VFA-97

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Strike Fighter Squadron 97 (VFA-97), the Warhawks, is a United States Navy fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore. It flies the F-35C Lightning II and is part of Carrier Air Wing Two. The squadron’s callsign is Hawk and its tail code is NE.

Origins and aircraft
- Established as VA-97 on June 1, 1967, it became VFA-97 on January 24, 1991.
- Early years saw combat in Vietnam aboard ships like the USS Constellation and USS Enterprise, flying the A-7 Corsair II.
- The squadron later transitioned to the F/A-18 series (A through C) and, starting in 2013, moved toward the F/A-18E Super Hornet before switching to the F-35C in 2021.

Notable operations and deployments
- Vietnam War: first combat missions in 1968.
- 1980s–1990s: supported operations including Eagle Claw, Earnest Will, Southern Watch, and Restore Hope.
- 1994: participated around the North Korea crisis.
- 2000s: flew combat missions in Desert Fox and supported Operation Enduring Freedom after 9/11; later supported Iraqi Freedom.
- 2004–2008: became the first Navy squadron to participate in multiple Unit Deployment Program (UDP) cycles to Japan (Iwakuni) and continued under different Carrier Air Wings.
- 2019–2021: reassigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s carrier air wing (CVW-8) as the Navy moved to the F-35C; in 2021, the squadron received its first F-35Cs and joined Carrier Air Wing Two.

Current role and recent actions
- VFA-97 remains a front-line F-35C squadron, conducting operations with CVW-2.
- In late 2024 and into 2025, it deployed with the Carl Vinson and operated in the Red Sea region to defend international shipping and counter regional threats, marking significant firsts for Navy F-35C operations in combat scenarios.

Awards and honors
- The Warhawks have earned numerous honors, including the Wade McClusky Award, multiple Safety "S" awards, Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") awards, and ordnance and maintenance recognitions such as the Scott Kirby Award and the Captain Michael J. Estocin Award.
- They have twice achieved what the Navy calls the “Triple Crown,” recognizing excellence across safety, maintainability, and combat-readiness, as well as receiving various unit commendations and deployment ribbons.