VF-202

Fighter Squadron 202

VF-202 insignia
Active 1 July 1970 - 31 December 1994
Country United States
Branch United States Navy Reserve
Type reserve fighter squadron
Part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20
Garrison/HQ Naval Air Station Dallas
Nickname(s) "Superheats"
Aircraft flown
Fighter F-8H Crusader
F-4N/S Phantom
F-14A Tomcat

Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202) nicknamed the Superheats was an aviation unit of the United States Naval Reserve based at Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas (USA). It was established on 1 July 1970 as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) and disestablished on 31 December 1994.[1] During its service VF-202 could be identified by the tail code "AF-2XX".

History

VF-202 F-8H landing on USS John F. Kennedy in 1971

VF-202 was established on the 1 July 1970 out of reserve fighter squadron VF-53D2. The squadron first flew the Vought F-8H Crusader and transitioned to the F-4N Phantom in 1976. Later the squadron was upgraded to the F-4S.

Eleven years later VF-202 transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat, receiving their first aircraft on 27 March 1987. Due to the squadron's reserve status the transition took longer than for an active unit, not being concluded until May 1988, when VF-202 carrier qualified with their new planes on board USS America.

VF-202 F-4S making the last landing of a U.S. Navy F-4 aboard a carrier on 18 October 1986
VF-202 F-8Hs at NAS Dallas in 1975
VF-202 F-14 tail markings

VF-202 was equipped with two TARPS giving the squadron an extra task after the North American RA-5C Vigilante and RF-8G Crusader had been phased out of service. 1988 saw the squadron take part in the Reconnaissance Air Meet at Bergstrom Air Force Base, Texas, along with several other F-14 squadrons, including VF-124. Even with the force reduction after the end of the Cold War and continuing budget cuts one would have expected that the TARPS capable squadron would not be disestablished. However, due to the high airframe time of VF-202's F-14s had, it was decided to disestablish VF-202 and make their F-14 sister squadron VF-201 TARPS capable. VF-202 was accordingly disestablished on 31 December 1994 and its aircraft redistributed to active duty F-14 squadrons.

Squadron Awards

In 1994 VF-202 received the highest CWTPI score in COMFITWINGLANT history. As cited by inspectors as "the most professional squadron ever observed".

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
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