page_title: VFA-204
section_title: 1980s
hierarchical_section_title: VFA-204 / History / 1980s
caption_attribution_description: English: A Vought A-7B-2-CV Corsair II aircraft (BuNo 154433) from U.S. Naval Reserve attack squadron VA-204 River Rattlers, Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20), is launched from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on 15 September 1985. A-7B 154433 was retired to AMARC as 6A0200 on 12 September 1986.
context_page_description: Strike Fighter Squadron 204, also known as the "River Rattlers", is a U.S. Navy Reserve strike fighter squadron flying the F/A-18C/D Hornet. The squadron is based out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans and is part of the United States Navy Reserve's Tactical Support Wing. Their radio callsign is River and their tail code is AF.
context_section_description: In 1980 the squadron completed numerous deployments ranging from Exercise Safe Passage, a combined NATO forces exercise conducted near NAS Bermuda in the Western Atlantic, to detachments at NAS Fallon. VA-204 again was selected as the winner of the CNO Safety Award for 1980.
  The squadron earned the CNO Safety Award again in 1982 and 1983, and was nominated for the Noel Davis (Battle "E") in 1983. In 1984 the squadron won the CVWR-20 Golden Wrench Award and the Battle "E".
  With transition from the A-7B to the A-7E completed in 1986, the squadron completed seven weapons detachments, three carrier qualification evolutions, air wing active duty to NAS Fallon and embarkation the USS Forrestal (CV-59) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
caption: VA-204 A-7E launches from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1986
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