VA
215 "Barnowls" History 
Lineage
Established as Attack Squadron TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN (VA-215) on 1 March 1968. Disestablished on 30 September 1977. The second squadron to be assigned the VA-215 designation.
Squadron Insignia and Nickname:
The squadron’s insignia was not submitted to CNO for approval. The insignia used by VA-215 incorporated a section of the first VA-215’s insignia. Colors for this insignia were: a white background outlined by two rows of alternating green and white squares outlined in black: the stylized owl’s head was silver with black markings, green eyes, and green plumage and wings, outlined in black: white scroll outlined in black with green lettering and the nickname, Barnowls, in black. Nickname: Barn Owls, 1968-1977
Chronology of Significant Events
1 Mar 1968: Following establishment, the squadron remained under the operational control of VA-122 during its training in the A-7 Corsair II.
14 Jan 1969: The squadron was embarked in Enterprise (CVAN-65), conducting operational training in Hawaiian waters prior to deployment when a major fire occurred on the flight deck of the carrier. Several squadron personnel were presented with citations from the Secretary of the Navy and the Commanding Officer of Enterprise for heroism during the fire.
16 Apr 1969: Enterprise, with VA-215 embarked, departed Yankee Station enroute to Korean waters in response to the downing of a Navy EC-121 aircraft by the North Koreans on 15 April. The squadron operated in the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea until 11 May.
Dec 1972: The squadron participated in Linebacker II operations, concentrated air strikes against North Vietnam.
Feb 1973: Following the cease fire with North Vietnam, the squadron flew combat missions in Laos until a cease fire was signed with that country on 22 February 1973.
Nov 1973: Oriskany (CVA-34), with VA-215 embarked, departed from operations in the South China Sea to relieve Hancock (CVA-19) on station in the Arabian Sea due to unsettled conditions following the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.
Oct 1976 - Apr 1977: This was the twilight cruise of the Roosevelt, CVW-19 and VA-215.
Home Port Assignments
| Location | Assignment Date |  |
| NAS Lemoore | 01 Mar 1968 |
Commanding Officers
| Name | Date Assumed Command |
| CDR George E. LeBlanc, Jr. | 01 Mar 1968 |
| CDR D. L. McConnell | 08 May 1969 |
| CDR W. H. Beck | Apr 1970 |
| CDR Paul E. Phillips | 19 Mar 1971 |
| CDR James F. Crummer | 20 Mar 1972 |
| CDR Douglas E. French | 04 May 1973 |
| CDR Riley D. Mixson | 26 Jul 1974 |
| CDR John J. Schultz | 31 Oct 1975 |
| CDR Gary L. Harter | 01 Dec 1976 |
Aircraft Assignment 
| Type of Aircraft | Date Type Received |
| A-7B | Jul 1968 |
Air Wing Assignment
| Air Wing | Tail Code | Assignment Date |
| CVW-9 | NG | Sep 1968 |
| CVW-6 | AE | Jul 1969 |
| CVW-19 | NM | 10 Dec 1970 |
Unit Awards Received
| Unit Award | Inclusive Dates Covering Unit Award | |
 |
AFEM | 20 Apr 1969 - 11 May 1969 |
 |
VNSM | 30 Mar 1969 - 18 Apr 1969 |
| 22 May 1969 - 24 May 1969 | ||
| 29 May 1969 - 17 Jun 1969 | ||
| 15 Jun 1971 - 10 Jul 1971 | ||
| 24 Jul 1971 - 07 Aug 1971 | ||
| 03 Sep 1971 - 27 Sep 1971 | ||
| 29 Oct 1971 - 21 Nov 1971 | ||
| 26 Jun 1972 - 23 Jul 1972 | ||
| 16 Aug 1972 - 01 Sep 1972 | ||
| 11 Sep 1972 - 28 Sep 1972 | ||
| 08 Oct 1972 - 31 Oct 1972 | ||
| 24 Nov 1972 - 18 Dec 1972 | ||
| 27 Dec 1972 - 31 Jan 1973 | ||
| 10 Feb 1973 - 06 Mar 1973 | ||
 |
MUC | 28 Jun 1972 - 06 Mar 1973 |
Major Overseas Deployments
| Date of Departure | Date of Return | Air Wing | Carrier | Type of Aircraft | Area of Operation |
| 06 Jan 1969 | 02 Jul 1969 | CVW-9 | CVAN-65 | A-7B | WestPac/Vietnam |
| 02 Jan 1970 | 27 Jul 1970 | CVW-6 | CVA-42 | A-7B | Med |
| 14 May 1971 | 18 Dec 1971 | CVW-19 | CVA-34 | A-7B | WestPac/Vietnam |
| 05 Jun 1972 | 30 Mar 1973 | CVW-19 | CVA-34 | A-7B | WestPac/Vietnam |
| 18 Oct 1973 | 05 Jun 1974 | CVW-19 | CVA-34 | A-7B | WestPac/IO |
| 16 Sep 1975 | 03 Mar 1976 | CVW-19 | CV-34 | A-7B | WestPac |
| 04 Oct 1976 | 21 Apr 1977 | CVW-19 | CV-42 | A-7B | Med |
This page is hosted by 
Get your own Free Homepage