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VFA-115 Honors New York City Firefighters

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS030714-19

Release Date: 7/14/2003 2:43:00 PM

By Cmdr. Dan Bates, Naval Reserve NAVINFO East 102

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Fighter-Attack Squadron (VFA-115) from Naval Air Station, Lemoore, Calif., visited New York City to commemorate its unique relationship with New York City Fire Company (FDNY) Engine 54 Ladder 4.

With the names of fallen Engine 54 heroes painted on their jets and engine company patches on their flight suits, VFA-115 honored the firefighters during a fly-over of the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum.

"It means so much to us that they are out there defending us," said FDNY Lt. Bob Jackson.

This partnership developed after members of VFA-115 adopted the FDNY Company to honor those firemen who lost their lives during the WTC attacks. Engine 54 Ladder 4 lost 15 members during the attacks.

The visit meant just as much to the pilots as the firefighters. "It was pretty emotional," commented VFA-115 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Penfield. "I think of the pain the families are still going through with the loss of their loved ones."

During the visit, the FDNY Company escorted the pilots to the World Trade Center site where Jackson described the events he witnessed on September 11, 2001.

"It puts what we do in perspective, the sacrifices needed to make the world a better place," commented Penfield.

VFA-115 recently returned from an extended deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The squadron was the first to fly the F/A-18 Super Hornet on an operational cruise in July 2002.