 In February 1980, the squadron participated in a combined NATO forces exercise conducted at NAS Bermuda.Transitioning to the A-7E Corsair II in 1983, VA-203's primary mission was to provide contributory support to the fleet, and to be ready to deploy to an aircraft carrier during a crisis as an activated reserve light attack squadron.Following its transition to the F/A-18 Hornet, it was to be ready to deploy as an activated reserve strike-fighter squadron.