Warhawks Lightning IIs within sight
Following Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 Argonauts ('NE-4xx'), VFA-97 Warhawks will become the second squadron within the US Navy that transitions to F-35C Lightning II.
The Warhawks flew their Super Hornets for the last time from NAS Lemoore (CA) on 26 February 2021. For more than a year, the squadron flew the F/A-18Es in an adversary role (see Scramble Facebook News 12 September 2019) after they said goodbye to the active fleet in 2019. The squadron was already assigned for the transition to F-35C in March 2020, but the swap was delayed (see Scramble Facebook News 29 August 2019) due to delays in the F-35C production, and they had to wait until VFA-147 was fully transitioned.
VFA-97 will start F-35 conversion/transition at Lemoore with VFA-125 Rough Raiders ('NJ-xxx'), the Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) for the F-35C. The squadron is planned to become operational with the F-35Cs before years end and then is slated to move to MCAS Iwakuni (Japan) by FY2024 to join Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5/NF. Possibly, the squadron will make a deployment in FY23 with another Carrier Air Wing before moving to Japan.
The Warhawks were established as Attack Squadron (VA) 97 on 1 June 1967 and were equipped with the A-7A Corsair. They transitioned to A-7E in June 1971. With both types, they participated in the Vietnam War. VA-97 was also part of the task force involved in supporting Operation Eagle Claw, the Iranian hostage rescue attempt. That combat operation was followed by operations in support of the United Nations coalition forces by participating several times in Operation Southern Watch over Iraq. The Warhawks also flew in support of Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and of course participated, like most US Navy squadrons, in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Inherent Resolve.
The squadron was redesignated on 24 January 1991 to Strike Fighter Squadron and transitioned to the F/A-18A. The Alpha was replaced by the F/A-18C in July 2009 and the Charlie was in turn replaced by the F/A-18E in late 2013.
Unconfirmed reports say that VFA-115 Eagles is next in line for transition to F-35C, followed by VFA-151 Vigilantes.
Photos by 4Aviation Jurgen van Toor/ Patrick Roegies (F/A-18E), Stephan de Bruijn (desert camo F/A-18A) and Dan Stijovich (grey F/A-18C).