F-14 Units

(Photo visual: Staff Sgt. Lee O. Tucker, 14 August 2004)

During the 80s and 90s, the F-14 Tomcat was the backbone of the US Navy. The F-14s seen combat action in Vietnam, both Gulf wars, missions against Libya and even in the Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. The Tomcats were divided amongst 31 fighting squadrons, most of the time carrier-based, and several test- and training units. These squadrons included the famous Wolfpack, Sundowners and Jolly Rogers.

In this in-depth article AviaMagazine will look into the history of all US Navy Tomcat equipped squadrons.

VF-1 Wolfpack

Fighter squadron 1 was established in 1922, but decommissioned after the war in the Pacific. October 1972 VF-1 was re-established at NAS Miramar together with VF-2. The first F-14As arrived July 73.

The squadron was disestablished on 1 October 1993, shortly after the USS Ranger was decommissioned as well.

VF-2 Bounty Hunters

Like VF-1, the Bounty Hunters were re-established October 1972. The first F-14As arrived in July 73. The 12 aircraft were initially deployed on the USS Enterprise with which they took part in the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War.

During the 80s the unit was deployed on the USS Ranger and from 1984 on the USS Kitty Hawk, returning frequently to the Ranger. VF-2 was the first using the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) developed especially for the F-14. The pod contained three camera bays for aerial reconnaissance.

In 1990/91, the unit participated in Operation Desert Storm (first Gulf War) with over 500 combat missions mostly reconnaissance and Air Patrol missions. In 1994 VF-2 was one of the few units to transfer to the upgraded F-14D aboard the USS Constellation.

VF-11 Red Rippers

1980 the squadrons began the replacement of their F-4Js with F-14As. During their first cruise onboard the USS John F. Kennedy, combat mission were flown in 1983 against Syrian Forces over Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

2004, what would be the last deployment of the F-14s onboard USS George Washington in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in which VF-11 F-14s bombed Fallujah.

20 April 2005, the last F-14 was flown to Davis-Monthan. By the end of 2005 the unit was re-designated VFA-11 and operated the F/A-18F.

VF-14 Top Hatters

The oldest still active squadron in the Navy. Fighting squadron 14 (than called Pacific Fleet Air Detachment) was formed in 1919, and began carrier operations in 1926. Over its career it flew with 23 different aircraft types with the F-14A replacing the F-4 in 1974.

During the early 80s, VF-14 was deployed on the USS John F Kennedy and later on the USS Independence, mostly in the Mediterranean Sea.

At the end of the 90s, VF-14 moved to the USS Theodore Roosevelt and participated in Operation Allied Force (NATO bombing of Yugoslavia) and Operation Southern Watch (controlling the No-fly zones in Iraq).

In 2001, the final F-14 cruise was made on board the USS Enterprise in support of Operation Southern Watch. After September 11, VF-14 joined Enduring Freedom (War in Afghanistan) and flew combat strikes, attacking radar installations near Kabul. In November VF-14 returned home after dropping 174 laser guided bombs. Directly after their homecoming, the squadron transfer to the F/A-18 and were designated VFA-14.

VF-21 Freelancers

Originating back to WW2, VF-21 transferred from the F-4S to fully F-14A operations in 1984. Its first cruise was onboard the USS Constellation.

VF-24 Fighting Renegades

VF-24 originates back to 1955 when the squadron was established at NAS Moffett Field as Fighting Squadron 211. From 1959, now called VF-24 was deployed to the Pacific on several aircraft carriers. During the Vietnam war, the squadron marked four MiG kills.

The unit began converting to the F-14A in December 1975, replacing its F-8J Crusaders. They were deployed once again to the Pacific aboard the USS Constellation.

Their last cruise was onboard the USS Nimitz, before the squadron was disestablished on 31 August 1996.

VF-31 Tomcatters

Fighting 31 has a long history as second oldest Navy squadron founded in 1935. The squadron saw action in the Pacific during WW2, Korea and Vietnam. It was the only Navy squadron with aerial kills in three wars.

In 2002 VF-31 briefly supported Operation Enduring Freedom (War in Afghanistan) before moving back to the Middle East for Operation Southern Watch. The unit was on its way back to the states when they were ordered to turn around for Operation Iraqi Freedom. VF-31 flew combat mission from the first night of fighting attacking targets in Bagdad and Southern Iraq. During what was to be the longest cruise in Navy history, VF-31 flew 585 sorties over Iraq.

Later the unit was transferred to the USS John C. Stennis and Theodore Roosevelt. With the latest the last F-14 deployment was made to the Persian Gulf. VF-31 was the last F-14 unit to drop a bomb in combat.

28 July 2006, VF-31 made the last F-14 carrier landing and catapult takeoff and 164603 making the last F-14 flight. The squadron, re-designated VFA-31, transferred to F/A-18Es late 2006.

VF-32 Swordsmen

The origin of VF-32 dates back to WW2 VBF-3 flying F6Fs Hellcat. Other types flown were the F-8 Crusader and F-4B Phantom, when the F-14A was introduced in 1974. First deployment was with the Atlantic fleet aboard the USS John F. Kennedy.

During the early 80s deployments were made on the Kennedy and later on the USS Independence. In 1982 three Tomcats were fitted with the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). 4 December 1983 VF-32 supported the air strikes on Syrian positions in Lebanon with TARPS imagery and combat air patrol.

October 1992 the unit was back on cruise in the Adriatic Sea in support of Operation Provide Promise. A humanitarian relief operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Yugoslav War. They returned to Oceana April 1993.

In September 1994, while deployed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a small detachment supported Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti. After that they were back in the Balkan, in support of Operation Deny Flight and Iraq in support of Operations Southern Watch. In November 1996, VF-32 switched to the USS Theodore Roosevelt for another tour in support of the same operations. By that time the TARPS was fitted with digital camera’s, resulting in real-time reconnaissance capabilities.

Early 1998 the squadron transferred from F-14A to the F-14B. A deployment to the Persian Golf and Mediterranean Sea onboard the USS Enterprise followed. Again to support Southern Watch, but also Operation Deliberate Force, a NATO intervention in Bosnia. 16 December 1998 VF-32 took part in Operation Desert Fox, a four day bombing campaign in Iraq, as the country didn’t comply with a UN resolution to allow weapon inspectors in the country. The squadron flew 16 strike missions and 38 sorties before returning home.

November 2000, the unit was onboard the maiden voyage of the USS Harry S. Truman in support of Southern Watch. Later also Operation Noble Eagle (response of the September 11 attacks) and Operation Northern Watch were supported.

In 2003 VF-32 was deployed to the Mediterranean Sea when the second Gulf War started (Operation Iraqi Freedom). The unit flew strike missions and missions in support of special forces. During this period, a F-14 mistakenly drop a laser guided bomb on friendly forces, killing 23 and wounding 80. Before returning home, 275 sorties were flown.

The final F-14 deployment was in 2004 again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This time the LANTIRN pods were used in Close Air Support. October 2005 the squadron transitioned to the F/A-18F and was designated VFA-32.

VF-33 Starfighters

VF-33 was founded during WW2 and decommissioned after the war. Shortly before the Korean War it was reinstated October 1948.

Tail illustrations by Erik Hess.