Attack Squadron Twenty Seven was commissioned on 01 Sep 1967 with CDR George T. Pappas assuming command. Squadron personnel were assigned to VA-122 at NAS Lemoore to undergo extensive training on the Ling Temco Vought A-7A Corsair II. The squadron received its first aircraft fresh from the LTV factory on 19 Dec 1967. The first operational flight of ATKRON 27 was made on 10 Jan 1968 at NAS Lemoore by CDR Pappas. VA-27 was the third west coast squadron to operate the new A-7A. On 25 Jan 1968, after completing CRAW training, the squadron was officially detached from COMFAIR Alameda and reported to Carrier Air Wing 14.

The squadron name "Royal Maces" and the Glove & Mace insignia were selected and designed by members of the squadron shortly after commissioning in 1967. (The Official Navy VFA-27 website erroneously states "...originally designated the Chargers". The squadron was designated the Royal Maces and the tactical call sign issued from COMFAIRALAMEDA was Chargers.) The squadron’s insignia was approved by the CNO on 25 March 1968. Colors for the glove and mace insignia are as follows: sky blue blackground with a white cloud outlined in blue; brown glove outlined in black and with USN in white; orange-red mace handle with a black mace, outlined in white; white scroll outlined in black with black lettering. The aircraft markings on the tail were also created by squadron members in a design representing the spiked tips of a mace and were painted green. It wouldn't be until 1973 that the Mace would first appear on the planes.

On 28 May 1968 the Royal Maces deployed for the first time ever, a combat cruise to Vietnam aboard USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). The Maces deployed with 14 aircraft and 22 pilots. VA-27 was a very senior squadron - 2 Cdr.'s, 6 Lcdr.'s, 5 senior Lt.'s and 9 nuggets (no second tour JOs). They flew their first combat sortie on 28 June 1968, striking targets in the panhandle region of North Vietnam. The squadron returned to CONUS on 30 January 1969 to begin another training cycle. On their second combat cruise aboard "Connie", VA-27 flew 2,521 combat sorties. The Royal Maces were the only squadron to bring back all the pilots on each of its first two combat cruises despite six ejections over that time period due to combat damage.

The Royal Maces transitioned to the new A-7E on 30 June 1970. By early October all pilots had completed their training in the new Corsair II's. In October the squadron received a grade of 95.87 on its Administrative and Material Rediness Inspection, the highest ever given by COMFAIRLEMOORE. In November the Royal Maces conducted CARQUALS aboard USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14). This was followed by a Weapons DET to NAAS Fallon where the pilots practiced day and night bombing in the new A-7E.

In early February of 1971 The Royal Maces flew to the east coast to join up with USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) as it began its journey around Cape Horn to assume its new home port in California. VA-27 conducted day and night training flights as the Big E made the one month journey around South America.

In June the Royal Maces embarked on their third combat cruise aboard USS ENTERPRISE. Mace pilots amassed over 4,400 combat flight hours from the deck of CVAN-65 and participated in over 1,500 air strikes without the loss of a single aircraft.

In July 1972, VA-27 was awarded the annual Admiral C. Wade McClusky Trophy by the Chief of Naval Operations as the most outstanding Attack Squadron in the Navy. Additionally, the squadron received the Chief of Naval Safety Award for accident-free operations during that same period. The Royal Maces commenced their fourth combat deployment in September 1972 and completed the year by winning the coveted Battle Efficiency Pennant, making a clean sweep of every award for excellence in the Light Attack Community for 1972.

During their fourth combat deployment, again aboard the Big E, the Royal Maces played a major role in Operations Linebacker I & Linebacker II. VA-27 flew successful all out raids against the Hanoi and Haiphong target complexes to interdict the flow of supplies from North Vietnam into South Vietnam which led to successful peace negotiations. The Royal Maces returned home 11 Jun 1973.

VA-27 began its next deployment to the Western Pacific in September 1974 aboard CVAN-65. They flew surveillance missions as the military situation deteriorated in Vietnam and, on 29 and 30 April 1975, flew escort for United States Marine Corps and United States Air Force helicopters during the evacuation of American and Vietnamese personnel as part of Operation FREQUENT WIND.

The Royal Maces made two more Westpac/Indian Ocean deployments from 1976 through 1978 aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65).

In 1979 the Royal Maces & CVW-14 deployed aboard USS CORAL SEA (CV-43). Their first deployment aboard the "Ageless Warrior" was marked by a 102 day line period in the Indian Ocean in support of the Iranian Hostage rescue attempt, Operation EAGLE CLAW. The Royal Maces made two more deployments aboard CV-43, one was another WestPac/IO tour and the last one being an around the world cruise in 1983. A milestone was reached during this time when the Maces completed seven years/30,000 accident free flight operations and received the highest honors among tactical squadrons for the ORE. In 1982 they received the Golden Anchor Award for achieving the highest retention rate in the Light Attack Community.

In 1984 VA-27 joined Carrier Air Wing 15 and deployed aboard the USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70) for a 7 1/2 month Western Pacific cruise, which included a 107 day Indian Ocean line period. During the time period from January 1985 through June 1986, VA-27 was a true leader in Naval Aviation. They were awarded the 1985 CNO Aviation Safety Award, were selected the first ever recipients of the CNO "Grampaw Pettibone" award for safety awareness through communication. In August 1986 they were awarded the coveted COMNAVAIRPAC Battle Efficiency award for the second time in their history. VA-27 participated in the first carrier tactical flight operations in the Bering Sea since the end of World War II. It was also during this time frame the squadron started referring to itself as the "Chargers", although officially they were still the "Royal Maces".

VA-27 made their last three deployments from 1988 to 1990 with the A-7E Corsair II aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN-70), including a 1989 NORPAC.

On 21 Jan 1991, after 23 years in the A-7A/E, 14 deployments, thousands of combat hours and numerous unit awards, the Royal Maces transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornet and were officially re-designated the "Chargers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 27. VA-27 was the last A-7 squadron at NAS Lemoore to transition to the Hornet. In November 1992, VFA-27 deployed with Lot VIII Hornets aboard USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) as part of the CVW 15 "Wolfpack" for a Western Pacific deployment.

During December 1992, the Chargers, operating off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation RESTORE HOPE, flew 2,500 miles to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to augment United States Central Command's multi-national coalition Air Forces supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH. The squadron participated in a coalition night strike against Iraq on 13 Jan 1993, delivering over 18,000 pounds of ordnance on target.

In June 1994, the Chargers again deployed aboard the "HAWK" for a Western Pacific deployment. Throughout the cruise, the Kitty Hawk Battle Group operated off the coasts of Japan and South Korea as a deterrent to possible North Korean aggression. By December 1994, the Chargers had completed their 16th Western Pacific cruise. Returning from the cruise in December 1994, the squadron transitioned to Lot XII F/A-18C's .

In 1995 the Chargers employed their new F/A-18C's during several Joint Training Exercises with Canada and the U.S. Air Force.

In 1996, VFA-27 commenced their home port change to Atsugi, Japan. The Chargers culminated an intensive training period in May by firing six AIM-9L and 4 AIM-7M in a single day. On 4 June 1996 the Chargers name was dropped and the squadron assumed its original designation as the "Royal Maces". On the same day the Royal Maces TransPac'ed all 12 squadron aircraft from NAS Lemoore to NAF Atsugi to join the CVW-5/USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) "I-5" Team.

In 1997, the Royal Maces completed a year of travel and integration. The squadron participated in a number of joint operations while deployed on board USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62). Some of the highlights included Operations TANDEM THRUST in Australia, FOAL EAGLE in Korea, and COPE NORTH in Japan. The "INDY" also made a historic trip to Guam. This port call marked the first time a U.S. carrier had visited Guam in over thirty years. Operating out of Naval Air Facility Atsugi the Maces detached to Kadena, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Misawa. The high tempo of operations in 1997 kept VFA-27 well prepared for their role as the "tip-of-the-spear."

1998 was a banner year for the Royal Maces. Beginning in January, they began an emergency deployment to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, and returned home to NAF Atsugi in June. After only 4 weeks at home they once again boarded the ship to steam to the Island State of Hawaii to take the USS Independence on her final voyage home in preparation for her decommissioning. After participating in RIMPAC 98, VA-27 and USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) made port in Pearl Harbor to begin cross-deck transfer of aircraft, material and personnel to the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63). The Royal Maces and CVW5, now aboard the USS KITTY HAWK began their return journey to Yokosuka, Japan, arriving home the last week of August. Immediately the squadron completed several Major Inspection cycles and prepared once again for their fall deployment. Departing home port in early October, the squadron deployed with the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) to South Korea and the northern coast of Japan to participate in FOAL EAGLE/COPE THUNDER/ANNUALEX 98 exercises. Returning in November, the command commenced a much needed and well-deserved stand down. The year culminated with VFA-27 winning two major awards, the Pacific Fleet Battle Efficiency Award and the Admiral Wade McClusky Award. The Royal Maces truly distinguished themselves as the go-to squadron in the fleet.

In 1999, the VFA-27 made preparations for its WESTPAC Spring deployment, departing Yokosuka in March, and once again the Hawk/Five team were called upon to sortie to the Arabian Gulf. During this 6-month deployment the squadron participated in flights over Iraq in support of Operation SOUTHERN WATCH and was called upon several times to perform retaliatory strikes. It was during this time period the Royal Maces successfully deployed and demonstrated the exceptional and unique capabilities of the Joint Stand Off Weapon (JSOW). Returning home in August, the squadron enjoyed a short stand down period and prepared for their fall deployment. Departing in September, the Hawk/Five team participated in FOAL EAGLE/COPE THUNDER/ANNUALEX 99 exercises, returning home in November.

In 2000, the Royal Maces began their spring deployment in March with a large detachment to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam for their Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program training. Boarding the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in Guam, the second week of April, they participated in TANDEM THRUST 2000 exercises and then made for port calls in Singapore and Pattaya Beach Thailand. After successful participation in the COBRA GOLD exercise with the government of Thailand, they made a port of call to Hong Kong and returned home to NAF Atsugi in June. Departing in September, the Hawk/Five team participated in FOAL EAGLE/COPE THUNDER/ANNUALEX 2000 exercises, making port calls in Otaru, Japan and Pusan, Korea, finally returning home in November.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Royal Maces participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM flying missions against the Al Qaida infrastructure and Taliban forces in Afghanistan as well as protecting valued assets in Diego Garcia.

When Kitty Hawk deployed to the Persian Gulf in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, VFA-27 was soon heavily involved in combat prior to the ground war. As part of Carrier Air Wing 5, VFA-27 attacked command, control and communications sites, surface-to-surface missile batteries and an air traffic control radar near Basrah. At the Al Faw peninsula long range artillery guns and 155mm howitzers near Az Zubayr were targeted. The Royal Maces flew over 300 close air support and strike sorties employing over 200,000 pounds of ordnance against Iraqi forces in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, achieving an unprecedented 100 percent sortie completion rate.

The Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron 27 left USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) in May 2004 to begin a transition from the F/A-18C Hornet to the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The squadron returned to CONUS for Super Hornet familiarization training at NAS Lemoore. Enlisted Sailors attended the Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit in Lemoore, as well as other Super Hornet squadrons, for on-the-job training. Sailors learned about the new technology on the Super Hornets, such as the joint helmet mounted cueing system, part of the Super Hornet's new display system. VFA-27's pilots learned to fly and operate them with Fleet Replacement Squadron VFA-122. VFA-27 completed their transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in October 2004 at NAS Lemoore.

The Maces capped off a stellar 2005 by making a clean sweep of all aviation community awards including; Admiral Wade McClusky Award, Golden Anchor Award, Battle Efficiency and Safety Awards.

In 2006, the Royal Maces participated in Exercise Valiant Shield. Valiant Shield focuses on integrated joint training among U.S. military forces, enabling real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces and in detecting, locating, tracking and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas. The Maces once again received the Battle 'E' and Safety 'S' awards for the year.

August 2008 saw the Maces transition from their long time carrier USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) for their new assignment with CVW-5 aboard the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73).

2009 started off with the Royal Maces being awarded their tenth CNO Safety "S" Award for outstanding safety in 2008. VFA-27 also reached a naval aviation milestone Nov. 13 by flying its 100,000th hour without a Class "A" mishap.

The Royal Maces earned recognition for medical readiness, being awarded the Blue “M”, as well as the COMPACFLT Retention Excellence Award in 2010, 2011, and 2012.

In February 2013 VFA-27 TransPac'ed all the aircraft back to CONUS to exchange the older Super Hornets with new Lot 34/35 F/A-18E Super Hornets. The squadron next flew up to NAS Fallon and enjoyed a successful air-to-air and air-to-surface training detachment. They returned to Japan with their new Super Hornets in March.

The Royal Maces of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 were awarded the 2014 COMNAVAIRPAC Battle "E" award.

On August 18, 2015, VFA-27 changed carriers after seven years of deployments aboard USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) to their new home aboard USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76).

The Maces completed 2016 with a successful deployment in the Western Pacific region and started 2017 by conducting dissimilar air combat training with the USAF in Okinawa, Japan. Afterwards, the Maces joined the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Townsville, Australia, providing close air support qualifying ADF Joint Terminal Attack Controllers during Exercise Black Dagger.

2017 marked the 50th Anniversary of the VA/VFA-27 Royal Maces.

2018 was a busy year for the Royal Maces. In March the squadron moved from their long time home of NAF Atsugi to MCAS Iwakuni. The Royal Maces completed a transpacific detachment from Japan to Naval Air Station Fallon, NV where they successfully executed the Strike Fighter Advance Readiness Program. Furthermore in that year, VFA-27 participated in Exercises Malabar, Nuday Hunter, Valiant Shield, and Keen Sword, gaining proficiency and valuable training. The Royal Maces continue to patrol the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as part of America’s only permanently forward-deployed “9-1-1” carrier air wing.

During 2019, VFA-27 participated in Keen Sword 19 which was a joint, bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force personnel, designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of the Japan-U.S. alliance. The next excercise was Talisman Sabre, an annual exercise developing Australian and United States interoperability at the campaign, operational and tactical levels.

2020 saw the Royal Maces again deploy in the Western Pacific as part of Carrier Strike Group 5, providing a combat-ready force in the Indo-Pacific region. In September the Royal Maces participated in Valiant Shield 2020 a biennial field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces. They also excercised with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces during Operation Keen Sword 21.

(Sources: Cruise Books - USS Constellation, USS Enterprise, USS Coral Sea, USS Carl Vinson, USS Kitty Hawk, USS Independence, USS George Washington, Naval Aviation News - several issues, VA-27 Commissioning Pamphlet 1967, VA/VFA-27 Change of Command pamphlets 1971, 1973 & 1994, USS Independence VFA-27 web page, OPNAVINST. 5030.4F, Naval Aviation History Branch web site, VA-27 articles from CDR. George T. Pappas family, Navy.mil - Eye on the Fleet, CNIC NAT Atsugi, emails from former pilots and maintainers and other miscellaneous articles and clippings. Many thanks to those that have contributed. MIYF! )

- If you have something to add or correct to the Royal Maces history, shoot me an email at bob@miyf27.com

Established as Attack Squadron TWENTY SEVEN (VA-27) on 1 September 1967.

Redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron TWENTY SEVEN (VFA-27) on 24 January 1991.

The original squadron's insignia was approved by the CNO on 25 March 1968. Colors for the glove and mace insignia are as follows: sky blue background with a white cloud outlined in blue; light blue glove outlined in black and with USN in white; orange-red mace handle with a black mace, outlined in white; white scroll outlined in black with black lettering. The design depicts symbolically the power that Attack Squadron TWENTY SEVEN carries in its role as a strike component of the Naval Air Force.

The current green colored insignia was approved by CNO on 06 Jun 1991.

"The design of the Royal Mace and the name came from the Senior Chief that was the plank owner QA Chief in the squadron and also quite an artist. I don't recall his name right now, but will get out a cruise book and look it up. He was a heavy smoker and was medically retired with emphysema after our first cruise.
The "saw tooth" rudder tail markings that were on the original aircraft, were the brain child of the line division officer, Bill Matto. He had a plane painted with them and showed the skipper. The skipper reamed him out for painting the planes without his permission and made Bill remove them. Then he told Bill to repaint them(now with his permission).
The name "Charger" was not devised with any great thoughts in mind. In those days you couldn't use your squadron name (Maces, Shrikes, etc) as your call sign, so you had to apply for one from the powers to be. I think we called up to COMFAIR Alameda and they said the name Charger was available. So we took that as our call sign."....Bud Biery

What is a Royal Mace:
The earliest Maces were hand held weapons designed to pierce heavy armor. Through their use by Royal Bodyguards in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, they came to symbolize authority. In the sixteenth century they became symbols of law and order widely used by cities and towns of Western Europe and Great Britain.

The official changes to the squadron name, nickname and call sign are hard to piece together. Some accounts state that when the squadron transitioned to the Hornet that the name changed to the Chargers.
Jay Bottorff writes: "I think it was about 1991 when the name change happened. I remember doing some research at Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific (formerly COMLATWINGPAC) of all Hornet squadrons and kept seeing 27 referred as Royal Maces and the squadron called themselves "Chargers" - It was confusing. They also changed the color of the emblem from Blue background to Green and the glove became armor (with a "USN" on the lower end of it) instead of leather."
I have a write-up from an 85-86 cruise book that talks about the "Chargers accomplished this and that...etc..." So, was/is the Chargers the squadron call sign that got adopted as the official squadron name? It got switched back to the Royal Maces in 1996 according to Jay: "I got to the "Chargers" (as they were known ) in JAN 96 and I TRANS-PAC'ed them to Atsugi Japan. We had to change the squadron colors to Yellow/Black and assume the 2xx MODEX. The skipper, CDR "Psycho" Ward also thought it was a good idea to change the patch and go back to being known as the Royal Maces. (Eliminating the cloud but keeping the A-7E history...the shape of the new patch is the same as the "CORSAIR" patch.) I believe the call sign remained "Charger" throughout."

Recent access to some of the older cruise books and other sources has cleared up some of the naming switches. The first reference to the squadron calling themselves the "Chargers" instead of the "Royal Maces" appears in the 1984 cruise book squadron write-up. Both names were used for the next seven years although Chargers was the predominant name seen in most publications. The name changing was all unofficial up until 1991. On January 21, 1991 VFA-27 transitioned to the F/A-18A Hornets and the CNO authorized the redesignation of the squadron name to "Chargers" also approving the new green squadron insignia. The green insignia is still today the official CNO insignia for the squadron. However, the black & yellow Corsair shaped patch is the one mostly used for patches and graphics representing the squadron.

On June 4, 1996 the squadron joined CVW-5/USS Independence CV-62 and was officially redesignated the "Royal Maces". The tactical call sign was changed to "Maces", the Modex changed to 2XX and the squadron adopted its black and gold colors.

Official Name	Squadron Name Used	Tactical Call Sign	Years
Royal Maces	Royal Maces	Charger	1968-1983
Royal Maces	Royal Maces/Chargers	Charger	1984-1991
Chargers	Chargers	Charger	21 Jan 1991- 04 Jun 1996
Royal Maces	Royal Maces	Mace	1996-Present

Location	Assignment Date
NAS Lemoore	01 Sep 1967
NAF Atsugi	04 Jun 1996
MCAS Iwakuni	28 Mar 2018

Type of Aircraft	Manufacturer	Date Type First Received
A-7A Corsair II	Ling-Temco-Vought	19 Dec 1967
A-7E Corsair II	Ling-Temco-Vought	30 Jun 1970
F/A-18A Hornet	McDonnell Douglas	20 Feb 1991
F/A-18C Hornet	McDonnell Douglas	Jan 1995
F/A-18E Super Hornet	Boeing	Oct 2004

Departure	Return	Air Wing	Carrier	Aircraft	MODEX	Location
28 May 1968	3l Jan 1969	CVW-14	CVA-64	A-7A	6xx	WestPac / Vietnam
11 Aug 1969	08 May 1970	CVW-14	CVA-64	A-7A	4xx	WestPac / Vietnam
11 Jun 1971	12 Feb 1972	CVW-14	CVAN-65	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / Vietnam / IO
12 Sep 1972	11 Jun 1973	CVW-14	CVAN-65	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / Vietnam
17 Sep 1974	20 May 1975	CVW-14	CVAN-65	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / Vietnam / IO
30 Jul 1976	28 Mar 1977	CVW-14	CVN-65	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
04 Apr 1978	30 Oct 1978	CVW-14	CVN-65	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
13 Nov 1979	11 Jun 1980	CVW-14	CV-43	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
20 Aug 1981	25 Mar 1982	CVW-14	CV-43	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
21 Mar 1983	12 Sep 1983	CVW-14	CV-43	A-7E	4xx	World Cruise
13 Oct 1984	24 May 1985	CVW-15	CVN-70	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
12 Aug 1986	05 Feb 1987	CVW-15	CVN-70	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
15 Jun 1988	14 Dec 1988	CVW-15	CVN-70	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
05 Sep 1989	09 Nov 1989	CVW-15	CVN-70	A-7E	4xx	NorPac / WestPac
01 Feb 1990	29 Jul 1990	CVW-15	CVN-70	A-7E	4xx	WestPac / IO
01 Apr 1991	11 Dec 1991	CVW-15	CV-63	F/A-18A	4xx	WestPac / IO
03 Dec 1992	03 May 1993	CVW-15	CV-63	F/A-18A	4xx	WestPac / IO / Persian Gulf
24 Jun 1994	22 Dec 1994	CVW-15	CV-63	F/A-18A	4xx	WestPac / IO
Jun 1996	Jun 1998	CVW-5	CV-62	F/A-18C	2xx	Forward Deployed / NAF Atsugi
Aug 1998	Aug 2004	CVW-5	CV-63	F/A-18C	2xx	Forward Deployed / NAF Atsugi
Aug 2004	7 Aug 2008	CVW-5	CV-63	F/A-18E	2xx	Forward Deployed / NAF Atsugi
21 Aug 2008	18 Aug 2015	CVW-5	CVN-73	F/A-18E	2xx	Forward Deployed / NAF Atsugi
18 Aug 2015	28 Mar 2018	CVW-5	CVN-76	F/A-18E	2xx	Forward Deployed / NAF Atsugi
28 Mar 2018	Present	CVW-5	CVN-76	F/A-18E	2xx	Forward Deployed/MCAS Iwakuni

Air Wing	Tail Code	Assignment Date
COMFAIRALAMEDA		01 Sep 1967
CVW-14	NK	25 Jan 1968
CVW-15	NL	21 Nov 1983
CVW-5	NF	04 Jun 1996