Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211), nicknamed the "Fighting Checkmates", is an aviation unit of the United States Navy established in 1945. The squadron is based at Naval Air Station Oceana and is equipped with the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet.

VF-211 was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) after successfully completing the transition to the FA-18F Super Hornet in 2005 at NAS Lemoore, CA.

FIGHTER SQUADRON 211 (VF-211) FIGHTING CHECKMATES Click to view crew listFIGHTER SQUADRON 211 (VF-211) Deployments & History

Located onboard Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. The Checkmates report operationally to Commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 and administratively to Commander, Strike Fighter Wing, Atlantic....

VF-211 was re-designated Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211 after successfully completing the transition to the FA-18F Super Hornet in 2005 at NAS Lemoore, CA. Upon their return to NAS Oceana,...

VF-211 was the ninth squadron to receive the F-14A, following VF-124, VF-1, VF-2, VF-14, VF-32, VF-142, VF-143, and VF-114. Within six months VF-211 was flying the F-14A in that most …

During the Vietnam War, VF-211 made seven deployments to Vietnam and were credited with eight victories. This made them the US Navy's second best "MiG killer" unit. They were the first Crusaders to engage NVAF MiGs in combat, and also the first and the last to …

VF-211 was the ninth squadron to receive the F-14A, following VF-124, VF-1, VF-2, VF-14, VF-32, VF-142, VF-143, and VF-114. Within six months VF-211 was flying the F-14A in that most difficult of Navy arts: carrier landings, the first taking place on …

During this period, VF-211 deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation DESERT STORM, providing critical air superiority and tactical air reconnaissance imagery to coalition forces.

Operating from the Seventh Fleet carrier Bon Homme Richard in Tonkin Gulf, the Crusader pilots scored their kills with air-to-air missiles May 19 while flying protective cover for attack bombers carrying out a strike at a thermal power plant 1.1 miles north of the center of Hanoi.