Fighter Squadron 45 or VF-45 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Attack Squadron 45 (VA-45) on 15 February 1963, it was redesignated VF-45 on 7 February 1985 and disestablished on 31 March 1996. It was the third US Navy squadron to be designated VA-45 and the second US Navy squadron to be designated as VF-45.[1] The squadron adopted the Blackbirds nickname and insignia of the second VA-45.
| Fighter Squadron 45 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 15 February 1963 – 31 March 1996 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter |
| Nickname(s) | Blackbirds |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | A-4C/E Skyhawk |
| Fighter | TA-4F/J Skyhawk F-5N F-16N |
Operational history
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In February 1963 the jet training function of VA-44 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville was separated to off to form the new VA-45 at Naval Air Station Cecil Field.[2]
VA-45 Detachment 11 was assigned to Carrier Anti-Submarine Air Group 56 (CVSG-56) aboard the USS Intrepid for a Mediterranean deployment from 16 April to 15 October 1971. VA-45 Detachment 1 was assigned to CVSG-56 aboard the Intrepid for a Mediterranean deployment from 24 November 1972 to 4 May 1973.
VF-45 was based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field and then Naval Air Station Key West to provide air combat adversary services with TA-4F/Js, F-5Ns and F-16Ns.
Following its inactivation, the role of VF-45 and other Regular Navy adversary squadrons was assumed by strike fighter and fighter composite squadrons of the Naval Air Reserve.[3] At NAS Key West, this role is currently executed by Fighter Composite Squadron ONE ELEVEN (VFC-111) flying the F-5N and F-5F.[4][circular reference]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ Williamson, Ronald (2000). Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida, 1940-2000: An Illustrated History. Turner Publishing. p. 98. ISBN 9781563117305.
- ^ "Legislators Want to Know Fate of Navy's Reserve F/A-18 Aggressor Squadrons". 28 June 2017.
- ^ VFC-111#Mission
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