#1218 FA-18E Super Hornet
Purchased products will not feature the Squadron Prints watermark
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1218 - F/A-18E Super Hornet, 166434 \'200\', VFA-14, NAS Lemoore, California.
The history of Strike Fighter Squadron FOURTEEN (VFA-14) dates back to the origins of Naval Aviation. The Squadron entered active service in September 1919, making it the Navy’s oldest active squadron. Since its inception, the Squadron has flown twenty-three different types of aircraft, had its designation changed fourteen times, operated from over twenty different aircraft carriers (as well as several battleships), and has had over eighty Commanding Officers. Over the years the Squadron has performed a myriad of different missions, including patrol and observation in its early years. When the TOPHATTERS became involved in carrier-based aviation, the Squadron executed scout, attack, fighter, bomber and forward air control missions. The TOPHATTERS began carrier operations aboard the Navy’s first aircraft carrier, USS LANGLEY (CV 1), in 1926. The Squadron, then designated Fighter Plane Squadron ONE, established a record for carrier landings in a single day, logging one hundred twenty-seven traps by the end of flight operations. During World War II, the TOPHATTERS proved to be an effective extension of the United States Navy’s power. While embarked aboard USS RANGER (CV 4), the Squadron provided air support for the invasion of North Africa in November of 1942, destroying sixteen enemy aircraft. Later while 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 embarked on USS BUNKER HILL (CV 17). After transferring to USS ESSEX (CV 9), the Squadron bombed fortifications on Formosa in January 1945, supported the assault on Iwo Jima in February, and completed Pacific combat operations with strikes on Okinawa in March 1945. During the Vietnam War, the TOPHATTERS deployed to the China Sea and conducted air strikes against military targets in North Vietnam. During their 1966 combat deployment, the Squadron flew 1,688 hours on 967 combat sorties and delivered 651,624 pounds of ordnance. In January 1974, the Squadron transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. On 10 August 1990, eight days after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the Squadron deployed to the Red Sea aboard the USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD. On the morning of 17 January 1991, the TOPHATTERS joined United Nations forces in the liberation of Kuwait. After over a decade of flying the mighty Tomcat, VF-14 was re-designated VFA-14. The Squadron transitioned from the Tomcat to the single-seat F/A-18E Super Hornet in 2001, and was re-assigned to Carrier Air Wing ELEVEN (CVW-11), home based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA. VFA-14 made their maiden deployment as a Super Hornet squadron aboard the USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) from March to November 2003 and flew combat missions in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF). In addition to supporting coalition ground forces in Close Air Support missions, VFA-14 led the only CVW-11 joint, large-force strikes into Iraq. Throughout the opening months of OIF, the TOPHATTERS expended Laser and GPS guided weapons, as well as the AGM-65E Laser Maverick air-to-ground missile. Since 2001, the TOPHATTERS have supported Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, NEW DAWN, and ENDURING FREEDOM during seven different combat deployments between 2004 and 2012. The TOPHATTERS were among the last to participate in operations over Iraq in December 2011 while attached to CVW-9 aboard the USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74). During its longstanding history, VFA-14 has earned eight Battle “E” awards, six Chief of Naval Operations Safety “S” awards, and numerous awards for Maintenance excellence. Throughout its successful and distinguished history, the TOPHATTERS have answered the Nation’s call time and time again.