George Washington (CVN 73) - Naval Cruise Book

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AN NK KVANDEVER AA CIIKIMOI'IIER KNIGHT AOAN CORBE I T aVoi.d AOAA ERNESTO RAMIREZ ATAA JEAN.PAUl LESCOAT AOAA MARTIN YOUNG MSSN ROMAN ORTIZ AR MU IIEI.I.E ROBLES AKAR JOHN CRAWFORD AFAR JOSH BEAI DIN GERVAIS

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 EXECUTIVE OFFICER CDR S.R. ROTH COMMAND MASTER CHIEF CM DC M(AW SW) DAVID M. JAMES histon’ of Strike Fighter Squadron THREE FOUR is studded with noteworthy accomplishments and tradition, front line strike fighter unit, the Blue Blasters directly participated in World War II, the C uban Crisis, the 't ic squadron has flown eight different aircraft types from the decks of 24 c.u run. iginallv commissioned as the VF-20 “Jokers” at NAS San Diego, the squadron com uc W ar, and Desert Shield. The « compiling an enviable list of “firsts.” Originally cuiiiiiusmuucu umuv »t-au .iumu » numerous missions in WAV 11 flying F6F Hellcats. Shortly after the surrender of Japan, the squadron transitionedto t c iiuiiivi uu 111 iNMuiiN in it iii living ror nvntau. oiiuruv mar uic ui innui ui .m|wh. » «- ....... Bearcat and was redesignated VF-9A. This was followed by a designation as VF-91 in 1948 and finally settled on K ‘n as the squadron started flying its first jet, the F9F Panther. One year later, the squadron began training in the F2H ans cc transferred to NAS Cecil Field. FI.. The squadron spent the next two years operating from various attack carriers. P° return in 1955, the squadron was again redesignated, this time as VA-34. In spring of 1956. it accepted its first F7U Cutlass, which it operated until receiving A-4D Skyhawks in Marc ‘ llTtn squadron became the first Skyhawk squadron to deploy to the Mediterranean. It was during this period that t esq adopted their present nickname, taking inspiration from their blue tail colors and their nuclear weapon delivery c p hence the name “Blue Blasters.” On 1 January 1970, the Blue Blasters were reestablished at NAS Oceana, Virginia, as the Atlantic Fleet's sixth A An squadron. On September 30, 1996, Attack Squadron 34 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 34 and inun the transition to the Boeing FA-18C Hornet. In 1998. the Blasters became the first squadron to fly the Lot XIX an .«different The Blue Blasters of today are a formidable fighting force, sporting the newest technology and tactics. Throug aircraft types and 24 carriers, the Blue Blasters have never lost their sense of tradition. The Blue Blasters can heard in the skies all over the globe flying under the call sign “Joker,” as a tribute to our fighting heritage.