Strana 32
F/A-18C, BuNo. 165214, LtCol. Edmund B. Hipp, VFA-115 Silver Eagles,
Iwakuni MCAS, Japan, February 2022
F/A-18C, BuNo. 164709, VFA-146, Blue Diamonds, USS Nimitz (CVN-68), July 2014
The predecessor to VFA-115, VMF-115 was
organized on July 1, 1943 at Santa Barbara,
California. Sixteen days later, the command
was assumed by one of the Marine Corps’ most
famous Aces, Major Joseph Foss, holder of the
World War II Marine Corps record of twenty-
six enemy aircraft shot down. The squadron
quickly picked up the nickname Joe’s Jokers.
In December 1949, VMF-115 became the first
Marine Corps squadron to receive a full
complement of Grumman F9F-2 Panther jet
fighters and after a long spell with Skyrays, the
unit was re-designated VMFA-115 on January 1,
1964, and transitioned to Phantoms II. After flying
them for more than 20 years, VMFA-115 began
the transition to the F/A-18A Hornet on January
1, 1985, and officially stood up with 14 aircraft on
August 16, 1985. The following year, the squadron
became officially known as the Silver Eagles.
Nearing the end of 2001, the squadron obtained
their first F/A-18A+ aircraft modification.
VMFA-115’s achievements have highlighted the
history of Marine Corps aviation as the squadron
has seen extensive service in nearly every
conflict in which Marines have fought.
The Attack Squadron 146 was set on February 1,
1956, as the Navy’s newest jet attack squadron.
The squadron’s original nickname was the
Blacktails, which was derived from its assigned
color as the sixth squadron of the air group.
VA-146 started with only a handful of F9F-8
Cougars and its first West Pac deployment
began on January 21, 1957, as CVG-14, embarked
in USS Hornet (CVA-12) and departed from San
Diego. Upon the squadron’s return in July, the
Blacktails began transitioning into the new
FJ-4B Fury. In 1959, under Cdr. W. W. Alldredge, the
squadron adopted the Blue Diamonds nickname.
In December 1968, VA-146 was completely re-
equipped with the A-7B Corsair II. In the spring
of 1989, VA-146 was re-designated VFA-146 and
transitioned to F/A-18C. The Blue Diamonds
were the first fleet squadron to receive this
new version of the Hornet. VFA-146 made its
first deployment with the Hornet on USS Nimitz
(CVN-68) in 1991, arriving on station to participate
in the last days of Operation Desert Storm.
VFA-146 and Carrier Air Wing Eleven deployed
on board USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in April 2013.
They flew combat missions in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, additionally,
the Diamonds participated in multinational
exercises with South Korea, Japan, France, and
Great Britain. On May 26, 2015, the Blue Diamonds
achieved their qualification in the Super Hornet.
Since then, the Blue Diamonds tested some of
the new systems and capabilities of the Super
Hornet, executing live missile shoots with
CVW-11 during multiple detachments.
KITS 06/2026
INFO Eduard32
June 2026