The "Ghostriders" of VF-142 were established in August 1948 as VF-193, then were redesignated to their final designation in October 1963. This patch is a "reproduction" of that original VF-193 squadron patch. It has that handmade look and feel to it, and is as close to the original I could get.

The "Ghostriders" of VF-142 were established in August 1948 as VF-193, then were redesignated to their final designation in October 1963. Transitioning from the F-4Js on the West Coast, they began flying the F-14 Tomcat in 1974, and switched to an East Coast squadron based at NAS Oceana, VA. They made their first carrier deployment aboard the USS America (CV-66), then transitioned to flying the A+ (later known as the F-14B) in 1991. They transited the Suez Canal and participated in Desert Shield, but were withdrawn before the beginning of Desert Storm. They were decommissioned in the mid 1990's.

Established as VF-193 in August 1948, the "Ghostriders" were redesignated as VF-142 on 15 October 1963 and began flying the F-14 in 1974. Transitioning to an East Coast squadron at NAS Oceana, VA, they were attached to the USS America (CV-66) for their first deployment with CVW-6, then were transferred to the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and CVW-7. This was their aircraft triangle patch and has the gold threaded border.

Established as VF-193 in August 1948, the "Ghostriders" were redesignated as VF-142 on 15 October 1963 and began flying the F-14 in 1974. Transitioning to an East Coast squadron at NAS Oceana, VA, they were attached to the USS America (CV-66) for their first deployment with CVW-6, then were transferred to the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and CVW-7. This was their Battle "E" patch received just before their decommissioning.

Established as VF-193 in August 1948, the "Ghostriders" were redesignated as VF-142 on 15 October 1963 and began flying the F-14 in 1974. Transitioning to an East Coast squadron at NAS Oceana, VA, they were attached to the USS America (CV-66) for their first deployment with CVW-6, then were transferred to the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69) and CVW-7.

These are the color version of the nametags for the pilots for VF-143. 

These are the color versions of the nametags for the RIOs for VF-143. 

These are the desert version of the nametags for the pilots for VF-143.

These are the desert versions of the nametags for the RIOs for VF-143.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 began existance as VF-871, a Reserve squadron activated for the Korean War in July 1950. They flew F-4J Phantoms until 1974 when they transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. They made their first Tomcat cruise aboard the USS America (CV-66) in April 1976. This is their "Last Time, Baby" aircraft patch depicting the Tomcat Dates for their tenure, 1975-2005

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is their cruise patch for the 2000 Atlantic/Med cruise. Apparently, it was quite a good cruise.........

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 began existance as VF-871, a Reserve squadron activated for the Korean War in July 1950. They flew F-4J Phantoms until 1974 when they transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. They made their first Tomcat cruise aboard the USS America (CV-66) in April 1976. They transitioned to several carriers, but remained with the same battlegroup/CVW and was paired with VF-142 before their decommissioning. They are currently paired with VF-11 in CVW-7.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 began existance as VF-871, a Reserve squadron activated for the Korean War in July 1950. They flew F-4J Phantoms until 1974 when they transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. They made their first Tomcat cruise aboard the USS America (CV-66) in April 1976. They transitioned to several carriers, but remained with the same battlegroup/CVW and was paired with VF-142 before their decommissioning. They are currently paired with VF-11 in CVW-7. This is the patch version they wear when over in the "Box" (Persian Gulf).

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 began existance as VF-871, a Reserve squadron activated for the Korean War in July 1950. They flew F-4J Phantoms until 1974 when they transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. They converted from Pacific to Atlantic fleet, homeporting now at NAS Oceana, VA. They were attached to CVW-7/CVN-69 during the Storm and had VF-142 as their sister squadron aboard ship. They now fly the F-14Bs.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 began existance as VF-871, a Reserve squadron activated for the Korean War in July 1950. They flew F-4J Phantoms until 1974 when they transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat. They converted from Pacific to Atlantic fleet, homeporting now at NAS Oceana, VA. They were attached to CVW-7/CVN-69 during the Storm and had VF-142 as their sister squadron aboard ship. They now fly the F-14Bs and this is the patch the maintainers/Plane Captains wear with pride.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is the TARPS patch they wear since they carry the TARPS pod on their jet. It shows the RIO pukin' his brains out (in green). Get it? The "Pukin' Dogs"!!!

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is their "New Guy" patch.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is the squadron version of the "award" patch given to them for their excellence. This is the 1996 Clifton Battle 'E' patch.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is the actual (six-sided) "award" patch given to them for their excellence. This is the 1996 Clifton Battle 'E' patch.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is the squadron version of the "award" patch given to them for their excellence. This is the 2004 Clifton Battle 'E' patch commemmorating their last Battle 'E' award as a Tomcat squadron. It also shows their history of Battle 'E's, 1990/1996/1998/2002 and this one.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. This is their 50th Anniversary patch created for their time from 1949-1999.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. Even though they participated in the workups precluding the Persian Gulf conflict, they were withdrawn before the start of the War.

The 'Pukin Dogs' of VF-143 fly the F-14Bs out of NAS Oceana, VA. They did their maiden F-14 voyage onboard the USS America in 1976. Even though they participated in the workups precluding the Persian Gulf conflict, they were withdrawn before the start of the War. This is the desert version of the felix they wear on the right shoulder of the flight suit.

This is the patch worn on the right sleeve of the flightsuits of the Pilots and RIOs of VF-143, the 'Pukin Dogs'. One of the Tomcat squadrons located at NAS Oceana, VA.