| Strike Fighter Squadron 211 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Founded | 1 May 1945; 79 years ago (1945-05-01) |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of |  Carrier Air Wing Eleven |
| Garrison/HQ |  NAS Oceana |
| Nickname(s) | "Fighting Checkmates" |
| Mascot(s) | Brutus |
| Engagements | Korean War Vietnam War Operation Southern Watch Iraq War Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CDR Sean Stuart |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | SBW Helldiver AD-1/A-1 Skyraider |
| Fighter | F4U Corsair F9F Panther F9F Cougar FJ-1 Fury FJ-3M Fury F3H Demon F-11F Tiger F-8 Crusader F-14 Tomcat F/A-18F Super Hornet F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of theUnited States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based atNaval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with theBoeing F/A-18E Super Hornet.
The squadron insignia depicts a character known as "Brutus" holding a rocket, from the original logo for VB-74. Eleven stars are arranged in groups of seven and four to mark the squadron's numerical designation, "SEVEN FOUR". The shield recalls the squadron's sixteen-year association with theF-8 Crusader. By tradition, the "Brutus" mascot is painted on an aircraft whenever the Fighting Checkmates spend Christmas away from home. The squadron's radio call sign is "Nickel."
Three U.S. Navy squadrons have been designated VF-211. The first was established in 1948 and disestablished in 1949. Thesecond VF-211 was established in 1955 and later redesignated VF-24 in 1959. The third VF-211 was established as VB-74 in 1945, eventually became VFA-211, and is the subject of this article.
Bombing Squadron Seventy Four (VB-74) was established on 1 May 1945 atNAAF Otis Field,Massachusetts. Their first aircraft was theSBW-4E Helldiver. The squadron soon moved to East Field,NAS Norfolk and deployed onUSS Midway on 31 October 31 1945. In 1946 the squadron was redesignatedAttack Squadron 1B (VA-1B) and began transition to theAD-1 Skyraider. Two years later the squadron transitioned to AD-2 Skyraider and was redesignatedAttack Squadron Twenty Four (VA-24) on 1 September 1948. Skyraider aircraft were soon grounded due to engine problems and VA-24 transitioned to theF4U Corsair six weeks before deploying withUSS Coral Sea. After the deployment the squadron moved toNAS Oceana and on December 1, 1949 the VA-24 was redesignatedFighter Squadron Twenty Four (VF-24).
VF-24 moved toNAS Alameda and made two back-to-back deployment in support of theKorean War aboardUSS Boxer andUSS Valley Forge, bombing enemy emplacements, rail yards, bridges, warehouses and airfields.
Following their second deployment, VF-24 relocated toNALF Santa Rosa, California, and transitioned to theF9F-2 Panther, the squadron's first jet fighter. In February 1952, VF-24 deployed once again with USSBoxer to Korea for their third combat tour, which included a strike onPyongyang on August 29. Upon their return home, VF-24 moved toNAS Alameda.
During the rest of the 1950s, VF-24 flew a number of aircraft, including theFJ Fury, theFJ-3M, theF3H-2M Demon, theF-11F Tiger and theF-8 Crusader atNAS Moffett Field. On 9 March 1959, VF-24 traded air wings, insignia, and designations with theVF-211Checkmates.
VF-211 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 21 (CVG-21) aboardUSS Lexington for a Western Pacific deployment from 25 April to 3 December 1959.
In 1961 the squadron moved toNAS Miramar, which would be its home for the next 35 years.
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VF-211 made eight deployments during theVietnam War.[1]
From 21 October 1964 to 29 May 1965, VF-211 equipped with F-8Es was deployed onUSS Hancock. On 21 February F-8E #150897 lost power on launch, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[2]
From 10 November 1965 to 1 August 1966, VF-211 was deployed on USSHancock. On 24 December F-8E #150891 was lost, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[2] On 28 April F-8E #150867 hit a mountain during an air strike, the pilot LT Thomas Brown was killed in action, body not recovered.[2][3] On 2 May F-8E #149169 was lost due to hydraulic failure, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[2] On 23 May F-8E #150901 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[2] On 12 June, CDR Harold Marr shot down aVietnam People's Air Force (VPAF)MiG-17.[4] On 21 June, LTJG Phil Vampatella and LT Eugene Chancy each shot down a MiG-17,[4] while F-8E #149152 was shot down by a MiG-17, the pilot LTJG Cole Black ejected successfully, was captured and released on 12 February 1973.[2][5]
From 26 January to 25 August 1967, VF-211 was deployed onUSS Bon Homme Richard. On 1 May LTCDR M Wright shot down a VPAF MiG-17.[4] On 19 May CDR Paul Speer and LTJG Joseph Shea each shot down a MiG-17.[4] On 19 May F-8E #150930 was hit by aSAM-2, the pilot LTCDR Kay Russell ejected successfully, was captured and released on 4 March 1973.[5][6] On 21 May F-8E #150348 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[6] On 6 June F-8E #150303 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot LTJG Thomas Hall ejected successfully, was captured and released on 4 March 1973.[6] On 21 July LTCDR Tim Hubbard shot down a MiG-17.[4]
From 18 July 1968 to 3 March 1969, VF-211 equipped with F-8Hs was deployed on USSHancock. On 24 August F-8H #148694 was lost due to hydraulic failure, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[6] On 15 November F-8H #147923 was lost in aramp strike, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[6]
From 2 August 1969 to 15 April 1970, VF-211 equipped with F-8Js was deployed on USSHancock. On 28 November F-8J #149211 was lost in a ramp strike, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7]
From 22 October 1970 to 3 June 1971, VF-211 was deployed on USSHancock. On 28 October F-8J #149202 was lost in a ramp strike, the pilot LT G Carloni was killed.[7] On 5 February F-8J #149197 was lost in a ramp strike, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7] On 16 March F-8J #150294 was lost in a ramp strike, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7]
From 7 January to 3 October 1972, VF-211 was deployed on USSHancock. On 23 May LT Jerry Tucker engaged a VPAF MiG-17 forcing the pilot to eject before he could fire.[4] On 20 June F-8J #150923 was hit by antiaircraft fire, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7]
From 8 May 1973 to 8 January 1974, VF-211 was deployed on USSHancock. On 31 May F-8J #150677 was lost at sea, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7] On 26 July F-8J #149186 was lost at sea, the pilot ejected successfully and was rescued.[7]
VF-211 had eight confirmed kills in the F-8 Crusader, which earned them the reputation as "The MiG Killers."
In 1975, VF-211 transitioned to theF-14A Tomcat, deploying withCarrier Air Wing Nine in April 1977 aboardUSS Constellation. The squadron completed numerous WESTPAC deployments aboard USSConstellation during the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1980 VF-211 added the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod SystemTARPS mission. In 1983, VF-211 changed carriers toUSS Ranger. In 1985 they deployed withUSS Kitty Hawk as USSKitty Hawk was upgraded to handleF/A-18 Hornets. VF-211 would move to USSConstellation, USSKitty Hawk andUSS Nimitz in the following years. In 1986 VF-211 took part in trials of experimental water based camouflage schemes, painting at least four aircraft in temporary schemes that consisted of browns and greys, three different shades of each colour being used. In April 1989, VF-211 upgraded to the F-14A+ (later designated F-14B).
In 1991, VF-211 deployed to support the aftermath of theGulf War, providing air superiority and aerial reconnaissance imagery to coalition forces. In 1992, the squadron had to revert to the F-14A due to the decision to move all F-14Bs to Atlantic Fleet Squadrons. VF-211 would make regular deployments to thePersian Gulf in the 1990s. In 1996 VF-211 became the last west coast F-14 squadron after VF-24 was disbanded, and moved toNAS Oceana on the east coast as NAS Miramar was handed over to theUS Marines. In 1996 the unit also receivedLANTIRN capable F-14s and went on cruise in September 1997 in support ofOperation Southern Watch, spending four months in the Persian Gulf. VF-211 flew daily sorties overIraq, enforcing theUnited Nations imposed no-fly zone, providing aerial reconnaissance imagery and precision strike capability.
In 2000, VF-211 and the rest of CVW-9 joinedUSS John C. Stennis for aMillennium Cruise, spending four months in the Persian Gulf enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq.
After theSeptember 11 attacks, the squadron deployed with CVW-9, in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom combat missions overAfghanistan. In early 2002, the squadron directly supported the three-week-long battleOperation Anaconda, flying 1,250 combat sorties, logging 4,200 combat hours and dropped 100,000 pounds (45,000 kg) of ordnance[8] and was awarded the VADM "Sweetpea" Allen Precision Strike Award for 2002. On their return home to the US, they transitioned toCarrier Air Wing One aboardUSS Enterprise.
In 2002 the squadron received the Commander Naval Air Force Pacific Fleet, BATTLE "E" for battle efficiency, the Commander Naval Air Force Atlantic Fleet GRAND SLAM Award for excellence in Air-to-Air employment, and theClifton Award for the most outstanding overall performance in battle efficiency and employment. In late 2003, VF-211 deployed for their final F-14 cruise in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom, flying mostly reconnaissance, "show of force" and ground support missions.
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After their return to NAS Oceana in 2004, VF-211 began transition to theF/A-18F Super Hornet and was redesignatedVFA-211, becoming the first operational East Coast Super Hornet squadron. In 2006, VFA-211 deployed in support of both Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. On September 8, 2006, VFA-211 F/A-18F Super Hornets expendedGBU-12 andGBU-38 bombs againstTaliban targets nearKandahar inPashmul. The squadron returned to NAS Oceana on 18 November 2006, after flying hundreds of combat sorties and expending dozens of precision guided weapons in support of ground forces.
In early 2008, the squadron transitioned to Block II Super Hornets, equipped withAN/APG-79AESA radar.
In January 2011, VFA-211 joinedCVW-1 on board theUSSEnterprise (CVN-65) for a deployment supportingOperation Enduring Freedom in the5th Fleet area of responsibility.[9]
In December 2012USSEnterprise (CVN-65) was taken out of service and VFA-211 remained assigned toCVW-1.
In July 2020, VFA-211 became the first strike fighter squadron to transition from theF/A-18F to theF/A-18E Super Hornet.
From December 2021 to September 2022, VFA-211 deployed onboard theUSSHarry S. Truman (CVN-75) as a part ofCarrier Air Wing 1,Carrier Strike Group 8. During this deployment, VFA-211 supportedNATO interests via Air Policing missions in theAdriatic, Ionian, andAegean Seas.[10]
One of the squadron's F/A-18E Super Hornets was lost on 8 July 2022, when it was blown overboard into theMediterranean Sea during unexpected heavy weather.[11][12] The aircraft was later recovered and loaded on aMilitary Sealift Command ship for transport back to the United States.[13][14]
VFA-211 is part ofCVW-11, currently attached to theUSSTheodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
