Reserve Squadron VFA-201 to disestablish

[Bort]

http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/02/ntvfadecom070214/
They provided exemplary service during the beginning of the war in Iraq, making the first carrier deployment of a Naval Reserve fighter squadron since Korea, proving that the Reserve is an effective and ready force, and what do they get in return? They got eliminated for budgetary reasons.
Farewell Hunters!
And a less pleasant sentiment to the geniuses who decided that a $15 million per year savings (less than a fifth what ONE Super Hornet costs) is worth sacrificing a combat proven unit.

[Bort]

Boy, I feel like a moron, I accidentally posted this in the wrong forum, could a mod please move this to the General Topics forum?

[tycho102]

The TAR's have been shutting down for a decades. They are phasing out most of the TAR program because they need deployable squadrons. Most are coalesing into the training squadrons. I think this is because the Navy is going to be a 3-bird company before too much longer. The j35, the f18, and some kind of jammer -- ea6b for now. E2's and mail/COD, but they are a contingent.

[irish1958]

Bort,
Is that a Cubs "C"?

[Bort]

Originally Posted by irish1958

Bort,
Is that a Cubs "C"?

No, but it might as well be...

Let's hope things turn out a little better with the Cubs!

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by tycho102

The j35, the f18, and some kind of jammer -- ea6b for now. E2's and mail/COD, but they are a contingent.

I heard that the F18 will take over jamming as well :hmm:

[Bort]

Originally Posted by tycho102

The TAR's have been shutting down for a decades. They are phasing out most of the TAR program because they need deployable squadrons. Most are coalesing into the training squadrons. I think this is because the Navy is going to be a 3-bird company before too much longer. The j35, the f18, and some kind of jammer -- ea6b for now. E2's and mail/COD, but they are a contingent.

J35? The Navy is operating the Saab Draken?

(Just kidding, I know what you meant!)
And the Navy is going to be phasing out the EA-6B in favor of the EF-18G Growler,(what an original name... ) a variant of the Super Hornet. I have to disagree with the Navy on their choice to get rid of most of the Reserve VFA's, reserves never seem to be valued much, until you really need them, and the Naval Reserve has some of the best pilots in the Navy. Not really much of a surprise figuring most of them are LCDR and above.

[PeriscopeDepth]

While I don't think it's the greatest idea, I do think it's a necessary one to ditch the reserve VFAs. Simply because the reserve VFAs have the airframes with the most life in them. The active VFAs are having serious wear and tear issues (enough where safety is becoming a major concern, maneuvering restrictions are already in effect for the older Hornets and Prowlers I believe) with their Hornets. Most are approaching their guaranteed number of carrier traps (especially with the increased pace of ops lately), and JSF is a ways away still. So, the Navy is left with two choices: 1) More Superbugs 2) Retire/sell the worn out fleet birds to countries that don't have carriers and switch them out with reserve airframes. They seem to be doing both. There simply isn't enough life in the current Hornet and Prowler airframes to keep them flying much longer.

PD