The reorganization was intended to make the reserves more compatible with active duty units and to increase their combat readiness.

The squadron later relocated to NAS Cecil Field, Florida and transitioned to A-7 Corsair II followed by the F/A-18 Hornet.

In May 1972, the VA-203 deployed to NAS Oceana to participate in exercise Exotic Dancer V, designed to test multiservice operations under a unified command organization.

[1] In February 1980, the squadron participated in a combined NATO forces exercise conducted at NAS Bermuda.

Transitioning to the A-7E Corsair II in 1983, VA-203's primary mission was to provide contributory support to the fleet, and to be ready to deploy to an aircraft carrier during a crisis as an activated reserve light attack squadron.