VF-124 Gunfighters

Founded as VF-58 in 1948 and participated in the Korean War with F4U Corsairs and later the F9F Panther. The unit was re-assigned as VF-124 at NAS Moffett Field in 1958, evaluating the F7U Cutlass. They moved to NAS Miramar operating the F-8 and RF-8 Crusader.

In 1972, VF-124 became the Pacific training squadron for the F-14A. In 1976 the unit was involved in training Iranian pilots, until the Iranian Revolution in 1979. When the TARPS system was introduced to the F-14, VF-124 took the role of training air and ground crews how to operate the system. In 1988, 1500 aircrews and more then 14.000 maintenance personal had trained with VF-124.

Gunslinger 76 (F-14A, 159616) flew in a bicentennial color scheme, with the star painted on the vertical stabilizer.

With the introduction of the F-14D, VF-124 received the first airframe in November 1990. VF-124 was assigned training air and ground personnel on the new version of the Tomcat. During the early 90s both F014A and D models were flown by the Gunfighters.

When the “Cold war” was ending training needs were downsizing as well for the US Navy. VF-124 was disestablished 30 September 1994. For a year the F-14Ds were still operated before training and the aircraft were transferred to VF-101.

VF-142 Ghostriders

The Ghostriders were established in August 1948 as VF-193. They were fighting the Korean War with F4U Corsairs and later transitioned to F2H Bashee. They also flew F3H Demon before transitioning to the F-4B. The unit was re-designated VF-142 October 1963. With the Phantom they participated in the Vietnam War, during three tours. VF-142 downed 2 MiG-21, 1 MiG-17 and 1 AN-2. In 1969 they transitioned to the F-4J model. In September 1972, during there seventh tour, the Ghostriders downed another MiG-21.

13 November 1991, F-14B, 161433 made an emergency landing on deck of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower when the complete radome broke off during flight. The front canopy was also shattered in the incident insuring the pilot. The pilot, Joe Edwards later became a Space Shuttle pilot.

In 1992, VF-142 moved to the new carrier USS George Washington. Last operations before the unit was disestablished were peace keeping missions over Bosnia and Iraq. Due to defense cuts the unit was disestablished in April 1995.

VF-143 Pukin Dogs

The “Dogs” history dates back to 20 July 1950 as VF-821. The unit was deployed to the Korean War twice with F4U Corsairs. 1953, the unit was re-designated VF-123 and transitioned to F9F Panther. In ’58 they were re-designated to VF-53 with the F3H Demon. June 1962 the unit was re-designated again to VF-143 and transitioned to the F-4J. Seven deployment followed during the Vietnam war, downing the first MiG-21 in 1967.

In 1974 they transitioned to the F-14A followed by a first cruise two years later, together with VF-142, aboard the USS America. In 1980 they were deployed to the Indian Ocean in response of the Iraq-Iran war. The aircraft were fitted with TARPS capability and combat reconnaissance missions were flown over Lebanon in 1983.

March 1990 the unit was the first to be equipped with the improved F-14A+, later designated as F-14B. In August they were deployed to the Red Sea aboard the USS Dwight D Eisenhower in response of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Deployments to the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean followed. In 1996 they supported Operation Decisive Endeavor (NATO peace keeping mission Bosnia) and Operation Southern Watch with TARPS capabilities, forward air controlling and air-to-ground missions.

In 1997 they were back supporting Southern Watch aboard the USS John C. Stennis, specializing in LANTIRN (Infrared night targeting) use combined with the digital TARPS system.

Early 2000, VF-143 was deployed to the Gulf region in support of Operation Southern Watch, Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The unit was involved in the 2004 strikes over Fallujah. In 2005, VF-143 transitioned to the F/A-18E and was re-designated VFA-143.

VF-154 Black Knights

VF-154 was founded as Navy Reserve squadron VFB-718 in July 1946 flying the F6F Hellcat and later the F4U Corsair. During the Korean War, re-designated as VF-837 they operated F9F Panther. In 1957, then called VF-154, they flew FJ-3 Fury before transitioning to the F-8 Crusader. The black Knights entered the Vietnam War with the Crusader before transitioning to the F-4J and N model Phantom II. In 1979 they transitioned yet again to the F-4S (last Navy version of the F-4), but returned to the N model in 1981.

Between 1999 and 2000, the unit was deployed to the Indian Ocean in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2003 the last cruise was made with the F-14, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (The 2nd Gulf War). Main mission was Close Air Support with 12 F-14As and 5 stationed at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. April 1, 2003 VF-154 lost one of its F-14s (158620), the first coalition aircraft to crash during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The crew as rescued by an HH-60G. By the end of the was VF-154 had dropped 358 laser guided bombs in 286 sorties.

In October 2003 the unit was re-designated VFA-154 and transitioned to the F/A-18F at its new home of NAS Lemoore, CA. With the Hornet they returned to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

VF-191 Satan’s Kittens

Fighting 191 was the shortest-lived US Navy squadron in history. It was established 1 December 1986 and disestablished on 30 April 1988.

VF-191 used the name and insignia of an earlier squadron established in 1943. It took part in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam war. During the Vietnam war it operated F-8 Crusader and continued flying F-8 variants until 1976. It transitioned to the F-4J, completing one cruise before the squadron was disestablished in 1978.

After re-establishment and training with F-14As the squadron was designated for a cruise aboard the USS Independence (CVW-10). Although before the cruise began, the VF-191 was disestablished again, some aircraft were assigned with VF-114.

In 1992 the Navy planned to enable VF-191 again, to be equipped with F-14Ds. This idea was not effectuated as Congress didn’t approve the full Tomcat fleet to be updated to F-14Ds.

VF-194 Red Lightnings

VF-201 Hunters

VF-201 was established at NAS Dallas in July 1970. First flying F-8H Crusader and six year later transferring to the F-4N. In 1984 they moved to the F-4S.

In 1999 the Hunters transitioned to the F/A-18A. The unit was re-assigned as VFA-201 as it now had a multi-mission strike capability.

VF-202 Superheats

VF-202 was another reserve squadron founded in 1970. At first equipped with the F-8H Crusader, they transferred to the F-4N in 1976. Just like VF-201 they upgraded to the F-4S in the early 80s.

In 1987, the Superheats transferred to newly build block 110 F-14As. This was the last version of the A model build. In May 1988 they qualified for carrier operations aboard the USS America. In 1988 they also received TARPS capability, with which they participated in RAM ’88 (Reconnaissance Air Meet) at Bergstrom AFB, TX.

Due to budget cuts, VF-202 was disestablished in favor of their sister squadron, VF-201, who got the TARPS capability. 31 December 1994, the aircraft were re-distributed amongst other units (mainly VF-101). One of their aircraft, 162710 is now on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola.

VF-211 Fighting Checkmates

Multiple squadrons were called VF-211 throughout the Navy’s career. The Fighting Checkmates can be dated back to 1945, designated as VB-74. Established at Otis Field, MA they flew SBW-4 Helldivers. Later they transferred to the AD-1 Skyrader and F4U Corsair. Then called VF-24 moved to NAS Alameda and were deployed twice to the Korean War. After these deployments they transferred to the F9F Panther followed by FJ-1 Fury, F3H Demon, F-11F Tiger and F-8 Crusader. On 9 March 1959 the unit traded insignia’s and designations with VF-211.

In 1961 the unit moved to NAS Miramar, its home for the coming 35 years. In 1964 and 65 deployments followed to join the Vietnam War, flying F-8Es. They shot down 2 MiG-17s and one Crusader was lost. In 1967 they were deployed again aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, shooting down 4 MiG-17s. From 1968, equipped with F-8H and J models, deployments were made aboard the USS Hancock. In 1972 they shot down another MiG-17. With 8 kills during the Vietnam War, they received the nickname “The MiG killers”.

In 2003 VF-211 made there final cruise with the F-14 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, flying show of force and reconnaissance missions. In 2004 they transitioned to the F/A-18F and were re-designated VFA-211. The unit was directly re-deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Tail illustrations by Erik Hess.