ACIG Database
F-14 Tomcat with USN, Part 4
By Tom Cooper
Feb 1, 2004, 19:50

NF103 was one of the F-14As embarked aboard the USS Kitty Hawk during the last cruise of this ship, in 2003. The unit participated in the Operation "Iraqi Freedom", flying strike missions in support of special operations groups deployed deep inside western and northern Iraq.

NM101 was aircraft assigned to the Commander of the VF-191 "Satan's Kittens", a unit with rich traditions in the times of the WWII and the Korean War, and re-established in 1986 with intention to join the CVW-10, which was planned to embark aboard the USS Independence after the ship would finish her SLEP. Eventually, no cruise was ever made, instead the VF-191 (and her sister squadron, VF-194) became the victiom of the first US Navy cuts which saw elimination of one carrier air wing, in 1988.

NM200 was the "CAG-aircraft" of the VF-194 "Hellfires" or "Red Lightnings", traditions of which were reaching back in the times of the Korean War, and which was re-established in 1988. Although this squadron completed even its carrier qualifications it was soon afterwards disbanded.