FighterSweep Fans, I teased you a couple months ago with a little snippet of the Dambusters Cruise video. Ever since that video came out, we at FighterSweep have been accused of being heartless and cruel for such a tease. Subsequently, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to rectify that situation, because it’s only a tease if you don’t follow through, right?! Have twenty minutes to spare? If you do, we have the perfect way to spend it. You will be very happy you did!
Based at NAF Atsugi, Japan, VFA-195 always has to be ready to “go live,” due to their home station being so close to a number of legitimate threats. Recently outfitted with their new Boing F/A-18E Super Hornets, the Dambusters give you a taste of what they go through during their work-ups and, ultimately, their full-up cruise. From BFM, to live weapons employment, to breathtaking low-level training flights, this video has a little bit of everything.
The squadron boasts a proud heritage of participation in every major conflict since World War II. The “Chippies,” as they have become known informally, have flown from eight different aircraft carriers and operated five different aircraft during both peace and war.
During the Korean War, flying the rugged AD-1 Skyraider from the deck of the USS Princeton, -195 conducted a strike against the strategic Hwa Chon Dam. Heavily defended in a valley littered with Anti-Aircraft Artillery, the dam had defied all previous attempts at destruction.
(This photo of an F/A-18E Super Hornet is courtesy of Hasegawa USA)
With the novel approach of using torpedoes to attack the dam, the squadron succeeded, securing a major strategic victory in the process and inspiring James Mitchener’s acclaimed novel and movie, The Bridges of Toko-Ri. The squadron continues to be known as the “Dambusters” to this day.
In the Fall of 2010, the Dambusters transitioned to the Super Hornet, and continue to be on the pointy end of the Navy’s spear in the western Pacific region. We invite you to sit back and enjoy this snippet of -195’s cruise video. Like every other Navy cruise video we’ve shared, this one is pretty epic!
Chippy Ho!