VFA-22 FIGHTING REDCOCKS
Story and photos by Steve Lewis
Following up to the series opener which looked at Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) as a whole, I will now look into each of the respective squadrons within Team Quicksand, starting with VFA-22, the Fighting Redcocks.
Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty-Two currently flies the two seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. The Squadron is based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California and consists of 12 jets, 40 officers, and 220 enlisted personnel. With the Rhode Island Red Rooster as their mascot, their motto is ‘You can’t beat a Redcock’ (YCBAR) and their callsign is ‘Beef’.
Designations
The Fighting Redcocks were established on July 28, 1948 as Fighter Squadron Sixty-Three (VF-63) flying the F8F Bearcat. In spring 1956, they were redesignated as Attack Squadron Sixty-Three (VA-63). A short three years later, they were redesignated Attack Squadron Twenty-Two (VA-22). Then, in 1990, they were redesignated to where they stand today as Strike Fighter Squadron Twenty-Two (VFA-22).
Aircraft flown
Since their inception over 75 years ago, they have flown a total of 10 different airframes throughout their illustrious history. Following the F8F Bearcat, the squadron went on to fly the F4U Corsair, F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, FJ-4 Fury, A-4 Skyhawks, A-7 Corsair, F/A-18C Hornet, F/A-18E Super Hornet, and in 2007, they finished their transition to their current aircraft, the two seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. This was the first time in their history that the squadron had flown a two-seat aircraft and had incorporated having Naval Flight Officers (NFOs) to complement their front seat Naval Aviators.
Combat History
Between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, the squadron saw nine combat deployments.
Since the Vietnam War, the Fighting Redcocks have also played a role in the following operations:
Praying Mantis
Classic Resolve
Southern Watch
Desert Fox
Iraqi Freedom
Enduring Freedom
New Dawn
Inherent Resolve
Accomplishments and Awards
During the Fighting Redcocks rich history they have been the recipients of several prestigious awards. Some of these include:
the Golden Anchor Award,
the Rear Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky Award,
Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award,
2x Commander, Light Attack Wing Pacific Fleet John L. Nicholson Retention Awards,
2x Meritorious Unit Commendations,
3x Bruce Carrier Memorial Awards,
the Scott F Kirby Award,
2x Navy Unit Commendations,
and 5x Battle ‘E’ Awards, as well as many others.
VFA-22 has played a pivotal role in naval aviation over seven decades and has had multiple ‘firsts’ for the Navy. Some of the other noteworthy contributions and accomplishments include: being the first west coast based squadron to employ the AGM-88 High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) as well as the first to deploy carrying the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM). VFA-22 was also picked to employ the AGM-54 Joint Standoff Weapon (JSOW) in combat for the first time and were one of the first Navy squadrons to use the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) during Close Air Support (CAS)missions. During their involvement in Operation Enduring Freedom, they delivered over 415,000 pounds worth of freedom, more than any other Navy squadron during that time.
Capabilities
Although all four Strike Fighter Squadrons within the wing are capable of aerial refueling, VFA-22 is currently the primary aerial refueling squadron on top of their multitude of other more lethal combat capabilities. But don’t let that fool you. The men and women of the VFA-22 Fighting Redcocks, and the F/A-18F Super Hornet that they employ, is fully capable of the entire spectrum of air dominance. These roles include: air superiority, close air support, reconnaissance, escort, day/night all weather precision strike, and air defense suppression.
They have utilized, and will continue to utilize, whichever mission set is required to complete the mission that they are tasked with absolute lethality.
You can’t beat a Redcock!
