VF-31

• Oldest Continuously Active US Navy Fighter Squadron: VF-31, known as the "Tomcatters," traces its lineage back to 1 July 1935, making it the oldest Navy fighter squadron in continuous service. • Felix the Cat Mascot: VF-31's famous mascot, Felix the Cat carrying a bomb, has been the squadron's emblem since the 1920s. It is one of the most recognized insignias in naval aviation. • Multiple Designations: The squadron has been redesignated several times, including as VF-1B, VF-6, VF-3, and finally VF-31 in 1948—a common practice as units merged and reformed over the years. • Combat in World War II: As VF-3 and later VF-6, the squadron saw extensive action in the Pacific during WWII, including the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign, flying legendary aircraft like the F4F Wildcat and F6F Hellcat. • Korean War and Beyond: VF-31 participated in the Korean War, flying F9F Panthers from USS Leyte, and continued to serve through the Vietnam War and into the modern era. • F-14 Tomcat Era: VF-31 became famous for flying the F-14 Tomcat, joining the Tomcat community in 1981. They were the last active US Navy squadron to fly the F-14, retiring the aircraft in 2006. • Historic Last F-14 Flight: On 4 October 2006, VF-31 conducted the final official F-14 Tomcat flight for the US Navy, marking the end of an era in naval aviation. • Navy's First Air-to-Air Kill in Operation Iraqi Freedom: In March 2003, a VF-31 F-14 Tomcat shot down an Iraqi Mi-8 helicopter with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile, the first US Navy air-to-air kill of Operation Iraqi Freedom. • Transition to VFA-31: After retiring the F-14, VF-31 was redesignated VFA-31 and transitioned to flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet, continuing its distinguished service. • Hollywood Fame: The squadron and its Tomcats appeared in several documentaries and films, and the unit's history inspired elements of the "Top Gun" movies.