page_title: VFA-37
section_title: 21st century
hierarchical_section_title: VFA-37 / History / 21st century
caption_attribution_description: English: U.S. Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37) "Bulls" takes off from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on 20 October 2017. The George H.W. Bush Strike Group was underway completing sustainment requirements as part of exercise "Bold Alligator 17".
context_page_description: Strike Fighter Squadron 37, also known as the "Ragin' Bulls", is a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 8 and are attached to USS George H. W. Bush. Their radio callsign is Ragin' and their tail code is AJ.
context_section_description: The next major deployment for VFA-37 was the maiden voyage of USS Harry S. Truman in 2000. In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard Harry S. Truman. On 19 March 2003, the squadron participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the squadron participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq. By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the squadron had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to NAS Oceana on Memorial Day 2003.
  VFA-37 deployed to the Persian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom again from October 2004 to April 2005 from USS Harry S. Truman. In the spring of 2006, VFA-37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) for seven months to cover for VFA-213 as they transitioned to the F/A-18F.
  The squadron deployed on USS Harry S. Truman in November 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning to MAS Oceana on 4 June 2008. While deployed, they dropped a total of 10 t (22,000 lb) of ordnance.
  VFA-37 again deployed on board USS Harry S. Truman to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean from 21 May to 20 December 2010 and from 22 July 2013 to 18 April 2014.
  In 2016, VFA-37 was reassigned to CVW-8. The wing is assigned to USS George H. W. Bush and deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean from 21 January to 21 August 2017.
  In July 2018, VFA-37 retired the last F/A-18C Hornet and transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet.
caption: VFA-37 F/A-18C 50th anniversary jet launching from USS George H. W. Bush in October 2017.
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