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Page 343 text:
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On 7 August 1990, the SUNLINERS deployed with CVW 17 aboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60) for their first F A-18 “Hornet” cruise. This deployment took place one week after Iraq had invaded Kuwait, and VFA-81 participated in both Operation DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM as part of the Red Sea Battle Force. Before the war’s end, the SUNLINERS scored the Navy’s only two aerial victories by downing two Iraqi MiG-21’s. VFA-81 returned to NAS Cecil Field on 27 March 1991, following the swift coalition victory. After returning home the squadron found themselves deployed 6 May 1992. Onboard USS SARATOGA (CV 60), the squadron participated in several NATO exercises before returning home on 6 November 1992. In early 1994, the squadron flew in Operations DENY FLIGHT and PROVIDE PROMISE supporting United Nations (UN) resolutions in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the last deployment of USS SARATOGA (CV 60). This was-VFA-81’s third Hornet cruise, and the first Atlantic Fleet deployment with the AMRAAM missle. VFA-81 thencruised on the USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65) in 1996 for their 26th Mediterranean Cruise. Tber SUNLINERS participated in Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and mad the first carrier port call to Bahrain. The USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) cruise began 10 June 1998 and found VFA-81 again in the Operation SOUTHERN WATCH arena. This was the first East Coast cruise of the new Joint Stand-OFF Weapon (JSOW), a long range, glide and cluster'fifefenb. Fd Nreirefcsfystional safety record, the squadron was awarded the Safety “S” for the 1998 CIL UpdTM»turning home from deployment, the SUNLINERS were relocated to NAS OceanSSttls was part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) that closed NAS Cecil Field. The end of the work up cycle led to the deployment aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) orF?1 June 2000. With a well-known, proud tradition, the SUNLINERS supported Operations DELIBERATE FORCE in the Adriatic and SOUTHERN WATCH in the Persian Gulf. Following the darkest hours and tragedies of 11 September 2001, VFA-81 sprang into action to answer the call of duty. The squadron departed the 2001 MAPLE FLAG exercise in Canada to quickly deploy aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) for Operation NOBLE EAGLE. In the days immediately following September 11, the SUNLINERS flew combat air patrols over the eastern seaboard to defend the United States against the imminent threat of terrorism. Just a few months later, the SUNLINERS deployed again aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN 73) in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. An outstanding sortie completion rate over the skies in Iraq earned the SUNLINERS the Golden Wrench for the 2002 CY. In addition, the squadron brought home the Airwing Top Hook Award for outstanding carrier landing performance. In the beginning of 2003, the SUNLINERS certified the flight deck of the Navy's newest carrier, the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76). A few months later, the work-up cycle began on 07 June 2004 the squadron deployed aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 76). While flying in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, the SUNLINERS won their fourth Battle “E”, the McClusky Award, as well as the Estocin Award. Presently, the SUNLINERS are ashore stationed at NAS Oceana. Commander Michael E. Boyle is the 44th Commanding Officer of VFA-81. The command consists of 25 officers and 241 enlisted personnel. LT Andrew Cummens LCDR Sean Cushing LCDR James Fitzgerald LT Vteginal Calles LCDR William Hanrahan
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Page 342 text:
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A : COMMAND MASTER CHIEF The SUNLINERS of Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT ONE CMDCM(AW SW) Ro»»ert Bostic (VFA-81) were originally commissioned as Fighter Squadron EIGHT ONE (VF-81) on 1 July 1955. Fighter Squadron EIGHT ONE was an ail weather fighter intercept squadron flying the Grumman F9F-8 “Cougar”. Originally named the CRUSADERS”, the squadron made two initial Mediterranean cruises. Following those deployments, the mission and designation of the squadron changed during a transition to the A4D-2 “SKYHAWK” in March 1959. After becoming Attack Squadron EIGHT ONE (VA-81), they made multiple deployments with Second and Sixth Fleet aboard USS SHANGRI - LA (CVA 38) and USS FORRESTAL (CV 59). During this time, the orange Supersonic Nothing” adorned the vertical stabilizer of three types of A-4’s. In 1963 the squadron adopted the name SUNLINERS, and the motto Anytime, Anyplace”. In February 1970, the SUNLINERS won the coveted Navy Battle E” for East Coast A-4 squadrons and were selected to be the first East Coast squadron to receive the Navy’s newest attack aircraft, the A-7E CORSAIR II. The SUNLINERS took their new aircraft aboard USS FORRESTAL (CV 59) with Carrier Air Wing SEVENTEEN (CVW-17) in January 1971 on their twelfth Mediterranean deployment. By the end of the 1974 competitive cycle, the orange tailed ZAPPERS” had demonstrated sustained excellence by winning three Light Attack Wing ONE bombing derbies and a second Navy Battle E”. A total of thirteen cruises were made to the Mediterranean with the A-7E. During the last Corsair cruise, the SUNLINERS won the CVW-17 Top Tail Hook Award and the Air Wing Bombing Derby. The highlight of 1987 was the squadron receiving its third Battle E” as the top East Coast A-7 squadron. Following the cruise, the SUNLINERS transitioned from the venerable A-7E to the Navy’s newest Fighter Attack aircraft, the F A-18C “Hornet”. The squadron was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron EIGHT ONE (VFA-81) on 4 February 1988.
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