Strike Fighter Squadron One Five One (VFA-151) nicknamed the Vigilantes are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The squadron is a part of Carrier Air Wing 9 (CVW-9). As part of CVW-9, the squadron’s tail code is NG and its radio callsign is “Switch”.
History
Four distinct U.S. Navy squadrons have been designated VF-151. The first VF-151 was established, and then disestablished, in 1945. The second was established at VF-153 in 1945 and eventually became VFA-192. The third squadron was originally established as VF-65 in 1951 and was eventually disestablished as VA-23 in 1970. The fourth squadron to be designated VF-151 was established as VF-23 in 1948, eventually became VFA-151, and is the main subject of this article.
1940s
Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) was originally established as Fighter Squadron 23 (VF-23) at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia on August 6th, 1948. The squadron was attached to Air Group Two aboard USS Midway and flew the F4U-5 Corsair and F6F-5P Hellcat. By April 1949, the squadron flew the F4U-4 Corsair exclusively, embarking with that aircraft for a Mediterranean Sea deployment from May–December 1949.
1950s
In August 1950, the squadron moved to NAS Alameda, California, and then deployed for the first of three cruises in support of the Korean War. On 15th September 1950, the squadron flew combat missions from USS Boxer in support of the amphibious landings at Inchon, Korea. Upon their return to the US, the squadron relocated to NAS Moffett Field in November 1950. The squadron transitioned to the jet age in January 1951, flying the straight-wing F9F-2 Panther on their second Korea deployment from USS Princeton. During their third Korean War deployment, while flying from USS Essex in August 1952, squadron aircraft participated in joint operations with the U.S. Air Force, striking targets in Pyongyang and the surrounding area.
The squadron transitioned to the F2H-3 Banshee in March 1953 and adopted a new role as an all-weather fighter squadron. In March 1954, the squadron was deployed to the western Pacific aboard USSEssex when the carrier was ordered to operate off the coast of Vietnam during the Battle of Dien Bien Phu.
In December 1956, VF-23 transitioned to the F4D-1 Skyray, and in August and September 1958, the squadron flew sorties from USS Hancock in the Taiwan Straits after the Chinese Communists bombarded Quemoy Island.
VF-23 deployed to the WestPac aboard USS Hancock in 1958 and again 1959. The squadron, now known as the Vigilantes, transitioned to the F3H-2 Demon in January 1959. A month later, the squadron was redesignated Fighter Squadron One Fifty One (VF-151) on 23rd February 1959 and assigned to Carrier Air Group 15.
1960s
In July 1961, the squadron moved homeport to NAS Miramar and made the first of three WestPac deployments aboard USS Coral Sea. In January 1964, the squadron transitioned to the F-4B Phantom and deployed for its first Vietnam War cruise on 7th December 1964. During the eleven month combat deployment, the squadron flew nearly 1500 combat sorties, including support of the 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder bombing campaign against military targets in North Vietnam. The squadron returned to Southeast Asia on their second Vietnam deployment in May 1966 aboard USS Constellation.
The squadron made its third deployment of the war aboard USS Coral Sea from July 1967 to April 1968. On 24th October 1967 the squadron’s commanding officer, CDR C.R. Gillespie, and his Radar Intercept Officer, LTJG R.C. Clark, were shot down by a surface-to-air missile over North Vietnam. CDR Gillespie became a prisoner of war and was not released until May 1973, while LTJG Clark died in captivity.
In March 1968, USS Coral Sea, with VF-151 embarked, operated on station off the coast of Korea following the capture of USS Pueblo by North Korea. The squadron deployed again in September 1968 with Carrier Air Wing 15 (CVW-15) aboard USS Coral Sea again following a short turn-around period. The squadron made its fifth combat deployment of the war in September 1969 aboard USS Coral Sea and flew more than 2100 combat sorties, more than any other Navy squadron in FY1970.
1970s
The squadron deployed on its sixth combat cruise of the war in April 1971 with Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW-5) aboard USS Midway, flying 1012 combat sorties. In April 1972, the squadron deployed on its seventh and final deployment of the Vietnam War. During this deployment, the squadron spent 205 continuous days in combat flight operations, including support of Operation Linebacker, the bombing campaign designed to disrupt supplies to the North Vietnamese. The squadron’s 205 days of continuous combat flight operations was the longest period of combat flight operations in the history of the Vietnam War. From 1965 to 1973, the squadron participated in every major operation of the Vietnam War, made more combat deployments (7) and spent more time on the line (927 days) than any other carrier based unit – including the longest deployment of the Vietnam War (331 days on USS Coral Sea) and the longest line period of the Vietnam War (208 days on USS Midway).
The squadron returned to San Francisco, California from Vietnam in March 1973 and transitioned to the F-4N. On 11th September 1973, USS Midway with VF-151 aboard, departed the US for the last time for many years to come. The ship arrived at its new port of United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan and the squadron at its new home of NAF Atsugi, Japan on 5th October. The ship was met by a group of Japanese demonstrators, railing against the home porting of a US “Man-of-War” in Japanese waters.
On 1st April 1975, the squadron departed NAF Atsugi and headed for the South China Sea for what would ultimately be called Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of US personnel from Saigon as the country fell to the North Vietnamese. The ship took aboard Marine helicopters as it passed Okinawa and offloaded them when in the vicinity of Naval Air Station Cubi Point in the Philippines. The ship then headed for the coast of Vietnam and the squadrons flew Combat Air Patrols as the North Vietnamese moved quickly through South Vietnam.
From August to September 1976, the squadron conducted flight operations near the Korean Peninsula following the Axe-murder Incident.
In August 1977, the squadron transitioned to the F-4J. In 1978 the squadron was named the top TACAIR squadron in CVW-5 and received the Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” award. The squadron made three Indian Ocean deployments between 1979 and 1980. During 1979 USS Midway, with VF-151 embarked, deployed to the Gulf of Aden following the outbreak of fighting between North and South Yemen and the Iranian Revolution. During the 1980 deployment following the Iranian seizure of the American Embassy in Teheran, USS Midway, with VF- 151 embarked, proceeded to the Gulf of Oman and remained on station until relieved in early February 1980.
1980s
In December 1980, the squadron transitioned to the F-4S.
On March 24th, 1986, the squadron flew off USS Midway for the last time as VF-151. This event also marked the end of an era, as it was the last flight of the F-4 Phantom II from the deck of an aircraft carrier. The squadron reported to NAS Lemoore, California for transition to the new F/A-18 Hornet. VF-151 was one of only two F-4 fighter squadrons to transition to the F/A-18 and be redesignated a strike fighter squadron. The squadron was re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron 151 (VFA-151) on 1st June 1986. In November of that year, the squadron returned to USS Midway and NAF Atsugi.
In September 1988 during the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, the squadron was embarked on USS Midway and operating in the Sea of Japan to demonstrate U.S. support for a peaceful Olympics.
In December 1989, USS Midway, with VFA-151 embarked, maintained station off the coast of the Philippines during an attempted coup in that country.
1990s
VFA-151 deployed aboard USS Midway in October 1990 in support of Operation Desert Shield. Hostilities escalated in Iraq, and on January 17th, 1991 the squadron participated in the initial air strikes of Operation Desert Storm. During the campaign, the squadron dropped more than 817,000 pounds of ordnance on key targets in Iraq, Kuwait, and the Northern Persian Gulf.
In August 1991, the squadron left Japan aboard USS Midway bound for NS Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the USS Midway’s last underway period. VFA-151 then transferred to CVW-2, and moved to NAS Lemoore, California. In February 1993, the squadron transitioned their aircraft to upgraded Lot 15 F/A-18C Hornets. In May 1993, the squadron embarked on USS Constellation and travelled from the East Coast around Cape Horn South America to her new homeport in San Diego, California.
The squadron contributed to the enforcement of “no-fly” zones over southern Iraq during combat-zone WestPac deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch in 1994–1995. Additional WESTPAC deployments in support of Operation Southern Watch continued on-board USS Constellation in 1997 and 1999.
2000s
The squadron was the recipient of Strike Fighter Wing Pacific’s Battle “E” award for CY2000 and deployed on USS Constellation again in 2001.
The squadron deployed for its final deployment aboard USS Constellation in November 2002. Following a successful combat deployment, USS Constellation was decommissioned in San Diego, California August 7th, 2003. VFA-151, along with CVW-2, moved to USS Abraham Lincoln. In October 2004, the squadron deployed on its first WESTPAC/Surge in support of the US Navy’s new Fleet Response Plan. While deployed, the squadron participated in Operation Unified Assistance, the humanitarian relief effort to assist survivors of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia on December 26th, 2004.
Between 24th–31st March 2006, during Foal Eagle 2006 exercises, squadrons VFA-2, VFA-34, VFA-137, and VFA-151 from CVW-2 teamed with U.S. Air Force aircraft from the 18th Wing based at Kadena Air Base to provide combat air patrols and coordinated bombing runs via the exercise’s Combined Air Operations Center.
In 2008 VFA-151 deployed again on board the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) which upon returning they again received the Battle “E” for the year of 2008.
2010s
The squadron deployed again aboard USS Abraham Lincoln in support of Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom in the Fifth Fleet AOR from October 2010 to March 2011. The squadron was awarded the Battle “E” for the year of 2010 as well as the Michael J. Estocin award.
In December 2011 the squadron was deployed again in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Fifth Fleet AOR for a five-month “surge” deployment. After extending twice, the squadron returned home in August 2012. After five months flying the F/A-18C post-deployment, VFA-151 began transitioning to Lot 35/36 F/A-18E Super Hornets in February 2013. With the transition, the squadron left CVW-2 and moved to CVW-9 attached to USS John C. Stennis on 1st June 2013. August 2019 the Squadron lost an F/A-18E Super Hornet flown out of NAS Lemoore, it crashed into the wall of what is known as “Star Wars Canyon”, near Naval Air Weapons Station at China Lake. The aviator did not survive.
Hobbymaster 1/72nd scale F/A-18E Super Hornet VFA-151 “Vigilantes” available to order from Flying Tigers.
In 1949 VFA-151 was originally nicknamed “Flashers” with a blue helmeted knight with a white shield insignia. In 1955 the insignia was changed to the skull with a bloodied knife and in 1959 the nickname “Vigilantes” came into use to reflect their “around the clock” vigil of readiness. On July 31st, 2019 while flying F/A-18E 168471/400 Lt. Charles Z. Walker crashed in what is referred to as Star Wars Canyon located in Death Valley National Park. To memorialize Lt. Walker F/A-18E 410/168478 had several references to him applied to the fuselage and tail.
Click on the image / link to go straight to the model page to order.
Corgi Aviation Archive Arrival today !
New Corgi Aviation Archive AA28701 Corgi Aviation Archive 1/48th scale Fokker E.II Eindecker 69/15, Kurt von Crailsheim, FFA 53, Monthois, France, October 1915 has arrived at Flying Tigers today. If you have already pre-ordered this model your model will be dispatched in the next few days. Limited remaining stock availability… please click on the image or link below to order your now.
Hobbymaster Updated Photo Gallery.
Check out the latest photos from Hobbymaster that have now been added to the Flying Tigers website. Please click on the image of your choice to go straight to the model page to order.
Air Force One new model announcements!
Air Force One new model announcements have just been announced and are available to pre-order at Flying Tigers today. If you want any of these models it is always safer to pre-order as quantities are limited.
Don’t forget NO DEPOSIT necessary with Flying Tigers and if you order with your debit or credit card your payment is not taken until your model is available to dispatch.
Flying Tigers will also consolidate your orders to save on postage costs across all brands !
Please click on the images / links below to go to the model of your choice, or CLICK HERE to see them all.
Coronovirus: Flying Tigers Dispatch Information.
Customers may now collect their models from Flying Tigers at the Sywell Office and warehouse. Please call in advance to make an appointment (approx. time will do), and we will have your models ready for you.
Flying Tigers will strictly adhere to the social distancing rules. In good, dry weather customers may collect their already boxed models from the front door and outside the office. Pre-payment will be necessary. In inclement weather, collections may be made from inside the lobby.
There will still be no access to the stock room or office.
Due to Covid-19 there is still some disruption to service times from Parcelforce and the Royal Mail who have now suspended their service delivery time guarantees. The situation is patchy with some customers getting models next day whilst others are waiting 10 days or so. Please be patient … all carriers and postal services are working round the clock to catch up, and so are Flying Tigers.
At Flying Tigers, family and friends have always been the most important thing to us. During these unprecedented times we want to reassure you that the health and safety of our customers, employees and their families continues to be our number one priority. Now is the time for us to come together and support one another more than ever.
We will continue to follow all World Health Organisation, Government and Public Health England advice and act accordingly. Currently, our small showroom is closed to the public and we will continue to monitor the rapidly changing situation closely and respond as advised by those experts.
Whilst we’ve always been a clean and tidy bunch, we are doing everything to ensure even higher standards of hygiene and cleanliness.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our customers, for continuing to support us. It’s not been easy for anyone and we’re lucky to have fellow collectors that understand that in these difficult times, small family businesses such as Flying Tigers need your business and support to stay alive.
If you have supplied Flying Tigers with your mobile number and/ or your email address, Parcelforce will notify you by way of text message or email on anticipated delivery day/time.
For Royal Mail delivered parcels these can be tracked through the Royal Mail parcel tracking service. The tracking number will be emailed to you on the “Your order is completed” notification upon dispatch of your order.
If you had requested a delivery to your place of work or to a neighbour, and you would now like your Parcel delivered to your home/billing address please email us and we will make the change. If we do not receive this instruction we will continue to dispatch to your original delivery address.
We are still working hard processing and despatching orders on a daily basis.
You, our loyal customers will be the first to know in the event of any changes or updates in the coming weeks.
For more information on COVID-19 and current Government stance please follow these links below:
Coronovirus: Royal Mail and Parcelforce Update
Royal Mail have issued an update with regards to the Coronavirus…
Public Health England (PHE) has advised that people receiving parcels are not at risk of contracting the coronavirus. From experience with other coronaviruses, we know that these types of viruses don’t survive long on objects, such as letters or parcels. This complements the highly publicised guidance from PHE for people to wash their hands more often than usual using soap and hot water.
We are actively monitoring this rapidly evolving situation. We take the health and safety of our people very seriously. We have provided guidance to our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate, to help prevent the spread of any infection. We are doing so in line with preventative guidance from Public Health England.
Signing for and receiving items
In order to protect both our people and customers as much as possible, we will not be handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture signatures. Postmen and women will instead log the name of the person accepting the item. This will apply to all deliveries that require a signature.
Additionally, for all customers (including those who are self-isolating) where we need to deliver any parcel that won’t fit through your letterbox, we will place your item at your door. Having knocked on your door, we will then step aside to a safe distance while you retrieve your item. This will ensure your item is delivered securely rather than being left outside.
In order to protect both our people and customers as much as possible, we will not be handing over our hand-held devices to customers to capture electronic signatures. Our drivers will instead log the first and last name of the person accepting the item then put ‘XP1’ in the signature field, and we will record the geolocation of the delivery. This will apply to all deliveries that normally require a signature.
If you are unable to come to the door at all we will issue a ‘Something for You’ card, advising of other ways you can arrange to get your item. For example, by getting a friend or family member to collect the parcel from our local Customer Service Point on your behalf. In this situation, and to keep your mail as secure as possible, they will need to bring along the card we left you and a form of ID in the name of the person to which the item is addressed.
For full information on our response to this global situation, please visit parcelforce.com/coronavirus
Contingency plans
In the event we need to close one of our units, this decision would be made in line with Public Health England guidance. Royal Mail has many years’ experience of contingency planning for a number of different scenarios. We will follow the Government’s advice and work closely with the relevant authorities.
We have extensive experience in being able to quickly deploy business contingency plans so we continue to provide customers with access to our services and their mail.
Coronovirus International Shipment Updates
As you may know from the media recently, a number of countries are cancelling flights between Europe and themselves, and countries within the EU are shutting borders and some are or have gone on lockdown.
Unfortunately, this means that almost all international mail and parcels will be delayed wherever they go as many pass-through EU countries etc onto other destinations. Some freight also piggybacks onto commercial flights, like Royal Mail use BA to inject into the USA. These flights have recently been cancelled.
We will do our utmost to work with our carrier partners to ensure mail/parcels are stored safely in periods they are held and we will move the freight as quickly, safely and as smooth as possible.
Please note this may cause big breaks within the tracking where parcels haven’t been scanned and we expect we will see delays of up to 4/6 weeks to some destinations. This prediction is based on today’s activities.
Governments are making decisions on a daily basis so it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where or when delays will occur.
I would ask our customers to be mindful of this when contacting our customer services team.
We will try to keep you informed wherever possible.
Service and Parcels to USA
Parcelforce are pleased to tell you that we have been able to secure capacity to allow us to continue to operate the service to USA.
Over the last few days the number of flights to USA has reduced dramatically. This has resulted in a significant reduction in airline capacity for parcels and freight from UK to USA. We have been working very closely with our airline partners to maintain service.
You can continue to receive parcels in these countries via our globalexpress service, however there is a suspension of delivery time guarantee in place.
Services and Parcels to New Zealand and Kuwait
Due to the ongoing situation and attempts to limit the spreading of COVID-19, which has impacted airline capacity into the New Zealand and Kuwait, Parcelforce have suspended our globalpriority service to these countries with immediate effect, until further notice.
You can continue to receive parcels in these countries via our globalexpress service, however there is a suspension of delivery time guarantee in place.
Parcel deliveries in France
Our European parcel delivery partner GLS has informed us that they will not be making deliveries on Fridays in France, until further notice, due to operational issues. The services affected by this are europprioritybusiness and europriorityimport only. GLS hubs, depots and customer services will therefore be closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in France.
Services and Parcel deliveries to Australia, China and Canada
In the rapidly evolving situation regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are continuing to work very closely with our airline partners to maintain our overseas delivery services.
We are pleased to tell you that we are able to secure capacity to operate the service to Australia, China and Canada. However, as passenger numbers reduce, the number of available flights to these destinations has also reduced significantly, impacting capacity for parcels and freight.
You can continue to receive parcels in these countries via our globalexpress service, however there is a suspension of delivery time guarantee in place.
Thank you for reading this week’s Newsletter.
Stay safe, well, and look after each other.
Richard.
Flying Tigers.