support was provided by VMF-115 in battles such as Bunker Hill, The Hook, Reno, Carson-Elko, Vegas, Berlin, East Berlin, and the Marines famous battle at the Chosin Reservoir. In the spring of 1957, the squadron received the Marine Corps' first Douglas F4D-1 Skyrays were redesignated VMF(AW)-115 and deployed to MCAF Mojave for the next six months for testing. Between 1957 and 1964, the squadron was usually based at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. From 19 April 1962 to 27 August 1962 the squadron was deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Independence (CVA-62) as part of Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) to the Mediterranean Sea. From October 1962 to February 1963 the squadron was deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Vietnam War In 1964/65 the squadron transitioned the McDonnell F-4B Phantom II and was redesignated VMFA-115. The "Able Eagles" were deployed to Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam on October 14, 1965. During the Vietnam War, VMFA-115 flew more than 34,000 combat sorties, providing close air support for Marines during such battles as the Tet Offensive, Battle of Hue, Battle of Khe Sahn, and Task Force Delta. The squadron was awarded the Hanson Trophy in 1971 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In March 1971 VMFA-115 was relocated to Iwakuni, Japan. On April 6, 1972 the squadron flew into Da Nang Air Base to support operations against the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive. On July 16, 1972 the squadron moved its operations to Royal Thai Air Base Nam Phong, Thailand and began flying combat sorties the next day. The squadron continued to fly close air support sorties in addition to playing a key fighter role in Operation Linebacker missions over North Vietnam. For its efforts supporting operations in Vietnam, VMFA-115 was awarded the Marine Corps Aviation Association's Robert M. Hanson Award as the top fighter attack squadron in the Marine Corps for 1972. Post Vietnam In July 1977, VMFA-115 relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, and in October 1980 joined Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard the . During this cruise VMFA-115 participated in Cold War missions such as intercepting and escorting various Soviet aircraft. After flying Phantoms for more than 20 years, VMFA-115 began the transition to the F/A-18A Hornet on January 1, 1985, and officially stood up with 14 aircraft on August 16, 1985. The following year, the squadron became