VA-34 Blue Blasters


VF-20 Joker - 1943
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VF-20 & VF-9A Skull - 1946
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VF-91 Trap or Die - 1950
Drawn by Bud Southworth


VA-34 Trap or Die - 1955
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VA-34 Trap or Die - 1970
Drawn by Bud Southworth
VFA-34 Trap or Die - 1960
Drawn by Bud Southworth


JOIN The Skyhawks

The Squadron Duty Officer is the squadron contact point, who communicates with former squadron members about squadron information, sea stories, squadron pictures, scuttlebutt, and gathers information about squadron buddies.
Please contact the Squadron SDO as listed here.

The Table Of Content:
Patch:
  • On March 15, 1944, VF-20 officially adopted a "Joker" with a machine gun emerging from a deck of playing cards patch. At that time the squadron was comprised of many inexperienced pilots referred to as Jokers - thus the connection. This patch is displayed above.
  • On February 1, 1946, VF-20 adopted a new patch the "Trap or Die" patch with a human skull. Superimposed on the nose of a skull was a human skeleton with the arms holding LSO paddles that became the eyes of the skull, while the teeth were represented by the word "Fighting 20." The colors were primarily black and white, with the exception of the paddles and lettering that were red.
  • In 1947, the basic "Trap or Die" patch was modified to reflect the squadron's redesignation to VF-9A. The name on the patch was changed the "Fighting 20" to "Fighting 9A."
  • On June 10, 1949, the basic "Trap or Die" patch was modified again to enhance the skull design. The background became a blue diamond outlined in black. Red stylized wings outlined in blue and white were added, as well as a black and white machine gun in the shape of a cigarette with a yellow ammunition belt and red bullets. The machine gun was held by the skeleton's hand that was outlined in black. Fighting 9A was dropped and replaced by regular shaped teeth. The skull remained white outlined in black and the LSO paddles were red and white. This patch was used until the squadron disestablished in 1969.
  • When VA-34 was reestablished in January 1970, it adopted the "Trap or Die" patch and Blue Blaster nickname used by the previous VA-34.
  • May 10, 1999 VFA-34 modified the "Trap or Die" patch to reflect the F/A-18 Hornet Strike Fighter.
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Handle:
Aircraft:
Date Type First Received - - - - - - Type of Aircraft:
Heritage:
  • October 15, 1943, Fighter Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) established.
  • November 15, 1946, VF-20 redesignated as Fighter Squadron NINE A (VF-9A).
  • August 12, 1948, VF-9A redesignated as Fighter Squadron NINETY ONE (VF-91).
  • February 15, 1950, VF-91 redesignated Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VF-34).
  • July 1, 1955, VF-34 redesignated Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34).
  • June 1, 1969, Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR disestablished.
  • January 1, 1970, Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) re-established.
  • September 30, 1996, Attack Squadron THIRTY-FOUR redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VFA-34).
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Commanders:
  • Date Assumed Command - - - - - - - Commanding Officer
  • Oct 1943 - - - - - - - - LCDR Frederick E. Bakutis
  • Apr 1945 - - - - - - - - LCDR Herbert D. Remington
  • Feb 1946 - - - - - - - - LCDR T. W. Ramsay
  • Oct 1947 - - - - - - - - LCDR W. W. Brehm
  • Jul 1948 - - - - - - - - LCDR Thomas C. Provost, III
  • Dec 1949 - - - - - - - - LCDR Donald K. Olson
  • Feb 1951 - - - - - - - - LCDR Robert A. Sweatt
  • May 1952 - - - - - - - - LCDR H. B. Gibbs
  • May 1953 - - - - - - - - LCDR F. H. O'Brien
  • Jul 1955 - - - - - - - - CDR A. L. Detweiller (acting)
  • Oct 1955 - - - - - - - - CDR Charles W. Pittman
  • Jan 1957 - - - - - - - - CDR Ernest L. McClintock
  • Oct 1958 - - - - - - - - CDR George C. Talley, Jr.
  • Mar 1960 - - - - - - - - CDR Mitchell C. Griffin
  • May 1961 - - - - - - - - CDR William J. Forgy
  • May 1962 - - - - - - - - CDR Hector W. Davis, Jr.
  • May 1963 - - - - - - - - CDR Walter T. Zebrowski
  • May 1964 - - - - - - - - CDR Grant C. Young
  • May 1965 - - - - - - - - CDR Rodney B. Carter
  • May 1966 - - - - - - - - CDR Robert A. Zajichek
  • May 1967 - - - - - - - - CDR Richard A. Wigent
  • May 1968 - - - - - - - - CDR Mark E. Perrault
  • Feb 1970 - - - - - - - - CDR Robert W. Miles
  • Jun 1971 - - - - - - - - CDR Samuel L. Sayers
  • Jul 1972 - - - - - - - - CDR Philip M. Shannon
  • Jul 1973 - - - - - - - - CDR Lester T. Jackson
  • Jul 1974 - - - - - - - - CDR William R. Westerman
  • Oct 1975 - - - - - - - - CDR Gary F. Wheatley
  • Jan 1977 - - - - - - - - CDR Robert H. Byng
  • Apr 1978 - - - - - - - - CDR John M. McNabb
  • Jul 1979 - - - - - - - - CDR John G. Hawley
  • Oct 1980 - - - - - - - - CDR Brinley K. McDanel
  • Nov 1981 - - - - - - - - CDR Bennice L. Liner
  • Feb 1983 - - - - - - - - CDR Garth A. Van Sickle
  • Aug 1984 - - - - - - - - CDR James B. Dadson
  • Jan 1986 - - - - - - - - CDR Richard G. Coleman
  • Jun 1987 - - - - - - - - CDR Bernis H. Bailey
  • Nov 1988 - - - - - - - - CDR Eugene K. Nielsen
  • May 1990 - - - - - - - - CDR Ronald K. Alexander
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Home Ports:
  • Date - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Location:
  • Oct 1943 - - - - - - Naval Air Station San Diego
  • Apr 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Atlantic City
  • Jun 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Edenton
  • Nov 1945 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Elizabeth City
  • Mar 1946 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown
  • May 1947 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Quonset Point
  • Jun 1948 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown
  • Dec 1949 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Quonset Point
  • May 1951 - - - - - - Naval Auxiliary Air Station Sanford
  • Oct 1952 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Jacksonville
  • Feb 1953 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field
  • Jan 1970 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Oceana
  • Sep 1996 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Cecil Field
  • Mar 1999 - - - - - - Naval Air Station Oceana
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Air Wings:
Date - - - - - - - - - - - - Tail code - - - - - - - Air Wing
  • Oct 15, 1943 - - PS - CVG-20/CVAG-9/CVG-9*
  • Dec 01, 1949- - - K - CVG-3
  • Nov 01, 1953- - - - - ATG-181
  • Jun 18, 1955 - K/AC‡- CVG-3/CVW-3†
  • Feb 01, 1967 - - AK - CVW-10§
  • Jan 16, 1968 - - AA - CVW-17
  • Mar 02, 1970 - - AB - CVW-1
  • Oct 01, 1986 - - AG - CVW-7
  • * November 15, 1946, Carrier Air Group 20 (CVG-20) was redesignated CVAG-9 and December 12, 1946, was assigned the tail code PS.
  • September 1, 1948, CVAG-9 was redesignated CVG-9.
  • † December 20, 1963, Carrier Air Groups were redesignated Carrier Air Wings hence CVG-3 became CVW-3.
  • ‡ In late 1957, CVG-3's tail code changed from K to AC.
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Deployments:
Departure & Return - - - - - - - - Air Wing - Carrier - Aircraft - - Area of Operations:
  • 08/16/44 to 11/21/44 - CVG-20 - CV 6 - - F6F-3 - WestPac
  • 12/11/44 to 01/26/45 - CVG-20 - CV 16 -- F6F-3 - WestPac
  • 02/20/48 to 06/26/48 - CVAG-9 - CV 47 -- F8F-1 - Mediterranean
  • 09/03/51 to 12/50/51 - CVG-3 -- CV 32 -- F9F-2 - Mediterranean
  • 08/28/52 to 02/04/53 - CVG-3 -- CVA 40 - F2H-2 - Mediterranean
  • 11/30/54 to 06/18/55 - ATG-181- CVA 15 - F2H-2 - Mediterranean
  • 02/01/58 to 10/01/58 - CVG-3 -- CVA 60 - A4D-1 - Mediterranean
  • 08/15/59 to 02/16/60 - CVG-3 -- CVA 60 - A4D-2 - Mediterranean
  • 08/22/60 to 02/15/61 - CVG-3 -- CVA 60 - A4D-2 - Mediterranean/NorLant
  • 11/28/61 to 05/12/62 - CVG-3 -- CVA 60 - A4D-2 - Mediterranean
  • 03/29/63 to 10/25/63 - CVG-3 -- CVA 60 - A-4C -- Mediterranean
  • 11/28/64 to 07/12/65 - CVW-3 -- CVA 60 - A-4C -- Mediterranean
  • 03/11/66 to 10/26/66 - CVW-3 -- CVA 60 - A-4C -- Mediterranean
  • 05/11/67 to 12/30/67 - CVW-10 - CVS 11 - A-4C -- Mediterranean/IO/WestPac/ Vietnam
  • 07/22/68 to 04/29/69 - CVW-17 - CVA 59 - A-4C -- Mediterranean
  • 09/14/70 to 03/01/71 - CVW-1 -- CVA 67 - A-6A/B - - - - Caribbean/Mediterranean/ NorLant
  • 12/01/71 to 10/06/72 - CVW-1 -- CVA 67 - A-6A/B/C - - - Mediterranean/NorLant
  • 04/16/73 to 12/01/73 - CVW-1 -- CVA 67 - A-6A/B/C - - - Mediterranean/NorLant
  • 06/28/75 to 01/27/76 - CVW-1 -- CV 67 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 09/02/76 to 11/09/76 - CVW-1 -- CV 67 -- A-6E & KA-6D - NorLant
  • 01/15/77 to 08/01/77 - CVW-1 -- CV 67 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 06/29/78 to 02/08/79 - CVW-1 -- CV 67 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 08/04/80 to 03/28/81 - CVW-1 -- CV 67 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 08/23/82 to 10/30/82 - CVW-1 -- CV 66 -- A-6E & KA-6D - NorLant/Med/ Caribbean
  • 12/08/82 to 06/02/83 - CVW-1 -- CV 66 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean/IO
  • 04/24/84 to 11/14/84 - CVW-1 -- CV 66 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Caribbean/Mediterranean/IO
  • 08/24/85 to 11/09/85 - CVW-1 -- CV 66 -- A-6E & KA-6D - NorLant
  • 03/10/86 to 09/10/86 - CVW-1 -- CV 66 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 02/29/88 to 08/29/88 - CVW-7 - CVN 69 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean
  • 03/08/90 to 09/12/90 - CVW-7 - CVN 69 -- A-6E & KA-6D - Mediterranean/Red Sea
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Photograph Albums:
Squadron Photograph Album
Squadron Off-Duty Album (empty)
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Events:
  • October 15, 1943:
    Fighter Squadron TWENTY (VF-20) established at Naval Air Station San Diego. VF-20 was assigned the Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat.

  • April 16, 1944:
    Fighter Squadron TWENTY departed Naval Air Station Alameda with their Grumman Hellcat aboard the United States Ship Essex CV 9 to Hawaii for per combat training before deploying to Asia.

  • August 16, 1944 to November 21, 1944:
    Fighter Squadron TWENTY flying the F6F-3 Hellcat with Carrier Air Group 20 embarked in United States Ship Enterprise CV-6 first World War II western pacific combat cruise.
    • August 31, 1944:
      VF-20's first combat action was combat strikes against the Bonin Islands.

    • October 24 and 25, 1944:
      Fighter Squadron 20 participated in the Battle for Leyte Gulf also referred to as the Second Battle of the Philippines Sea. Enterprise VF-20 Hellcats struck elements of all three Japanese Task Forces which were converging on Leyte Gulf.

    • August to November 1944:
      VF-20 flew strikes against targets on the Bonin Islands, Yap and Palau Islands, Peleliu Island, Okinawa, Formosa, Luzon, and Leyte.

  • December 11, 1944 to January 26, 1945:
    Fighter Squadron TWENTY flying the F6F-3 Hellcat with Carrier Air Group 20 embarked in United States Ship Lexington CV-16 second World War II western pacific combat cruise.
    • December 14, 1944:
      Lieutenant Junior Grade Douglas Baker while on a strike mission against Clark Field on Luzon encountered Japanese fighter opposition. During this engagement Baker destroyed four Japanese aircraft before being shot down by antiaircraft fire and Baker was killed in the action. Lieutenant Bakers' final action brought his air-to-air kills to 16, making him one of the highest-ranking Navy aces. Only eight other Navy pilots equaled or exceeded Lieutenant Bakers' record.

    • December 1944 to January 1945:
      VF-20 engaged in another series of combat actions, flying missions against targets on and around Luzon, Formosa, French Indochina (Vietnam), Hong Kong, the South China Sea, and Okinawa. Many of these operations were in support of the Lingayen Gulf landings.

    • January 22, 1945:
      The last day of combat action for VF-20 during World War II.

  • From August 31, 1944, to wars' end the squadron compiled a formidable combat record. There were 8 aces (nine counting the Commander of CVG-20 who flew the squadron's aircraft), 12 individuals received the Navy Cross and 22 individuals received the Silver Star. VF-20 credits itself with the destruction of over 15 ships and 407 aircraft, not counting an even greater number that were damaged but not destroyed.

  • February 1945:
    VF-20 set sail on the United States Ship Kwajalein CVE 98 at Ulithi for the United States, arriving there several weeks later.

  • April 1945:
    VF-20 moved to Naval Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey.

  • June 1945:
    VF-20 moved to Naval Air Station Edenton.

  • November 1945:
    VF-20 moved to Naval Air Station Elizabeth City.

  • March 1946:
    VF-20 moved to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown, South Carolina.

  • April 1946:
    VF-20 moved to Naval Air Station Atlantic City and was assigned the Grumman F8F-1 Bearcat.

  • November 15, 1946:
    VF-20 was redesignated as Fighter Squadron NINE A (VF-9A).

  • May 1947:
    Fighter Squadron NINE A moved to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

  • June 1948:
    VF-9A moved to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Charlestown, South Carolina.

  • February 20, 1948 to June 26, 1948:
    Fighter Squadron NINE A flying the F8F-1 Bearcat with Carrier Air Group 9 embarked in United States Ship Philippine Sea CV-47 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • July to September 1948:
    In cooperation with Commander Operational Development Force, Atlantic Fleet, Fighter Squadron NINE A participated in the experimental radar carrier controlled approach CCA program aboard United States Ship Philippine Sea CV 47.

  • August 12, 1948:
    VF-9A was redesignated as Fighter Squadron NINETY ONE (VF-91).

  • December 1949:
    Fighter Squadron NINETY ONE moved to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

  • February 15, 1950:
    VF-91 was redesignated Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VF-34).

  • November 1950:
    VF-34 was assigned the Grumman F9F-2 Panther.

  • May 1951:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR moved to Naval Auxiliary Air Station Sanford, Florida.

  • September 3, 1951 to December 5, 1951:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the F9F-2 Panther with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Leyte CV-32 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • February 1952:
    VF-34 was assigned the McDonnell F2H-2 Banshee.

  • August 28, 1952 to February 4, 1953:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the F2H-2 Banshee with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Tarawa CV-40 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • October 1952:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR moved to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

  • February 1953:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR moved to Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida.

  • April 1953:
    VF-34 embarked on United States Ship Antietam CVA 36 with its F2H Banshees to conduct evaluation tests on the Navy's first angled deck carrier.

  • May 26, 1954:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR was aboard United States Ship Bennington CVA 20,on the way to the Mediterranean Sea, when an explosion aboard ship resulted in the death of 7 squadron personnel. The ship returned to the States and VF-34 disembarked.

  • October 31, 1954:
    Ensign Duane L. Varner in a VF-34 F2H-2 Banshee flew a 1,900 mile nonstop, non-refueling, transcontinental flight from Los Alamitos, California, to Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. The flight took 3 hours and 58 minutes and set a long distance record for the Banshee.

  • November 30, 1954 to June 18, 1955:
    Fighter Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the F2H-2 Banshee with ATG-181 embarked in United States Ship Randolph CVA-15 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • July 1, 1955:
    VF-34 was redesignated Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34).

  • October 1955:
    VA-34 was assigned the Chance Vought F7U-3 Cutlass.

  • January 1957:
    VF-34 was assigned the Douglas A4D-1 (A-4A) Skyhawk.

  • Four Pilots Score Six E’s.
    First Such Award to A4D Squadron.
    One year after they earned Navy wings, four pilots of VA-34 contributed more than a fourth of their squadron’s total 22 E’s. They are LT Donald L. Felt, Ltjgs. William A. Cargile, John T. Anderson and Ens. IraD. Lewey. They won six E’s, the first ever awarded an A4D squadron. Each of the pilots had less than 600 hours total flight time.
    See photo page for more.
    NavAirNews - January 1958

  • February 1, 1958 to October 1, 1958:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-4A (A4D-1) Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • March 4, 1958:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR conducted cross-deck operations on the British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal with the squadron's new A4D-1 Skyhawks.

  • July 1958:
    VA-34 flew support missions during the amphibious landings in Beirut, Lebanon, by United States Marines.

  • June 1959:
    Operating from Naval Auxiliary Air Station Mayport, VA-34 conducted the first operational firing of the Bull Pup air-to-ground missile in the Atlantic Fleet.

  • August 15, 1959 to February 16, 1960:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • Sept 1959:
    LTJG George Ball Jr. aboard the USS Saratoga, became the ship's first jet double centurion. He made his 200th arrested landing during routine operations with the Sixth Fleet.

  • August 22, 1960 to February 15, 1961:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the Douglas A4D-2N (A-4C) Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

  • April 1961:
    VA-34's A4D-2 Skyhawks operated from United States Ship Essex CVS 9 in the Caribbean Sea during the Bay of Pigs invasion. This operation involved the first use of jet attack aircraft as part of an ASW Air Group, CVSG-60, operating aboard an ASW designated carrier.

  • November 28, 1961 to May 12, 1962:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the Douglas A4D-2 (A-4B) Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

  • October 26 to November 18, 1962:
    During the Cuban missile crisis the entire squadron flew aboard the United States Ship Enterprise CVAN 65 to augment the assigned air wing. Enterprise had departed for the Caribbean on 19 October. VA-34 flew numerous missions in support of the Cuban quarantine.

  • November 18 to 26, 1962:
    VA-34 transferred from United States Ship Enterprise CVAN 65 to United States Ship Independence CVA 62 during the quarantine operations. VA-34 continued to fly quarantine missions aboard Independence until her return to the States on 26 November.

  • March 29, 1963 to October 25, 1963:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-4C Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

  • December 1963 and January through February 1964:
    Attack Squadron 34 provided detachments of A-4C Skyhawks aboard United States Ship Intrepid CVS 11 and United States Ship Randolph CVS 15. The aircraft were used for Combat Air Patrol (CAP) to provide a fighter capability (VSF) for the ASW carriers.

  • November 28, 1964 to July 12, 1965:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-4C Skyhawk with Carrier Air Group 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • March 11, 1966 to October 26, 1966:
    Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-4C Skyhawk with Carrier Air Wing 3 embarked in United States Ship Saratoga CVA-60 on a Mediterranean cruise.

  • May 11 to December 30, 1967:
    VA-34 Blue Blaster with the A-4C Skyhawk as a component of an Attack Carrier Air Wing (CVW-10) deployed to Vietnam on United States Ship Intrepid CVS-11. This was the squadron's first combat action since 1945.
    • July 9, 1967:
      A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149603-side number AK 312 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander E. A. Martin, successfully ejected, was captured and made Prisoner of War.

    • September 18, 1967:
      VA-34 Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149590-side number AK 301 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile. The pilot, Lieutenant Commander S. A. Hawkins, successfully ejected and was rescued.

    • November 7, 1967:
      A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 148566-side number AK 314 was shot down by North Vietnamese Triple A fire. The pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade M. A. Krebs, successfully ejected and was rescued.

    • November 17, 1967:
      VA-34 Blue Blaster A-4C Skyhawk BuNo. 149546-side number AK 306 was shot down by a North Vietnamese Surface to Air Missile. The pilot, Lieutenant W. D. Key, successfully ejected and was captured and made Prisoner of War.

    • August 22, 1968 to April 29, 1969:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-4C Skyhawk with Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked in United States Ship Forrestal CVA-59 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • June 1, 1969:
      VA-34 was disestablished.

    • January 1, 1970:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR (VA-34) Blue Blasters re-established at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

    • April 1970:
      VA-34 was assigned the Grumman A-6A Intruder.

    • September 14, 1970 to March 1, 1971:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 3 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Caribbean/Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

    • September 14, 1970:
      VA-34 boarded the United States Ship Kennedy CVA 67 for its Operational Readiness Inspection prior to its scheduled November deployment to the Mediterranean. While sailing to the Caribbean, the Kennedy and VA-34 were ordered to deploy to the Mediterranean after Syria invaded Jordan.

    • December 1, 1971 to October 6, 1972:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B/C Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

    • September 1972:
      A VA-34 A-6 Intruder conducted cross-decking operations on HMS Ark Royal while operating in the Norwegian Sea.

    • April 16, 1973 to December 1, 1973:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6A/B/C Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean/NorLant cruise.

    • October through November 1973:
      During the Yon Kippur War VA-34 and United States Ship Kennedy departed the Norwegian Sea and reentered the Mediterranean, conducting surveillance operations south of Crete.

    • June 28, 1975 to January 27, 1976:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • September 2, 1976 to November 9, 1976:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a NorLant cruise.

    • January 15, 1977 to August 1, 1977:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • June 29, 1978 to February 8, 1979:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • August 4, 1980 to March 28, 1981:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship John F. Kennedy CVA-67 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • August 23, 1982 to October 30, 1982:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a NorLant/Mediterranean/Caribbean cruise.

    • September through October 1982:
      During the deployment to the North Atlantic, United States Ship America CV 66, was diverted to the Mediterranean due to the continuing crisis in Lebanon.

    • December 8, 1982 to June 2, 1983:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Mediterranean/IO cruise.

    • January and May 1983:
      While in the Eastern Mediterranean VA-34 conducted air operations from United States Ship America in support of the multinational peace-keeping forces in Beirut, Lebanon.

    • April 24, 1984 to November 14, 1984:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Caribbean/Mediterranean/IO cruise.

    • August 24, 1985 to November 9, 1985:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a NorLant cruise.

    • March 10, 1986 to September 10, 1986:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked in United States Ship America CV-66 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • March 24, 1986:
      Libyan missiles were fired at United States Navy forces operating in the Gulf of Sidra. As a result retaliatory strikes were initiated against Libya by the American naval forces. VA-34's A-6E Intruders, operating from United States Ship America, attacked and damaged a Libyan Combattante II G-class fast attack missile craft with a Harpoon missile. A follow-up attack by VA-85 aircraft with Rockeye bombs resulted in the sinking of the Combattante II. The Harpoon firing was the first use of this missile in combat and the squadron's first combat action since its re-establishment in 1970.

    • April 14, 1986:
      Due to continued Libyan sponsorship of terrorist activity the United States initiated Operation Eldorado Canyon. VA-34 participated in this operation with its A-6Es, conducting a night, low level high speed attack against terrorists targets at the Benina airfield and military barracks in Banghazi, Libya.

    • February 29, 1988 to August 29, 1988:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked in United States Ship Eisenhower CVN-69 on a Mediterranean cruise.

    • March 8, 1990 to September 12, 1990:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY FOUR flying the A-6E & KA-6D Intruder with Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked in United States Ship Eisenhower CVN-69 on a Mediterranean/Red Sea cruise.

    • August 1990:
      The squadron flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and as part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.
    • September 1990:
      The squadron returned to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

    • September 1991 to April 2, 1992:
      The Blue Blasters deployed to Southwest Asia. The squadron participated in North Star.

    • May to November 1994:
      The Blue Blasters' deployed in United States Ship GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN 73 for her maiden cruise. In June, the Blasters performed a "missing man" formation over Omaha Beach to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of D-Day.

    • 1994 and 1995:
      The Blue Blasters were awarded the Commander, Naval Air Force, United States Atlantic Fleet Battle "E" for 1994 and 1995.
    • 1995:
      VA-34 operated over Bosnia and Southern Iraq. Operational sorties were flown in both theaters enforcing United Nations mandates. Missions included Close Air Support over the former Yugoslavia, working closely with multi-national Forward Air Controllers and UN forces on the ground, and strike familiarization missions to targets below the 32nd parallel in Iraq.

    • January to September 1996:
      The Blue Blasters had their last deployment flying the venerable A-6E Intruder aboard United States Ship George Washington CVN 73. VA-34 flew in support of Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR over Bosnia Herzegovina and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH over Iraq

    • September 30, 1996:
      Attack Squadron THIRTY-FOUR was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron THIRTY-FOUR (VFA-34) and based at Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida. The Blue Blasters transition into the Boeing FA-18C Hornet.

    • June to December 1998:
      Strike Fighter Squadron THIRTY-FOUR deployed in United States Ship Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN 69 --- the first squadron to deploy in the new Boeing FA-18 Lot XIX and XX Hornets. VFA-34 participated over Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation DELIBERATE FORGE, and over Iraq during Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

    • March 1999:
      The VFA-34 Blue Blasters moved their home port from Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida to Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.

    • June 2000:
      The VFA-34 Blue Blasters deployed on United States Ship George Washington CVN 73 to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf.
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    Awards:
      Award - - - - - - - - - Inclusive Dates:
    • MUC
      • 29 Sep 1970 to 31 Oct 1970
      • 01 Dec 1977 to 01 Mar 1979
      • 29 Aug 1985 to 20 Sep 1985
    • NAVE
      • 01 Jul 1948 to 30 Jun 1949
      • 01 Jan 1970 to 30 Jun 1971
      • 01 Jan 1982 to 31 Dec 1982
    • NUC
      • 10 Oct 1944 to 22 Nov 1944
      • 12 Jun 1967 to 08 Dec 1967
      • 23 Mar 1986 to 17 Apr 1986
    • PUC
      • 14 Dec 1944 to 16 Dec 1944
      • 03 Jan 1945 to 22 Jan 1945
    • AFEM
      • 17 Jul 1958 to 25 Jul 1958
      • 29 Jul 1958 to 11 Aug 1958
      • 19 Aug 1958 to 07 Sep 1958
      • 26 Oct 1962 to 18 Nov 1962
      • 18 Nov 1962 to 20 Nov 1962
      • 03 Dec 1962 to 20 Dec 1962
    • RVNGC
      • 21 Jun 1967 to 13 Jul 1967
      • 29 Jul 1967 to 27 Aug 1967
      • 14 Sep 1967 to 12 Oct 1967
      • 31 Oct 1967 to 24 Nov 1967
    • VNSM
      • 21 Jun 1967 to 13 Jul 1967
      • 29 Jul 1967 to 27 Aug 1967
      • 14 Sep 1967 to 12 Oct 1967
      • 31 Oct 1967 to 24 Nov 1967
    • NEM
      • 13 Apr 1961 to 26 Apr 1961
      • 01 Jan 1983 to 20 Jan 1983
      • 06 May 1983 to 08 May 1983
      • 21 Mar 1986 to 27 Jun 1986
    • SLOC
      • 04 Aug 1980 to 28 Mar 1981
      • 23 Aug 1982 to 02 Jun 1983
    • SASM
      Sources of information:
      • Steve Dallas
      • Harry S. Gann
      • Warren A. Harms
      • John Hayes

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