View source for VFA-41

{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Strike Fighter Squadron 41
| image                         = VFA-41 Emblem.svg
| caption                       = 
| start_date                    = {{Start date and age|1950|09|01|df=yes}}
| country                       = {{USA}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{navy|USA}}
| type                          = Fighter/Attack
| role                          = [[Close air support]]<br/>[[Air interdiction]]<br/>[[Aerial reconnaissance]]
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = {{nowrap|[[File:CVW-9 Emblem.svg|30px|]][[Carrier Air Wing Nine]]}}
| garrison                      = {{nowrap|[[File:NAS Lemoore Emblem.svg|30px|]][[NAS Lemoore]]}}
| commander1                    = CDR Michael McBryar
| commander1_label              = Commanding Officer
| commander2                    = CDR Taylor Rives
| commander2_label              = Executive Officer
| commander3                    = CMDCM. Dan Boes
| commander3_label              = Command Master Chief
| nickname                      = "Black Aces"
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = First to Fight, First to Strike
| colors                        = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = Chucker
| equipment                     = [[F/A-18F Super Hornet]]
<!-- Commanders -->| battles                       = [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]<br />[[Vietnam War]]<br />[[Iranian Hostage Crisis]]<br />[[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)]]<br/>[[Multinational Force in Lebanon]]<br />[[Gulf War]]<br />[[Operation Provide Comfort]]<br />[[Operation Deliberate Force]]<br />[[Operation Deny Flight]]<br />[[Operation Southern Watch]]<br />[[Operation Allied Force]]<br />[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br/>[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]<br/>[[2024 Iran–Israel conflict]]<br/>[[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]<br/>[[Operation Poseidon Archer]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = COMNAVAIRLANT Safety "S" Award, 1975<br />COMNAVAIRLANT Safety "S" Award, 1981<br />COMNAVAIRLANT Safety "S" Award, 1989<br />COMNAVAIRLANT Safety "S" Award, 1992<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|Battle Efficiency "E", 1981]]<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|Battle Efficiency "E", 1985]]<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|Battle Efficiency "E", 1989]]<br />[[C. Wade McClusky#Namesakes|Wade McClusky Award]], 1999
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = 
| identification_symbol_2       = <!-- Culture and history -->
| aircraft_fighter              = [[McDonnell F2H Banshee|F2H-3 Banshee]]<br />[[McDonnell F3H Demon|F3H-2 Demon]]<br />[[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B Phantom II]]<br />[[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]]<br />[[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]
| current_commander             = Commander Kevin Sartain
| battle_honors                 = 
}}
'''Strike Fighter Squadron 41''' (VFA-41) also known as the "Black Aces", is a [[United States Navy]] strike fighter squadron based at [[Naval Air Station Lemoore]], California, flying the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F Super Hornet]]. They are attached to [[Carrier Air Wing 9]] (CVW-9). Their radio callsign is '''"Dealer"''' and their tailcode is NG.

== History ==

=== 1950s ===
'''VF-41''' was established on 1 September 1950 at [[NAS Oceana]], it is the fourth US Navy squadron to be designated VF-41.<ref>{{cite vf lineage|access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref>  The ''Black Aces'' began flying the [[McDonnell F2H Banshee|F2H-3 Banshee]] in 1953, deploying to the Mediterranean and Far East aboard {{USS|Independence|CV-62|6}}. On 24 January 1956, VF-41 embarked with ATG-181 for the shakedown cruise of {{USS|Forrestal|CV-59|6}} near Guantanamo Bay Cuba, returning to NAS Oceana on 31 March 1956.<ref>"Naval Fighters Ninety one F2H-3/4 "Big Banjo"(page 83) {{ISBN|978-0-9846114-4-7}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=September 2016|reason=Publisher is Author}} VF-41 again attached to ATG-181 embarked aboard {{USS|Bennington|CV-20|6}} on October 3, 1956 for a Western Pacific deployment. The crew observed the 15th anniversary of "Battle of the Coral Sea" with ceremony at location of the battle conducted by veterans of the battle. ATG-181 returned to NAS Oceana on May 23, 1957.<ref>"Naval Fighters Ninety one F2H-3/4 "Big Banjo"(page 85) {{ISBN|978-0-9846114-4-7}}</ref>{{Self-published inline|date=September 2016|reason=Publisher is Author}}<ref>http://www.USS Bennington.org/airgroups (1956 Oct 3-1957 May 23)</ref> In 1959, the Banshee was replaced by the [[McDonnell F3H Demon|F3H-2 Demon]].

=== 1960s ===
In February 1962, VF-41 transitioned to the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B Phantom II]] and made a special deployment to [[NAS Key West]], Florida during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]. In May 1965, the squadron deployed to the western Pacific for seven months of combat operations during the [[Vietnam War]]. They flew a wide range of missions: fighter cover, reconnaissance escort, flak suppression and day/night interdiction.

=== 1970s ===
[[File:F-4J VF-41 USS FD Roosevelt 1970-72.jpg|thumb|right|VF-41 [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4J]] on {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6}}]]
The next five deployments (flying the F-4J,B,N) were on {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6}} with [[CVW-6]] tail code AE (awarded the [[Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation]] for period 9 March 1972 through 1 December 1972). VF-41 transitioned from the F-4B to the F-4J in 1973 and (as an 18 aircraft squadron) was on USS ''Franklin D. Roosevelt'' during the [[Yom Kippur War]] providing escorts for [[Operation Nickel Grass]] and were part of the peacekeeping force that helped keep the truce after the war.

In 1974, VF-41 transitioned from the F-4B to the F-4N and conducted their last cruise with the Phantom aboard ''Franklin D. Roosevelt'' in 1975.  During that year VF-41 was awarded the [[List of U.S. Navy acronyms|COMNAVAIRLANT]] [[Safety "S"]], which they also would receive in 1981, 1989 and 1992. In April 1976 VF-41 transitioned to the [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]] and their first cruise began in September 1977 as part of [[CVW-8]] on {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}}. Another cruise followed in 1980 to the Mediterranean.

=== 1980s ===
[[File:Fast Eagle 102.JPG|thumb|right|''Fast Eagle 102'', one of the [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14 Tomcats]] involved in the [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|Gulf of Sidra incident]], on the deck of {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}}]]
In 1980, ''Nimitz'' and VF-41 took part in a round-the-Horn cruise. While on this cruise, the carrier served as the seaborne base in response to the [[Iran hostage crisis]] and the subsequent [[Operation Eagle Claw|attempted rescue of the U.S. Embassy hostages from Iran]]. VF-41 (and the rest of the battle group) spent 144 continuous days at sea, the longest period the squadron had spent at sea without break since World War II.

During workups for the 1981–1982 Mediterranean cruise, an [[Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler|EA-6B Prowler]] piloted by Marine Lieut. Steven E. White, crashed on the deck of ''Nimitz''. Upon crashing onto the deck, the Prowler rammed broadside into six fueled F-14 Tomcats causing a fuel fire and ordnance to explode, including an [[AIM-7 Sparrow]] missile.<ref>{{cite news|last=Anderson|first=Kurt|title=Night of Flaming Terror|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090201133400/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,922544-1,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 February 2009|work=Time Magazine|access-date=9 July 2011|date=8 June 1981}}</ref> The incident, which caused only superficial damage to ''Nimitz'', resulted in three F-14s destroyed, 45 injured sailors and fourteen casualties with VF-41 losing three shipmates.

While on deployment in the Mediterranean on 19 August 1981, during a routine combat air patrol mission over the [[Gulf of Sidra]], two [[Libya]]n [[Sukhoi Su-17|Su-22 "Fitter"]] aircraft were shot down by squadron aircraft. The [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|incident]] marked the first Navy air combat confrontation since the [[Vietnam War]] and the first ever for the F-14A Tomcat. It was the first time a variable wing geometry aircraft shot down another variable wing geometry aircraft. 1981 was also the first year in which the squadron won the COMNAVAIRLANT [[Battle Efficiency Award|Battle Efficiency "E"]], signifying them as the most efficient squadron in the Atlantic Fleet. VF-41 was also awarded the Battle "E" in 1985 and 1989.

In November 1982, the squadron embarked on an extended deployment off the coast of [[Beirut]], Lebanon, in support of the [[Multinational Force in Lebanon]].

During 1985, VF-41 spent 68 days off the coast of Lebanon in response to the hijacking of [[TWA Flight 847]].

The 1986 cruise was the last with ''Nimitz''; it began in December and ended in June 1987 when ''Nimitz'' got to her new home in San Diego. In October that year, CVW-8 was deployed with {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6}} and the first cruise was in the North Atlantic for [[Exercise Teamwork]] ’88 which involved operations with the [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] and the first Mediterranean deployment was in December.

=== 1990s ===
On 28 December 1990, VF-41 embarked on {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6}} to support [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]], arriving in the [[Persian Gulf]] shortly after hostilities with [[Iraq]] began. By the end of the war, the squadron had amassed over 1,500 combat flight hours. After the war, the squadron remained in the Persian Gulf and [[Red Sea]] as part of a military presence enforcing the ceasefire until late April 1991, when the squadron was tasked with providing air support for ground forces assisting [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] refugees in Northern Iraq during [[Operation Provide Comfort]].

VF-41 was soon training for the F-14's new role: air-to-ground bombing. In late 1991, VF-41 had flown over 46,500 hours without an accident over a period of 11 years.

In 1995 [[VF-84 (1955–95)|VF-84]] was disestablished and VF-41 picked up the [[TARPS]] mission. The disestablishment of VF-84 was the only occasion in which a TARPS capable unit was disestablished instead of a non-TARPS capable unit.

In early 1995 VF-41 deployed on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, [[Arabian Sea]], Persian Gulf and the [[Adriatic Sea]]. During this cruise VF-41 conducted combat operations in support of [[Operation Deliberate Force]] and [[Operation Deny Flight]] over [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]] over Iraq. On 5 September 1995, two VF-41 F-14As dropped laser-guided bombs for the first time in combat during Operation Deliberate Force. The target was an ammunition dump in eastern Bosnia. The bombs were guided by [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18s]]. VF-41 adopted the slogan "First To Fight, First To Strike" in recognition of being the first F-14 squadron to score air-to-air kills and drop bombs in combat. During this deployment VF-41 logged over 600 combat hours and 530 sorties, and during a week of combat in the Balkans (5–12 September 1995), VF-41 dropped 24,000 pounds of ordnance on Bosnian-Serb targets, the bulk of it precision guided bombs laser designated by F/A-18 Hornets.<ref>Tony Holmes (2015), p. 17</ref>

In 1996, [[VFA-14 (U.S. Navy)|VF-14]] joined VF-41 in [[CVW-8]] and thus CVW-8 was one of few air wings in the US Navy with two F-14 squadrons, rather than one. CVW-8 deployed on board {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6}} in February 1996, for a Joint Fleet Exercise.  This was followed by deployed operations to the North Atlantic while embarked on {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} with port calls to Dublin, Ireland and Portsmouth, England.

In April 1997, CVW-8 embarked on USS ''John F. Kennedy'' for a Mediterranean/Persian Gulf deployment. During this deployment, CVW-8 participated in numerous exercises and detachments including Infinite Acclaim, Beacon Flash and Invitex. During Invitex the Air Wing completed over 350 sorties including 203 sorties in a single day of surge operations. This deployment also included operations over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Deliberate Guard and over Iraq in support of [[Operation Southern Watch]].

In 1999, USS ''Theodore Roosevelt'' departed for the Mediterranean and joined [[NATO]] forces for [[Operation Allied Force]]. VF-41's first strike was against an ammunition storage facility in [[Pristina]], Kosovo on 6 April. In July, ''Theodore Roosevelt'' was ordered to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, where VF-41 became the first squadron to expend ordnance in two theatres on a single deployment. VF-41 logged over 1,100 combat hours during 384 sorties and dropped over 160 tons of laser-guided munitions with an unprecedented 85% success rate in support of [[Operation Allied Force]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20110722201636/http://vfa-41.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/tomcat.html Grumman F-14 Tomcat 1976–2001]</ref>

The squadron won the [[C. Wade McClusky#Namesakes|Wade McClusky Award]] in 1999, as most outstanding attack squadron in the US Navy. This marked the first time an F-14 squadron won the award, which previously been given only to A-6 and F/A-18 units.

=== 2000s ===
In April 2001, VF-41 embarked on their final F-14 cruise aboard {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}, supporting Operation Southern Watch and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] (OEF). As the carrier headed for home, they were given order to head to the Gulf of Oman after the [[September 11 attacks]]. During the build-up to war, VF-41 conducted several TARPS missions near the Pakistani/Afghani-border.<ref name=Holmes>{{cite book|last=Holmes|first=Tony|title=F-14 Tomcat Units of Operation Enduring Freedom|url=https://archive.org/details/ftomcatunitsoper00holm|url-access=registration|publisher=Osprey Publishing|year=2008|isbn=978-1-78200-735-7|page=[https://archive.org/details/ftomcatunitsoper00holm/page/n23 22]}}</ref>

USS ''Enterprise'' and its air group was the night carrier during OEF and thus did not see action until 8 October, when VF-41 attacked several cave complexes.<ref name=Holmes />{{rp|32–37}} One of the first target hit was the [[Shindand airbase]], in western Afghanistan, where the Taliban were storing aircraft, radar and vehicles. By the end of the deployment in November, VF-41 had dropped over 200,000&nbsp;lbs of ordnance (202 laser-guided bombs).<ref name=Holmes />{{rp|52}}

Shortly after their return in late 2001, VF-41 transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and was redesignated VFA-41.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

[[File:US Navy 091015-N-5781T-006 An F-A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Black Aces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 flies over Afghanistan. VFA-41.jpg|thumb|right|VFA-41 [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18F]] over Afghanistan]]

On 18 October 2002 four VFA-41 aviators were killed when two F/A-18Fs collided in mid-air off the coast of California.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

During [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], two F/A-18Fs were forward deployed to {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} in late March 2003. These F/A-18s were requested to boost the [[aerial refueling]] capabilities of CVW-14, as well as to provide additional qualified [[Forward Air Controller]]s. The F/A-18s flew from ''Nimitz'' to ''Abraham Lincoln'', a 2700-mile trip.  On 6 April, the Hornets returned to ''Nimitz''. During the war VFA-41 expended [[laser-guided bomb]]s, as well as [[JDAM]] and [[AGM-65 Maverick]] missiles.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

In May 2005 VFA-41 again deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this deployment the squadron was featured in the PBS documentary [[Carrier (documentary)|''"Carrier"'']] with a heavy focus on Commander David Fravor.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

In 2007 VFA-41 deployed aboard ''Nimitz'' for a WESTPAC cruise and participated in [[Operation Valiant Shield]], a joint-force exercise in the vicinity of [[Guam]].{{fact|date=February 2024}}

In January 2008 the squadron surge-deployed to ''Nimitz'' in the Pacific.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122112209/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2008|title=Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Set to Deploy|first=This story was written by Commander, U. S. 3rd Fleet Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref> On 13 February 2008, it was reported that several [[Russia]]n [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95]] bombers were intercepted over the Pacific by F/A-18s from ''Nimitz'' while on a surge deployment in the region. One Tu-95 was escorted and flew directly over the carrier at {{convert|2000|ft|m}}, escorted by VFA-41 Hornets. The [[Chief of Naval Operations]], Adm. [[Gary Roughead]] called the incident "benign"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34966|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080310164144/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34966|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 March 2008|title=CNO Calls USS ''Nimitz'' Incident 'Benign'|publisher=US Navy|date=13 February 2008}}</ref> and said: "they came out to look. We joined up (and) flew with them until they went home". A total of four Russian bombers were involved; two remained about 500 miles east of the carrier strike group, and another orbited about 50 miles away as one Tu-95 did two low passes over the Nimitz carrier group.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

After their return to the United States, VFA-41 began trading in their Lot 26 F/A-18Fs for Lot 30 F/A-18Fs which are fitted with [[Active electronically scanned array|AESA]] radar technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csfwp.navy.mil/VFA-41/westpac2008.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090614160501/http://www.csfwp.navy.mil/VFA-41/westpac2008.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2009|title=Black Aces Return from 2008 WESTPAC|website=navy.mil|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>

During 2009 CVW-11 and the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group conducted several training exercises off the coast of Southern California including composite unit training and joint task force training in anticipation for their 2009–2010 deployment. On 28 July it was reported that CVW-11 and the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group was to depart for an eight-month deployment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803225919/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2009|title=Nimitz Strike Group Set To Deploy|first=This story was written by Commander, U. S. 3rd Fleet Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
By January 2010 VFA-41 had flown over 2,500 combat hours in 400 combat missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. VFA-41 joined [[CVW-9]] in 2010 and started workups for a WESTPAC deployment in 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110722202651/http://vfa-41.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/2009yearinreview.html Black Aces 2009 In Review]</ref>

From 27 July 2011 to 26 February 2012, CVW-9 deployed on board {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6}} to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, counter-piracy and maritime security operations.  VFA-41 supported Operation Enduring Freedom and the final combat missions of Operation New Dawn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61785|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805094022/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61785|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|title=John C. Stennis Deploys with Carrier Strike Group 3|first=This story was written by USS John C. Stennis Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=8 April 2018}}</ref>

Following a short six-month turnaround, the squadron once again cruised on a surge deployment from 1 September 2012 to 28 April 2013 on board USS ''John C. Stennis''.  The squadron returned to the Middle East and flew missions in support of the [[United States Fifth Fleet|5th Fleet]] and Operation Enduring Freedom.

In January 2016 VFA-41 with Carrier Air Wing 9 deployed aboard ''John C. Stennis'' to the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation. Ports of call during this deployment included Guam, Busan, Singapore, Manila and Pearl Harbor. The squadron flew out to its landbase at Lemoore, California on 9 August. VFA-41 conducted combat flights in support of Operations [[Operation Inherent Resolve|Inherent Resolve]], [[Resolute Support Mission|Resolute Support]] and [[Operation Freedom's Sentinel|Freedom Sentinel]] over Afghanistan, Iraq, and [[Syria]]. Carrier Air Wing NINE squadrons returned to NAS Lemoore, North Island, Point Mugu, and Whidbey Island in May 2019.

===2020s===

During the 2020s, the squadron was a part of Carrier Air Wing 9 on the USS Abraham Lincoln.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}. In early August 2024, the squadron was deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in response to heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.

== See also ==
{{Commons category|Fighter Squadron 41 (United States Navy)}}
*[[Naval aviation]]
*[[Modern US Navy carrier air operations]]
*[[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]
*[[List of Inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
*[http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-history-combat.htm#terror Strike missions against terror]
*Robert K. Wilcox (2002). ''Black Aces High'', St. Martin's Press.
*Tony Holmes (2005). ''US Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom Part One'', Osprey Publishing Limited.
*Tony Holmes (2015). ''F-14 Bombcat The US Navy's Ultimate Precision Bomber'', Key Publishing Limited.

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20121212125558/http://www.vfa41.navy.mil/ Strike Fighter Squadron 41] (official site)
* {{cite web
  | title = Official Website: Strike Fighter Squadron 41
  | url= http://www.vfa41.navy.mil/
  | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121212125558/http://www.vfa41.navy.mil/
  | url-status= dead
  | archive-date= 12 December 2012
  | access-date = 31 October 2006 }}

{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}

[[Category:Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy]]