Based out of NAS Cecil Field, FL, the Marauders of VFA-82 converted from the A-7 in July 1987 and became the first Fleet squadron to be equipped with McDonnell Douglas' F/A-18C Hornet Strike Fighter. They were assigned to the USS America (CV-66) and participated in Desert Storm. Since Cecil Field closed, they moved to and are currently stationed at MCAS Beaufort, SC. This is their most recent cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and shows they participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as the Horn Of Africa (HOA).

This is most recent cruise patch for CVN-65 (USS Enterprise) for their OIF/OEF cruise in 2007. It is a moonshine jug with all the participating squadrons in the middle overlaid onto a CENTCOM AOR map. On the bottom of the patch it states: "I'd rather be drinking". This patch does not have velcro attached.

This is most recent cruise patch for VFA-86 (Sidewinders) for their OIF/OEF cruise in 2007. The Sidewinders fly the F-18 hornet out of MCAS Beaufort, SC. It is a knock-off of the Jack Daniels label. This patch does not have velcro attached.

This is another cruise patch for CVN-65 (USS Enterprise) for their OIF/OEF cruise in 2007. It is a cirucular patch denoting all the participating squadrons in the middle overlaid onto a CENTCOM AOR map. On the top it states: "USS ENTERPRISE CVN-65" and on the bottom of the patch it states: "OIF / OEF 2007". This patch does not have velcro attached.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing One when they were in the Persian Gulf in 2003-04 for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It shows a can of beer (or adult beverage) and says, 'Twice The Red Ass Half the Combat'. Pretty unique patch.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) when they were in the Persian Gulf in 2003-04 for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It is an oval patch that shows a poker hand with the various participating squadrons. On the bottom it says 'Dealin' The Dead Man's Hand'.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing One when they were in the Persian Gulf in 2006 for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It shows a bottle of hot sauce and says, 'Cleared Hot' with a Taliban Pete character.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing One when they were in the Persian Gulf in 2006 for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It is in the shape of a question mark and asks, 'Where next?'.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing One when they were in the Persian Gulf in 2004 for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. It shows the Dove of Peace and asks "Are we late? Did we miss it?".

This is the FIRST Operation Enduring Freedom patch that came out. It is also the LAST cruise patch for the VF-41 "Black Knights" in the F-14 Tomcat. It has the now-famous cat (Tomcat) sharpening it's claws for our turn.

The "Bulls" of VFA-37 were formerly a Vought A-7 Corsair II squadron, but now fly the F/A-18C as part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). This is the cruise patch they made from their Med Sea/Persian Gulf tour in '98-'99.

This is the "shield-shaped" cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing Three when they were in the Persian Gulf in 1999 for Operation Desert Fox.

This is the cruise patch from the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and Airwing Three when they were in the Persian Gulf in 1998 for Operation Desert Fox.

VF-103 was established in May 1952 and began the transition from F-4S Phantoms to the F-14A Tomcat in January 1983. The 'Sluggers' were with the USS Saratoga in CVW-17 for the majority of her time, before switching to the USS Enterprise. VF-103 adopted the "Skull and Crossbones" of VF-84 to continue their tradition. VF-103 painted the vertical tails of one of their jets with this schematic on the 1996 Med Cruise they were on. I saw this firsthand, as I was on that cruise also.

This is the Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department (AIMD) patch for the USS Enterprise (CVN-65). They handle the "mid-level" maintenance repairs for the aircraft attached to them.

This patch is from the USS Enterprise with Airwing 11 aboard during the "Persian Excursion" of 1988. It has the "handmade/in-country" feel to it also.