VFA 86 traces its origins back to the Korean War when Fighter Squadron 921 was based at NAS St. Louis. In 1953 the squadron was redesignated VF 84 while deployed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and in 1955 the squadron was again redesignated, this time as the VA 86 Sidewinders.
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The Sidewinders made news while deployed in the Indian Ocean in 1979. It was during that time that VA 86 spent 144 continuous days at sea following the seizure of the American Embassy in Tehran, Iran.
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In July 1986, Attack Squadron 86 was officially redesignated Strike-Fighter Squadron 86, and began flying the F/A-18 Hornet.
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While assigned to the USS America, the squadron flew combat missions in support of Operation Desert Storm and NATO missions off the cost of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
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Over the years VFA 86 has received six COMNAVAIRLANT Battle "E" awards. The Sidewinders received the CNO's Adm. C. Wade McCluskey trophy signifying them as the Navy's finest attack squadron.
