VFA-94 Mighty Shrikes

Story and photos by Steve Lewis

The next squadron I will highlight within Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) is VFA-94, the Mighty Shrikes.

Strike Fighter Squadron Ninety-Four currently flies the single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet out of Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. The squadron was named after a small, meat-eating bird known as the Loggerhead Shrike. This small but mighty bird impales its prey on thorns and barbed wire to more easily devour it. Their colors are black and orange, and their callsign is ‘Hobo’.

Capabilities
The Mighty Shrikes are another versatile squadron for Team Quicksand. They are capable of the full spectrum of strike fighter missions, including air superiority, fighter escort, interdiction, non-traditional surveillance, reconnaissance, aerial refueling, close air support, air defense suppression, and day/night precision strike.

Designations
Fighter Squadron 94 (VF-94) was established at NAS Alameda, California, on 26 March 1952. After switching between several airframes and a three-year stint operating out of NAS Moffett Field, the squadron returned to NAS Alameda and was redesignated Attack Squadron 94 (VA-94) in August 1958. The Mighty Shrikes kept that designation for the next 33 years, being officially redesignated as Strike Fighter Squadron 94 (VFA-94) on 1 January 1991.

Aircraft flown
The squadron began flying the Vought F4U Corsair upon its inception. After a short time, the squadron moved into jet-powered aircraft. In 1953, they received the F9F-5 Panther. Two years later, they transitioned into the FJ-3M Fury. Towards the end of that year, they moved into the F9F Cougar and flew that for two years before moving back into several different models of the Fury. In early 1959, they transitioned to the nimble A-4 Skyhawk and spent the next 12 years flying this agile aircraft. In 1971, the Mighty Shrikes moved into the A-7 Corsair II. For almost two decades, they flew and fought in this battle-tested aircraft. It wasn’t until 1990 that the squadron got its first F/A-18C Hornet. 25 Years later, in late 2015, VFA-94 started their transition into the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet. They spent over seven years in the two-seat fighter before moving back into the single-seat F/A-18E, which they fly today.

Combat History
After moving to NAS Lemoore in the Spring of 1962, the Vietnam War was starting to escalate. The Mighty Shrikes were called upon and completed seven consecutive combat deployments to the region. The Mighty Shrikes’ first combat sorties came in late 1963. Flying from the deck of the USS Ranger, they provided armed escort for photo-reconnaissance aircraft over Laos. In 1965, they participated in retaliatory strikes in North Vietnam during operations Flaming Dart and Rolling Thunder. In early 1971, the squadron transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II and joined CVW-15. Flying from the USS Coral Sea this time, VA-94 participated in both Operations Linebacker and Pocket Money against North Vietnamese Forces. In April of 1975, they participated in Operation Frequent Wind by providing air cover for the evacuation of American citizens from Saigon. While this event marked the end of U.S. military involvement in Vietnam, the Mighty Shrikes, along with the rest of CVW-15, and several other US military assets, were involved in strikes against a Cambodian island just two weeks later following the seizure of the U.S. container ship, the SS Mayaguez.

The Mighty Shrikes then deployed in 1979, and again in 1981, both times aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, with the latter deployment including 63 days of carrier operations during the Iran hostage crisis.

During the second half of the ‘80s, VA-94 supported combat operations against Libya from the deck of the USS Enterprise. Then, from February to May of 1988, they flew air support missions during Operation Earnest Will. Before that operation’s conclusion, on April 18th, 1988, they participated in Operation Praying Mantis, the retaliation for the USS Samuel B. Roberts hitting an Iranian mine, resulting in injuries to 10 U.S. Sailors. In December of 1989, the squadron supported the Philippine government during a coup attempt during Operation Classic Resolve.

In mid-1990, after receiving their F/A-18C Hornets, the newly designated VFA-94 deployed in support of United Nations sanctions following the Iraqi war aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Three years later, they participated in Operations Southern Watch and Vigilant Sentinel over southern Iraq, as well as providing force protection for partner forces in Somalia during humanitarian efforts. In 1996, they switched decks and went back to the Persian Gulf aboard the USS Kitty Hawk, this time, once again participating in Operation Southern Watch. Switching decks again, they returned to the Gulf aboard the USS Carl Vinson in support of Operation Desert Fox.

After the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, VFA-94, then part of CVW-11, led the initial missions of Operation Enduring Freedom on 7 October 2001. The squadron executed 664 combat sorties and delivered 550,000 pounds of ordnance against Taliban targets in Afghanistan.

In March of 2003, and again in May of 2005, VFA-94 deployed aboard the USS Nimitz with CVW-11 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In 2003, the Mighty Shrikes delivered over 60,000 pounds of ordnance against targets in Iraq during 492 combat sorties, amassing 1871.2 combat hours. In the 2005 deployment, they added an impressive 2000-plus mishap-free combat hours during an additional 460 combat sorties with an incredible 98% sortie completion rate. A true testament to the professionalism and dedication to their craft from top to bottom.

Following this deployment, the Mighty Shrikes transitioned into an expeditionary squadron. VFA-94 became only the second F/A-18 squadron to deploy overseas in the Unit Deployment Program (UDP) after completing the Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program (SFARP).

In all, they completed four shore deployments to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. They were from:
January to July 2007
July 2008 to January 2009
January to July 2010
July 2011 to January 2012

When the squadron returned to NAS Lemoore in early 2012, it took roughly eight months to be assigned to an air wing again, this time moving into their current Air Wing, CVW-17.

VFA-94 has played a critical role in naval aviation for over seven decades and has participated in many historic operations around the globe. Along with the many combat operations they excelled in that are outlined above, the Mighty Shrikes have also answered the call to assist those with other needs. In 1991, the USS Abraham Lincoln was one of many US Navy ships to respond to the Philippines during Operation Fiery Vigil. Following the massive eruptions of Mount Pinatubo, thousands of people from Clark Air Force Base and U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay were evacuated to Andreson AFB in Guam due to the devastation caused by the volcanic eruptions.

Accomplishments and Awards
During the Mighty Shrikes’ illustrious history, they have won multiple training competitions, including:
The MAG-12 Air-to-Surface Strafe Tactical Task competition in 2011 and the John P. McClaren Strike Fighter Derby in 2001.
They have also been the recipients of several prestigious awards to include:
The Boola Boola/Grand Slam award in 2009
The CVW-17 Golden Wrench Award
The Michael J. Estocin Award
The LTJG Bruce Carrier Award
The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
The Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Two Joint Meritorious Unit Awards
Two Navy Expeditionary Medals
Three Armed Forces Expeditionary Medals
Five Navy Unit Commendations
Six Battle Efficiency Awards
and six Meritorious Unit Commendations

VFA-94 has proven that for over 70 years, they are ready and willing to answer any call, at any time, that comes their way. From the smallest of maintenance tasks to the delivering of ordnance, each member of the squadron stands ready to prove that the Shrike is indeed Mighty.