'Pukin' Dogs' join USS George Washington (CVN-23) Battle Group
The world famous "Pukin' Dogs" of VF-143 departed NAS Oceana Jan.20 to join the USS George Washington (CVN-23) Battle Group for their 2004 deployment. After a long work-up cycle that started last spring, the squadron aircrew and maintenance personnel are ready to bring their own special version of the War on Terrorism to the enemy. "This squadron has trained exceptionally hard last year for deployment and the Dogs are ready to finally get to work." says Cmdr. Chris Murray, the commanding officer of Fighter Squadron 143. As a member of Air Wing Seven, the only air wing in the Navy to have two F-14 Tomcat squadrons, VF-143 will be significant contributors to the United States' efforts in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The reason that the Air Wing 7 is the only wing with two Tomcat squadrons, is because the Pukin Dogs specialty is TARPS. (Tactical Airborn Reconnaissance Pod System)
It will be the Dogs, coming in low and hot snapping pictures of ememy locations and beaming them back via satellite to the ship for printing before they can even turn back to the boat.
In addition to TARPS, this Air Wing will be moving mud in the Bombcat configuration, dropping JDAMS on Osama's head if they find the bastard.