VF-301

Last updated
Fighter Squadron 301
Vf301.jpg
VF-301 Insignia
Active1 October 1970–11 September 1994
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Allegiance Seal of the United States Navy Reserve.svg United States Navy Reserve
BranchFlag of the United States Navy (official).svg  United States Navy
TypeReserve fighter squadron
Part ofReserve Carrier Air Wing 30
Garrison/HQ Naval Air Station Miramar
Nickname(s)"Devil's Disciples" “Blazing Infernos”
Motto(s)Give'em Hell, Baby
DecorationsBattle “E” awarded period 1 Jan 1987 thru 31 Dec 1987
Aircraft flown
Fighter F-8L Crusader
F-4B/N/S Phantom
F-14A Tomcat

Fighter Squadron 301 (VF-301) was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve in service from 1970 to 1994 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Miramar in southern California. The squadron's nickname was Devil's Disciples. [1] In an early display of political correctness, it was changed to Blazing Infernos when the Pope visited Los Angeles in the late 1980s.

Contents

History

VF-301 was activated on 1 October 1970 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing Reserve 30 (CVWR-30) (tail code "ND") at Naval Air Station Miramar, California (USA).

VF-301 F-4N landing at MCAS Yuma. F-4N VF-301 Yuma 1980.jpeg
VF-301 F-4N landing at MCAS Yuma.
Two VF-301 F-4S F-4 Phantom II VF-301.jpg
Two VF-301 F-4S

The squadron first flew the F-8L Crusader and later transitioned to the F-4B Phantom in 1974. Their time with the B-models was short and VF-301 soon received the F-4N in February 1975. In 1980, VF-301 received the most advanced F-4 variant in the U.S. Navy, the F-4S. In October 1984, the unit transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. The squadron made its first deployment with the F-14A on 21 April 1985, with five aircraft visiting MCAS Yuma, Arizona for air-to-air training against U.S. Marine Corps F-21A Kfir fighters of Marine Fighter Training Squadron 401 (VMFT-401). At this time, the squadron was still transitioning to the F-14, and it was not until 4 August of the same year that the entire squadron was able to deploy to NAS Fallon, Nevada for air wing training.

The Devil's Disciples' first carrier landings were on board the USS Ranger. Further carrier training was limited but did include time on board the USS Enterprise between 10 and 22 August 1988. Later in its life, the squadron became the first Naval Air Reserve squadron to drop air-to-ground ordnance, specifically Mk 84 bombs and Mk 20 cluster munitions.

VF-301 F-14A on USS Constellation in 1987 F-14 VF-301 USS Constellation 1987.jpeg
VF-301 F-14A on USS Constellation in 1987

After 24 years of service, VF-301 was disestablished on 11 September 1994, the same time as its sister squadron VF-302, due to post-Cold War budget cuts where the Navy opted to sacrifice Reserve F-14 squadrons to keep Regular Navy F-14 squadrons operating. Deactivation of the rest of the CVWR-30 was soon to follow. During these 24 years, VF-301 had acquired an outstanding safety record, flying 71,322.4 hours without a Class A mishap, setting a new record for Navy tactical jet squadrons.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-211</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-14</span> United States Navy aviation squadron

The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14) "Tophatters" are a United States Navy fighter attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. They fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet, and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919. Their callsign is Camelot, and their tail code is NG.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-31</span> Military unit

VFA-31 or Strike Fighter Squadron 31 is known as the Tomcatters, callsign "Felix", a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Tomcatters are the second oldest Navy Fighter Attack squadron operating today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-213</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213)-(VFA-213) also known as the Blacklions, was a renowned United States Navy fighter squadron. Established in 1955, the squadron operated a variety of aircraft over its history, beginning with the McDonnell F2H Banshee. Subsequent aircraft included the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II and the iconic Grumman F-14 Tomcat, which they flew until their downgrade to the F/A-18F Super Hornet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-201</span> Military unit

The VFA-201, Strike Fighter Squadron was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas (USA). It was established in 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) and deactivated in 2007. During its service VFA-201 could be identified by the tail code "AF" and nose numbers (MODEX) in the "100" series, typically 100 to 113. The squadron's nickname was the Hunters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-2</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 2 (VFA-2) also known as the "Bounty Hunters" is a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. Their tail code is NE and their callsign is "Bullet". They are attached to 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-11</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, United States. The squadron was established in 1950 and is nicknamed "Red Rippers". VFA-11 is equipped with the Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet and currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-24</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24), called the Fighting Renegades was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established as Fighter Squadron 211 in June 1955, it was redesignated VF-24 on 9 March 1959 and disestablished on 31 August 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-101</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101), also known as the "Grim Reapers", was a United States Navy Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) based at Eglin AFB, Florida. After the West Coast FRS for the F-14 Tomcat, VF-124, was disestablished in the mid-1990s, VF-101 became the sole F-14 FRS. At the time it was based at NAS Oceana in Virginia. With the retirement of the F-14, VF-101 was deactivated in 2005. It was reactivated in 2012 and redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA-101). It was one of two F-35C Lightning II FRS before being deactivated in 2019. It was based at Eglin AFB, Florida with the joint 33d Fighter Wing, as a subordinate unit of the U.S. Navy's Strike Fighter Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-124</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 124 or VF-124Gunfighters was a fleet replacement squadron (FRS) of the United States Navy. Originally established on 16 August 1948 as VF-53, it was redesignated VF-124 at NAS Moffett Field on 11 April 1958 due to a need for an increased number of flight training squadrons, itself necessary because of introduction of swept wing fighters into Navy service. In 1961, the squadron relocated to NAS Miramar, California, which would become the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Master Jet Base for fighter aircraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-142</span> Military unit

VF-142 Ghostriders was a US Navy fighter squadron established on 24 August 1948 as VF-193, it was redesignated VF-142 on 15 October 1963, and disestablished on 30 April 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-143</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 143 (VFA-143), also known as the "Pukin Dogs," is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The Pukin Dogs are an operational fleet squadron and flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. They are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing One and USS Harry S Truman. They are currently at their homeport of NAS Oceana. Their radio callsign is Taproom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VFA-154</span> Military unit

Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), also known as the "Black Knights", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Black Knights are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18F Super Hornet. They are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven and deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. Their tailcode is NH and their callsign is "Knight".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-202</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202) nicknamed the Superheats was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve initially based at Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas. Following that installation's BRAC-directed closure, the squadron relocated to nearby former Carswell Air Force Base, which was transferred to U.S. Navy control according to BRAC action and renamed Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth / Carswell Field. VF-202 was established on 1 July 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20), the U.S. Atlantic Fleet's reserve carrier air wing, and disestablished on 31 December 1994. During its service VF-202 could be identified by the tail code "AF" and nose numbers (MODEX) "200" through "213."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-302</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 302 (VF-302) was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve in service from 1971 to 1994. The squadron's nickname was Stallions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fighter Squadron 1 (United States Navy)</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 1 (VF-1) was a fighter squadron of the United States Navy. Originally established on 14 October 1972 it was disestablished on 30 September 1993. It was the fifth US Navy squadron to be designated VF-1. Known as the "Wolfpack" the squadron saw combat during the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. The squadron was de-activated and its personnel reassigned in 1993 when its carrier, USS Ranger, was decommissioned.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-191 (1986–1988)</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 191 or VF-191 was a short-lived aviation unit of the United States Navy established on 1 December 1986 and disestablished on 30 April 1988. It was the second US Navy squadron to be designated VF-191. VF-191 and sister squadron VF-194 were the two shortest-lived F-14 squadrons in history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VF-194 (1986–1988)</span> Military unit

Fighter Squadron 194 or VF-194 was a short-lived aviation unit of the United States Navy established on 1 December 1986 and disestablished on 30 April 1988. It was the fourth US Navy squadron to be designated VF-194.

In 1989, the United States Navy was on the verge of massive cuts to military spending including ship and aircraft procurement. These forces were expected to fight the Soviet Union, Warsaw Pact and other potential adversaries in case of a war breaking out. At this time, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) of the Pacific Fleet was out of commission for Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) modernization leaving the 3rd Fleet with less carriers.

References