VFA - 113 Strike Fighter Squadron 113 ( VFA - 113 ) " Stingers " is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore , California . The " Stingers " are an operational fleet F / A - 18C Hornet squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 ( CVW 17 ) and based at NAS Lemoore , CA . Their tailcode is " NA " and their radio callsign is " Stinger " . The squadron is currently deployed aboard USS Carl Vinson ( CVN - 70 ) . Squadron Insignia and Nickname . The squadron ’ s original insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 15 April 1949 , and it was slightly modified in 1985 . Nickname : Stingers , 1949 to present . History . 1940s . Strike Fighter Squadron 113 originated as Fighter Squadron 113 ( VF - 113 ) on 15 July 1948 at NAS San Diego , flying the F8F - 1 and F8F - 2 Bearcat . 1950s . In March 1950 , the squadron transitioned to the F4U - 4B Corsair . Attached to Air Group 11 , the " Stingers " flew their first combat strikes on 5 August 1950 from USS " Philippine Sea " and USS " Valley Forge " against targets near Kunsan , Korea . In September 1950 , the squadron flew combat sorties in support of the United States Marine Corps landings at Incheon . In November 1950 , squadron aircraft participated in Operation Pinwheel , the docking and departing of the carrier from the pier using aircraft engine power to move the ship . Also in November 1950 , during strikes on bridges crossing the Yalu River , squadron F4U - 4Bs were attacked by MiG - 15 s , with neither side suffering any damage . On 23 June 1952 , squadron aircraft , along with planes from 3 other air groups , participated in the first coordinated strikes against North Korean hydroelectric power plants . This was the first time that enemy power plants had been so heavily targeted . It also marked the first time that four carriers were on line off the coast of Korea since the fall of 1950 . VF - 113 won six engagement stars as well as the Presidential Unit Citation and Navy Unit Commendation s in two Korean combat tours . The squadron moved to NAS Miramar on 15 September 1952 and transitioned to the F9F - 1 Panther on 5 October 1952 . In February 1954 , the squadron upgraded to the F9F - 2 . In May 1955 , the squadron again upgraded to the swept wing F9F - 8 Cougar and in March 1956 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN ( VA - 113 ) . In April 1957 , the " Stingers " transitioned to the A - 4 Skyhawk , flying several different " Skyhawk " models over the next 11 years . While operating from USS Shangri - La ( CVA - 38 ) in August – September 1958 , the squadron was part of a task force that provided support to the Republic of China during the shelling of the Quemoy Island group by the Chinese Communists . The squadron was awarded the Battle Efficiency " E " for 1958 , denoting it as the best Attack Squadron on the West Coast . 1960s . In the fall of 1961 , the squadron embarked in USS Kitty Hawk ( CV - 63 ) for her transit , via Cape Horn , from NS Norfolk to her new home port at NAS North Island . The " Stingers " also moved to a new home at NAS Lemoore on 12 December 1961 . In June 1964 , squadron aircraft participated in Yankee Team operations , including aerial refuelling for RF - 8A Crusaders and F - 101 Voodoo s , and search and rescue missions over South Vietnam and Laos . From November 1964 to October 1965 , the squadron provided a detachment of personnel and A - 4s for use as fighter protection for USS Bennington ( CVS - 20 ) . October 1965 brought the " Stingers " back to the Western Pacific for a combat deployment aboard USS Kitty Hawk ( CV - 63 ) . The squadron flew numerous missions into North Vietnam against enemy lines of communications , as well as close air support in South Vietnam . In December 1965 during the squadron ’ s first line - period on Yankee Station , they participated in three major strikes against important North Vietnamese targets , including the Hai Phong Bridge , Uong Bi Thermal Power Plant and the Hai Duong Bridge . The " Stingers ' " second tour in Vietnam was aboard USS " Enterprise " , from 19 November 1966 to 6 July 1967 , earning them Navy Unit Commendation . The squadron upgraded to the A - 4F in October 1967 . From to 18 July 1968 , The " Stingers " again deployed to South East Asia aboard " Enterprise " on 3 January 1968 . En route to Yankee Station , the carrier was ordered to the Sea of Japan for operations following the seizure of the USS Pueblo ( AGER - 2 ) by the North Koreans . After return from deployment on 18 July 1968 , the squadron transitioned to the A - 7 Corsair II in December 1968 , and was awarded the coveted Battle Efficiency " E " award for the year . 1970s . VA - 113 upgraded to the A - 7E in April 1970 , and returned to combat operations in Southeast Asia during November 1970 aboard USS " Ranger " . The squadron ' s performance during this deployment earned them the Admiral Wade McClusky Award , given annually to the " Outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy . " Additionally , VA - 113 earned the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for Fiscal Year 1971 . VA - 113 departed Alameda , California in November 1972 for its sixth combat cruise to Southeast Asia . During this deployment the squadron participated in air strikes during Linebacker II and saw action over South Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia and North Vietnam . May 1974 found the " Stingers " again returning to WESTPAC as an integral part of the Carrier Air Wing 2 / " Ranger " team . VA - 113 continued this association for the next eight years , completing four more peacetime WESTPAC deployments while compiling an accident - free safety record in the A - 7E . 1980s . 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 " Stingers " 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 1983 , the first F / A - 18 Hornet bearing " Stinger " colors was delivered to VFA - 125 , and the VA - 113 pilots began transition training . The " Stingers " were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED THIRTEEN ( VFA - 113 ) on 25 March 1983 , and they completed the transition on 14 December 1983 , 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 " Stingers " played a key role in Operation Earnest Will , the armed escort of American - flagged merchant ships in the Persian Gulf region . The " Stingers " deployed in December 1988 aboard " Constellation " to the Indian and Western Pacific Oceans , returning in June 1989 . Immediately upon their return , they upgraded to C model " Hornets " . 1990s . Safety and proficiency milestones were set again in May 1990 , as the " Stingers " advanced the Navy ' s Tactical Aviation Safety Record to 16 years and over 70 , 000 mishap - free hours . In June 1990 , the " Stingers " once again sailed to the Western Pacific , this time aboard USS Independence ( CV - 62 ) . Following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi forces on 2August 1990 , " Independence " was ordered to the Gulf of Oman , becoming the first aircraft carrier on station . VFA - 113 conducted Operation Desert Shield missions over the North Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia . On 3 – 4 October 1990 , VFA - 113 conducted flight operations from " Independence " while she operated in the Persian Gulf , marking the first time a carrier had operated in the Gulf since 1974 . The " Stingers " returned from this deployment on 20 December 1990 . In February 1994 , the " Stingers " deployed aboard USS " Carl Vinson " as part of Cruiser Destroyer Group Three . During this deployment , the " Stingers " conducted operations throughout the Pacific and Indian Ocean theatres . In addition to missions off the coast of Korea during International Atomic Energy Agency and United Nations negotiations , they also flew multiple missions into Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch . The " Stingers " compiled a record 21 years and over 93 , 000 mishap free flight hours , and received three consecutive Chief of Naval Operations Aviation Safety Awards from 1991 – 1993 . In May 1996 , the VFA - 113 " Stingers " deployed as part of Carrier Air Wing 14 embarked on USS Carl Vinson ( CVN - 70 ) . WESTPAC 96 included participation in Operation Southern Watch and Operation Desert Strike . The " Stingers " returned from deployment on 12 November 1996 . In March 1997 , the " Stingers " made Naval Aviation history when they broke the 100 , 000 mishap free flight hour mark , making the " Stingers " the safest tactical carrier squadron in aviation history . 2000s . The " Stingers " , along with the rest of CVW - 14 took part in the ' s maiden deployment from January through July 2006 . The deployment took the squadron through the Western Pacific and into the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . 2010s . On 13 April 2011 . an F / A - 18 strike fighter from squadron VFA - 113 made a successful single - engine landing aboard the , bursting in flames in the process . However , no fatalities occurred due to the fire - fighting efforts of the flight deck personnel . External links . = See also =