Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213, the “Blacklions,” returned to Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, May 11, 2026, following a historic eleven-month deployment to U.S. 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th Fleets as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8. CVW-8 logged more than 5,500 flight hours in support of Operation Epic Fury alone, and more than 11,800 launches throughout the 11-month deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by NAS Oceana Public Affairs Officer Katie Hewett)
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2026 18:17 |
| Photo ID: | 9676757 |
| VIRIN: | 260511-D-KG089-1001 |
| Resolution: | 6628x4419 |
| Size: | 1.8 MB |
| Location: | VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 4 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 Returns Following 11-Month Deployment [Image 38 of 38], by Katie Hewett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.