Virginia Beach, Va. – The Sunliners of Strike Fighter Squadron 81 (VFA 81) will return to NAS Oceana Thursday, June 4 following their nearly 10-month deployment as part of Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in the fifth fleet area of responsibility, according to a release from the Navy.
The squadron participated in maritime and theater security operations and supported Operation Inherent Resolve while on deployment.
The deployment is the longest planned carrier deployment since the Vietnam War, officials say.
Flying F/A-18E Super Hornets, VFA 81 received the “Top Hook” award for the best landing performance in the air wing.
They recorded over 2,100 carrier arrested landings, or “traps”, officials say.
The Sunliners flew more than 2,650 sorties, of which 469 were combat sorties delivering 102 tons of precision guided munitions. They completed more than 5,500 flight hours, including nearly 3,000 combat hours.
