VF 45 Key West FL

VF-45, known as the "Blackbirds," was a U.S. Navy Fighter Squadron based at Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Established in 1963, VF-45 primarily functioned as an adversary unit, providing realistic air combat training to fleet squadrons in the Atlantic and Caribbean regions. The squadron operated a variety of aircraft over the years, including the F-5 Tiger II and the F-16N Fighting Falcon, simulating potential enemy tactics during training exercises. VF-45 was disestablished in 1996 as part of broader post-Cold War restructuring within the Navy.