Officially Licensed US Navy VFA-97 Warhawks Squadron Patch — From Corsairs to Lightning
Five decades of air superiority, and they're just getting started.
VFA-97 "Warhawks" has been one of the Navy's most decorated strike fighter squadrons since its commissioning on June 1, 1967, at NAS Lemoore. The squadron cut its teeth flying A-7 Corsair IIs in Vietnam, completing 15 deployments and achieving the "Triple Crown" of naval aviation awards in 1976 — the Wade McClusky Award, CNO Safety "S", and Battle "E" in a single year. After transitioning through the F/A-18A Hornet, F/A-18C, and F/A-18E Super Hornet, VFA-97 was selected to become one of the first Navy squadrons to fly the F-35C Lightning II. The Warhawks were the first Navy squadron to participate in the Unit Deployment Program at MCAS Iwakuni, and have supported combat operations from Afghanistan to Iraq to Syria. This classic squadron patch represents the Warhawks' enduring legacy — a lineage of excellence that spans every generation of naval strike fighters.
Perfect For: VFA-97 Warhawks veterans and active duty, F-35C and legacy Hornet community, NAS Lemoore squadrons, CVW-2 and CVW-11 alumni, and anyone who appreciates a squadron that's been winning awards since the '70s.
VFA-97 — triple-crown champions, stealth-era warriors.