VF-213 Black Lions

VF-213 was established June 1955, being one of only a few, keeping its designation. After F2H, F4D and F3H, VF-213 started flying the F-4B mid 60s. The Black Lions were deployed 9 times to Vietnam, loosing 5 aircraft (4 F-Bs and one F-4J). The unit began its transition to the F-14A in 1976.

VF-301 Devil’s Disciples

VF-302 Stallions

VX-4 Evaluators

VX-4 was established in 1946 as an experimental and development squadron, evaluation early warning radar systems. The unit was relocated to Atlantic City as Air Development Squadron 4 and later to Patuxent River where it was disestablished in 1951

The second squadron using the VX-4 designation was established in 1952 at Point Mugu to conduct guided missile tests. Through its lifetime the Evaluators flew lots of different aircraft from the Navy arsenal. F7U, F3D, FJ Fury, A-4, F3H, F-8 and F-4 were used to test AIM-7 and AIM-9 missiles.

Early 1970s the F-14A was introduced into the unit. Later newer versions were used, flying along the F/A-18, which was just introduced to the Navy.

January 1990, the unit was also still flying the F-4 Phanton, which was phased out after 3 decades of service, at the same time the F-14D was introduced. With the F-14D, VX-4 was conducting tests with the ALR-64 radar warning receiver and the newly developed AIM-120 AMRAAM. During the Gulf War (1991) VX-4 was conducting tests and fixing issues with weapons systems used during the war.

After Desert Storm evaluation of AMRAAM, Sidewinder, Sparrow and Phoenix missiles continued as well as the BOL Chaff dispenser. AMRAAM testing was completed in 1994.

Like the F-4 Phantom, the Evaluators F-14 was using the striking Black Playboy Bunny color scheme. Next to the Jolly Rogers skull and bones, probably the most famous Tomcat scheme. Although after the Tailhook scandal in 1991 (sexual misconduct on a military convention in Las Vegas), the Playboy Bunny was removed and replaced by a more acceptable Bat design. The bat was later also used by VX-9.

When F/A-18 Hornet testing was winding down, the unit was disestablishment in 1994, its aircraft were allocated to VX-9.

VX-9 The Vampires

Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 9 was founded as VX-5 at NAS Moffet Field 18 June 1955, operating AD (A-1) Skyraiders. In 1956 the united moved to NAS China Lake. January 1985 the unit started testing weapon systems for the EA-6B.

VX-9 is currently based at NAS China Lake, flying 25 aircraft including the F/A-18C/D, F/A-18E/F and EA-18G. The Vampires also have a detachment at Edwards AFB evaluation the F-35C.

Naval Weapons Test Squadron / VX-30 The Bloodhounds

The Naval Weapons Test Squadron (NWTS) was established 8 May 1994 at Point Mugu, and later a second squadron at China Lake. Only the Point Mugu squadron operated F-14s and were part of the Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division (NAWC –WD). Throughout its career the squadron operated the NF-14A, B and D model. The N indication indicating it being a flying testbed. The unit was redesignated VX-30 at 1 May 2002.

With the creation of VX-30 at Point Mugu a sister squadron VX-31 was formed at China Lake. As F-14 units were replaced with the F/A-18, VX-30 only operated the type for four years. The units nickname Bloodhounds was already used in the NWTS days. The aircraft had the three headed bloodhound logo on the tail.

Besides the F-14, the unit also operated the F-4 and later the F/A-18. Today VX-30 still exists and operates a very diverse type of aircraft, including the C-130 / KC-130, P-3 and S-3 till 2016.

Naval Fighter Weapon School, TOPGUN

When the pilots over Vietnam were losing against North Vietnamese Soviet build MiG-17s and 21s it became apparent that training was needed for this new type of jet aerial combat. To train Navy pilots the Naval Fighter Weapons School was created at NAS Miramar, CA 3 March 1969.

The goal of the training, which became known as TOPGUN, was to train in aerial combat against Russian fighters, especially maneuverability was togged as the Russian fighter were smaller than the US F-8 and F-4. Initially the School used the A-4 and T-38 as opponent to represent the MiG-21. Later the F-5E and F replaced the T-38. Later the F-16N was adopted as aggressor, which was replaced by the F/A-18A and B, as the F-16 showed structural fatigue.

After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait and the following Gulf War (Operation Desert Storm) it became apparent that middle eastern opponents operated newer more advanced aircraft. Iran for instance was flying the F-14 which were acquired when the Shah was still in power. Because of this, and the fact that the Tomcat could simulate the heavier Russian fighters operated during that period, TOPGUN took possession of three F-14As in August 1991. The inventory grew to four and later six Tomcats until retirement in the fall of 2003.

The TOPGUN training later moved to the Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center.

Naval Strike & Air Warfare Center

11 July 1996 the Naval Strike & Warfare Center (NSAWC) was formed with the merger of the Naval Fighter Weapon School (TOPGUN) and Naval Strike Warfare Center (NSWS). With this merger, TOPGUN also moved to NAS Fallon. The mission and training syllabus remained the same, being aerial combat against potential enemy aircraft. The TOPGUN F-14s remained with the NSAWC, providing simulation for the Russian MiG-29 and Su-27. New camouflage schemas were applied to represent these aircraft. The NFWS patch remained on the tail with an added lightning bold and NSAWC titles.

Nowadays the NSAWC has been renamed Naval Aviation Warfare Development Center, still operating out of NAS Fallon.

Naval Air Test Center

The main test center at the east coast is located at NAS Patuxent River and is home to the Naval Air Test Center (NATC). NATC is divided in several divisions, responsible for testing different aspects of the aircraft and weapon systems. Although the setup of these divisions changed, the main mission stayed the same. Several squadrons operated as part of NATC, focusing on development and evaluation of aircraft and helicopters.

VX-23 was the test and evaluation squadron operating the F-14. One to five F-14s had been assigned to the Salty Dogs, since 1972 early in development of the Tomcat.

Registration	Remarks
157987	Crashed after having an engine fire (13 May 1974)
158612
158613	The strike division also used the “7T” code on the tail.
158614
158616
158619

They all used high-visibility markings including a red-orange tail and in some cases part of the nose cone. For some time, the Strike Division (DFCS) used a black on gray schema with DFCS titles on the fuselage the SD tail code.

In 1995 the strike division tested a digital flight control system on a NAWC NF-14D 163412. Unlike a try fly-by-wire system, this systems uses a conventional control, helping the pilot to improve flight characteristics and prevent spins. The tests were successful, but it was decided not to install the system.

A variety of operational tests have been carried out, including ski-jump feasibility tests in 1982 using a six degrees raised ramp.

Naval missile center / Air Warfare Center

The US Naval Air Missile Center was established 1 October 1946 at Point Mugu. In 1959 the name was changed to Naval Missile Center (NMC). Early 1970s the NMC received its first Tomcats. It included several pre-production models as well as early production models.

Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC)

Naval Air Warfare Center – Weapons Division (NAWC –WD)

In 1995 the Naval Weapons Test Squadron at Point Mugu was formed and the Tomcats were transferred.

NASA

Tail illustrations by Erik Hess.