VF-213 also transferred to the Atlantic Fleet in 2002, and it continued to fly Tomcats until 2006.Įach of the seventeen fighter squadrons are covered by a short history of their years flying the Tomcat, including both operational highlights and a good look at the squadron markings with which each unit adorned their aircraft. VF-211 transferred to the Atlantic Fleet in 2002 and only flew Tomcats two more years before transitioning to the Super Hornet. Both of these squadrons spent almost their entire time in Tomcats with the Pacific Fleet, and the colors and markings used on their F-14s during their Pacific Fleet service are included in this publication. The other two squadrons to serve with both fleets while flying Tomcats were the “Fighting Checkmates” of VF-211 and the “Fighting Blacklions” of VF-213. VF-31 would serve in the Pacific until 2004 before returning to the Atlantic Fleet. VF-11 would serve with the Pacific Fleet until 1997, when it was reassigned to the Atlantic Fleet. The “Red Rippers” of VF-11 and the “Tomcatters” of VF-31 were originally Atlantic Fleet squadrons that were transferred to the Pacific Fleet in 1992, at which time they upgraded to the F-14D version of the Tomcat. Four of the Pacific Fleet squadrons covered in this book also served with the Atlantic Fleet during part of the time they were operational with Tomcats. This compilation of squadrons includes eleven units that were assigned to the Pacific Fleet for the entire time they flew the F-14. Part 3 will also include an appendix that covers the official paint schemes used on Navy Tomcats during there (sic) operational service, and an additional appendix that will go into considerable detail to illustrate the markings and standard stenciling used on the F-14. Also included will be Tomcats that flew in the ACM adversary role and those flown by NASA. The third and final book in the series, Colors & Markings of the F-14 Tomcat, Part 3: Prototypes, Test, Evaluation, and Adversary Aircraft, will follow and it will cover the Grumman prototypes, the test and evaluation squadrons, and the facilities that flew the Tomcat. This book follows the first book in the trilogy, Colors & Markings of the F-14 Tomcat, Part 1: Atlantic Fleet and Reserve Squadrons, which covers the fifteen active Atlantic Fleet fighter squadrons and the two Naval Reserve units that flew the Tomcat while assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. Beginning in 1972 when the F-14 entered service with VF-124 “Gunfighters,” the Tomcat distinguished itself, first as an outstanding fighter and fleet defense aircraft, and later as a strike aircraft. The book covers the fifteen active Pacific Fleet fighter squadrons and the two Naval Reserve units that flew the Tomcat for over thirty years. Colors & Markings of the F-14 Tomcat, Part 2: Pacific Fleet and Reserve Squadrons is a comprehensive look at the paint schemes and unit markings used by operational F-14 squadrons assigned to the Pacific Fleet from 1972 through 2004. “The Grumman F-14 Tomcat was one of the most iconic naval fighter aircraft of the latter half of the twentieth century. Markings of the F-14 Tomcat, Part 2: Pacific Fleet and Reserve Squadrons
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