VFA - 97 Strike Fighter Squadron 97 ( VFA - 97 ) , also known as the " Warhawks " , are a United States Navy F / A - 18C fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore . The first Navy F / A - 18 squadron to be expeditionary land - based , the " Warhawks " deployed to MCAS Iwakuni , Japan as part of USN / USMC TACAIR Integration . In 2008 , they transitioned back to Carrier - based operations with Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN with the tail code of " NH " . Their radio callsign is " Warhawk " . Squadron insignia and nickname . The squadron ’ s insignia was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on 6 March 1968 and they have been called the Warhawks since establishment . History . 1960s . The Warhawks of VA - 97 were commissioned on June 1 , 1967 and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 14 ( CVW 14 ) . On May 28 , 1968 , they departed San Diego embarked on USS Constellation ( CV - 64 ) for the squadron ’ s first WESTPAC deployment . On 28 Jun 1968 the squadron conducted its first combat missions , flying the A - 7 Corsair II , against targets in Vietnam . 1970s . On 4 February 1971 , the Warhawks embarked USS Enterprise ( CVN - 65 ) in Naval Station Norfolk , Virginia for her transit around South America to her new home port of Alameda , California . The squadron ’ s third deployment began in June 1971 , embarked on " Enterprise " . In December of that year following the outbreak of war between India and Pakistan over East Pakistan ( Bangladesh ) , " Enterprise " was ordered to leave Yankee Station for the Indian Ocean . The carrier , with VA - 97 embarked , operated in the Bay of Bengal until the cessation of hostilities in the latter part of December . After returning to Alameda and a short turn - around period , the Warhawks again returned to WESTPAC in September 1972 . There they participated in Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations in October and December , respectively . In April 1975 , the squadron participated in Operation Frequent Wind and provided air support for the evacuation of personnel from Saigon as it fell to the communists . In March 1976 , VA - 97 achieved the " Triple Crown " of Naval Aviation awards , earning the Admiral Clarence Wade McClusky Award as the U . S . Navy ’ s top Attack Squadron , the CNO Aviation Safety Award ( also known as the Safety “ S ” ) , and the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award ( also known as the Battle " E " ) . The " Warhawks " began their sixth deployment in July 1976 once again embarked on " Enterprise " with CVW - 14 . The squadron ’ s return to NAS Lemoore in May 1977 marked the completion of five years and over 25 , 000 hours of mishap - free flying in the A - 7 , making VA - 97 the first squadron to achieve that mark . Their seventh deployment began in April 1978 aboard " Enterprise " . The eighth deployment began in November 1979 , embarked on , with most of the deployment spent on “ Gonzo Station ” off the southern coast of Iran . 1980s . In April 1980 while embarked on USS Coral Sea ( CV - 43 ) , the " Warhawks " were part of the task force involved in supporting Operation Eagle Claw , the Iranian hostage rescue attempt . " Coral Sea " was the Warhawks ’ home for deployment nine in August 1981 , and again for deployment ten in March 1983 , when they sailed around the world . In August 1986 , VA - 97 participated in carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea . In July 1988 during the Olympics in Seoul , Korea , , with VA - 97 embarked , operated off the coast of Korea . The Warhawks eleventh deployment departed NAS Alameda in October 1984 embarked in , the U . S . Navy ’ s newest carrier . The " Warhawks " participated in FLEETEX 85 , involving five carrier battle groups and sixty - five ships from various countries . The 12th deployment began in August 1986 and added a number of new achievements to the long list . The " Warhawks " operated with Carl Vinson above the Aleutian Islands Chain in the Bering Sea , both on the way to WESTPAC and on the return trip . The squadron returned home in February 1987 . The 13th deployment began in June 1988 and included support of Operation Earnest Will convoys in the Gulf of Oman and the Straits of Hormuz , ending with the " Warhawks " winning the Battle Efficiency Award . In 1989 , the " Warhawks " earned the LTJG Bruce Carrier Memorial Award for Maintenance Excellence and the CNO Aviation Safety " S " award . 1990s . Throughout the 1990s , the squadron supported United Nations coalition forces by participating in Operation Southern Watch in Iraq . They also flew in support of Operation Restore Hope in Somalia . 1990 was a notable year in WARHAWK history as they completed their 15th and last WESTPAC deployment in the A - 7 Corsair . On 24 January 1991 , VA - 97 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron NINETY SEVEN ( VFA - 97 ) and transitioned to the FA - 18 Hornet . That summer , the squadron flew to Norfolk , VA and embarked for her transit around Cape Horn . In fall 1992 , the " Warhawks " deployed to the WESTPAC in support of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq as well as Operation Restore Hope in Somalia . The " Warhawks " returned to Lemoore in May 1993 . In June 1994 , the " Warhawks " began their second Hornet cruise and 17th overall . This was their last cruise as a member of CVW 15 . In October 1995 the " Warhawks " joined Carrier Air Wing 11 aboard " Kitty Hawk " , deploying in support of OSW . In December 1997 Carrier Air Wing 11 and the " Warhawks " were assigned to , deploying on November 10 , 1998 for WESTPAC 98 - 99 , their 19th deployment . The squadron flew combat missions supporting Operation Desert Fox and OSW , returning to Lemoore in May 1999 . 2000s . The squadron deployed in late July 2001 aboard " Carl Vinson " . After the September 11 terrorist attacks , the carrier and her air wing rushed to the North Arabian Sea and conducted sustained combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom , flying 680 combat missions and dropping 417 , 000 pounds of ordnance on enemy targets in Afghanistan . < After returning to Lemoore , their efforts were recognized with the 2001 Battle “ E " , the 2001 Captain Michael J . Estocin Award and the Chief of Naval Operations Safety “ S ” , resulting in the so - called " triple - crown " achievement for the " Warhawks " . In 2003 , the squadron , attached to Carrier Airwing ELEVEN ( CVW - 11 ) , embarked on and flew hundreds of combat sorties in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom . This " final cruise of the Alphas " marked the final time the oldest U . S . F - 18 ' s , F - 18A ' s would be used in combat . ( The Blue Angels still fly this older model ) . After return from deployment , the " Warhawks " transitioned from the F / A - 18A to the F / A - 18C and began preparation for their upcoming Unit Deployment Program ( UDP ) deployment . In 2004 , VFA - 97 was assigned to Marine Aircraft Group 12 as the first Navy squadron to take part in the Unit Deployment Program deploying to MCAS Iwakuni , Japan . The " Warhawks " deployed to Iwakuni again in 2006 for their second UDP deployment , and again in January 2008 for their third UDP and 24th overall deployment . The squadron rejoined Carrier Air Wing 11 and " Nimitz " on return from Iwakuni and will deployed in the spring of 2009 .