Úderná stíhací peruť 25 [1984- ]

VFA-25 (VA-25)

Air force VFA-25 with the name "Fist of the Fleet" among the veterans of naval aviation. Its roots dating back to 1943.

Unit VFA-25 (VA-25) arose from attack squadron VA-65, which was founded in December 1947. Squadron VA-65 have proved successful in the war against Korea. In the context of CVW-2 on board USS BOXER she graduated from 1645 combat missions with aircraft And a-1 Skyraider, during the deployment in Korea. In July 1959 was the VA-65 přeznačena on the VA-25. In 1962, with the Squadron VA-25 settled on the new base, NAS Lemoore.

In the period between the years 1965 to 1968 squadron VA-25 completed a total of three tours in Southeast Asia aboard the USS CORAL SEA, still armed with the different versions of the aircraft And-1. The pilots of the squadron during this deployment've logged more than 3,000 combat missions and dropped large amounts of bomb ordnance on enemy targets. 20.June 1965 was a swarm of Spadů from VA-25 attacked by a pair of Severovietnamských Mig-17. One of the Mig-17 pilots -H1, namely Clinton Johnson and Charles Hartman III, managed to shoot fire from their 20 mm cannons.

When squadron VA-25 gave away in 1968, your And-1 and she was going for overkill on the more modern machines, was the last combat unit of the US NAVY using a propeller driven machines.

The new aircraft which is in October 1968 on the base of NAS Lemoor, California began squadron rearm was a glider A-7B Corsair II. Just after four months of retraining on a new aircraft, the squadron embarked on its fourth voyage to southeast Asia aboard the USS TICONDEROGA (CVA-14). During this cruise the squadron created a record in the operational deployment. During thirty-three days, air traffic controllers, the pilots of VA-25 made 1650 sorties against the enemy. During this period each of the pilots of VA-25 flew more than 92 hours of flight time!

After returning to base, NAS Lemoore is the squadron in the rate of rearm on the new version of the Corsaira II and it on the -7E. From the October 1970 VA-25 began a long and successful cooperation with USS RANGER (CV-61). During the two years she attended squadron two combat cruises during which toppled more than 15 million poundů of bombs on targets in Laos and vietnam.

From 1974 to 1983, VA-25 graduated from four cruises in the western Pacific aboard the USS RANGER, and one deployment in the Indian ocean during the Iranian crisis.

In may 1983, pilots from VA-25 began training on the new aircraft F/A-18A Hornet. 1. July 1983 was a squadron přeznačena at Strike Fighter Squadron 25 (VFA-25). The squadron took over in march 1984 12 pieces brand new F/a-18 and began training within the CVW-14 aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64). The pilots trained in aerial combat and attacks on ground targets until January 1984.

19. February 1985, the VFA-25 as the first squadron armed with aircraft F/A-18 Hornet recognized fully operating from the deck USS CONSTELLATION. During the following deployment in the western Pacific VFA-25 won several awards within the CVW-14.

In 1987, the squadron participated in several cruises in the Indian on board USS CONSTELLATION, during which time it has achieved other major awards such as, Top Hook and at the conclusion of the 1987 awards Battle "E".

In December 1988, the squadron was once again in the Indian ocean aboard USS CONSTELLATION. In the summer of 1989, VFA-25 participated in the great exercise of the U.S. NAVY PACEX 89, for which she was again rewarded several prices.

In 1990, VFA-25 issued to the Northern Pacific exercise RIMPAC 90. When Iraq invaded 2. August 1990 Kuwait, VFA-25 just was in the assembly CVW-4 aboard the USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). During operation Desert Shield VFA-25 got off a lot of combat patrols in the vicinity of Kuwait.

In 1991, the USS INDEPENDENCE, issued in Hawaii to accompany USS MIDWAY (CV-41) on her last trip to San Diego for decommissioning of services.
In 1992, the squadron rearm for a new version of the F/A-18C capable of launching rockets AMRAAM.
In February 1994, VFA-25 aboard aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70). The squadron operated in the Arabian gulf, flying missions over Iraq and participated in Southern Watch. During this cruise received the squadron awards the Arleigh Burke Award. It was the first time in history, when this award was given to the squadron with F/a-18.
Since may 1996, VFA-25 participated in the board USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) operations SOUTHERN WATCH and DESERT STRIKE, and exercise RUGGED NAUTILUS. After the return of a well-deserved rest with the squadron boarded the vessel in December 1998 aboard the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). During this cruise operated the squadron in the Persian gulf, and patrolled the no-fly zone over Iraq.

In 2002, the squadron aboard the the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) participated in operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2003, VFA-25 on board the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72) participated in the operation Iraqi Freedom in the context of CVW-14.

In 2004, the squadron VFA-25 was in the context of CVW-14 aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74). During the year she graduated from a cruise to the western Pacific. In November 2004 the unit returned to the home base..

Foto F/A-18C od VFA-25 na palubě USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Ještě jedno foto Hornetu do VFA-25