The next major deployment for VFA-37 was the maiden voyage of in 2000. In December 2002 VFA-37 deployed for their second cruise aboard "Harry S. Truman". On 19 March 2003, the squadron participated in combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). While flying from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the squadron participated in the "shock and awe" campaign in Southern Iraq before shifting focus to assisting U.S. Forces in Northern Iraq. By the end of a successful 30-day air campaign in OIF, the squadron had flown 252 combat sorties over Iraq. The squadron returned to NAS Oceana on Memorial Day 2003.