The "Gunslingers" of VFA-105 are based at NAS Oceana, VA. They were established in March 1968, and are now flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet. They participated in the Gulf War aboard the USS J.F. Kennedy (CV-67) as part of CVW-3.

The "Gunslingers" of VFA-105 are based at NAS Oceana, VA. They were established in March 1968, and are now flying the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet. They participated in the Gulf War aboard the USS J.F. Kennedy (CV-67) as part of CVW-3, but are now part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Truman (CVN-75). This is a Friday party patch worn by the pilots. Here's the story behind it.........The patch designer was the late John Lombardo of Ghost Riders Inc. He designed a complete set of this style patch but at the time many squadrons did not bite because of the odd shape. His family picked up all the stock from his business at the factory when he passed. I have not seen any for years!! He ran a small business out of his home and the Leonard Corp (Swiss-Tec) who for many years made patches for everyone going back to the 40's. They have gone out of business as far as I know. John served with VA-164 The "Ghost Riders" on board the Oriskany in the 60's. He had many scars from the fire on board and I learned how tough life can be from someone who had paid there dues many times over. He was a good friend of mine. I was lucky to get a few tours of the Leonard Corp factory and see and buy many patches. He had family troubles and I lost touch with him for the latter years. What became of his family I will never know. He passed in the early 90's in South Phily.

This is the color nametag for the pilots for VFA-106.

This is the desert nametag for the pilots for VFA-106.

This squadron was established as Bomber-Fighter squadron Seventeen (VBF-17) in January 1945, then redesignated as VF-6b in November 1946, then to VF-62 in July 1948, then VA-106 in July 1955, but were disestablished in November 1969. They were re-established in April 1984 to become the East Coast FRS (training squadron) for the F/A-18 Hornet out of NAS cecil Field, but have since moved to NAS Oceana, VA and are still the East Coast Hornet training squadron.

The "Gladiators" of VFA-106 were established in April 1984 as the East Coast RAG for the F/A-18 Hornet. They operated the A/B/C/D models of this aircraft and flew from NAS Cecil Field, FL. They moved to NAS Oceana, VA in the 1998. They also fly the T-34C Mentor as range-clearance aircraft. This is the "large" version of their squadron patch.

The "Gladiators" of VFA-106 were established in April 1984 as the East Coast RAG for the F/A-18 Hornet. They operated the A/B/C/D models of this aircraft and flew from NAS Cecil Field, FL. They moved to NAS Oceana, VA in the 1998. They also fly the T-34C Mentor as range-clearance aircraft. This is the "medium-sized" version of their squadron patch.

The "Gladiators" of VFA-106 were established in April 1984 as the East Coast RAG for the F/A-18 Hornet. They operate the A/B/C/D models of this aircraft and fly from NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are located at NAS Oceana, VA. They also fly the T-34C Mentor as range-clearance aircraft. This is the large version of their desert squadron patch.

The "Gladiators" of VFA-106 were established in April 1984 as the East Coast RAG for the F/A-18 Hornet. They operate the A/B/C/D models of this aircraft and fly from NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are located at NAS Oceana, VA. They also fly the T-34C Mentor as range-clearance aircraft. This is the smaller version of their desert squadron patch.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the aircraft "diamond" version of their patch.

This squadron was established as Bomber-Fighter squadron Seventeen (VBF-17) in January 1945, then redesignated as VF-6b in November 1946, then to VF-62 in July 1948, then VA-106 in July 1955, but were disestablished in November 1969. They were re-established in April 1984 to become the East Coast FRS (training squadron) for the F/A-18 Hornet out of NAS cecil Field, but have since moved to NAS Oceana, VA and are still the East Coast Hornet training squadron. This is their KNJT Classic Rhino Oval Patch. I have no idea what KNJT means -- so if anyone knows please let me know. This patch does not come with velcro attached.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the aircraft "diamond" version of their demonstration team patch.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the black-bordered version of their oval "rhino" patch.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the yellow-bordered version of their oval "rhino" patch.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the "round" version of their aircraft patch.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the desert version of their aircraft bullet.

The "Gladiators" of VFA-106 were established in April 1984 as the East Coast RAG for the F/A-18 Hornet. They operated the A/B/C/D models of this aircraft and flew from NAS Cecil Field, FL. They moved to NAS Oceana, VA in the 1998. This is their Key West detachment patch they wear when down at the south Air-to-Air range.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 05-05.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 05-06.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 06-02.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 06-06.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 07-04.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class patch for Class 07-06. The patch shows "Little CEASAR" eating what looks like a bomb and says "On Time Delivery 24/7". If anyone knows what the items in CEASAR's hand is for sure please let me know. This patch does not come with velcro attached.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the class coffin patch for Class 07-06. The patch shows an F'18 hornet in a vertical climb and says "RHINO GLADIATORS" across the middle. This patch does not come with velcro attached.

VFA-106 began operating on 27 April 1984 as the East Coast FRS ("RAG") for the F/A-18A/B/C/D models at NAS Cecil Field, FL. They are now located at the Master Jet Base at NAS Oceana, VA where they train Navy, Marine, and foreign exchange pilots. This is the patch created by the Chief Petty Officer's (CPO) Mess to try and raise some funds for their squadron.

The "Stingers" were originally designated VF-113 in July 1948, then became VA-113 in March 1956, before final designation of VFA-113 on 25 March 1983. Flying A-7s for many years, VFA-113 recieved F/A-18Cs in October 1991. They are onboard the USS Car Vinson (CVN-70) and attached to CVW-14. This is their large version of their squadron patch with the black-bordered hive.

The "Stingers" were originally designated VF-113 in July 1948, then became VA-113 in March 1956, before final designation of VFA-113 on 25 March 1983. Flying A-7s for many years, VFA-113 recieved F/A-18Cs in October 1991. They are onboard the USS Car Vinson (CVN-70) and attached to CVW-14. This is their large version of their squadron patch with the yellow-bordered hive.

The "Stingers" were originally designated VF-113 in July 1948, then became VA-113 in March 1956, before final designation of VFA-113 on 25 March 1983. Flying A-7s for many years, VFA-113 recieved F/A-18Cs in October 1991. They are onboard the USS Car Vinson (CVN-70) and attached to CVW-14. This version of the medium-sized squadron patch has black bordering around the outside of the hive.

The "Stingers" were originally designated VF-113 in July 1948, then became VA-113 in March 1956, before final designation of VFA-113 on 25 March 1983. Flying A-7s for many years, VFA-113 recieved F/A-18Cs in October 1991. They are onboard the USS Car Vinson (CVN-70) and attached to CVW-14. This is their desert version of their squadron patch.

This is the "party" patch for the VFA-113 "Stingers" poking fun at their rival, the F-14. The Tomcat always states "Anytime, Baby" and the Hornets are challenging them "Now Baby".

The "Stingers" were long-time flyers of the A-7 Corsair II before recieving the F/A-18C Hornets in October 1991. They are currently onboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and attached to CVW-14. This is the black version of their aircraft patch.