page_title: VFA-103
section_title: 2010s
hierarchical_section_title: VFA-103 / History / 2010s
caption_attribution_description: English: A U.S. Navy Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet (BuNo 168493) assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VFA-103) "Jolly Rogers" prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Atlantic Ocean on 1 August 2018. Abraham Lincoln was conducting tailored ship's training availability and final evaluation problem (TSTA/FEP). TSTA prepares a ship and crew for full integration into a carrier strike group through a wide range of mission-critical operations. Note the anniversary markings of VFA-103, naming the U.S. Navy "Jolly Roger" squadrons in the last 75 years. The silhouettes of the flown aircraft are painted on the fuselage band. "Mutha" refers to the Mutha Award that is awarded to the most outstanding and spirited U.S. Navy fighter squadron. The dates 1943 and 2018 are painted on the insides of the rudders.
context_page_description: Strike Fighter Squadron 103, nicknamed the Jolly Rogers is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1952. VFA-103 flies the F/A-18F Super Hornet and is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The squadron's radio callsign is Victory and it is assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven.
context_section_description: VFA-103 and the rest of CVW-7 embarked on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on 2 January 2010 for a six-month deployment in support of 5th and 6th Fleet operations. On 27 July 2010, the squadron returned home to NAS Oceana after completion of their latest deployment.
  After a successful maintenance and workup cycle, VFA-103 embarked with CVW-7 on board USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on 22 June 2012 for a scheduled nine-month deployment in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. However, due to changes in operational requirements, VFA-103, CVW-7 and Dwight D. Eisenhower returned to NAS Oceana on 21 December 2012, to perform maintenance in preparation of returning to sea shortly thereafter. VFA-103 returned to sea on 21 February 2013 after the short turnaround, and along with the rest of CVW-7 and Carrier Strike Group Eight, supported operations in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations. After a combined eleven months at sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Persian Gulf presence operations, the squadron returned to NAS Oceana on 3 July 2013.
  In honor of the Jolly Rogers' 70th anniversary, the squadron undertook a massive redesign of the immensely recognizable skull and crossbones insignia, choosing to feature the original VF-17 patches, colors, and tail fin.
  The Jolly Rogers' F/A-18Fs were seen launching from USS Harry Truman in June 2016 participating in Operation Inherent Resolve, striking Daesh targets in Iraq and Syria, with multiple aircraft exhibiting signs of heavy combat, with a number of front fuselages being covered with bomb silhouettes representing munitions being dropped in combat air strikes.
caption: VFA-103 F/A-18F Super Hornet aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, in 2018.
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