VFA - 14 The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 ( VFA - 14 ) " Tophatters " are a United States Navy fighter attack squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore . They fly the F / A - 18E Super Hornet , and are the Navy ' s oldest active squadron , having formed in 1919 . Their callsign is " Camelot " , and their tail code is " NH . " History . Since its inception the squadron has flown 23 different type aircraft , had its designation changed fourteen times , operated from 20 different aircraft carriers ( and several battleships ) and had 81 commanding officers ( the 82nd is now in command ) . Over the years the squadron has been assigned many different missions , including patrol and observation in its early years , and scouting , attack , fighter , bombing and forward air control missions when it became associated with carrier - based operations . The squadron adopted the classic Top Hat as its squadron patch and called themselves the " High Hats " . VFA - 14 squadron linage Early years . The Tophatters began carrier operations on board the Navy ' s first aircraft carrier " Langley " in 1926 . The squadron , then designated Fighter Plane Squadron One , set the record for carrier landings in a single day . Flying the TS - 1 , they logged 127 traps by the end of flight operations . In 1929 the squadron was assigned to " Saratoga " , where it began as a fighter squadron and transitioned to a bomber squadron . Throughout the 1930s , the Tophatters flew the FB - 5 , F2B , F4B , F11C Goshawk , SBC Helldiver and the SB2U - 1 Vindicator . In 1939 , while flying the Vindicator , the Tophatters were transferred to the Atlantic Fleet and " Ranger " . 1940s . The Tophatters proved to be formidable foes during World War II . While on " Ranger " , the squadron provided air support for the invasion of North Africa in November 1942 . During the four days of 8 November – November 11 , the pilots destroyed 16 enemy aircraft . Flying the SBD Dauntless dive bomber , the squadron participated in the first American naval air strike against German forces in Norway ' s inner channel . In November 1944 , the squadron transferred to the Pacific Fleet , and participated in the Leyte Campaign while attached to " Bunker Hill " . After transferring to " Essex " , the squadron bombed fortifications on Formosa in January 1945 , supported the assault on Iwo Jima in February , participated in the first naval carrier strike on Tokyo , and completed Pacific combat operations with strikes on Okinawa in early March 1945 . After the war ' s end VB - 4 made four cruises aboard , including a world cruise between 28 September 1948 and 21 February 1949 , after which the squadron was based on the U . S . East Coast . On 15 November 1946 VB - 4 became Attack Squadron 1A ( VA - 1A ) , and in August 1948 the squadron was again redesignated Attack Squadron 14 ( VA - 14 ) and transitioned from the SB2C - 5 to the Vought F4U - 4 Corsair . In December 1949 VA - 14 was redesignated Fighter Squadron 14 ( VF - 14 ) . 1950s . In 1951 and 1952 VF - 14 made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the modernized , still flying the F4U . In 1954 VF - 14 took on the role of all - weather interceptor when they transitioned to the Douglas F3D - 2 Skyknight , but only made a three - months deployment aboard in late 1954 . As the F3D proved unsuitable for carrier operations , the squadron transitioned to the McDonnell F3H - 2N Demon in 1955 . VF - 14 made two deployments aboard in 1957 . The squadron was then re - equipped with F3H - 2s . VF - 14 and its parent CVG - 1 were then re - assigned to the and made eight deployments to the Mediterranean Sea up to 1969 . 1960s . In May 1963 , the Tophatters transitioned to the McDonnell F - 4B Phantom II and on 23 January 1964 they became the first Phantom squadron to operate on board the " FDR " . In June 1966 , after moving to NAS Oceana , the Tophatters deployed to the South China Sea to conduct air strikes and support missions against military targets in North Vietnam . During this combat deployment , the squadron flew 1 , 688 hours on 967 combat sorties and delivered 651 , 624 pounds of ordnance , in addition to flying its traditional combat air patrol and fighter escort missions . The squadron distinguished itself in Olongapo and stories are still told among jeepney drivers attesting to the group ' s prowess in downing Mojos and San Magoo . When the " FDR " entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a modernization , CVW - 1 and VF - 14 were re - assigned to the in 1969 and stayed with the " JFK " for nine deployments until 1982 . 1970s . In January 1974 , after four highly successful Mediterranean deployments , the squadron transitioned to the Navy ' s newest fighter , the Grumman F - 14A Tomcat at NAS Miramar and was teamed with VF - 32 as the first two Tomcat squadrons to arrive at NAS Oceana . In June 1975 the Tophatters became the first Atlantic squadron to deploy with the F - 14A alongside VF - 32 aboard " John F . Kennedy " . In October 1978 , the Tophatter aircrew set an all - time F - 14 flight hour record when they flew 977 hours in one month while deployed in the Mediterranean . In 1976 , VF - 14 launched the 100th AIM - 54 Phoenix missiles against a simulated cruise missile at a range of , killing it at a range of from " John F . Kennedy " . During the same cruise , VF - 14 intercepted a Soviet Tu - 95 on 21 July . VF - 14 escorted the bomber for around 45 minutes , during which the Soviet bomber made two passes over the " Kennedy " . 1980s . In August 1980 , the Tophatters deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on the " Kennedy " . During this deployment , VF - 14 won the Silver Anchor Award and the Battle " E " Award for combat readiness , for the second year in a row . The achievements that contributed to the awards included 3 missile firing exercises with a 100 % kill ratio , first East Coast TCS installations and 26 . 500 accident free flying hours over the space of 8 years . In June 1982 VF - 14 was re - assigned to Carrier Air Wing 6 aboard the , and in July was named the " Best Fighter Squadron " for superb performance in the Fleet Fighter Air Combat Readiness Program ( FFARP ) . October and early November 1983 found the Tophatters logging more combat time in support of Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada . After playing an integral part in the liberation of Grenada from Cuban insurgents , VF - 14 proceeded east to the Mediterranean to participate in contingency operations off the coast of Lebanon . In early December 1983 , the Tophatters were again called upon to provide combat air support for the elements of the multi - national forces in Beirut . On 1 April 1985 , the Tophatters returned to the " Kennedy " , where they spent the rest of the year on a turnaround - training schedule , which included eleven detachments to various parts of the United States and Canada . Although again aboard the " JFK " , VF - 14 was now assigned to Carrier Air Wing 3 . On 18 April 1986 , the Tophatters departed for the Mediterranean once again and were extended on deployment due to the Lebanese hostage crisis . Upon their return to the United States , the Tophatters were again proclaimed the " Best Fighter Squadron " by winning the 1987 FFARP award . In 1989 , VF - 14 was presented with the " Grand Slam " award in recognition of their perfect missile firing record . The squadron entered 1990 conducting workups for deployment and making portcalls in Portland , Mayport , New York City and Boston . During exercises off Puerto Rico , the Tophatters operated against French Super Etendard and F - 8 Crusader s from the French Aircraft Carrier Foch ( R 99 ) . 1990s . On 10 August 1990 , eight days after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait , the " John F . Kennedy " was ordered to emergency deploy to the Red Sea aboard the " Kennedy " to take part in Operation Desert Shield . During the months leading up to the war , the Tophatters played an integral role in enforcing the Iraqi embargo flying Combat Air Patrol and standing alert duty continuously . On the morning of 17 January 1991 , the Tophatters once again flew into combat when they joined United Nations forces in the air assault on Iraq . VF - 14 and VF - 32 flew Combat Air Patrol and Fighter Escort missions for CVW - 3 strike and support aircraft throughout Desert Storm operating in Western and Central Iraq initially and then conducting long range barrier CAP missions in eastern Iraq near the Iranian border . with other Tomcat squadrons from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf that lasted an unprecedented 7 – 8 hours . After combat operations ended , the " Kennedy " remained briefly in the Red Sea stopping off the coast of Egypt for a portcall before returning to NAS Oceana after eight months at sea . In December 1991 , VF - 14 became one of the first squadrons to begin training for the Tomcat ' s new air - to - ground mission . After low altitude flight training and several strike - related schools , the Tophatters put their new skills to the test during Air Wing work - ups in Fallon , Nevada . In October 1992 , the Tophatters again headed east for a Mediterranean deployment . Once past the Rock of Gibraltar , VF - 14 began flying air superiority and reconnaissance missions in the Adriatic Sea in support of UN policies in the former Yugoslavia . During this deployment , the Tophatters also participated in several highly successful exercises with Egypt , Morocco and Turkey , while continuing to support operations off the coast of the former Yugoslavia and Operation Provide Comfort in Iraq . In 1995 , the Tophatters were the test bed for the Tomcat air - to - ground rockets program . The Tophatters , which like to call themselves the " Oldest and the Boldest , " were awarded the Fighter Fling Banner Blaster award for their superior performance in the air - to - air gunnery arena . In late 1995 , the squadron was detached from CVW - 3 when the Navy began reducing the number of Tomcat squadrons to carrier air wings from two to one and retaining the TARPS capable squadrons . As a non - TARPS squadron , VF - 14 was originally slated for disestablishment and temporarily assigned to Fighter Wing One at NAS Oceana . The following year saw much uncertainty for many Tomcat squadrons , but a grassroots campaign to continue the lineage of the Navy ' s oldest squadron was successful in saving the Tophatters from extinction and the squadron was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 , which was losing VF - 84 , with sister squadron VF - 41 . In January 1996 , the Tophatters once again rejoined the " John F . Kennedy " . In March , the squadron deployed on the " John C . Stennis " . June took the Tophatters on a 40 - day cruise aboard the " Kennedy " to Ireland and England . Next , VF - 14 visited the Mediterranean and other areas . During March 1998 , VF - 14 changed its home to the nuclear - powered aircraft carrier the " Theodore Roosevelt " . In 1999 , the Tophatters were involved in NATO ' s Operation Allied Force and in Operation Southern Watch . 2000s . In April 2001 , VF - 14 embarked on their final F - 14 cruise on board , supporting Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom . As the carrier headed for home and on its way to South Africa they were given order to head to the North Persian Gulf after the September 11 attacks . The USS " Enterprise " / CVW - 8 had been elected to be the night carrier during OEF and thus didn ' t see action until 8 October , VF - 14 attacked a radar warning installation near Kabul during CVW - 8 ' s initial strike , which had been envisioned to have a section of F / A - 18s , a section of F - 14s from VF - 14 and an EA - 6B from VAQ - 141 , but due to insufficient fuel available for the Hornets , only the F - 14s and the EA - 6B pressed on . After their return to the US in November , VF - 14 had dropped 173 , 324 lbs of ordnance ( 174 laser - guided bombs ) , VF - 14 also buddy - lased 28 AGM - 65 and 23 laser - guided bombs . 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 . 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 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 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 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 . 2010s . 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 .