Squadrons
The Air Wing describes the entire fleet of aircraft aboard the carrier and each squadron assigned to the ship
during deployment
and is not actually part of the ship. This is what is referred to as an "embarked command."
So the inherent nature of a squardron is a temporary one in that they don't necessarily remain with the same CV throughout their active duty.
In the following tables are listed the various Air Wings, Squadrons, Aircraft and Deployments of the USS John F Kennedy, over the nearly 40 years of service. You will notice that numerous squadrons were assigned to CV-67
(also referred to as CVA-67 prior to December 1974) and many were reassigned via multiple deployments. The following squadrons saw the most time aboard the USS John F Kennedy: the TopHatters (with 13 deployments)
and the Swordsmen (with 12 deployments) serving over half of the twenty-one (21) deployments.
The next most populous squadrons are the Clansmen, Blue Hawks, Blue Blasters, Sunday Punchers, Seahawks,
Dusty Dogs, and Checkmates with eight (8) deployments each followed by the Dragon Slayers, Rawhides and
Torch Bearers each with six (6) deployments aboard the "Kennedy".
Photo contributed by Robert M. Cieri
The U.S. Navy listed the following squadrons as having served aboard the USS John F Kennedy. These will be listed
by Air Wing (grouped in the tables below) in descending deployment-date order. But first, here is a legend definining each squadron prefix.
VA - Attack squadrons
VAH - Heavy attack squadrons
VAW - Carrier airborne early warning squadron
VAQ - Tactical electronic warfare
VRC - Fleet logistics support squadron deployment
VF - Fighter squadron
VFA - Strike fighter squadron
VMA (AW) - Marine (all weather) fighter attack squadron
RVAH - Reconnaissance attack squadron
VQ - Fleet air reconnaissance
HC - Helicopter combat support squadron
HS - Helicopter anti-submarine squadron
VMFA - Marine fighter attack squadron
VS - Anti-submarine squadron or Sea Control Squadron
VAK- Tactical aerial refueling squadron
| VA-83 | Rampagers | A-4C / FA-18C(N) |
| VA-81 | Sunliners | A-4C / FA-18C |
| VA-34 | Blue Blasters | A-6A/B/C / KA-6D / A-4E/ FA-18C(N) |
| VRC-40 Det.1 | Rawhides | C-1A / C-2A |
| VF-103 | Jolly Rogers | F-14B |
| VAQ-132 | Scorpions | EA-6B |
| VAW-125 | Tigertails | E-2C Hawkeye 2000 |
| HS-15 | Red Lions | SH-60F/HH-60H |
| VS-30 | Diamond Cutters | S-3B |
| VAQ-140 | Patriots | EA-6B |
| VF-11 | Red Rippers* | F-14A / F-14B |
| VRC-40 Det. 1 | Rawhides | C-1A / C-2A |
| VF-143 | Pukin' Dogs | F-14B |
| VFA-136 | Knighthawks** | FA-18C(N) |
| VFA-131 | Wildcats | FA-18C(N) |
| VAW-121 | BlueTails | E-2C |
| HS-5 | Night Dippers | SH-60F/HH-60H |
| VS 31 | Topcats | S-3B |
* Operation Iraqi Freedom
** Operation Enduring Freedom
| VF-102 | Diamondbacks | F-14B |
| VMFA-251 | Thunderbolts | FA-18C(N) |
| VFA-82 | Mauraders | FA-18C(N) |
| VFA-86 | Sidewinders | FA-18C |
| VRC-40 Det. 1 | Rawhides | C-1A / C-2A |
| VAW-123 | Screwtops | E-2C |
| HS-11 | Dragon Slayers | SH-3D/SH-3H / SH-60/HH-60H |
| VS-32 | Maulers | S-3A / S-3B |
| VAQ-137 | Rooks | EA-6B |
