Tomcatters Return from Pacific Deployment



	Official U.S. Navy file photo of an F-14D Tomcat assigned to Fighter Squadron (VF) 31. The return of the squadron marks the final deployment of the F-14 Tomcat to the Pacific Coast.
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Tomcatters Return from Pacific Deployment
Story Number: NNS041029-01
Release Date: 10/29/2004 7:24:00 AM

From Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The “Tomcatters” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 31 will return to their home base at Naval Air Station Oceana Oct. 31, following a five-month deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). They departed Oceana May 23.

The return of the squadron marks the final deployment of the F-14 Tomcat to the Pacific. The aircraft will be retired from the Navy in 2006 after more than 30 years of service.

As part of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, VF-31 participated in numerous operations and exercises, including Northern Edge, an annual exercise with the U.S. Air Force in Alaska; Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), in which they operated jointly with U.S. and multinational forces from the Pacific Basin, including Japan, Australia, Brazil and South Korea; and joint excercises with forces from Japan and Malaysia, during which they participated in training with the Malaysian Air Force.

The squadron flew 1,000 sorties and completed 1,570 flight hours and 950 arrested landings. They successfully demonstrated air-to-air proficiency by shooting AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, and dropped more than seven tons of training and live ordnance.

While aboard Stennis, VF-31 visited ports in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada; Honolulu, Hawaii; Sasebo, Japan; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Perth, Australia.

For related news, visit the Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/comnavairlant.

1 posted on 10/29/2004 9:05:02 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl

To: Cannoneer No. 4; TEXOKIE; xzins; Alamo-Girl; blackie; SandRat; Calpernia; SAMWolf; prairiebreeze; ..

The “Tomcatters” of Fighter Squadron (VF) 31 will return to their home base at Naval Air Station Oceana Oct. 31, following a five-month deployment to the Western Pacific aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).

The return of the squadron marks the final deployment of the F-14 Tomcat to the Pacific. The aircraft will be retired from the Navy in 2006 after more than 30 years of service.

~*~

VF-31 Squadron Patch

2 posted on 10/29/2004 9:06:08 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("I know what a Commander-in-Chief looks like - and there's only one on this ballot" - Tommy Franks)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

3 posted on 10/29/2004 9:06:59 AM PDT by gridlock (BARKEEP: Why the long face? HORSE: Ha ha, old joke. BARKEEP: Not you, I was talking to JF'n Kerry!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

4 posted on 10/29/2004 9:08:26 AM PDT by gridlock (BARKEEP: Why the long face? HORSE: Ha ha, old joke. BARKEEP: Not you, I was talking to JF'n Kerry!)

5 posted on 10/29/2004 9:08:48 AM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl ("I know what a Commander-in-Chief looks like - and there's only one on this ballot" - Tommy Franks)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

It is really sad to see this beautiful warbird sent out to pasture.

6 posted on 10/29/2004 9:08:49 AM PDT by wjcsux (Don't be a girly man! Vote Republican!)

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

VX-9 has sent Vandy One to Davis-Monthan. Sad.

7 posted on 10/29/2004 9:43:00 AM PDT by A.A. Cunningham

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

8 posted on 10/29/2004 10:11:05 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl

To: Ragtime Cowgirl

9 posted on 10/29/2004 11:03:52 AM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)

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