VFA-32

Strike Fighter Squadron 32 (VFA-32), nicknamed the "Fighting Swordsmen" are a

Their mission is: "Strike Fighter Squadron 32, as a part of United States Naval Aviation, utilizes the F/A-18F aircraft to project power ashore and at sea, to defend the Fleet against air and sea threats and to carry out all other missions which may be assigned by cognizant authority."

Insignia and nickname

Originally, the squadron used the Fighting Three Felix the Cat symbol and called themselves the "Crazy Cats" because so many pilots were from Fighting Three. At one time, the squadron was known as the "White Lightning." In 1950, the squadron adopted the insignia of a traditional heraldry lion under Naval Aviation wings of gold and the motto "Deus et Patria" that has endured with only slight modernization through today. The VF-32 squadron radio callsign is "Gypsy" and most alumni refer to themselves as "Gypsies". The squadron picked up the nickname Swordsmen after it switched to the F-8 Crusader and added a sword to the lion's hand.

History

1940s

VFA-32 was established as Bombing Fighting Three (VBF-3) on 1 February 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.^[1] 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 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.^[2]

On 15 November 1946, VBF-3 was redesignated VF-4A and switched to the F8F-1 Bearcat. On 7 August 1948, VF-4A became VF-32 and switched to the F4U Corsair.^[2]

1950s

In 1950, the squadron were deployed to the

In November 1952 the squadron returned to the East Coast and became the first squadron to operate the swept-wing

While deployed aboard USS Saratoga as a unit of Carrier Air Group THREE, VF-32 participated in the 1958 Lebanon crisis.^[2]

1960s

During the

In June 1966, VF-32 embarked aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt 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 for her maiden voyage.^[2]

1970s

For service in October 1970, the squadron received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions in support of the United States Sixth Fleet operations during the Middle East Crisis.^[3][2]

In 1974, VF-32 switched to the

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 squadron also deployed with AIM-9L Sidewinder missiles for the first fleet captive-carry evaluation. A mid-cruise missile exercise, "BUZZARDEX", saw 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.^[2]

1980s

In 1980, the squadron was 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

The squadron rejoined CVW-3 in February 1985, and embarked aboard John F. Kennedy in August 1986 for another Mediterranean deployment. This cruise saw the squadron's Class "A" safety record extended another year, but also included the first night F-14 barricade landing.^{[citation needed]} VF-32 participated in a variety of NATO and combined exercises,^[2] and extended their major mishap-free safety record to nine years^{[citation needed]} during a 1988–89 Mediterranean deployment, again aboard John F. Kennedy.

On 4 January 1989, while flying from John F. Kennedy during a routine patrol over the

VFA-32 appeared on an episode of CBS News 48 Hours entitled "Super Carrier - USS Kennedy."

1990s

When Kuwait was invaded by Iraqi forces in August 1990, VF-32 joined

VF-32 and John F. Kennedy again deployed in October 1992.[2] The squadron 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^[2] and provided significant carrier air patrol support for C-130 food drop missions in the former Yugoslavia.^{[citation needed]} The squadron returned home to NAS Oceana in April 1993^[2] and throughout the summer conducted joint exercises with the Air Force and was coined the first "Toms to Bomb" squadron to fully certify the use of bombs on the F-14 platform.^{[citation needed]} The year was highlighted with presentations of the Battle "E" and Clifton Awards to VF-32.^[2]

In May 1994, VF-32 and CVW-3 embarked aboard

In November 1998, VF-32 and CVW-3 deployed aboard

VF-32 deployed once again in November 2000 for the maiden voyage of the USS Harry S. Truman. They spent four months in support of Operation Southern Watch and returned home on 23 May 2001.^[2] In December 2002 VF-32 deployed once again on Harry S. Truman in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Northern Watch.^[2]

In support of

In 2004 VF-32 deployed again in support of OIF, becoming the first Naval squadron to redeploy in support of OIF.^[