https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com Thu, 23 Apr 2026 00:05:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/05/vfa-131-wildcats-uss-eisenhower-2019-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale/ https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/05/vfa-131-wildcats-uss-eisenhower-2019-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale/#comments Thu, 15 May 2025 22:53:43 +0000 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/05/vfa-131-wildcats-uss-eisenhower-2019-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale/









VFA-131 Wildcats USS Eisenhower 2019 FA-18E Model. Fly with the VFA-131 Wildcats USS Eisenhower 2019 in this hand crafted FA-18E Model. Each model is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a unique piece that will always be treasured. US Veteran Owned Business. The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. Strike Fighter Squadron 131 (VFA-131), also known as the “Wildcats”, is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. Their radio call sign alternates between “Wildcat” and “Cougar” and their aircraft tail code is. VFA-131 was established at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, on 3 October 1983. And trained in the F/A-18 Hornet under VFA-125. The squadron received their first F/A-18A in May 1984. In January 1985, the squadron moved to Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, becoming the Atlantic Fleet’s first F/A-18 squadron. As a part of Carrier Air Wing 13 (CVW-13), the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Sea in October 1985 aboard USS Coral Sea. In March 1986 during Freedom of Navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, the squadron’s aircraft flew Combat Air Patrols during which a Libyan SA-5 Gammon missile was fired against an American aircraft operating in international waters. On 14-15 April 1986, squadron aircraft participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, along with other units of CVW-13 and A-7s from CVW-1, providing air-to-surface Shrike and HARM strikes against Libyan surface-to-air missile sites at Benghazi. This was the first use of the F/A-18 in combat. In October 1988, the squadron joined Carrier Air Wing 7 and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea aboard USS Coral Sea. In August 1990 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower , they were among the units to respond to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Shield. VFA-131 embarked on USS Independence from 15 August-8 October 1988 for the carrier’s transit from Naval Station Norfolk to its new home port at NAS North Island via Cape Horn. In August 1990 while embarked on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, squadron F/A-18s flew missions in the Red Sea in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build-up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and as part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait. The Eisenhower task force was the first U. Force in position to deter Iraqi incursion into Saudi Arabia. Upon return from deployment in September 1990, the squadron transitioned to F/A-18C Lot XIII Night Strike Hornets. One year later, the squadron again deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Red Sea and North Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm. In May 1994, the squadron was part of the maiden deployment of USS George Washington. They flew sorties in support of Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch over southern Iraq. In April 1996 the squadron once again deployed aboard USS George Washington to the Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor and Operation Southern Watch. In February 1998, the squadron deployed for the “Around the World”, maiden deployment of USS John C. Stennis, again supporting Operation Southern Watch in Iraq. Upon return to the United States in December 1998, they relocated from NAS Cecil Field, Florida, to NAS Oceana, Virginia. On 11 September 2001, the squadron was underway aboard USS John F. Kennedy off the Virginia Capes. Within hours of the September 11 attacks, armed squadron Hornets were conducting air patrols over Washington D. And New York City as part of Operation Noble Eagle. In February 2002, the squadron deployed to the North Arabian Sea to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), flying combat sorties over Afghanistan. From January to July 2004, VFA-131 deployed aboard USS George Washington in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The squadron deployed from October 2006 to June 2007 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in support of OIF, OEF, and operations in Somalia. Between June and December 2016 the squadron deployed aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower with Carrier Air Wing Three in support of Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. On 22 September 2017, VFA-131 flew the F/A-18C Hornet for the last time at NAS Oceana, before transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet, a process that at the time was expected to finish by 2019. Squadron Insignia and Nickname The squadron’s insignia, featuring the head of a wildcat, was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 26 January 1984.

]]> https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/05/vfa-131-wildcats-uss-eisenhower-2019-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale/feed/ 0 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-81-sunliners-uss-george-washington-2016-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18/ https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-81-sunliners-uss-george-washington-2016-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18/#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2025 21:05:44 +0000 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-81-sunliners-uss-george-washington-2016-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18/









VFA-81 Sunliners USS George Washington 2016 F/A-18E Model. Fly with the VFA-81 Sunliners USS George Washington 2016 in this hand crafted F/A-18E model. Each piece is carved from wood and hand painted to provide a piece you’ll love. Length – 18 inches. US Veteran Owned Business. The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA-81), also known as the “Sunliners”, is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing One, their radio callsign is Inferno, and their tail code is AB. Their mission is to conduct prompt and sustained combat operations from the sea. The squadron was originally designated VA-66 on 1 July 1955, was redesignated VF-81 the same day, redesignated VA-81 on 1 July 1959, and finally redesignated VFA-81 on 4 February 1988. The squadron was originally called Crusaders and their first insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on December 16, 1955. The original insignia was a black cougar on a light blue background. On 21 November 1963, the squadron was renamed the Sunliners and a new insignia was approved consisting of a black background with the international orange “Sun Dial” design. They also adopted the motto “Anytime, Anyplace” at this time. When the squadron was redesignated VFA, a modification to the current design was made on March 30, 1988.

]]> https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-81-sunliners-uss-george-washington-2016-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18/feed/ 0 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-136-knighthawks-2006-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale-mahogany/ https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-136-knighthawks-2006-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale-mahogany/#comments Wed, 12 Mar 2025 20:37:16 +0000 https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-136-knighthawks-2006-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale-mahogany/









VFA-136 Knighthawks F/A-18E Model. Fly again with the VFA-136 Knighthawks in this handcrafted F/A-18E model. Each piece is carved from wood and handpainted to provide a piece you’ll love. Length – 18 inches. The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) also known as the “Knighthawks” is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The “Knighthawks” are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. They are homeported at NAS Lemoore and, as of 1 October 2020, are attached to Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW 7). Their radio callsign is Gunstar. Squadron insignia and nickname The squadron’s “Knighthawk” insignia and nickname were approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 23 May 1985 and have remained unchanged. History 1980s Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six was established on 1 July 1985 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California under the instruction of VFA-125. The squadron received their first F/A-18A Hornet on 7 January 1986, and a month later they moved to their new homeport of Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. VFA-136 first deployed in September 1987 with Carrier Air Wing Thirteen on board USS Coral Sea. One year later, they joined Carrier Air Wing Seven on USS Dwight D.

]]> https://unitedstatesarmynavy.com/2025/03/vfa-136-knighthawks-2006-fa-18e-model-navy-140th-18-scale-mahogany/feed/ 0