| Strike Fighter Squadron 14 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1919 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role | Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of |  Carrier Air Wing Nine |
| Garrison/HQ |  NAS Lemoore |
| Nickname | Tophatters |
| Mottos | "The Oldest and Boldest" |
| Engagements | World War II Vietnam War Multinational Force in Lebanon United States invasion of Grenada Gulf War Operation Provide Comfort Operation Southern Watch Operation Allied Force Operation Enduring Freedom Iraq War Operation Inherent Resolve 2024 Iran–Israel conflict Operation Prosperity Guardian Operation Poseidon Archer |
| Decorations | 2022 Battle "E" 2020 Battle "E" 2012 RADM C. Wade McLuskey Award 2010 Battle "E" 1980 Battle "E" |
| Commanders | |
| Commanding Officer | CDR John Keith |
| Executive Officer | CDR Brett Jakovich |
| Command Master Chief | CMDCM William L. Simms |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F4B SB2U Vindicator SBD Dauntless F4U Corsair F3D Skyknight F3H Demon F-4 Phantom F-14 Tomcat F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (VFA-14) "Tophatters" is aUnited States Navy fighter attack squadron based atNaval Air Station Lemoore. They fly theF/A-18E Super Hornet, and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919. Their callsign isCamelot, and their tail code isNG.
Since its inception, the squadron has flown 23 different type aircraft, had its designation changed 14 times, operated from 20 different aircraft carriers and several battleships, and had 92 commanding officers (the 93rd is now in command).
Over the years, the squadron has been assigned many different missions, including patrol and observation in its early years, and scouting, attack, fighter, bombing, and forward air control missions when it became associated with carrier-based operations. The squadron adopted the classic Top Hat as its squadron patch and called themselves the "High Hats."
The squadron's callsign"Camelot" came about because an oldskipper likedKing Arthur so his wife suggested that the squadron take the callsign of the King's legendary castle,Camelot.
| Date | designation | Squadron type |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 1919 | Pacific Fleet Air Detachment | |
| 15 Jun 1920 | VT-5 | Torpedo and bombing squadron |
| 7 Sep 1921 | VP-4-1 | Patrol squadron |
| 23 Sep 1921 | VF-4 | Fighting squadron |
| 1 Jul 1922 | VF-1 | Fighting squadron |
| 1 Jul 1927 | VF-1B | Fighting squadron |
| 1 Jul 1934 | VB-2B | Bombing squadron |
| 1 Jul 1937 | VB-3 | Bombing squadron |
| 1 Jul 1939 | VB-4 | Bombing squadron |
| 15 Mar 1941 | VS-41 | Scouting squadron |
| 1 Mar 1943 | VB-41 | Bombing squadron |
| 4 Aug 1943 | VB-4 | Bombing squadron |
| 15 Nov 1946 | VA-1A | Attack squadron |
| 2 Aug 1948 | VA-14 | Attack squadron |
| 15 Dec 1949 | VF-14 | Fighter squadron |
| 1 Dec 2001 | VFA-14 | Strike fighter squadron |
The squadron began carrier operations on board the Navy's first aircraft carrierUSS Langley in 1926. The squadron, then designated Fighter Plane Squadron One, set the record for carrier landings in a single day. Flying theTS-1, they logged 127 traps by the end of flight operations.
In 1929, the squadron was assigned toUSS Saratoga, where it began as a fighter squadron and transitioned to a bomber squadron. Throughout the 1930s, it flew theBoeing FB-5,Boeing F2B,Boeing F4B,Curtiss F11C Goshawk,Curtiss SBC Helldiver and theSB2U-1 Vindicator. In 1939, while flying the Vindicator, the squadron was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet andUSS Ranger.
While onRanger, the squadron provided air support for theAllied invasion of North Africa in November 1942. During the four days of 8 – 11 November, the pilots destroyed 16 enemy aircraft. Flying theDouglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, the squadron participated inOperation Leader, the only American naval air strike against German forces inNorway.
In November 1944, the squadron transferred to the Pacific Fleet, and participated in theLeyte Campaign while attached toUSS Bunker Hill. After transferring toUSS Essex, the squadron bombed fortifications onFormosa in January 1945, supported theassault on Iwo Jima in February, participated in the first naval carrier strike on Tokyo, and completed Pacific combat operations withstrikes on Okinawa in early March 1945.
After the war's end, VB-4 made four cruises aboardUSS Tarawa, including a world cruise between 28 September 1948 and 21 February 1949, after which the squadron was based on the US East Coast. On 15 November 1946 VB-4 became Attack Squadron 1A (VA-1A), and in August 1948 the squadron was again redesignated Attack Squadron 14 (VA-14) and transitioned from theSB2C-5 Helldiver to theF4U-4 Corsair. In December 1949 VA-14 was redesignated Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14).
In 1951 and 1952, VF-14 made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the modernizedUSS Wasp, still flying the F4U Corsair. In 1953, they deployed inUSS Franklin D. Roosevelt on another Med cruise with Air Task Group (ATG-201), (which included VF-11, VA-12, VF-13, AND VA-15). In 1954, VF-14 took on the role of all-weather interceptor when they transitioned to theF3D-2 Skyknight, but only made a three-months deployment aboardUSS Intrepid in late 1954. As the F3D proved unsuitable for carrier operations, the squadron transitioned to theF3H-2N Demon in 1955. VF-14 made two deployments aboardUSS Forrestal in 1957. The squadron was then re-equipped with F3H-2s. VF-14 and its parentCVG-1 were then reassigned toFranklin D. Roosevelt and made eight deployments to the Mediterranean Sea up to 1969.
_on_9_December_1968_(6430103).jpg)
In May 1963, the squadron transitioned to theF-4B Phantom II and on 23 January 1964 they became the first Phantom squadron to operate onboardFranklin D. Roosevelt. In June 1966, after moving toNAS Oceana, the squadron deployed to theSouth China Sea to conduct air strikes and support missions against military targets inNorth Vietnam. During this combat deployment, the squadron flew 1,688 hours on 967 combat sorties and delivered 651,624 pounds of ordnance, in addition to flying its traditional combat air patrol and fighter escort missions. WhenFranklin D. Roosevelt entered theNorfolk Naval Shipyard for modernization, CVW-1 and VF-14 were reassigned toUSS John F. Kennedy in 1969 and stayed with it for nine deployments until 1982.
In January 1974, after fourMediterranean deployments, the squadron transitioned to the Navy's newest fighter, theF-14A Tomcat atNAS Miramar and was teamed withVF-32 as the first two Tomcat squadrons to arrive at NAS Oceana. In June 1975 they became the first Atlantic squadron to deploy with the F-14A alongside VF-32 aboard USSJohn F. Kennedy. In October 1978, the squadron set an all-time F-14 flight hour record when they flew 977 hours in one month while deployed in the Mediterranean.
In 1976, VF-14 launched the 100thAIM-54 Phoenix missile against a simulated cruise missile at a range of 32 miles (51 km), killing it at a range of 65 miles (105 km) fromJohn F. Kennedy. During the same cruise, VF-14 intercepted a SovietTu-95 on 21 July. VF-14 escorted the bomber for around 45 minutes, during which the Soviet bomber made two passes overJohn F. Kennedy.
In August 1980, the squadron deployed to theMediterranean Sea onJohn F Kennedy. During this deployment, VF-14 won the Silver Anchor Award and the Battle "E" Award for combat readiness, for the second year in a row. The achievements that contributed to the awards included 3 missile firing exercises with a 100% kill ratio, first East Coast TCS installations and 26,500 accident free flying hours over the space of 8 years.
In June 1982 VF-14 was reassigned toCarrier Air Wing 6 aboardUSS Independence, and in July was named the "Best Fighter Squadron" for its performance in the Fleet Fighter Air Combat Readiness Program (FFARP).
In October and early November 1983 the squadron supported the American-ledInvasion of Grenada. Following this, VF-14 proceeded east to the Mediterranean to participate in contingency operations off the coast ofLebanon. In early December 1983, the Tophatters were again called upon to provide combat air support for the elements of themulti-national forces in Beirut.
On 1 April 1985, the squadron returned toJohn F. Kennedy, where they spent the rest of the year on a turnaround-training schedule, which included eleven detachments to various parts of the United States and Canada. Although again aboardJohn F. Kennedy, VF-14 was now assigned toCarrier Air Wing 3.
On 18 April 1986, the squadron departed for the Mediterranean once again and were extended on deployment due to theLebanon hostage crisis. Upon their return to the United States, the squadron was again proclaimed the "Best Fighter Squadron" by winning the 1987 FFARP award.
In 1989, VF-14 was presented with the "Grand Slam" award in recognition of their perfect missile firing record. The squadron entered 1990 conducting workups for deployment and making portcalls in Portland, Mayport, New York City and Boston. During exercises off Puerto Rico, the squadron operated against FrenchSuper Étendard andF-8 Crusaders from theFrench aircraft carrier Foch.
_in_the_Caribbean_Sea%2c_1_May_1990_(6451896).jpg)
On 10 August 1990, eight days after theIraqiInvasion of Kuwait, the squadron was ordered to emergency deploy to theRed Sea aboardJohn F. Kennedy to take part inOperation Desert Shield. During the months leading up to the war, the squadron assisted in enforcing the Iraqi embargo flying combat air patrol (CAP) and standing alert duty continuously. On the morning of 17 January 1991, the squadron once again flew into combat when they joined United Nations forces in the air assault on Iraq. VF-14 and VF-32 flew CAP and fighter escort missions for CVW-3 strike and support aircraft throughout Desert Storm operating in Western and Central Iraq initially and then conducting long range barrier CAP missions in eastern Iraq near the Iranian border with other Tomcat squadrons from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf that lasted an unprecedented 7–8 hours. After combat operations ended,John F. Kennedy remained briefly in the Red Sea stopping off the coast of Egypt for a portcall before returning to NAS Oceana after eight months at sea.
In December 1991, VF-14 became one of the first squadrons to begin training for the Tomcat's new air-to-ground mission. After low altitude flight training and several strike-related schools, the squadron put their new skills to the test during Air Wing work-ups inFallon, Nevada.
In October 1992, the squadron again headed east for a Mediterranean deployment. Once past theRock of Gibraltar, VF-14 began flying air superiority and reconnaissance missions in theAdriatic Sea in support of UN policies in the formerYugoslavia. During this deployment, the squadron also participated in several exercises withEgypt, Morocco andTurkey, while continuing to support operations off the coast of the formerYugoslavia andOperation Provide Comfort in Iraq.
In 1995, the squadron was the test bed for the Tomcat air-to-ground rockets program. The squadron was awarded the Fighter Fling Banner Blaster award for their superior performance in the air-to-air gunnery arena.[citation needed]
In late 1995, the squadron was detached from CVW-3 when the Navy began reducing the number of Tomcat squadrons to carrier air wings from two to one and retaining theTARPS-capable squadrons. As a non-TARPS squadron, VF-14 was originally slated for disestablishment and temporarily assigned to Fighter Wing One at NAS Oceana. The following year saw much uncertainty for many Tomcat squadrons, but a grassroots campaign to continue the lineage of the Navy's oldest squadron was successful in saving the squadron from extinction and the squadron was assigned toCarrier Air Wing 8, which was losingVF-84, with sister squadronVF-41.[citation needed]
In January 1996, the squadron once again rejoinedJohn F. Kennedy. In March, the squadron deployed onUSS John C. Stennis. In June the squadron took a 40-day cruise aboardJohn F. Kennedy to Ireland and England. Next, VF-14 visited the Mediterranean and other areas.[citation needed]
During March 1998, VF-14 changed its home toUSS Theodore Roosevelt. In 1999, the squadron participated inNATO'sOperation Allied Force and inOperation Southern Watch. VF-14 dropped more than 395,000 pounds of ordnance on various targets in support of Operation Allied Force, and guided 190 different weapons fired from other aircraft onto targets, including laser guided bombs and laser guided AGM-65 Maverick missiles, scoring a 100% success rate while guiding AGM-65 Maverick missiles[2]
In April 2001, VF-14 embarked on their final F-14 cruise on boardUSS Enterprise, supporting Operation Southern Watch andOperation Enduring Freedom. As the carrier headed for home and on its way to South Africa they were given order to head to the North Persian Gulf after theSeptember 11 attacks. USSEnterprise/CVW-8 had been elected to be the night carrier duringOperation Enduring Freedom and thus did not see action until 8 October, VF-14 attacked a radar warning installation nearKabul during CVW-8's initial strike, which had been envisioned to have a section ofF/A-18s, a section of F-14s from VF-14 and anEA-6B fromVAQ-141, but due to insufficient fuel available for the Hornets, only the F-14s and the EA-6B pressed on.[3] After their return to the US in November, VF-14 had dropped 173,324 lbs of ordnance (174 laser-guided bombs), VF-14 also buddy-lased 28AGM-65s and 23 laser-guided bombs.[3]: 53
After their last F-14 cruise VF-14 and VF-41 relocated toNAS Lemoore and began the transition to theF/A-18 Super Hornet switching to CVW-11 andUSS Nimitz. Both squadrons deployed to participate inOperation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) aboard USSNimitz and prior to arrival in the Persian Gulf, two VF-14 F/A-18Es and two F/A-18Fs (VFA-41) were forward deployed toUSS Abraham Lincoln in late March 2003 to augment its airwing. The Super Hornets were requested to boost the air refueling capabilities of CVW-14 as well as qualifiedForward Air Controllers, Airborne (FAC (A)) (the F/A-18Fs). The division of F/A-18s flew from USSNimitz to USSAbraham Lincoln, a 2,700-mile (4,300 km) trip. On 6 April, the Hornets returned to USSNimitz. During OIF, VFA-14 expendedlaser-guided bombs,JDAM bombs and AGM-65 missiles and conducted numerous long-range missions to northernBaghdad andTikrit.[citation needed]
After its OIF cruise in 2003, VFA-14 conducted Air Wing training at NAS Fallon and made the maiden deployment withUSS Ronald Reagan in 2004, the cruise took them from Virginia to California around South America. After work-ups in 2004 they deployed for a 2005 cruise, supporting OIF and flying over 2,100 sorties and over 4,300 flight hours.[citation needed]
In 2006, VFA-14 made detachments to NAS Fallon and a joint exercise with theRoyal Air Force toScotland. Training continued through 2006 with a Strike Fighter Advance Readiness Program (SFARP) with a three-week detachment to NAS Fallon. VFA-14 and CVW-11 participated inNavy Fleet Week in San Francisco in early October. During this period, two F/A-18Es made a flyover during aSan Francisco 49ers football game. Training continued into 2007 in preparation for the up-coming GULF/WESTPAC deployment in support of OIF and OEF, and exercise Valiant Shield nearGuam.[citation needed]
On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on boardNimitz.[4]
During 2009 CVW-11 and theNimitz Strike Group conducted several training exercises off the coast of Southern California including composite unit training and joint task force training in anticipation for their 2009–2010 deployment. On 28 July it was reported that CVW-11 and theNimitz Strike Group was to depart for a seven-month deployment.[5]
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VFA-14 and VFA-41 changed air wings and carriers to CVW-9 andUSS John C. Stennis and on 27 July 2011 CVW-9 deployed on board USSJohn C. Stennis to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, counter-piracy and maritime security operations.[6] VFA-14 conducted combat flights in support of OperationsInherent Resolve,Resolute Support andFreedom Sentinel over Afghanistan, Iraq, andSyria. The squadron returned to NAS Lemoore, North Island, Point Mugu, and Whidbey Island in May 2019.
VFA-14 participated in dual carrier operations in the South China Sea with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike, as well as joint exercise Valiant Shield in June 2022, and bilateral exercises Noble Fusion in February and Jungle Warfare in March, both with the Japanese Self-Defense Force, and, most recently, VFA-14 trained alongside 26 participating nations during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in July.[7] In early August 2024, the squadron was deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in response to heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.
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| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||
