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VFA-192 Departs GW for Last Time

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS091121-11
Release Date: 11/21/2009 4:13:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) John J. Mike, USS George Washington (CVN 73) Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, at sea (NNS) -- Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192 departed USS George Washington (CVN 73) for the last time as a member of embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 Nov. 18.

Permanently forward-deployed to Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan since 1986, the "World Famous Golden Dragons," are scheduled to transfer to Naval Air Station (NAS) Lemoore, Calif., in December for an upgrade to the F/A-18 Super Hornet.

"Leaving Japan is the end of a long chapter in our squadron's history and we're sad to be going," said VFA-192 Commanding Officer Cmdr. Keith Henry.

Commander CVW-5 Capt. Ross Myers said VFA-192's departure is tough, but in the long run beneficial for the Navy and the air wing's host nation.

"The Golden Dragon's have relished their time here, but they realize they have to go home," said Myers. "It is a bittersweet moment, but rotating the Dragons stateside for upgrades will bring them and CVW-5 greater capability to carry out the Navy's mission of global maritime security."

As their last F/A-18C Hornet cleared GW's deck into haze-gray weather, the Golden Dragons began their journey, which will eventually take them back to their roots in sunny Southern California.

"I keep telling the Dragons they're heading home," said Henry. "Lemoore has been home to the Golden Dragons for longer than any other and we're looking forward to our return."

Over the last 24 years, the Golden Dragons have flown roughly 52,000 hours, launched and recovered roughly 33,000 aircraft and embarked on each of the permanently forward-deployed aircraft carriers: USS Midway (CV 41), USS Independence (CV 62), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and GW.

As a member of CVW-5, the Golden Dragons carried on their legacy of excellence by playing key roles in important military operations in the 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

In 1990, VFA-192 made multiple strikes on Iraqi missile batteries during the first night of Operation Desert Storm. They helped spearhead Operation Southern Watch in 1992, which established the Iraqi no-fly zone. In response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Golden Dragons participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. The squadron also flew the most CVW-5 combat missions during its 2003 involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

VFA-192 operated from NAS Lemoore from 1962 to 1986 and is scheduled to be replaced by the "Eagles," of VFA-115, which fly the F/A-18E Super Hornet.

For more news from USS George Washington (CVN 73), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn73/.