In 1971 the SUN DOWNERS joined Air Wing FIFTEEN and began transitioning to the F-4B "PHANTOMS". In November of that year VF-111 deployed on USS CORAL SEA (CVA-43) for what would be their last combat cruise to Southeast Asia. Flying shark- toothed "PHANTOMS", the SUN DOWNERS continued to complete an impressive record. On April 16th when strikes against the major cities of North Veit Nam were ordered, the SUN DOWNERS were among the first Navu strike group since 1968 to penetrate the Red River Valley. Finally, though not directly responsible for the mining of Haiphong Harbor and adjacent internal water, the SUN DOWNERS flew support for the CVW-15 mission, which won the Air Wing another Navy Unit Commendation

6 March 1972 LT. Gary Weigand and LTJG Bill Freckleton downed a Mig-17-the 161st "SUN DOWNER" kill in three wars.

The 1973 WESTPAC cruise saw the SUN DOWNERS flying in support of Operation Endsweep, the mine-sweeping of North Vietnam. During this period CDR TOM MARKLEY became the first Naval Flight Officer to become SUN DOWNER ONE had their first opportunity to fly actual combat mission since 1973.

1974 found the SUN DOWNERS transitioning to the I-4N model of the "Phantom II", and preparing for their 1975 cruise. Departing CONU in December 1974, the squadron arrived in the Philippine area and began extensive training operations, including a joint air defense exercise with the Nationalist Chinese. In the months of March, April, and May, the air crews of Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN had their first opportunity to fly actual combat missions since 1973.

During the evacuation of Viet Nam and Cambodia, SUN DOWNERS F-4's performed barrier cap, Mig cap, and photo recon escort missions in support of U.S...operations. During the recapture of the U.S. merchant vessel, MAY AGUEZ, and the subsequent battle of Koh Tang Island, SUN DOWNERS provided tactical support and air superiority duties for the USS CORAL SEA's Air Wing FIFETEEN. For their participation in these operations, the SUN DOWNERS were awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. After "crossing the line" and a visit to Perth, Australia, VF-111 returned home.

During the 1975-76 turn around, the SUN DOWNERS won the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Ward 1975; were twice nominated for the Admiral Clifton Award, and won the Battle Efficiency "E" Award. Throughout the Administrative Material, Conventional Weapons Technical Proficiency, NATOPS, and corrosion Control Inspection, the SUN DOWNERS scored Outstanding. The shark-toothed "PHANTOM" amassed an impressive number of individual Battle Efficiency "E's" for the entire spectrum of F-4 operations.VF-111 was the first squadron to score kills in both F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom Jets In additions, the command was commended for its excellent "people" programs as they completed the HRAV Survey and Phase II implementation. VF-111 together with VF-51, were the only squadrons to score kills in three wars. The Squadron departed Miramar for a rendezvous with Air Wing NINETEEN and the USS FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (CV-42) in June 1976.

>From Viet Nam until today, the SUN DOWNERS have continued to answer the nation's call. When they were disestablished in ceremonies held 16 February 1995 at NAS Miramar the squadron was flying the F-14A Tomcat fleet air defense fighter. Although their primary mission was still protecting the fleet from enemy aircraft, air to ground bombing and strafing, and Tactical Reconnaissance were still very important secondary missions. Like our predecessors, the men of VF-111 are ready to complete any task required.

VF-111 SUN DOWNERS final deployment came 24 June 1994 to 22 December 1994. The squadron finished in true SUN DOWNER form. VF-111 was the F-14A fleet squadron to fire a TALD also one of the first to drop LGTR. The Sun Downers blazed the trails in the combat role, dropping over 36,000 pounds of ordinance in less than a week. The Sun Downers were tasked with showing force to throw North Korean nuclear aggression. While deployed off the the coast of North Korea aboard the USS KITTY HAWK, VF-111 was the only TARPS squadron to get footage of the Demilitarized Zone. The squadron led a large force exercise with South Korean and U.S. Air Force assets. While deployed, the SUN DOWNERS flew countless sorties off of Japan and Guam in TANDEM THRUST and Keen Edge excercises. To finish off the deployment in true SUN DOWNER fashion, VF-111 successfully fired its last Phoenix missile to run its consecutive Boola-Boola streak to 61. VF-111 went out blazing in 1994 with it earning the nominations for the Battle "E", being the top fighter squadron!

Disestablishment cermonies were held 16 February 1995 at NAS Miramar for VF-111-- the SUN DOWNERS. It is the demise of this famous squadron which is one of only two squadrons in Naval history to have fought in three wars. (WW II, Korea, Viet Nam). The SCREAMING EAGLES--VF-51-is the other squadron with three wars-joined the SUN DOWNERS and members of CAG-15 in that ceremony. Final disestablishment took place 31 March 1995. Fifty-three years of Naval Air fighter history came to a close.

Qoute from ( K.H. "Tim" Enander) the SUN DOWNERS and CAG-11 Association Secretarty/Treasurer. And Orlin Hanson, Sherwood, ND., designer of the Web Site. "We are very proud to have played a smallrole in the history of the SUN DOWNERS." Material for this site has also been provided by John McDermott, Naples, Flordia.