Model Number: U.S. Navy F-14D VF-31 "Tomcatters" Squadron
—— The U.S. Navy's Final F-14 Combat Unit
VF-31 "Tomcatters" (Fighter Squadron 31):
Established in 1943 as one of the Navy's oldest carrier-based fighter squadrons, its nickname "Tomcatters" originated from their 1940s mascot - a black cat named "Tomcat".
The F-14D Era:
During the 1990s, VF-31 transitioned to F-14Ds, becoming one of only two U.S. Navy squadrons operating this ultimate variant (alongside VF-2 "Bounty Hunters").
Key Operations:
1999 Kosovo War: Flew combat patrols and precision strikes from USS Theodore Roosevelt.
2001 Afghanistan War: Dropped the first JDAMs in F-14 history during Operation Enduring Freedom.
2003 Iraq War: Conducted final combat missions including reconnaissance and precision strikes.
Final Chapter:
On September 22, 2006, VF-31's F-14D (BuNo 164603) completed the last operational flight of any U.S. Navy Tomcat.