Strike Fighter Squadron
ONE NINE FIVE

Courage, A Tradition

Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE boasts a proud and exciting history. Commissioned Torpedo Squadron NINETEEN at Los Alamitos, California in August 1943, the squadron became Attack Squadron TWENTY ABLE in November 1946, Attack Squadron ONE NINE FIVE in August 1948, homeported at Moffett Field, California, and Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE on 1 April 1985.

As a unit of CVG 19 during World War II, VA-195, flying the TBM "Avenger," was a part of Admiral "Bull" Halsey's Naval Force which "hit hard, hit fast, and hit often." The squadron participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the landings at Guam, Palau, Morotai and Leyte. Squadron pilots also flew strikes against the Carolines, Philippines, Bonin Island, Okinawa, Mindanao and Formosa while embarked in USS LEXINGTON.

In May 1947, Attack Squadron 20 Able transitioned to the AD-1 "Skyraider." The squadron participated in the Korean War while embarked in USS PRINCETON. During the deployment, on 2 May 1951, the squadron's Skyraiders, making precise low level runs, delivered aerial torpedoes on the heavily defended and strategically positioned Hwachon Dam in North Korea. Destruction of the dam had been attempted by both Air Force and Navy bombers, but was finally accomplished by Attack Squadron 20 Able earning them the nickname "Dambusters."

Attack Squadron ONE NINE FIVE transitioned from the propeller driven "Skyraiders" (also known as "Spads") to the jet powered A-4 "Skyhawk" in July 1959 and moved to NAS Lemoore, California in January 1962. As the Vietnam crisis flared in the fall of 1964, the DAMBUSTERS made their fourth consecutive deployment on USS BON HOMME RICHARD with the SEVENTH FLEET. During the next 5 years, while operating various models of the A-4 from the BON HOMME RICHARD and USS TICONDEROGA, the squadron logged more combat flight hours and sorties than any other squadron in Air Wing NINETEEN.

In the spring of 1970, VA-195 went through another face lift as it transitioned to the A-7E Corsair II. As a unit of Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN, on USS KITTY HAWK, the squadron deployed in the fall of 1970, marking its fourth consecutive decade of involvement in foreign conflicts. During the Vietnam War, VA-195 delivered the first data link version of the television guided Walleye Glide Bomb in combat. Success was sweet on 19 July 1972 as the DAMBUSTERS delivered a single Walleye down the throat of a cave storage area, causing its complete destruction. Later that day, they destroyed the Ninh Binh railroad bridge, also with a single weapon. VA-195's performance during the 1972 deployment was spectacular, setting new records in sorties flown, ordnance delivered, and days of combat operations.

Three more peacetime WESTPAC deployments aboard USS KITTY HAWK, and the development of the CV concept, kept the squadron a combat ready force from 1973 to 1978. In 1979 and again in 1981, the DAMBUSTERS made back-to-back East Coast deployments aboard USS AMERICA. In 1981, the DAMBUSTERS shared in making history as the USS AMERICA became the largest warship ever to transit the Suez Canal.

The DAMBUSTERS were assigned to Carrier Air Wings FIFTEEN and NINETEEN before joining Carrier Air Wing NINE late in 1982. VA-195 deployed in 1983 to Central America and the Western Pacific before making a 122 day line period in the Indian Ocean.

The DAMBUSTERS were redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE on 1 April 1985 and commenced transition to the F/A-18 Hornet. After the transition was complete, VFA-195 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 5 and officially changed its homeport to Yokosuka, Japan on 15 November 1986. The squadron embarked in USS MIDWAY (CV-41) and made deployments to the Indian Ocean during the fall of 1988 and again in 1989 along with several shorter deployments in the Western Pacific. While ashore, the DAMBUSTERS operate out of NAF Atsugi, Japan.

The Iraqi invasion of Kuwait on 2 August 1990 increased world tensions and set the stage for armed conflict between the United States and Iraq. As a result, the United States and its allies joined forces in Operation Desert Shield with the goal of liberating Kuwait from Iraq. In November of 1990, the USS MIDWAY and Carrier Air Wing FIVE arrived in the Arabian Gulf, relieving the USS INDEPENDENCE and assuming the duties of a forward deployed battle force in support of Operation Desert Shield. While diplomacy and economic sanctions took their course, the DAMBUSTERS planned and trained heavily in preparation for combat. Extensive training proved invaluable when diplomacy was abandoned and the liberation of Kuwait began on 17 January 1991. During Desert Storm, the DAMBUSTERS flew 564 combat sorties, delivered 356 tons of ordnance, and became the first fleet Hornet squadron to deliver the television guided Walleye II glide bomb in combat. The DAMBUSTERS' outstanding performance and precision bombing were an integral part of the Coalition Forces' defeat of Iraq and liberation of Kuwait.

On 25 August 1991, the DAMBUSTERS completed their tour of duty in USS MIDWAY. Now stationed onboard USS INDEPENDENCE, VFA-195 has completed three cruises to the Middle East and maintains its combat ready status. Their most recent visit to the Middle East was from August to June 1995 where they deployed in support of Operation Southern Watch, their second such deployment.

Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE FIVE has historically played a major role in every American conflict since World War II. Courage and accomplishment have become a tradition on the DAMBUSTER team. The squadron is again deployed to WESTPAC/Indian Ocean/Arabian Gulf, the DAMBUSTERS look forward to continuing their proud and courageous history as part of Carrier Air Wing Five aboard USS INDEPENDENCE. CHIPPY HO!