VA-303 Attack Squadron 303

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadron's insignia was approved by CNO on 23 February 1972. Colors for the hawk insignia are: a blue background outlined by two gold circles with white diamonds between the gold circles; white and red bridge; gold hawk with black markings and a red lightning bolt eminating from its beak; the Corsair II design is white; blue scrolls outlined in gold with gold lettering. A modification to the above insignia was approved by CNO on 24 April 1984. The bridge design was replaced by brown mountains with white markings; the Corsair II design was replaced by a white hornet and the Attack Squadron 303 designation was changed to Strike Fighter Squadron 303. All the other colors remained the same as the previous insignia.

Nickname: Golden Hawks, 1972-1994.

Chronology of Significant Events

1 Jul 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.

Apr 1971: VA-303 was the first reserve squadron to transition to the A-7A Corsair II.

Nov 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 Oct 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 Sep - 20 Nov 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.

Nov 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.