VFA-303

Strike Fighter Squadron 303 (VFA-303), originally established as Attack Squadron VA-303 in 1970, was a United States Navy Reserve squadron known as the "Golden Hawks." Based at NAS Alameda, California, the squadron initially flew the A-4 Skyhawk before transitioning to the A-7 Corsair II and later the F/A-18 Hornet, reflecting evolving Navy strike capabilities. VFA-303 participated in numerous training exercises, fleet support missions, and annual deployments, providing valuable combat-ready augmentation to active-duty forces. The squadron was deactivated in 1994 as part of Navy Reserve force reductions following the end of the Cold War.