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US Navy - Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (STRKFITRON 14)

VFA-14 'Tophatters'
 
vfa-14 tophatters insignia crest patch badge strike fighter squadron us navy
 vfa-14 tophatters strike fighter squadron f/a-18e super hornet us navy
 
STATUS:  established as Pacific Fleet Air Detachment on September 1, 1919
redesignated Torped & Bombing Squadron VT-5 on September 7, 1920
redesignated Patrol Squadron VP-4-1 on September 7, 1921
redesignated Fighting Squadron VF-4 on September 23, 1921
redesignated VF-1 on July 1, 1922
redesignated VF-1B High Hatters on July 1, 1927
redesignated Bombing Squadron VB-2B on July 1, 1934
redesignated VB-3 on July 1, 1937
redesignated VB-4 on July 1, 1939
redesignated Scouting Squadron VS-41 on March 15, 1941
(renamed Tophatters in 1942)
redesignated VB-41 on March 1, 1943
redesignated VB-4 on August 4, 1943
redesignated Attack Squadron VA-1A on November 15, 1946
redesignated VA-14 on August 2, 1948
redesignated VF-14 on December 15, 1949
VF-14 redesignated VFA-14 on December 1, 2001
 
Homebase: NAS Lemoore, California
Carrier Air Wing: CVW-9
Aircraft Carrier: USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
ACTIVE UNIT
AIRCRAFT:  Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet
DEPLOYMENTS: 

March 2003 - November 2003 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

May 2004 - July 2004 with CVW-11 aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

May 2005 - November 2005 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

April 2007 - September 2007 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

January 2008 - June 2008 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

July 2009 - March 2010 with CVW-11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68)

July 2011 - March 2012 with CVW-9 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)

August 2012 - May 2013 with CVW-9 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
 January 2016 - ?? with CVW-9 aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
 

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F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - June 2016

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet carrier air wing cvw-9 uss john c. stennis cvn-74
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - May 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - February 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - February 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - February 2016


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2016

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet cvw-9 uss john c. stennis cvn-74
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - August 2015


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - December 2014


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - December 2014


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2014


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2014


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2014


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013

strike fighter squadron vfa-14 tophatters cvw-9 uss john c. stennis cvn-74
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet cvw-9
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013

vfa-14 tophatters uss john c. stennis cvn-74
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) refueling an EA-6B Prowler from VAQ-133 - April 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - February 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2013

f/a-18e super hornet m61a2 20mm gatling gun vfa-14 tophatters
M61A2 20mm gatling gun from a F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) - January 2013


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - October 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - September 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - September 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - September 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - January 2012


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - December 2011


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - October 2011


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-9) embarked on USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) - July 2011


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2010


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - February 2010

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet cvw-11 uss nimitz cvn-68
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - January 2010


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - December 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - July 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2009

vfa-14 tophatters carrier air wing cvw-11 uss nimitz cvn-68
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2009


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - April 2008


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2008


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - August 2007

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - July 2007


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - June 2007


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2007


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - November 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2005

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet uss nimitz cvn-68 persian gulf
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2005


F/A-18E Super Hornets (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2005

vfa-14 tophatters cvw-11 uss ronald reagan cvn-76
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - July 2004


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - May 2004


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - October 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - May 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - April 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - April 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2003


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) embarked on USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - March 2003

vfa-14 tophatters f/a-18e super hornet cvw-11 uss carl vinson cvn-70
F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2002


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) - October 2002


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2002


F/A-18E Super Hornet (VFA-14 / CVW-11) aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) - September 2002
 
 
History:

After their last F-14 cruise VF-14 and VF-41 relocated to NAS Lemoore and began the transition to the F/A-18 Super Hornet switching to CVW-11 and USS Nimitz (CVN-68). Both squadrons deployed to participate in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) aboard USS Nimitz and prior to arrival in the Persian Gulf, two VF-14 F/A-18Es and two F/A-18Fs (VFA-41) were forward deployed to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in late March 2003 to augment its airwing. The Super Hornets were requested to boost the air refueling capabilities of CVW-14 as well as qualified Forward Air Controllers, Airborne (FAC (A)) (the F/A-18Fs). The division of F/A-18s flew from USS Nimitz to USS Abraham Lincoln, a 2,700-mile (4,300 km) trip. On 6 April, the Hornets returned to USS Nimitz. During OIF, VFA-14 expended laser-guided bomb's, JDAM bombs and AGM-65 Maverick missiles and conducted numerous long-range missions to northern Baghdad and Tikrit.

After its OIF cruise in 2003, VFA-14 conducted Air Wing training at NAS Fallon and made the maiden deployment with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in 2004, the cruise took them from Virginia to California around South America. After work-ups in 2004 they deployed for a 2005 cruise, supporting OIF and flying over 2,100 sorties and over 4,300 flight hours.

In 2006, VFA-14 made detachments to NAS Fallon and a joint exercise with the Royal Air Force to Scotland. Training persisted through 2006 with a Strike Fighter Advance Readiness Program (SFARP) with a three-week detachment to NAS Fallon. VFA-14 and CVW-11 participated in Navy Fleet Week in San Francisco in early October. During this period, two F/A-18Es made a flyover during a 49ers game and several Tophatters donated time to a community relations project renovating a local school. Training continued into 2007 in preparation for the up-coming GULF/WESTPAC deployment in support of OIF and OEF, and exercise Valiant Shield near Guam.

On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on board the Nimitz.

During 2009 CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group conducted several training exercises off the coast of Southern California including composite unit training and joint task force training in anticipation for their 2009–2010 deployment. On 28 July it was reported that CVW-11 and the Nimitz Strike Group was to depart for a seven-month deployment.


VFA-14 and VFA-41 changed air wings and carriers to CVW-9 and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), and on 27 July 2011 CVW-9 deployed onboard USS John C. Stennis to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, counter-piracy and maritime security operations.
 
 
 

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