VFA-87 Golden Warriors Shoulder Patch - With Hook and Loop Aviators! Enjoy this beautifully embroidered patch of VFA-87 Golden Warriors Shoulder Patch. You'll love displaying or wearing it on a flight suit or jacket! 4" inches With Hook and Loop US Naval Aviator Owned Business 060109-N-0685C-006.January 9, 2006.Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).An F/A-18 Hornet from the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 makes a landing aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The nuclear powered aircraft carrier is currently underway on a regularly scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations..U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Javier Capella On 1 Februray 1968, the Golden Warriors were established as Attack Squadron 87, the first to fly the A-7B Corsair II from NAS Cecil Field, Florida. The first combat mission flown by the squadron was on 4 March 1969 from the USS Ticonderoga (CVA 14), striking enemy targets in South Vietnam. In August 1970, VA-87 joined CVW 6 and made twelve deployments aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV 42), USS America (CV 66) and USS Independence (CV 62). In the fall of 1973, the Golden Warriors embarked aboard USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CV-42) to protect U.S. interests during the Arab-Israeli War. Transitioning to the improved A-7E Corsair II, the squadron returned in October 1975 to the Middle East following the assassination of the American Ambassador to Lebanon and assisted in the evacuation of U.S. citizens. During the hostage crises and the Israeli-Syrian disputes of 1981, VA-87 deployed to the region for 195 days. One year later the Golden Warriors were back in the fray, supporting U.S. peacekeeping operations in Lebanon for 172 days. In October 1983, the Golden Warriors participated in Operation URGENT FURY, protecting American citizens from political strife in Grenada. During the same deployment, VA-87 participated in strikes