About this Unit
VF-31, also known as the "Tomcatters," is one of the oldest active U.S. Navy fighter squadrons, originally established in 1935. The squadron participated in World War II, flying the F6F Hellcat, and later saw action in Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War with various aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom and the iconic F-14 Tomcat. VF-31 gained distinction for its combat achievements and for being the last squadron to fly the F-14 Tomcat before transitioning to the F/A-18E Super Hornet in 2006. Today, as VFA-31, the Tomcatters continue their legacy as a premier strike fighter squadron in the U.S. Navy.
Historical Facts
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Oldest Continuously Active US Navy Fighter Squadron: VF-31, known as the "Tomcatters," traces its lineage back to 1 July 1935, making it the oldest Navy fighter squadron in continuous service.
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Felix the Cat Mascot: VF-31's famous mascot, Felix the Cat carrying a bomb, has been the squadron's emblem since the 1920s. It is one of the most recognized insignias in naval aviation.
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Multiple Designations: The squadron has been redesignated several times, including as VF-1B, VF-6, VF-3, and finally VF-31 in 1948—a common practice as units merged and reformed over the years.
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Combat in World War II: As VF-3 and later VF-6, the squadron saw extensive action in the Pacific during WWII, including the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign, flying legendary aircraft like the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat.
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Korean War and Beyond: VF-31 participated in the Korean War, flying F9F Panthers from USS Leyte, and continued to serve through the Vietnam War and into the modern era.
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F-14 Tomcat Era: VF-31 became famous for flying the F-14 Tomcat, joining the Tomcat community in 1981. They were the last active US Navy squadron to fly the F-14, retiring the aircraft in 2006.
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Historic Last F-14 Flight: On 4 October 2006, VF-31 conducted the final official F-14 Tomcat flight for the US Navy, marking the end of an era in naval aviation.
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Navy's First Air-to-Air Kill in Operation Iraqi Freedom: In March 2003, a VF-31 F-14 Tomcat shot down an Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, the first US Navy air-to-air kill of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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Transition to VFA-31: After retiring the F-14, VF-31 was redesignated VFA-31 and transitioned to flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, continuing its distinguished service.
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Hollywood Fame: The squadron and its Tomcats appeared in several documentaries and films, and the unit's history inspired elements of the "Top Gun" movies.
