VFA - 37 Strike Fighter Squadron 37 ( VFA - 37 ) , also known as the " Ragin ’ Bulls " , are a United States Navy F / A - 18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana . They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3 ( CVW - 3 ) and are attached to the . Their radio callsign is " Ragin ’ " and their tail code is AC . Mission . The mission of VFA - 37 as quoted from their homepage is : " Our mission is simple - We Launch combat - ready aircraft , 24 / 7 , anywhere in the world ! " Squadron insignia and nickname . The squadron ’ s initial insignia was approved by CNO on 26 March 1968 . The design centered on a bull was selected to symbolize the spirit , pride and mission of the unit . The " Bulls " current insignia was based on the Schlitz Malt Liquor logo . Over the years , the size of the testicles has been changed several times . After the Tailhook scandal , the testicles were removed completely from the logo for a time . Nickname : Bulls , 1968 – present . History . 1960s . VA - 37 was established as an A - 7 Corsair II squadron on July 1 , 1966 . After training with VA - 174 in the operation of the A - 7 Corsair II from Jul – Nov 1967 , VA - 37 became operational in 1967 , deploying aboard the USS " Kitty Hawk " . 1970s . In Sep 1970 , VA - 37 was embarked on USS Saratoga ( CV - 60 ) when fighting erupted between Palestinian forces and the Jordanian Army , and was directed to operate in the eastern Mediterranean in response to this crisis . On 29 Sep 1970 , VA - 37 participated in an air power demonstration for President Richard Nixon during his two day visit to " Saratoga " while she steamed in the Med . From June to October 1971 , VA - 37 participated in the test and evaluation of the new CV concept during the " Saratoga ’ s " deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea . The CV concept involved combining the capabilities of the attack and antisubmarine carriers ( CVA and CVS ) into a single ship . The " Bulls " deployed twice to Yankee Station in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War . On 1 Aug 1972 , a " Bull " A - 7A Corsair II was used to establish a sonobuoy field in an anchorage area near the island of Hon Nieu , off the coast of North Vietnam - the first time an A - 7 had ever been used to drop sonobuoys . In 1973 , the squadron received their first A - 7E , a more advanced version of the plane . They made seven cruises with this plane in the 1970s and early 1980s , including responding to regional crises in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean . 1980s . In June 1982 , USS John F . Kennedy ( CV - 67 ) , with VA - 37 embarked , took station off the coast of Lebanon after Israel invaded that country . In June 1984 , the squadron ' s primary mission was changed to close air support in preparation for its deployment to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program . The deployment of the two Navy attack squadrons was designed to test the interoperability of the Marine Corps and Navy . In Dec 1984 , VA - 37 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and relieved VA - 105 . While deployed to Iwakuni , the squadron was detached to Yechon , Korea , to participate in exercise Team Spirit 85 . This was the first time a Navy carrier - based squadron had deployed in field conditions since World War II . 1990s . During the 90s , the " Bulls " deployed aboard , , , and . Following the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990 , several " Bulls " were deployed with VA - 72 in support of Operation Desert Shield . On October 31 , 1990 , the " Bulls " flew their last official sortie in the A - 7E Corsair II . This ended a 25 - year association with the " Harley of the Fleet " in which over 115 , 000 flight hours and 25 , 000 arrestments were flown . On 28 Nov 1990 , VA - 37 was redesignated VFA - 37 and began flying the F / A - 18 Hornet . From October 1992 to April 1993 , the " Bulls " deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and were key participants in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq and Operation Provide Promise in the airspace near the former Yugoslavia . In 1994 the squadron flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch and later over Bosnia in support of Operation Deny Flight . The " Bulls " also participated in major exercises with the Kuwaitis , Saudis , and Israelis , as well as with many NATO allies . In November 1996 , the " Bulls " flew in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia - Herzegovina . The " Bulls " deployed again in November 1998 . After four weeks of participating in OSW , the order was issued for Operation Desert Fox in Iraq . They also flew missions over the former Yugoslavia in Operation Deliberate Force . The " Bulls " relocated from Naval Air Station Cecil Field , Florida , to NAS Oceana , Virginia in July 1999 . 2000s . The next major deployment for the " Bulls " was the maiden voyage of the in 2000 . In December 2002 VFA - 37 deployed for their second cruise aboard the " Truman " . On March 19 , 2003 , " TEAM BULL " participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom ( OIF ) . While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea , the " Bulls " 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 " Bulls " had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq . The squadron returned to Virginia on Memorial Day 2003 . Oct - Apr 2004 : VFA - 37 deployed to the Persian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom . Nov 2007 - Jun 2008 : The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . In the spring of 2006 , VFA - 37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight for seven months to cover for VFA - 213 as they transitioned to the FA - 18F . The squadron deployed on " Truman " in Nov 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom , returning to Oceana on June 4 , 2008 . While deployed , they dropped a total of 22 , 000 pounds of ordnance . VFA - 37 is currently deployed onboard " CVN - 75 " USS Harry S . Truman .