1987, while embarked on USS Nimitz, VA-86 operated off the coast of Lebanon after three U.S. citizens were taken hostage from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon. On July 15, 1987, VA-86 was officially redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 86 (VFA-86), and began flying the F/A-18C Hornet. VA-86 was the first East Coast squadron to receive the C model (Lot 10) of the F/A-18. From 1988 to 2007, VFA-86 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing One. In 1989, during a six-month deployment aboard America, VFA-86 provided air cover for the evacuation of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. 1990s In 1991, the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm from USS America operating in both the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. In 1992, the squadron accomplished the first East Coast F/A-18 Standoff Land Attack Missile shoot to a target on San Nicolas Island, California. In 1994, the squadron deployed aboard America in support of Operation Deny Flight. In October, USS America was ordered to the Indian Ocean off the coast of Somalia in support of United Nations relief efforts. After conducting NATO Operation Deliberate Force missions over Bosnia-Herzegovina from the Adriatic Sea, they returned to NAS Cecil Field in February 1995. The squadron received the CNO's Safety "S" Award for 1995. On 3 October 1997, the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Persian Gulf aboard . The squadron remained on station in the Gulf through mid-March 1998 during the crisis involving Iraq's non-compliance with UN sanctions, flying Operation Southern Watch contingency missions. VFA-86 was awarded the 1997 Battle E recognizing it as the best East Coast F/A-18 Hornet squadron. From 2 November 1998 to 17 December 1998, VFA-86 made a short cruise to the Puerto Rican Operating Area aboard . On 22 September 1999 the squadron deployed to the Mediterranean Sea/Arabian aboard , participating in Freedom of Navigation Operations off the coast of Libya. Following the decommissioning of NAS Cecil Field in 1999 due to BRAC action, VFA-86 was one of two U.S. Navy strike fighter squadrons that relocated to MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina in lieu of NAS Oceana, Virginia. The other Navy squadron at MCAS Beaufort, VFA-82, was deactivated in 2005. 2000s On 19 September 2001, the squadron deployed aboard , in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) over Afghanistan against Taliban and Al Qaeda military targets. When they departed the area on 2 March 2002, the squadron