page_title: VFA-113
section_title: 1980s
hierarchical_section_title: VFA-113 / History / 1980s
caption_attribution_description: English: A Vought A-7E Corsair II (BuNo 157500) of U.S. Navy attack squadron VA-113 Stingers has just released the landing wire after landing on the aircraft carrier USS Ranger (CVA-61). VA-113 was assigned to Attack Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) aboard the Ranger for a deployment to Vietnam from 27 October 1970 to 17 June 1971.
context_page_description: Strike Fighter Squadron 113, also known as the "Stingers," is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. They are an operational fleet F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 2 and based at NAS Lemoore, California. Their tailcode is NE and their radio callsign is Sting.
context_section_description: From 15 October 1980 to 22 March 1981, under the "Swing Wing Concept" to reduce the deck multiple on Ranger, VA-113 operated as a CVW-2 Detachment from NAS Cubi Point.
  In August 1982 the squadron surpassed 40,000 accident-free flight hours which represented the longest accident-free period in the entire Navy A-7 community. In recognition of superior safety awareness and operations, the squadron was presented the prestigious Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1982.
  On 24 August 1984, the first F/A-18 Hornet bearing "Stinger" colors was delivered to VFA-125, and the VA-113 pilots began transition training. The squadron was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron One Hundred Thirteen (VFA-113) on 25 March 1984, and they completed the transition on 14 December 1984, becoming the first operational fleet Hornet squadron. The squadron soon embarked aboard USS Constellation for the first carrier deployment of the F/A-18 with Carrier Air Wing 14 from February to August 1985.
  From April to October 1987, the squadron again deployed to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. The squadron supported Operation Earnest Will, the armed escort of American-flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region.
  The squadron deployed in December 1988 aboard USS Independence to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans, returning in June 1989. Immediately upon their return, they upgraded to C model Hornets.
caption: VA-113 A-7E on USS Ranger in 1970/71
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