The super cool pictures in this post feature the brand-new paint scheme applied while aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt to the F/A-18E CAG jet for VFA-31.
Taken on Dec. 14, 2019 by our friend Scot Meek from FighterJetGeek Aviation Images (be sure to visit his Instagram Account as well as his Facebook Page for awesome military aircraft photos) the super cool pictures in this post feature the brand-new paint scheme applied while aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) to the F/A-18E CAG (Commander Air Group) jet for VFA-31.
The World Famous ‘Tomcatters’ of VFA-31 just finished with deployment workups off the Pacific Coast.
Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 “Tomcatters” is the second oldest fighter squadron operating in the U.S. Navy today; their history dates from the commissioning of the VF-1B Shooting Stars in 1935, flying the Boeing F4B-4. The distinctive VF-31 “Felix the Cat” insignia has been used by the US Navy since 1929, when it graced the fuselage of the VB-2B biplane.
In September 2005 Fighter Squadron THREE ONE marked the history books as they embarked with Carrier Air Wing EIGHT on the USS Theodore Roosevelt for the Navy’s last F-14 Tomcat deployment. Upon return, the squadron began the transition to the F/A-18E Super Hornet and was redesignated Strike Fighter Squadron THREE ONE (VFA-31).
VFA-31 deployed onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) for its first F/A-18E Super Hornet cruise in 2008. The Tomcatters dominated the skies above Afghanistan flying over 6,000 hours and 2,000 sorties in direct support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Through superior weapons, sophisticated technology, and unparalleled skill, Fighting 31 achieved 100% target destruction expending 31 Precision Guided Munitions.
VFA-31 is equipped with the F/A-18E Super Hornet, the backbone of the U.S. Navy carrier air wing now and for decades to come.
The combat-proven Super Hornet delivers cutting-edge, next-generation multi-role strike fighter capability, outdistancing current and emerging threats well into the future. The Super Hornet has the capability, flexibility and performance necessary to modernize the air or naval aviation forces of any country. Two versions of the Super Hornet – the single-seat E model and the two-seat F model – are able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions.
H/T Christian Nentwig
Special thanks to Scot Meek from FighterJetGeek Aviation Images
