Strike Fighter Squadron TWO SEVEN
Command History

The Royal Maces were commissioned Attack Squadron 27 on 1 September 1967 flying the Vought A-7A "Corsair", and in January 1968, the squadron officially reported to Carrier Air Wing 14. In May of 1968, as the Vietnam conflict raged, the "Royal Maces" departed for their first combat deployment aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). During a second combat cruise, aboard USS CONSTELLATION in August 1969, VA-27 flew over 2,500 combat sorties. Attack Squadron 27 transitioned to the newer A-7E on 30 June 1970, and a year later the Royal Maces embarked on their third combat cruise aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65). Squadron pilots amassed over 4,400 combat flight hours from the deck of the Big "E" and participated in over 1,500 air strikes without the loss of a single aircraft.

In July 1972, Attack Squadron 27 was awarded the annual Admiral C. Wade McClusky Trophy by the Chief of Naval Operations as the most outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy. Additionally, the squadron received the Chief of Naval Safety Award for accident-free operations during that same period. The Royal Maces commenced their fourth combat deployment in September 1972 and completed the year by winning the coveted Battle Efficiency Pennant, making a clean sweep of every award for excellence in the Light Attack Community for 1972.

The squadron began its next deployment to the Western Pacific in September 1974. The Royal Maces flew surveillance missions over Vietnam and flew escort for United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force helicopters during the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel as part of Operation FREQUENT WIND. In 1979, the Royal Maces joined USS CORAL SEA (CV-43) for two more Western Pacific deployments. In 1984 VA 27 joined Carrier Air Wing 15 and deployed aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) for a 7 1/2 month Western Pacific cruise, which included a 107 day Indian Ocean line period.

After 23 years in the A-7E, 14 deployments, thousands of combat hours and numerous unit awards, in 1991 the Royal Maces transitioned to the F/A 18A Hornet and were officially redesignated the "Chargers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 27. In November 1992, VFA 27 deployed aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) as part of the CVW 15 "Wolfpack" for a Western Pacific deployment. During December 1992, the "Chargers," operating off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE, flew 2,500 miles to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to augment United States Central Command’s multi-national coalition Air Forces supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. After rejoining the "Hawk" Battle Group as they steamed into the Arabian Gulf, the squadron participated in a coalition night strike against Iraq on 13 January 1993, delivering over 18,000 pounds of ordnance on target.

In June 1994, the Chargers again deployed aboard the "HAWK" for Western Pacific deployment 1994. Throughout cruise, the Kitty Hawk Battle Group operated off the coasts of Japan and South Korea as a deterrent to possible North Korean aggression. By December 1994, the Chargers had completed their 16^th Western Pacific cruise.

Returning from cruise in December 1994, the squadron transitioned to F/A 18C's and began preparations for a homeport change to Atsugi, Japan. In 1995 the Chargers employed their new F/A 18C's during several Joint Training Exercises with Canada and the U.S. Air Force.

In 1996, VFA 27 commenced their homeport change to Atsugi, Japan. The Chargers culminated an intensive training period in May by firing six AIM-9L and 4 AIM-7M in a single day. On June 4 1996, the newly re-designated "Royal Maces" flew all 12 squadron aircraft from Lemoore California to Atsugi, Japan to join the CVW-5/USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) "I-5" Team.

In 1997, the "Royal Maces" completed a year of travel and integration. The squadron participated in a number of joint operations while deployed on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). Some of the highlights included Operations TANDEM THRUST in Australia, FOAL EAGLE in Korea, and COPE NORTH in Japan. The "INDY" also made a historic trip to Guam, this port call marked the first time a U.S. carrier had visited Guam in over thirty years. Operating out of Naval Air Facility Atsugi the "Maces" detached to Kadena, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Misawa. The high tempo of operations in 1997 kept VFA-27 well prepared for their role as the "tip-of-the-spear."