030315-N-9593M-011 The Arabian Gulf (Mar. 15, 2003) -- A plane captain conducts a daily inspection of his F-14D Tomcat that is assigned to the “Tomcatters” of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31). Lincoln and Carrier Air Wing Fourteen (CVW 14) are conducting combat operations in support of Operation Southern Watch. U.S.Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Philip A. McDaniel. (RELEASED)
NAS Pensacola Salutes the Returning Home Team of VF-31
Story Number: NNS030502-26
Release Date: 5/2/2003 4:18:00 PM
By Sheri L. Crowe, Naval Air Station Pensacola Public Affairs
NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- Ten F-14D Tomcats, from Navy Fighter Squadron (VF) 31 Tomcatters, landed aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola May 1, just minutes after the U.S. President George W. Bush landed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), to declare an end to major military operations in Iraq.
The Tomcatters were deployed to take part in combat operations in Iraq aboard Lincoln. The Tomcatters from NAS Oceana, Va., are making a one-night stopover before heading back to their home base.
The squadron team began arriving outside the NAS Pensacola's Air Operations Terminal shortly after 2 p.m., were greeted by a group of supporters, and provided freshments at the Air Operations Terminal. On hand to specially greet the returning home crew members were the Commodore of TRAWING (Training Air Wing) 6, Capt. Chaunce Mitchell; NAS Pensacola Executive Officer, Cmdr. William Bowen Stewart; Deej Kiely, Membership/Public Relations director of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation; and several area command representatives.
A welcome home reception for the troops, hosted by the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, was held shortly after their arrival at the Museum's Cubi Cafe.
