Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147), also known as the "Argonauts," is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California (USA). VFA-147 was established on 1 February 1967 and flies the F-35C Lightning II, becoming the first non-training F-35 squadron in the U.S. Navy. Squadron Insignia and Nickname The Squadron's insignia was approved by Chief of Naval Operations on 30 June 1967. The Squadron is named after Jason and the Argonauts, a band of heroes in Greek mythology. History 1960s Attack Squadron 147 was commissioned as the U.S. Navy's first A-7 Corsair II Squadron on 1 February 1967 at NAS Lemoore. The Squadron received its first A-7A on 28 June 1967. It was assigned to CVW-2, and in December 1967, the Squadron flew its first combat missions (and the first for the A-7), striking targets in North Vietnam from . The Squadron would deploy a total of five times in support of the Vietnam War. In January 1968 while embarked on Ranger, the Squadron flew support missions during the siege at Khe Sanh before the carrier was ordered from Yankee Station to the Sea of Japan following the capture of by North Korea on 23 January 1968. In April 1969, following the shoot down of a Navy EC-121 aircraft by the North Koreans on 15 April, Ranger, with VA-147 embarked, again left Yankee Station and proceeded to the Sea of Japan for operations off the coast of Korea. After deployment, the Squadron converted to the A-7E in September 1969. 1970s VA-147 deployed to WestPac/Vietnam aboard in 1970, and in 1971–72. From April 1972 in response to the Easter Offensive, the Squadron participated in Operation Freedom Train, tactical air sorties against military and logistic targets in South Vietnam and the Southern part of North Vietnam. In March–June 1973 embarked on Constellation, VA-147 provided aerial support during Operation End Sweep, the removal of mines from North Vietnamese waters. In November 1974, VA-147 embarked on USS Constellation, operated in the Persian Gulf. This was the first time in 26 years that an American carrier had entered and operated in the Persian Gulf. The Squadron won the Battle "E" Award in 1977 as the top Corsair Squadron in the Pacific Fleet. 1980s VA-147 deployed aboard USS Constellation in 1980 and 1981–82. During these deployments, the Squadron remained ashore at NAS Cubi Point as CVW-9’s Beach Detachment as part of