re: So you want to be a Carrier Pilot

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Can't quite make the CAG bird - VF-31? Looks like the Tomcatters but can't make it out.

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Yup, squadron has a long linage too.

WW2 CV2. This is a Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat fighter of VF-31 Fighter Squadron 31, the Tomcatters. Note 4 Japanese kills & squadron's Felix the Cat insignia. B&W shot is April 1942: both these planes went down w/Lex. F1 flown by LCDR John Thach; F13 by LT Ed O'Hare.






Wash day on the USS Saratoga. Taking North Atlantic water over the bow, 2 DecF-4B Phantom IIs of VF-31 "Tomcatters" and VF-103 "Sluggers" secured on the deck, Dec 2 1967


The “CAG” jet from VF-31 “Tomcatters” tickles the Mach on a high-speed pass at NAS Oceana, both G.E. F-110-400 engines in full afterburner.


I was on this Med cruise, last deployment for the FID (CV-59 Forrestal)

VF-11 Red Rippers and VF-31 Tomcatters in formation with Turkish AF F-16, USS Forrestal 1991 cruise.


Then 2 months after that deployment did a homeport change from Ocean to Miramar. Upgraded from F-14A to F-14D and deployed with same squadron in 94.

ir Group assigned Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) over USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) 1 May 1994. CVW-14
F-14D Tomcat VF-11and VF-31 Tomcatters;
S-3B Viking VS-35
F/A-18C(N) VFA-25 and from VFA-113
EA-6B Prowler VAQ-139
E-2C Hawkeye VAW-113
A-6E Intruder VA-196



One of the finest jets ever made