Attack Squadron (VA-303) was established at Naval Air Station Alameda on 1 July 1970. Disestablished on 31 December 1994. The first squadron to be assigned the VA-303 and VFA-303 designation.
Chronology of Significant Events
1 July 1970: VA-303, a reserve squadron, established as part of a reorganization of the reserves intended to increase the combat readiness of the Naval Air Reserve Force.
April 1971: VA-303 was the first reserve squadron to transition to the A-7A Corsair II.
November 1975: The squadron deployed aboard Ranger (CV 61) for the annual active duty training and as part of CVWR-30’s tactical air mobilization test and the operational readiness exercise/inspection to ensure the squadron was seaworthy and combat ready.
19 October 1985: VFA-303 was the first reserve squadron to transition to the F/A-18 Hornet. When VA-303 became the first Naval Air Reserve Squadron to transition to the F/A-18 Hornet, the change over took place at NAS Alameda, prior to the squadron leaving for NAS Lemoore.
25 September – 20 November 1990: A detachment of the squadron’s F/A-18 Hornets and personnel, along with VFA-305, joined CVW-11 aboard Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) for her transit from Norfolk to Alameda, via Cape Horn.
November 1990: A detachment of squadron aircraft and personnel deployed to NWC China Lake in direct support of Operation Desert Shield. Provided critical real world electronic warfare test and evaluation missions requiring aircraft fully functional with electronic warfare, Harm missile and electronic countermeasure suites.
1993: In early 1993 the squadron added the roles of Adversary and Fleet Support to its primary mission.
Homeport Assignments
| Location | Assignment Date |
|---|---|
| NAS Alameda | 1 July 1970 |
| NAS Leemore | 1 January 1984 |
Commanding Officers
| Commanding Officer | Date Assumed Command |
|---|---|
| CDR William E. Nelson | 1 July 1970 |
| CDR Philip H. Benz | 17 July 1971 |
| CDR Olin A. Gray | 21 January 1973 |
| CDR Reid T. Melville | 14 December 1974 |
| CDR Alfred F. Talley | 19 June 1976 |
| CDR Thomas E. Gehman | 17 June 1978 |
| CDR Donald P. Smith | 21 June 1980 |
| CDR Harold Shorr | 1982 |
| CDR Richard A. Banks | 23 July 1983 |
| CDR Robert R. Greathouse | 1984 |
| CDR Jon L. Green | October 1985 |
| CDR Scott H. Davis | 11 April 1987 |
| CDR John S. Wood | 22 October 1988 |
| CDR Charles B. Askey | 19 May 1990 |
| CDR Barry C. Douglas | 18 May 1991 |
| CDR Ronald J. Smeltzer | 19 September 1992 |
| CDR Jeffrey L. Schram | 8 January 1994 |
Aircraft Assignment
| Type of Aircraft | Date Type First Received |
|---|---|
| A-4C | 1 July 1970 |
| A-7A | 5 April 1971 |
| A-7B | 11 August 1977 |
| F/A-18A | 19 October 1985 |
Air Wing Assignments
| Air Wing | Tail Code | Assignment Date |
|---|---|---|
| CVWR-30 | ND | 1 July 1970 |
Unit Awards Received
| Unit Award | Inclusive Dates | Covering Unit Award |
|---|---|---|
| NAVE | 1 July 1971 | 31 December 1972 |
| NAVE | 1 January 1987 | 31 December 1987 |
| NAVE | 1 January 1989 | 31 December 1989 |
| NAVE | 1 January 1991 | 31 December 1991 |
Links
- VA-303 Unit Page (Military.com)
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons – Volume I (see “Chapter 2 Attack Squadron Histories for VA-210 to VA-873”)
— provided by Mr. Robert M. Cieri.
I am writing a book on the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet and am looking for a photograph of a Hornet in VFA-303 markings. Are you in a position to assist.?
I came to VA-303 in 1971 and spent the most happiest years of my Navy career in this squadron.