About this Unit
Strike Fighter Squadron 204 (VFA-204), known as the "River Rattlers," is a United States Navy Reserve squadron established in 1970. Originally designated as VA-204 and flying the A-4 Skyhawk, the squadron later transitioned to the A-7 Corsair II and was redesignated as VFA-204 in 1991 upon receiving the F/A-18 Hornet. VFA-204 has participated in numerous training exercises, fleet support missions, and carrier qualifications, serving as an essential adversary and readiness squadron for both active and reserve components. Based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans, the River Rattlers have earned a reputation for professionalism and excellence in naval aviation.
Historical Facts
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Nickname: VFA-204 is known as the "River Rattlers," a name derived from their original home base near the Mississippi River and their aggressive warrior spirit.
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Establishment: The squadron was established on July 1, 1970, originally as VA-204, a Naval Reserve attack squadron flying the A-4 Skyhawk.
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Aircraft Evolution: Over its history, VFA-204 has flown several aircraft, including the A-4 Skyhawk, A-7 Corsair II, F/A-18A Hornet, and later the F/A-18C Hornet.
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Home Base: The squadron has been based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans, Louisiana for most of its existence.
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Transition to Strike Fighter: In 1991, the squadron transitioned from the A-7 Corsair II to the F/A-18 Hornet, and its designation changed from VA-204 to VFA-204, reflecting its new "strike fighter" status.
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Reserve and Active Integration: VFA-204 served as a key component of the U.S. Navy Reserve, providing adversary training to active duty Navy and Marine Corps units and augmenting active forces when required.
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Adversary Role: The River Rattlers frequently flew as "aggressors" in exercises, simulating enemy aircraft to provide realistic training for Navy fighter pilots.
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Combat Deployments: While primarily a reserve squadron, VFA-204 was mobilized for several operations, including support missions during the Gulf War and post-9/11 operations.
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Safety Record: The squadron has maintained an impressive safety record, earning multiple Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aviation Safety Awards.
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Deactivation: In 2022, VFA-204 was deactivated as part of a broader realignment of the Navy Reserve’s tactical aviation units, marking the end of more than 50 years of distinguished service.
