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VA-192 Golden Dragons

VA-192 Golden Dragons



FIGHTING KANGAROO - 1945
Drawn by Bud Southworth
HELMET AND SHIELD - 1947
Drawn by Bud Southworth
DRAGON AND CARRIER - 1950
Drawn by Bud Southworth

DRAGON - 1956
Courtesy of Bob Taylor
WORLD FAMOUS GOLDEN DRAGONS - 1986

Patch
  • VF-153's first patch, the Fighting Kangaroo, was used before October 11, 1945.
  • November 24, 1947, following VF-153's redesignation as VF-15A, a Helmet and Shield patch was created.
  • When the squadron was redesignated VF-151, the helmet and shield insignia was modified and the Latin inscription In Omnia Paratus was added to the scroll inside the design. The Latin phrase means ever ready or a state of readiness. The squadron's designation Fighting One Fifty One was added in a lower scroll. The colors remained the same.
  • On August 8, 1950, a Dragon and Carrier patch was adopted following squadron redesignation from VF-151 to VF-192.
  • June 21, 1956, when VF-192 was redesignated VA-192, a newly designed Dragon patch was adopted.
  • The Dragon patch was redesigned following the VA-192's change to VFA-192.

Handle
  • Before August 1945, Fighting 153.
  • 1947, Fighting 15A.
  • 1948, Fighting 151.
  • 1950, Fighting 192.
  • In 1953, while flying the F9F-5 Grumman Panther from USS ORISKANY (CVA 34), the Golden Dragons participated in the filming of the 1953 classic movie, "The Bridges of Toko Ri", as well as the film "Men of the Fighting Lady". The squadron added "World Famous" to its moniker as a result of its appearance in these films.
  • 1956 to present: World Famous Golden Dragons.

Heritage
  • March 26, 1945, Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VF-153) established.
  • November 15, 1946, VF-153 redesignated as Fighter Squadron FIFTEEN A (VF-15A).
  • July 15, 1948, VF-15A redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE (VF-151).
  • February 15, 1950, VF-151 redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VF-192).
  • March 15, 1956, VF-192 redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VA-192).
  • January 10, 1986, VA-192 redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VFA-192).

Home Ports
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • March 26, 1945 - - - - - Naval Air Station Atlantic City
  • June 1, 1945 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Oceana
  • August 1946- - - - - - - Naval Air Station Alameda
  • July 16, 1951- - - - - - Naval Air Station Moffett Field
  • January 1, 1962- - - - - Naval Air Station Lemoore
  • July 1, 1986*- - - - - - Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan (Naval Air Facility Atsugi & Misawa)
  • * VFA-192 was assigned to CVW-5 on July 1, 1986 as part of a program that has a permanently assigned carrier and air wing at an overseas home port. The homeport for CVW-5 and United States Ship Midway CV 41, was Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan. The squadron did not arrive in Japan until November 1986.

Air Wings
    Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • March 26, 1945- - - - - - B/A†- - - - - CVG-153/CVAG-15/CVG-15*
  • November 1949 - - - - - - B/NM‡ - - - - CVG-19/CVW-19§
  • December 1, 1969- - - - - - - - - - - - COMFAIRLEMOORE§§
  • December 1, 1969- - - - - NH- - - - - - CVW-11§§
  • January 18, 1982- - - - - NL- - - - - - CVW-15
  • August 31, 1982 - - - - - - - - - - - - COMLATWINGPAC
  • November 12, 1982 - - - - NG- - - - - - CVW-9
  • September 15, 1984- - - - - - - - - - - COMLATWINGPAC
  • June 4, 1985- - - - - - - NM**- - - - - MAG-12
  • December 14, 1985 - - - - - - - - - - - COMLATWINGPAC
  • July 1, 1986- - - - - - - NF- - - - - - CVW-521
  • * CVG-153 was redesignated Attack CVAG-15 on November 15, 1946 and then became CVG-15 on September 1, 1948. LI>† The tail code B was assigned to CVAG-15 on December 12, 1946 and changed to A on August 4, 1948.
  • ‡ The tail code B was changed to NM in 1957. The effective date for this change was most likely the beginning of FY 58 (July 1, 1957).
  • § CVG-19 was redesignated CVW-19 when Carrier Air Groups (CVG) were redesignated Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on December 20, 1963.
  • §§ The squadron was operationally assigned to CVW-11 and under the administrative command of Commander Fleet Air Lemoore. During the latter part of 1969 and early 1970 the squadron underwent transitional training with VA-122 in the A-7 Corsair II.
  • ** While deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and assigned to MAG-12 the squadron used the NM tail code.

Deployments
    Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • 03-31-47 to 10-08-47 - CVAG-15 - CV 36 - F6F-5 - WestPac
  • 01-11-50 to 06-13-50 - CVG-19 - CV 21 - F8F-2 - WestPac
  • 11-09-50 to 06-09-51 - CVG-19 - CV 37* - F4U-4 - WestPac/Korea
  • 03-21-52 to 11-03-52 - CVG-19 - CV 37 - F4U-4 - WestPac/Korea
  • 09-14-53 to 04-22-54 - CVG-19 - CVA 34 - F9F-5 - WestPac
  • 03-02-55 to 09-21-55 - CVG-19 - CVA 34 - F9F-5 - WestPac
  • 03-09-57 to 08-25-57 - CVG-19 - CVA 10 - F9F-8/8B - WestPac
  • 11-01-58 to 06-18-59 - CVG-19 - CVA 31 - FJ-4B - WestPac
  • 11-21-59 to 05-14-60 - CVG-19 - CVA 31 - A4D-2 - WestPac
  • 04-26-61 to 12-13-61 - CVG-19 - CVA 31 - A4D-2N - WestPac
  • 07-12-62 to 02-11-63 - CVG-19 - CVA 31 - A-4C - WestPac
  • 01-28-64 to 11-21-64 - CVW-19 - CVA 31 - A-4C - WestPac/IO/Vietnam
  • 04-21-65 to 01-13-66 - CVW-19 - CVA 31 - A-4C - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 11-15-66 to 05-29-67 - CVW-19 - CVA 14 - A-4E - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 12-28-67 to 08-17-68 - CVW-19 - CVA 14 - A-4F - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 04-14-69 to 11-17-69 - CVW-19 - CVA 34 - A-4F - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 11-06-70 to 07-17-71 - CVW-11 - CVA 63 - A-7E - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 02-17-72 to 11-28-72 - CVW-11 - CVA 63 - A-7E - WestPac/Vietnam
  • 11-23-73 to 07-09-74 - CVW-11 - CV 63 - A-7E - WestPac/IO
  • 05-21-75 to 12-15-75 - CVW-11 - CV 63 - A-7E - WestPac
  • 10-25-77 to 09-22-78 - CVW-11 - CV 63 - A-7E - WestPac
  • 03-13-79 to 09-22-79 - CVW-11 - CV 66 - A-7E - Mediterranean
  • 03-14-81 to 11-12-81 - CVW-11 - CV 66 - A-7E - Mediterranean/IO
  • 07-15-83 to 02-29-84 - CVW-9 - CV 61 - A-7E - Central America/ WestPac/IO
  • 06-04-85 to 12-14-85 - MAG-12 † - - - - A-7E - WestPac
  • 01-09-87 to 03-20-87 - CVW-5 - CV 41‡ - F/A-18A - WestPac‡
  • 04-23-87 to 07-13-87 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 10-15-87 to 04-12-88 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac/IO
  • 10-18-88 to 11-09-88 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 01-21-89 to 02-24-89 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 02-27-89 to 04-09-89 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 05-31-89 to 07-25-89 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 08-15-89 to 12-11-89 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac/IO
  • 02-20-90 to 04-06-90 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac
  • 10-02-90 to 04-17-91 - CVW-5 - CV 41 - F/A-18A - WestPac/IO/ Persian Gulf
  • * The squadron and CVG-19 were relieved aboard United States Ship Princeton CV 27, by Carrier Air Group 19X in the latter part of May 1951. Squadron officers were flown back to the States and the enlisted personnel were embarked on a transport ship for their return to Naval Air Station Alameda.
  • † The squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program and was assigned to MAG-12.
  • ‡ The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan. Consequently, all future deployments for the squadron while embarked on United States Ship Midway CV 41, will cover only those operations outside the home waters of Japan.


Aircraft
Commanding Officers
  • Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • March 26, 1945 - - - - - LCDR Kenneth P. Hance
  • April 26, 1946 - - - - - LCDR Wilson G. Wright
  • October 22, 1947 - - - - LCDR Richard E. Brown
  • March 8, 1949- - - - - - LCDR Frank C. Perry
  • June 26, 1950- - - - - - LCDR K. S. Van Meter
  • July 27, 1951- - - - - - CDR Elwin A. Parker
  • November 28, 1952- - - - LCDR John H. Dinneen
  • April 1954 - - - - - - - LCDR Ciro N. V. Whited
  • October 1955 - - - - - - CDR Frank E. Foltz
  • September 30, 1957 - - - LCDR William R. Flanagan
  • September 19, 1958 - - - LCDR Larry F. Baumgaertel
  • July 1, 1959 - - - - - - CDR William E. Payne, Jr.
  • May 1960 - - - - - - - - CDR Harold F. Snowden
  • March 1961 - - - - - - - CDR Benjamin W. Adams
  • February 15, 1962- - - - LCDR Mitchell M. Simmons
  • February 21, 1963- - - - CDR Keith T. Weaver
  • December 10, 1963- - - - CDR William H. Rogers
  • December 1964- - - - - - CDR Eugene E. Tissot
  • December 1965- - - - - - CDR Allen E. Hill
  • December 15, 1966- - - - CDR Ed D. McKellar
  • December 1967- - - - - - CDR Lowell F. Eggert
  • December 13, 1968- - - - CDR Joseph K. Stanley
  • October 19, 1969 - - - - CDR Robert E. Woodbury
  • August 5, 1970 - - - - - CDR David C. Parkhurst
  • April 30, 1971 - - - - - CDR Richard L. Kiehl
  • May 8, 1972- - - - - - - CDR Robert C. Taylor, Jr.
  • May 1973 - - - - - - - - CDR Darrel D. Owens
  • July 16, 1974- - - - - - CDR David N. Rogers
  • October 6, 1975- - - - - CDR Gordon R. Goldenstein
  • January 21, 1977 - - - - CDR Joseph D. Cole
  • April 24, 1978 - - - - - CDR John L. McWhinney
  • June 27, 1980- - - - - - CDR Thomas B. Latendresse
  • September 12, 1981 - - - CDR John J. Zerr
  • June 28, 1982- - - - - - CDR Harry T. Rittenour
  • June 15, 1983- - - - - - CDR Gilman E. Rud
  • August 17, 1984- - - - - CDR C. D. Englehardt
  • January 10, 1986 - - - - CDR Robert G. Ferver
  • April 9, 1987- - - - - - CDR John F. Williams
  • May 13, 1988 - - - - - - CDR John A. Pettitt
  • September 6, 1989- - - - CDR Michael D. Shutt
  • March 1, 1991- - - - - - CDR James B. Godwin III
  • 1999 - - - - - - - - - - CDR Dunkle
  • 2003 - - - - - - - - - - CDR James Paulsen

Events
  • March 26, 1945:
    Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY THREE (VF-153) established at Naval Air Station Atlantic City. VF-153 was assigned the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat.

  • June 1, 1945:
    VF-153 was stationed at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Oceana.

  • August 1946:
    VF-153 was stationed at Naval Air Station Alameda.

  • November 15, 1946:
    VF-153 redesignated as Fighter Squadron FIFTEEN A (VF-15A).

  • March 31, 1947 through October 8, 1947:
    VF-15A, flying the Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat, embarked on the United States Ship Antietam CV 36, for their 1st cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • November 1947:
    Fighter Squadron FIFTEEN A was assigned the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat.

  • July 15, 1948:
    VF-15A redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED FIFTY ONE (VF-151).

  • January 11, 1950 through June 13, 1950:
    VF-151, flying the Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat, embarked on the United States Ship Boxer CV 21, for their 2nd cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • February 15, 1950:
    VF-151 redesignated Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VF-192).

  • July 1950:
    VF-192 was assigned the Vought F4U-4 Corsair I.

  • November 9, 1950 through June 9, 1951:
    VF-192, flying the Vought F4U-4 Corsair, embarked on the United States Ship Boxer CV 21, for their 3rd cruise. This was the squadrons 1st combat cruise to the Western Pacific Korean War Theater.

  • December 5, 1950:
    VF-192 flew its first combat missions, providing close air support for US Marines near Chosen Reservoir in North Korea.

  • May 1, 1951:
    VF-192 participated in a special strike against the Hwachon Reservoir Dam with VF-193 and VA-195. The purpose of the mission was to destroy the floodgates and raise the level of the river to form a natural barrier against the enemy's advance. While VA-195 was dropping torpedoes to destroy the flood gates of the dam, the squadron's F4U-4s were concentrating on flak and small arms suppression.

  • July 14, 1951:
    VF-192 was assigned the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.

  • July 16, 1951:
    VF-192 was stationed at Naval Air Station Moffett Field.

  • March 21, 1952 through November 3, 1952:
    VF-192, flying the Grumman F9F-2 Panther, embarked on the United States Ship Princeton CV 37, for their 4nd cruise. This was the squadrons 2nd combat cruise to the Western Pacific Korean War Theater.

  • June 23 and 24, 1952:
    VF-192, along with units from two other carrier air groups and the Fifth Air Force, conducted coordinated air strikes against North Korean hydroelectric plants. Squadron aircraft struck the Suiho hydroelectric plant on the Yalu River on 23 June. On 24 June their aircraft struck the Kyosen Number Three hydroelectric plant and the Fusen Number Two hydroelectric plant.

  • July 1952:
    VF-192 aircraft participated in one of the major joint Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps air strikes of the war, hitting industrial targets in North Korea's capital city of Pyongyang during the month of July.

  • September 14, 1953 through April 4, 1954:
    VF-192, flying the Grumman F9F-5 Panther, embarked on the United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, for their 5th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • 1953:
    While flying the F9F-5 Grumman Panther from United States Ship ORISKANY CVA 34, the Golden Dragons participated in the filming of the 1953 classic movie, "The Bridges of Toko Ri", as well as the movie "Men of the Fighting Lady".
    The squadron added "World Famous" to its patch as a result of its appearance in these films.

  • March 2, 1955 through September 21, 1955:
    VF-192, flying the Grumman F9F-5 Panther, embarked on the United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, for their 6th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • March 15, 1956:
    VF-192 was redesignated Attack Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VA-192). The new squadron was assigned the swept winged Grumman F9F-6 Cougar.

  • March 9, 1957 through August 25, 1957:
    VA-192, flying the Grumman F9F-8/8B Cougar, embarked on the United States Ship Yorktown CVA 10, for their 7th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • December 10, 1957:
    VA-192 was assigned the North American FJ-4B Fury.

  • November 21, 1958 through June 18, 1959:
    VA-192, flying the North American FJ-4B Fury, embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31, for their 8th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • July 1959:
    VA-192 was assigned the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk.

  • November 21, 1959 through May 14, 1960:
    VA-192, flying the Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31 , for their 9th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • April 26, 1961 through December 13, 1961:
    VA-192, flying the Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31, for their 10th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • January 1, 1962:
    VA-192 was stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

  • July 12, 1962 through February 11, 1963:
    VA-192, flying the Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31, for their 11th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • January 28, 1964 through November 21, 1964:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31, for their 12th cruise. This was the squadrons 1st combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater.

  • February 11, 1964:
    Lt "Ted" Higgins was lost in A-4C BuNo 147699 when a lookout reported aircraft crash astern of the USS Bon Homme Richard (en-route from Pearl) at 2303 hours. Aircraft No. 209 unaccounted for and commenced search accompanied by the USS Taylor, DD-468, and USS O'Bannon DD-450.
    USS Bon Homme Richard deck log.

  • MAR 1964:
    Two VA-192 pilots were lost in an accident near the Phillipenes. They were LT Ted Higgins, and LTJG Joe Cooke. It was believed at the time that the flew into a cloud covered mountain, no trace of them ever found. In the 64 cruise book for Bon Homme Richard, CVA31, is a in memoriam page dedicated to them.
    MIke Walker

  • May 21, 1964:
    Lt(jg). Joe G. Cooke was presumed dead after his A-4C BuNo 145140 crashed in the waters off Panay Island in the Philippines. Cooke was assigned to VA-192 aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard.
    Pacific Stars & Stripes, Sunday, May 24, 1964.

  • AUG 1964: Gulf of Tonkin Incident results in extension of the cruise.

  • April 21, 1965 through January 13, 1966:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Douglas A-4C Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Bon Homme Richard CVA 31, for their 13th cruise. This was the squadrons 2nd combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater.

  • September 14, 1965:
    Lieutenant Junior Grade N. B. Taylor United States Navy was killed in Action when his A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 147682 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over South Vietnam.

  • November 15, 1966 through May 29, 1967:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Douglas A-4E Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Ticonderoga CVA 14, for their 14th cruise. This was the squadrons 3rd combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater.

  • November 23, 1966:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151172 NM 204 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot Commander A. E. Hill ejected and was recovered.

  • January 5, 1967:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151136 NM 200 was shot down by his own rockets over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Commander Richard A. Stratton ejected and was made Prisoner of War.

  • March 7, 1967:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152087 NM 200 was shot down by small arms fire over Laos. The pilot Lieutenant S. N. Young ejected and was recovered.

  • March 11, 1967:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151108 NM 209 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) over North Vietnam. The pilot Commander E. M. Moore Jr. ejected and was made Prisoner of War.

  • 10 APR 1967:
    Photo of LCDR George Shattuck manning A-4E 151200 NM 212 which was struck by AAA and resides permanently in the Gulf of Tonkin. LCDR George Shattuck ejected and was recovered.
    Photo from George Shattuck.

  • April 20, 1967:
    Lieutenant Commander Michael J. Estocin, a member of The World Famous Golden Dragons, lead a three-plane group on an anti surface-to-air missile mission over North Vietnam in advance of a coordinated strike by aircraft from Ticonderoga CVA 14, and Kitty Hawk CVA 63, against two important thermal power plants in Haiphong.
    After personally neutralizing three surface-to-air missile sites, Estocin's aircraft was damaged by an exploding SAM. Without regard for his personal safety he reentered the target area with his damaged aircraft, in the face of intense anti-aircraft fire, to attack another missile site to ensure the target area's missile sites were neutralized prior to strikes from the carriers' incoming aircraft. Commander Estocin departed the target area with only five minutes of fuel left. He was refueled enroute to the Ticonderoga and landed his damaged plane on the carrier. Upon landing, his plane burst into flames. He was able to secure the engine and escape the aircraft without assistance.

  • April 25, 1967:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 151116 NM 204 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Commander F. J. Almberg ejected and was recovered.

  • April 26, 1967:
    Commander Mike Estocin led a two-plane group on a similar anti surface-to-air missile mission in preparation for a coordinate strike against an oil facility in Haiphong.
    During this mission his aircraft was again damaged by an exploding surface-to-air missile. He continued his attack against the missile site, launching his missiles from a burning aircraft. Following the attack he attempted to guide his burning aircraft to the safety of the sea. The aircraft was last seen going out of control as it entered a cloud layer over North Vietnam. Commander Estocin was listed as MIA on 26 April 1967 and on 10 November 1977 his MIA status was changed to presumed KIA. For his actions Commander Estocin was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

  • April 26, 1967:
    A-4E Skyhawk BuNo. 152076 NM 200 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade J. W. Cain ejected and was recovered.

  • December 28, 1967 through August 17, 1968:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Ticonderoga CVA 14, for their 15th cruise. This was the squadrons 4th combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater. There were no combat losses this cruise.

  • July 4, 1968:
    A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 155002 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.

  • April 14, 1969 through November 17, 1969:
    The VA-192 World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk, embarked on the United States Ship Oriskany CVA 34, for their 16th cruise. This was the squadrons 5th combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater. There were no combat losses this cruise.

  • July 21, 1969:
    A-4F Skyhawk BuNo. 154119 was lost in an operational accident. The pilot was recovered.

  • February 26, 1970:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons were assigned the A-7E Vought Corsair II.

  • November 6, 1970 through August 17, 1971:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA 63, for their 17th cruise. This was the squadron's 6th combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater. There were no combat losses this cruise.

  • February 17, 1972 through November 28, 1972:
    The VA-192 World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA 63, for their 18th cruise. This was the squadrons 7th combat cruise to the Western Pacific Vietnam War Theater.

  • March 19, 1972:
    A-7E Corsair II BuNo. 157529 was lost in an accident. The pilot was recovered.

  • March 23, 1972:
    A-7E Corsair II BuNo. 157520 NH 307 was shot down over Laos. The pilot Lieutenant D. S. Pike is missing in action.

  • April 1972:
    Following the invasion by North Vietnam into South Vietnam The World Famous Golden Dragons participated in tactical air sorties against military and logistic targets in North Vietnam.

  • May 1972:
    Golden Dragon aircraft participated in the mining of North Vietnamese harbors and Linebacker I operations, concentrated air strikes against targets in North Vietnam above the 20th parallel.

  • June 17, 1972:
    A-7E Corsair II BuNo. 157531 NH 304 was shot down by a surface-to-air missile (SAM) over North Vietnam. The pilot Commander D. D. Owens ejected and was recovered.

  • September 19, 1972:
    A-7E Corsair II BuNo. 158653 NH 304 was shot down by anti aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant W. A. Robb ejected and was recovered.

  • November 2, 1972:
    A-7E Corsair II BuNo. 157530 NH 300 was shot down by anti aircraft fire over North Vietnam. The pilot Lieutenant R. G. Deremer ejected and was recovered.

  • November 23, 1973 through August 9, 1974:
    VA-192, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA 63, for their 19th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • May 21, 1975 through December 15, 1975:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA 63, for their 20th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • October 25, 1977 through September 22, 1978:
    VA-192, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Kitty Hawk CVA 63, for their 21st cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Theater.

  • March 13, 1979 through September 22, 1979:
    VA-192, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship America CVA 66, for their 22nd cruise. This cruise was to the Mediterranean Theater.

  • March 14, 1981 through November 12, 1981:
    VA-192, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship America CVA 66, for their 23rd cruise. This cruise was to the Mediterranean Theater.

  • August 15, 1983 through February 29, 1984:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Vought A-7E Corsair II, embarked on the United States Ship Ranger CVA 61, for their 24th cruise. This cruise was to the Western Pacific Central American Theaters.

  • June 4, 1985 to December 14, 1985:
    VA-192 deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Western Pacific, as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program and was assigned to MAG-12. This was VA-192's 25th deployment.

  • January 10, 1986:
    VA-192 redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED NINETY TWO (VFA-192).

  • May 5, 1986:
    VFA-192 was assigned the F/A-18A Boeing Hornet.

  • July 1, 1986:
    VFA-192 was stationed at Naval Station Yokosuka, Japan (Naval Air Facility Atsugi & Misawa).

  • January 9, 1987 through March 20, 1987:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 26th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • April 23, 1987 through August 13, 1987:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 27th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • October 15, 1987 through April 12, 1988:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 28th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • January 21, 1988 through November 9, 1988:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 29th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • January 21, 1989 through February 24, 1989:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 30th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • February 27, 1989 through April 9, 1989:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 31st cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • May 31, 1989 through August 25, 1989:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 32nd cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • August 15, 1989 through December 11, 1989:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 33rd cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • February 20, 1990 through April 6, 1990:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 34th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway.

  • October 2, 1990 through April 17, 1991:
    VFA-192, flying the Boeing F/A-18A Hornet, embarked on the United States Ship Midway CVA 41, for their 35th cruise. The squadron was permanently forward deployed and home ported in Japan while flying from the Midway. This cruise was to the Western Pacific with a side trip to the Persian Gulf.

  • November 1990 - January 1991:
    The World Famous Golden Dragons flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and as part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.

  • Today:
    The VFA-192 World Famous Golden Dragons are defending this country as they have for over fifty years.

Awards


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