic Bay Philippines, Singapore, Perth Australia, Hong Kong

1980s

VF-2 was assigned to USS Ranger for the September 1980 deployment, 4 months of which were spent in the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf during the Iran hostage crisis.

The squadron was the first Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (

CVW-2

.

VF-2 deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk in 1984 and returned for multiple Ranger deployments throughout the 1980s.

On 2 June 1984, VF-2 became the first squadron to launch an F-14 from an aircraft carrier while towing an air-to-air gunnery target. In 1987, the squadron logged Ranger’s 260,000th landing.

1990s

The unit participated in

NAS Oceana due to a Base Realignment and Closure

(BRAC) decision to make Miramar a Marine Corps Air Station.

In April 1996, VF-2's F-14Ds were modified to carry the LANTIRN infrared targeting pod, giving them precision strike capabilities.

During their 1999 cruise, VF-2 supported

No-Fly Zone from Al-Taqaddum Air Base, west of Baghdad with AIM-54 Phoenixes

. The missiles did not score as the MiGs turned north once they detected the missile launch.

2000s

In mid 2001, VF-2 deployed aboard USS Constellation in support of Operation Southern Watch.

During the 2002-2003 deployment, the final cruise with the Tomcat, VF-2 participated in

Operation Iraqi Freedom flying a wide range of missions including reconnaissance, close air support, CAP and strike missions. On 28 February 2003, during Operation Southern Watch, a VF-2 aircraft delivered the 1st Tomcat JDAM in combat. During this deployment, VF-2 flew 483 sorties and dropped 294 Laser-guided bomb

's/JDAMs/MK-82 bombs.

On 1 July 2003, VF-2 was redesignated VFA-2, and began transition to the

F/A-18F Super Hornet

receiving its first aircraft on 6 October 2003.

VFA-2 deployed to the Western Pacific aboard

2004 Indian Ocean tsunami

.

In 2006, VFA-2 and CVW-2 embarked on a WESTPAC deployment.

On 13 March 2008, VFA-2 embarked with CVW-2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln on a 7-month deployment to the Persian Gulf, returning home on 8 October.

2010s

Between 24 and 31 March 2006, during Foal Eagle 2006 exercises, strike squadrons VFA-2, VFA-34, VFA-137, and VFA-151 teamed with U.S. Air Force aircraft from the 18th Wing based at Kadena Air Base to provide combat air patrols and coordinated bombing runs via the exercise's Combined Air Operations Center.^[2]

On 11 September 2010, VFA-2 deployed with CVW-2 aboard USS Abraham Lincoln to the Arabian Sea and Persian Gulf.^[3]

The squadron has transitioned to newer Block II F/A-18F Super Hornet equipped with the AESA radar.

2020s

The squadrons current Commanding Officer, CDR Timmester, will be the last navy squadron commander to have flown in the F-14 Tomcat. VFA-2 is currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing 2 on the USS Carl Vinson.

References

^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
^ Yoder, M. Jeremie (27 March 2006). "Lincoln Wraps Up Successful Exercise, Heads for Port" (Press release). Navy.mil. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
^ Raelson, Greg D. (13 September 2010). "Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Conducts Training During Transit West" (Press release). Navy.mil. Retrieved 26 March 2013.

External links

"Official Website: Strike Fighter Squadron 2". Retrieved 26 March 2013.
"Global Security.org: Strike Fighter Squadron 2". Retrieved 26 March 2013.
"From Tomcats to Super Hornets: VF-2 Becomes VFA-2" (PDF). Naval Aviation News. March–April 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2013.

[1] "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.

[2] Yoder, M. Jeremie (27 March 2006). "Lincoln Wraps Up Successful Exercise, Heads for Port" (Press release). Navy.mil. Retrieved 26 March 2013.

[3] Raelson, Greg D. (13 September 2010). "Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Conducts Training During Transit West" (Press release). Navy.mil. Retrieved 26 March 2013.

[2]

[3]