VFA-27

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Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27), also known as the "Royal Maces", are a

The squadron was commissioned Attack Squadron 27 (VA-27) on 1 September 1967 flying the

The squadron's insignia was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on 25 March 1968, and consisted of a light blue glove and black mace. They were nicknamed the Royal Maces.

During a second combat cruise aboard Constellation in August 1969, VA-27 flew over 2,500 combat sorties.

1970s

VA-27 transitioned to the newer A-7E on 20 June 1970. From 4 February to 7 March, VA-27 embarked on

The squadron commenced their fourth combat deployment in September 1972 aboard Enterprise, participating in Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies in that country and into South Vietnam. The squadron began its next deployment to the Western Pacific in September 1974. In April 1975, the squadron flew surveillance missions over Vietnam and flew escort for United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force helicopters during Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel from Saigon

1980s

In April 1980, VA-27 participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempt by providing air cover for the forces directly involved in the rescue operation.

In August 1986, the squadron participated in the first carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II.

1990s

While stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet on 24 January 1991 and were officially re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27). The squadron also changed roles as well as aircraft and were now a fighter/attack squadron, performing air-to-air as well as air-to-ground attack missions. The Squadron emblem was also changed to a green background, white cloud, and silver gauntlet with silver mace.

In November 1992, while deployed aboard

In the wake of the

In February of 2013, the Royal Maces executed a trans-Pacific journey to accept new Lot 34 and 35 F/A-18E Super Hornets to maintain their superior technological abilities in the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. In February of 2015, the squadron's tactical prowess was recognized by their being awarded the COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E",[1] highlighted by their "training and operational achievements" and the viral teaser of their full-length cruise video "Shoot 'em if you got 'em",^[2] which was received with wide acclaim,^[3] and has been sampled in several U.S. Navy recruiting advertisements ^[4] as well as has been added to the National Archives as a piece of Naval Heritage having garnered over 3,000,000 views on Youtube.com since its initial publication as well as untold numbers of views across numerous ancillary internet sites, although the original video has since been made private.

External links and reference

• VFA-27's Official Webpage
• Royal Maces' Unofficial Page
• Shoot em if you got em. the VFA-27 cruise video
• Tony Holmes (2005). US Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom Part One, Osprey Publishing Limited.

See also

• Naval aviation
• List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
• List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons

References