Collection: VFA-86 Sidewinders

The Sidewinders trace their lineage to February 1, 1951, when Naval Reserve Fighter Squadron 921 (VF-921) was called to active duty. The squadron was redesignated VF-84 in 1953, became VA-86 in 1955, and adopted the Sidewinders nickname that same year. Its distinctive snake and top-hat insignia dates to 1954 and has remained a recognizable part of the squadron's identity for generations.

Over the decades, the Sidewinders flew aircraft including the F4U Corsair, F9F Panther and Cougar, F7U Cutlass, A-4 Skyhawk, and A-7 Corsair II. VA-86 flew its first combat missions in Vietnam in 1965 and later participated in Operations Linebacker I and Linebacker II. The squadron also deployed to the Indian Ocean during the Iran hostage crisis and operated in the Gulf of Sidra during heightened tensions with Libya.

In 1987, VA-86 transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and was redesignated VFA-86. The Sidewinders subsequently participated in combat operations including Desert Storm and continued serving through later conflicts and deployments. Today, VFA-86 flies the single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet, carrying forward more than seven decades of Naval Aviation history.