VFA - 204

• 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. • Establishment: The squadron was established on July 1, 1970, originally as VA-204, a Naval Reserve attack squadron flying the A-4 Skyhawk. • 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. • Home Base: The squadron has been based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NAS JRB) New Orleans, Louisiana for most of its existence. • 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. • 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. • Adversary Role: The River Rattlers frequently flew as "aggressors" in exercises, simulating enemy aircraft to provide realistic training for Navy fighter pilots. • 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. • Safety Record: The squadron has maintained an impressive safety record, earning multiple Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Aviation Safety Awards. • 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.