NAS Oceana, VA  11/12 May 2005

Finally it was time to see our first F-14 Tomcat flying during our US East Coast Tour. The retirement of this mighty jet was the main reason for us to visit the United States. NAS Oceana is the last base to operate with the F-14. In the early years more than 15 Tomcat squadrons operated from here. During our visit only four squadrons were left, VF-31, VF-32, VF-101 and VF-213. Unfortunately two of them were deployed to NAS Fallon for an exercise. Most of the other Tomcat squadrons are now flying the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, such as VFA-11, VFA-143 and VFA-211.

When we came from Langley AFB, we first went looking for the viewing area which should be on the north-east side of the field. During our visit they were only using the 23/05 runways and not the smaller 32/14 runways. The spot we found was almost directly on centerline for the runway 23L. Which made it a good spot to take pictures of the landing aircraft at runway 23R. Unfortunately most aircraft used the 23L, which made them fly almost directly over our heads.

Later that afternoon we decided to look for another spot on the north-west side of the runway. We found a nice place at a wood-sawyer which is located close to the fence. Here we asked if it was possible for us to stand on his property, which was no problem at all. After a while we had a small visit of a very nice police officer, who was asking what we were doing. But after he spoke with Dwain (wood-sawyer) everything was ok. Thanks Dwain for using your property!! An hour later we had to find another spot on the other side of the runway because they began using the runway 05.

After they changed runways we found a nice spot at the car parking of S&K Sales Co. near Hawkeye Ct. When Mo and Mark went inside the building to ask permission to park our car there I already started taking pictures of the last two F-14s that came back that day. Sorry guys!! Unfortunately we only had a clear view on the aircraft that landed out of an overhead pattern. The aircraft that came in straight in stayed behind the tree line. Around 7 o'clock we decided to go back to our rooms to take a shower. Later that evening we went to Virginia Beach to have dinner at Giovanni's. When we came back at 11 o'clock the last fighters of that day finally landed.

The next morning Mo and I went first to the visitor platform before we picked up Mark. We did this every morning so Mark could sleep 30 minutes longer. After all he doesn't write down numbers but only takes pictures of the aircraft. Around 9 o'clock in the morning we started calling some squadrons. Unfortunately most of them didn't pick up the phone. But finally we were lucky when Mo got the ready room of VFA-106 on the phone. We were welcome and after a small security check we were picked up by 'Baron' a French Navy exchange pilot. He told us everything we wanted to know about the Hornet and the Super Hornet. After that we did a small tour inside the VFA-106 squadron building and were allowed to take some pictures of the flightline from upstairs in the ready room. Then we bought some small goodies of VFA-106 and went outside where we were able to take some pictures on the flightline. We were even invited to have a seat inside a F/A-18C. Thanks a  lot 'Baron' and the other guys of VFA-106!!

After visiting VFA-106 we went back to Mo's room and started calling the Tomcat squadrons. As two of the four squadron were deployed to NAS Fallon it was very hard to finally get someone on the phone. But we did, and were invited to have a look at my favorite squadron VF-101. This time we were picked up by a beautiful lady of the maintenance crew and she escorted us to the hangar. Here we all got a nice pair of sound barriers to protect our ears. Then Lt.Cmdr. Geiger 'Alf' picked us up to show us around on the flightline. When he asked us which one we wanted to take pictures of I immediately answered: "All of them!!" He started laughing and told us it was no problem at all. Everything was possible during our tour on the flightline and we were also allowed to take pictures of the VF-32 "Swordsmen" Tomcats. My dreams came true! When we returned to the squadron building we went upstairs to buy some 'Reaper' goodies. I bought 3 t-shirts, and 3 badges!! After that our tour at VF-101 ended, thanks a lot 'Alf' and the boys and girls of VF-101 and VF-32, you guys rule!!!

After we left the mighty Tomcats of VF-101 we had lunch at the McDonalds on base. Back in Mo's room we tried to get in contact with VFC-12 but no one was there to answer the phone. After a visit to the NEX (Naval Exchange) to buy some things we drove towards the parking place of S&K Sales Co. where we also stayed the day before. Unfortunately the light was not that good anymore so we left around 7 o'clock.

History of VFA-106 "Gladiators"

Strike-Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO SIX began as Bomber-Fighter Squadron 17 (VBF-17) at Agana Air Field, Guam on January 11, 1945. One month later, flying F6F-5 Hellcats, VBF-17 embarked onboard USS Hornet (CV 12) to participate in combat operations against the Japanese. In late 1946 the squadron moved to NAS Norfolk, was transferred to Fighter Squadron Six Baker (VF-6B) operating the F4U-4 Corsair.

Transferred again in July 1948 as Fighter Squadron 62 (VF-62), the squadron transitioned to F8F Bearcat aircraft. In August 1950 the squadron received F2H Banshee aircraft and moved to NAS Cecil Field, FL. VF-62 officially became the "Gladiators" on April 16, 1952. The squadron was transferred as Attack Squadron 106 (VA-106) in March 1955 and received F9F-8B Cougar aircraft later that year. In June 1958 the transition was made to Douglas A4D-2 Skyhawks. The squadron was subsequently decommissioned on November 7, 1969. Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (VFA-106) was commissioned at NAS Cecil Field on April 27, 1984, flying the Navy's newest tactical aircraft, the F/A-18 Hornet.

In the summer of 1999 VFA-106 moved from NAS Cecil Field to NAS Oceana, VA. As the East Coast Fleet Replacement Squadron, the Gladiators’ mission is to train F/A-18 Replacement Pilots to support fleet commitments. Every 6 weeks a class of between 8-12 newly-winged Navy and Marine Corps pilots begins the 9 month training course in which they will learn the basics of air-to-air and air-to-ground missions culminating in day/night carrier qualification and subsequent assignment to a fleet Hornet squadron.

History of VF-101 "Grim Reapers"

The original "Grim Reapers" were established as Fighter Squadron TEN on 3 June 1942 at NAS San Diego, flying the F4F Wildcat. They deployed on board the USS Enterprise (CV-6) to the South Pacific. After returning to the United States, VF-10 reformed at NAS Sand Point flying the F6F-3 Hellcat. VF-10 returned to NAS Alameda and was disestablished in November 1945. Fighter Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VF-101) was established 1 May 1952 at Cecil Field, equipped with the FG1-D Corsair.  In late 1952, the squadron's propeller-driven era ended with the arrival of the F2H-1 Banshee. August 1956 witnessed the introduction of the F4D-1 Skyray. In April 1958, VF-101 merged with the Fleet All-Weather Training Unit Atlantic and assumed the function of training all-weather fighter pilots in the F4D-1 Skyray and F3H-2 Demon. VF-101 became a component of Readiness Attack Carrier Air Wing FOUR at that time. In June 1960, VF-101 Detachment "A" was established at NAS Oceana to train pilots, radar intercept officers and enlisted personnel in the F4H-1 Phanton II. The Skyray was phased out in March and Demon training was phased out in December 1962. In February 1963, Detachment "A" was disestablished and F-4 training was moved to NAS Key West. On 1 May 1966, VF-101 again formed a detachment to NAS Oceana to support the mission of VF-101 by training F4B replacement pilots and radar intercept officers in conventional weapons delivery, aerial refueling, radar intercept techniques, air-to-air combat tactics, and missile firing. August 1967 saw the introduction of the F-4J to VF-101. In February 1971, VF-101 was assigned to the operational control of Commander Fleet Air Norfolk. On 1 April 1971 the squadron officially completed its move from Key West, leaving a permanent detachment at Key West to conduct the tactics portion of replacement aircrew training. 

In January 1976, VF-101 assumed the additional role of training F-14 aircrews and maintenance personnel while concurrently maintaining its traditional role as the Atlantic Fleet F-4J Readiness Squadron. In support of this requirement VF-101's ranks increased to over 1,200 personnel. In June, VF101 convened its first aircrew class in support of VF-41/84's transition from the F-4N Phantom to the F-14A Tomcat. On August 5, 1977, VF-101 split into two distinct readiness squadrons. VF-101 was designated as the East Coast F-14 FRS and VF-171 was designated as the F-4 FRS. VF-171 disestablished in June 1984. On 30 September 1994, with the disestablishment of VF-124 Gunfighters (the west coast F-14 FRS), VF-101 became the single F-14 Fleet Replacement Squadron for the Navy, training crews in the F-14A, F-14B, and F-14D, operating from NAS Oceana, Virginia.