VFA-27

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Strike Fighter Squadron 27


caption= VFA-27 insignia
dates= *September 1, 1967 - present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Navy
type= Fighter/Attack
role= Close air support
Air interdiction
Aerial reconnaissance
size=
command_structure= Carrier Air Wing 5
current_commander= Commander Dan Dwyer
garrison= Naval Air Facility Atsugi
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Royal Maces
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Vietnam War
Operation Restore Hope
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=

Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27), also known as the "Royal Maces", are a United States Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 5 and are attached to the USS George Washington (CVN-73). Their tail code is NF.

Mission

To conduct carrier based air strike and strike force escort missions, anti-ship operations, battle group anti-air operations, and surveillance/intelligence collection operations in support of Carrier Air Wing 5 tasking and requirements. The squadron is permanently forward deployed with Carrier Air Wing 5, shore based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and embarked on the USS George Washington (CVN-73).

quadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron’s insignia was approved by the CNO on 25 March 1968, and consisted of a light blue glove and black mace. They were nicknamed the "Royal Maces".

History

1960s

The Royal Maces were commissioned Attack Squadron 27 (VA-27) on September 1, 1967 flying the A-7 Corsair II, and in January 1968, the squadron officially reported to Carrier Air Wing 14. In May 1968, as the Vietnam War continued, the Royal Maces departed for their first combat deployment aboard USS Constellation (CVA-64). On 28 Jun 1968, the squadron flew its first combat sortie, striking targets in the panhandle region of North Vietnam.

During a second combat cruise aboard "Constellation" in August 1969, VA-27 flew over 2,500 combat sorties. Attack Squadron 27 transitioned to the newer A-7E on June 20, 1970. From 4 Feb–7 Mar, VA-27 embarked in USS Enterprise (CVN-65) during the carrier’s transit around Cape Horn to her new home port in NAS Alameda, California, and then deployed on "Enterprise" from 11 Jun 1971 to 12 Feb 1972, the "Royal Maces" third combat cruise. With the outbreak of war between India and Pakistan over East Pakistan (later Bangladesh) in Dec 1971, Enterprise departed Yankee Station and made a quick transit to the Indian Ocean to provide support for the evacuation of foreign civilians. Squadron pilots amassed over 4,400 combat flight hours and participated in over 1,500 air strikes without loss.

The "Royal Maces" commenced their fourth combat deployment in September 1972 aboard "Enterprise", participating in Linebacker I and Linebacker II operations, heavy air strikes against targets in North Vietnam to interdict the flow of supplies in that country and into South Vietnam.The squadron began its next deployment to the Western Pacific in September 1974. In Apr 1975, the Royal Maces flew surveillance missions over Vietnam and flew escort for United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force helicopters during the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel as part of Operation Frequent Wind.

1980s

In Apr 1980, VA-27 participated in the Iranian hostage rescue attempt by providing air cover for the forces directly involved in the rescue operation.

In Aug 1986, the "Maces" participated in the first carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II.

1990s

On 24 January 1991, the Royal Maces transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and were officially re-designated the "Chargers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 27 (VFA-27). In November 1992, while deployed aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), VFA-27 operated off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope and augmented United States Central Command’s multi-national coalition Air Forces supporting Operation Southern Watch. The squadron participated in a coalition night strike against Iraq on 13 January 1993, delivering over 18,000 pounds of ordnance on target. The squadron transitioned to F/A-18C's in 1994, and in 1996 commenced their homeport change to NAF Atsugi, Japan deploying aboard USS Independence (CV-62).

2000s

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, the squadron participated in Operation Enduring Freedom flying missions against the Al Qaida infrastructure and Taliban forces in Afghanistan as well as protecting valued assets in Diego Garcia. When "Kitty Hawk" deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, VFA-27 was soon heavily involved in combat prior to the war. As part of Carrier Air Wing 5, VFA-27 attacked command, control and communications sites, surface-to-surface missile batteries and an air traffic control radar near Basrah. At the Al Faw peninsula long range artillery guns and 155mm howitzers near Az Zubayr were targeted. The Royal Maces flew hundreds of close air support and strike sorties against Iraqi forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. VFA-27 completed their transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in October 2004 at NAS Lemoore.

External links and reference

* [https://www.atsugi.navy.mil/VFA-27/index.html VFA-27's Official Webpage]
* [http://www.usscoralsea.net/27/index.html Royal Maces' Unofficial Page]
*Tony Holmes (2005). "US Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom Part One", Osprey Publishing Limited.

= See also =
*Naval aviation
*Modern US Navy carrier air operations
*List of military aircraft of the United States (naval) / List of US Naval aircraft
*United States Naval Aviator
*United States Marine Corps Aviation
*Military aviation
*List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
*List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons