In December 1989, Midway, with VA-185 embarked, maintained station off the coast of the Philippines during an attempted coup in that country.

On October 2, 1990, VA-185 embarked on the Midway to the Persian Gulf in response to the Invasion of Kuwait in August.

[2] Between November 1990 and January 1991, the squadron flew missions in support of Operation Desert Shield, the build-up of American and Allied forces to counter a threatened invasion of Saudi Arabia by Iraq and were part of an economic blockade of Iraq to force its withdrawal from Kuwait.

During the Gulf War, squadron aircraft struck Iraqi naval targets and bases, airfields and bridges, and provided close air support for Allied ground forces.

Many the squadron's personnel transferred to VA-115 as well and returned to NAF Atsugi to continue duty with CVW-5.