VFA-83 Rampagers
VFA-83 is a U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet squadron based at NAS Oceana and assigned to Carrier Air Wing 7. Their tailcode is AG, and their callsign is "Ram."
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Originally known as the "Roaring Bulls," the squadron adopted the "Rampagers" name and insignia in 1957. The squadron was established in 1950 as VF-916 at NAS Squantum and activated for the Korean War. They moved to NAS Oceana and flew F4U Corsairs, F9F Panthers, and F7U Cutlasses. In 1955, they became VA-83 and were the first fleet squadron with aerial refueling capability. They participated in crises in Lebanon and the Taiwan Strait.
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They made five Mediterranean deployments flying A-4 Skyhawks and relocated to NAS Cecil Field in 1966. VA-83 deployed aboard USS Shangri-La and USS John F. Kennedy later in the decade.
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Transitioning to the A-7 Corsair II in 1970, VA-83 joined CVW-17 and made eight deployments aboard USS Forrestal. They supported operations during the Cyprus conflict and participated in NATO exercises. The squadron earned multiple safety awards during this period.
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During the early 1980s, they operated in the eastern Mediterranean amid rising regional tensions, including during the Gulf of Sidra incident and Operation El Dorado Canyon against Libya. VA-83 transitioned to the F/A-18C Hornet in 1988 and became VFA-83.
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In the early 1990s, the squadron supported Desert Shield and Desert Storm with 237 combat missions. They later deployed to support peacekeeping in the Balkans and operations in the Persian Gulf. VFA-83 received numerous awards for safety and performance, including the Estocin Award.
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In the 2000s, VFA-83 took part in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom during deployments aboard USS George Washington, USS John F. Kennedy, and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. They transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet by 2018.
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In 2023, VFA-83 deployed with Air Wing Three aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, conducting sustained combat operations in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The squadron led offensive and defensive missions against Houthi-Iranian threats, particularly drone launches from Yemen.
ORIGINAL
REVISED
Please note: Featured on this site are many refreshed versions of the squadron's original emblem designs.
We've made subtle tweaks to some, more sweeping changes to others, but our intention is always to preserve the essence of the original ~ to create a slightly updated version that would print clearer on a variety of mediums.
All of our emblem design versions have been created with deep respect for the original design and their respective designers. It is our homage to these squadrons, their personnel, crews, and veterans.