The Red Rippers

01/01/2022

VFA-11 wishes a happy New Year to Red Ripper friends and family around the world!

VFA-11 wishes a happy New Year to Red Ripper friends and family around the world!

12/18/2021

Several weeks ago, the VFA-11 Red Rippers left Virginia for a scheduled deployment on board the USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75). After an arduous year-plus of workup training, the squadron is well prepared to answer whatever it is called upon to do in the upcoming months.

(Photo credit: AME2(AW) Ronnie Garcia / VFA-11)

12/16/2021

Today, VFA-11 conducted a change of command aboard USS HARRY S TRUMAN (CVN-75). CDR Matthew Enos relieved CDR John McGee as Commanding Officer. Below is a farewell message to the Red Ripper family from CDR McGee, the 83rd Ripper Skipper.

11/24/2021

The Red Ripper family was grateful to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving together a day early in our Oceana hangar. The squadron was able to enjoy a hearty meal of turkey, pulled pork, and all the classic fixin’s, raffle off some awesome prizes, and recognize several of our outstanding sailors. VFA-11 would like to extend warm wishes to all this Thanksgiving. Here’s to us!

11/16/2021

VFA-11 has been busy the past several months. The Rippers spent the month of August in Fallon, NV with the rest of Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) taking part in Air Wing Fallon. Following a month back home during which the squadron was able to recognize numerous sailors for their achievements, the Rippers and CVW-1 participated in COMPTUEX on board USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) throughout October. While often challenging, the training we’ve received has been invaluable and leaves us well prepared for whatever may confront us down the road.

11/11/2021

The Red Rippers would like to take this Veterans Day to express gratitude to all who have served in our Armed Forces, and those who continue to serve. Here’s to you!

06/08/2021

Always a good day when we get to recognize our exceptional sailors. #VFA11 #Rippinainteasy

Always a good day when we get to recognize our exceptional sailors. #VFA11 #Rippinainteasy

03/02/2021

The Red Rippers had the opportunity to take up some exceptional sailors on flights while in Fallon. Here’s AN Kurtz, AE2 Whitaker and AM2 Sharp on some of their first flights in the Super Hornet! #HeresToUs #VFA11 #RedRippers

02/09/2021

Off to TOPGUN for these two Rippers. Get some Tumbles and Co***ne Rob 🤙🏻 #vfa11 #rippinainteasy

01/29/2021

01/29/2021

Chief pinning will be live here in 10 min!

01/28/2021

Congratulations to all the Ripper’s promotions! 🐗

#vfa11 #redrippers #rippinainteasy

01/08/2021

Promotions here with the Red Rippers! Congratulations to all our sailors.
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#rippinainteasy #vfa11

01/04/2021

Frockings happening at VFA-11. Congrats! #RippinAintEasy

12/26/2020

Merry Christmas from Ripperman and Santa!!

#vfa11 #merrychristmas #ripperman

12/25/2020

Merry Christmas from the Red Rippers of VFA-11!

We’re very glad to be home this year, but please keep those who aren’t in your thoughts as you celebrate tonight.

12/19/2020

Congratulations to the following sailors on their recent advancement!
IT2 Elias Carter
AM1 Alghie Dionisio
AT2 Michael Jones
YN1 Tracy Jones
NC1 Tiffany Mellin
CS3 Sean Miller
AO2 Blake Rardin
AO2 Cameron Ruiz
CS3 Charlemain Tejada
AT2 Donovan Whelan
AE2 Ethan Whitaker

12/19/2020

Congratulations to our sailors that received awards at quarters this week!!

12/19/2020

Congratulations to our sailors that received awards at quarters this week!

11/28/2020

There’s always going to be some awesome history when you’re the oldest continuously active Squadron in the Navy.

The Navy issued its first contract for the Boeing F4B #OTD in 1928. There were four versions of the fighter produced, including the F4B-1 like that aircraft pictured here launching from USS Lexington (CV 2). The markings indicate its assignment to the VB-1B "Red Rippers." The squadron is now designated VFA-11 and flies another Boeing-built airplane, the F/A-18F Super Hornet.

11/11/2020

“Duty, honor, country: Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” — Douglas MacArthur

Thank you to all the veterans who have served and those who currently serve.

Pictured are a few of the many aircraft that The Red Rippers have flown over the years.
#since1927
#theredrippers #rippinainteasy #herestous

09/22/2020

Sunset Vibes #vfa11 #theredrippers #rippinainteasy #herestous #cvn75 #truman #somewhereintheGOO

09/16/2020

Congratulations to all of our recent reenlistments and promotions! Keep on ripping Rippers! #vfa11 #herestous #theredrippers #rippinainteasy

09/01/2020

Today the Rippers sent jet 100 off to TOPGUN, which was painted for our two aircrew attending! Best of luck at the course Philly and Boobie Miles!

09/01/2020

Go Navy! #vfa11 #theredrippers @usnavalacademy

08/31/2020

Congrats to LT Hooper on his final flight in the World Famous Red Rippers! Watch out TOPGUN, here comes Top Scope! #theredrippers #vfa11 #topgun #gunnerwantssomebubbly

08/19/2020

“Sss” Is that a 🐍? ? Nope that’s VFA-11 representing the @usnavy by winning our third straight Aviation Safety “S” award. Rippin may not be easy but it sure is safe. ——
#navy #herestous #accelerateyourlife #forgedbythesea

08/18/2020

@frankg90 wanted to say hi to his two favorite teams on his last flight before Topgun.


#flyeaglesfly🦅 #herestous #fa18superhornet #fa18hornet #aviationphotography

08/18/2020

Join us over on Instagram as we catalog Frank Goldstein’s last flight! @rippin_aint_easy11!

08/12/2020

It’s reenlistment season round these parts! #fourmoreyears #herestous

Where’s the most interesting place you’ve re-taken the oath??

08/12/2020

Congrats AME3 Booker, LS2 Pedro Perezlopez, AO2 Guillemet, AZ2 Garcia, AD3 Davis, IS2 Wilson, AZ2 Barber, AME2 Ronnie-Garcia, AE2 Kreyer, LS2 Young, AE2 Maples, LS3 Vang, AE2 Rivera, AM3 Skinner, AM3 Smith, AME3 Lawson and PR3 Downs on getting frocked! There are more names coming so stay tuned! #herestous

08/06/2020

safety.navylive.dodlive.mil

LT Frank Goldstein talks about the importance of safety and how VFA-11 innovated Safety Standdowns in the July issue of Approach Magazine (pg.17).

07/31/2020

Good luck at the Pentagon IADS!

07/27/2020

LT Stu “Gizmo” Whipkey | Real TOPGUN Instructor

We’ve got a celebrity in our midst! Let’s welcome Stu ‘Gizmo’ Whipkey to the Rippers. Our very own ‘Real TOPGUN instructor’.

TOPGUN instructor Stu Whipkey earned his pilot’s license before he graduated high school. Today, he’s a WSO, or Weapon Systems Officer flying high in the Nav...

07/25/2020

Naval Air Station Oceana

Thinking about cooling down this weekend? Dam Neck Beach is open to all, including us sailors! Be safe and remember six feet means six feet!

‼️ DAM NECK ANNEX BEACH/MWR UPDATE ‼️

Effective Saturday 7/25, the Dam Neck Annex beach is open. Patrons MUST exercise physical distancing, with group size of ten or less, and assume responsibility for their own water safety. A lifeguard hiring process is underway. Thanks for your patience during the recreational closing.

The FRAGO pertains to public beaches, which are still off limits. Please contact your chain of command if further clarification is required.

Certain MWR services are also coming back online! More details coming next week.