F-14 Tomcat Roaring Soaring VF-103
F-14 Tomcat Roaring Soaring VF-103 Art.
Strike Fighter Squadron 103 (VF-103), also known as the “Jolly Rogers”, (now known as VFA-103) is currently a United States Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia and was established in 1952. Naval Air Station Oceana or NAS Oceana is a military airport located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is a United States Navy Master Jet Base. It is also known as Apollo Soucek Field, named after Lieutenant (later Admiral) Apollo Soucek, a Navy Test Pilot who set the global altitude record in 1930 by flying a Curtiss “Hawk” biplane to an altitude of 43,166 feet. NAS Oceana is the only Master Jet Base on the East Coast.
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F-14 Tomcat Roaring Soaring VF-103 vintage style military aviation art by Squadron Posters!
The original VF-103 squadron insignia was a cloverleaf, and the aircraft tailfins had a horizontal yellow arrow outlined in black. Later a stylized aircraft darting through the leaf was added, along with a baseball bat. The baseball bat stemmed from an early skipper who often carried one with him. In 1991, VF-103’s aircraft used the squadron insignia for tail-art, in place of the bold arrow. When the Sluggers became the “Jolly Rogers” following the disestablishment of VF-84 (1955–95), they adopted the famous white skull-and-crossbones. The Jolly Rogers have always displayed some of the most recognizable squadron markings in the world: sinister white skull-and-crossbones on all-black tails, with gold bands wrapped around the tip of the tail fins, and black bands with gold chevrons (known as vagabonds strips from the Crusader days of VF-84) run down the sides of the forward fuselage.
In January 1983, VF-103 was among the last fighter squadrons to transition to the F-14A Tomcat. The squadron conducted the first East Coast fighter squadron’s low altitude AIM-54 Phoenix missile shoot a month later. In October 1985, VF-103 and VF-74 participated in the interception of the Egyptian Boeing 737 carrying the Achille Lauro hijackers. During a long range night intercept by VF-74 and VF-103, the 737 was forced to land at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily. The terrorists were taken into Italian custody, tried and sentenced. Check out this stunning F-14 Tomcat Roaring Soaring VF-103 Art by Squadron Posters!
Squadron Posters offers the world’s largest collection of squadron-specific artwork! Explore our stunning vintage-style military aviation travel posters honoring all branches of service. Our artwork doesn’t just represent aircraft, armored cavalry, or ships – it celebrates the adventures, assignments, and places that become part of your story. From the Space Needle and New Orleans to the Golden Gate Bridge, Mt. Rushmore, and the National Mall, our posters capture the destinations connected to military life. McChord AFB may not be in Seattle, but if you were stationed there, chances are your memories include the Space Needle! (Visit our Facebook page HERE.)
That’s what makes Squadron Posters different – our artwork is about remembering where you’ve lived, where you’ve served, and the adventures you’ve experienced along the way.
Collect your travels and tell your story!
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