VFA-37

Strike Fighter Squadron 37 (VFA-37), also known as the "Ragin’ Bulls", are a United States Navy F/A-18C Hornet fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana. They are a part of Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) and are attached to the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75). Their radio callsign is Ragin’ and their tail code is AC.

Mission
The mission of VFA-37 as quoted from their homepage is: "Our mission is simple - We Launch combat-ready aircraft, 24/7, anywhere in the world!"

Squadron insignia and nickname
The squadron’s initial insignia was approved by CNO on 26 March 1968. The design centered on a bull was selected to symbolize the spirit, pride and mission of the unit. The Bulls current insignia was based on the Schlitz Malt Liquor logo. Over the years, the size of the testicles has been changed several times. After the Tailhook scandal, the testicles were removed completely from the logo for a time. Nickname: Bulls, 1968–present.

1960s
VA-37 was established as an A-7 Corsair II squadron on July 1, 1966. After training with VA-174 in the operation of the A-7 Corsair II from Jul–Nov 1967, VA-37 became operational in 1967, deploying aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.

1970s
In Sep 1970, VA-37 was embarked on USS Saratoga (CV-60) when fighting erupted between Palestinian forces and the Jordanian Army, and was directed to operate in the eastern Mediterranean in response to this crisis. On 29 Sep 1970, VA-37 participated in an air power demonstration for President Richard Nixon during his two day visit to Saratoga while she steamed in the Med. From June to October 1971, VA-37 participated in the test and evaluation of the new CV concept during the Saratoga’s deployment to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. The CV concept involved combining the capabilities of the attack and antisubmarine carriers (CVA and CVS) into a single ship.

The Bulls deployed twice to Yankee Station in support of combat operations during the Vietnam War. On 1 Aug 1972, a Bull A-7A Corsair II was used to establish a sonobuoy field in an anchorage area near the island of Hon Nieu, off the coast of North Vietnam - the first time an A-7 had ever been used to drop sonobuoys.

In 1973, the squadron received their first A-7E, a more advanced version of the plane. They made seven cruises with this plane in the 1970s and early 1980s, including responding to regional crises in the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean.

1980s
In June 1982, USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), with VA-37 embarked, took station off the coast of Lebanon after Israel invaded that country. In June 1984, the squadron's primary mission was changed to close air support in preparation for its deployment to MCAS Iwakuni as part of the Marine Corps Unit Deployment Program. The deployment of the two Navy attack squadrons was designed to test the interoperability of the Marine Corps and Navy.

In Dec 1984, VA-37 deployed to MCAS Iwakuni and relieved VA-105. While deployed to Iwakuni, the squadron was detached to Yechon, Korea, to participate in exercise Team Spirit 85. This was the first time a Navy carrier-based squadron had deployed in field conditions since World War II.

1990s
During the 90s, the Bulls deployed aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), and USS Enterprise (CVN-65).

Following the invasion of Kuwait in August 1990, several Bulls were deployed with VA-72 in support of Operation Desert Shield.

On October 31, 1990, the Bulls flew their last official sortie in the A-7E Corsair II. This ended a 25-year association with the "Harley of the Fleet" in which over 115,000 flight hours and 25,000 arrestments were flown. On 28 Nov 1990, VA-37 was redesignated VFA-37 and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet. From October 1992 to April 1993, the Bulls deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and were key participants in Operation Provide Comfort in northern Iraq and Operation Provide Promise in the airspace near the former Yugoslavia.

In 1994 the squadron flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Southern Watch and later over Bosnia in support of Operation Deny Flight. The Bulls also participated in major exercises with the Kuwaitis, Saudis, and Israelis, as well as with many NATO allies.

In November 1996, the Bulls flew in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Deliberate Guard over Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Bulls deployed again in November 1998. After four weeks of participating in OSW, the order was issued for Operation Desert Fox in Iraq. They also flew missions over the former Yugoslavia in Operation Deliberate Force.

The Bulls relocated from Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida, to NAS Oceana, Virginia in July 1999.

2000s
The next major deployment for the Bulls was the maiden voyage of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in 2000.

In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard the Truman. On March 19, 2003, TEAM BULL participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the Bulls participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq. By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the Bulls had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to Virginia on Memorial Day 2003.

Oct-Apr 2004: VFA-37 deployed to the Persian Gulf and flew combat missions in support of Iraqi Freedom. Nov 2007-Jun 2008: The Ragin Bulls flew missions over Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the spring of 2006, VFA-37 transferred to Carrier Air Wing Eight for seven months to cover for VFA-213 as they transitioned to the FA-18F.

The squadron deployed on Truman in Nov 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning to Oceana on June 4, 2008. While deployed, they dropped a total of 22,000 pounds of ordnance.

VFA-37 is currently deployed onboard "CVN-75" USS Harry S. Truman.