View source for VFA-14

{{Short description|United States Navy aviation squadron}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Strike Fighter Squadron 14
| image                         = File:VFA-14 Emblem.svg
| image_size                    = 190px
| caption                       = 
| dates                         = 1919
| country                       = {{USA}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{navy|USA}}
| type                          = Fighter/Attack
| role                          = [[Close air support]]<br/>[[Air interdiction]]<br/>[[Aerial reconnaissance]]
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = {{nowrap|[[File:CVW-9 Emblem.svg|30px|]][[Carrier Air Wing Nine]]}}
| garrison                      = {{nowrap|[[File:NAS Lemoore Emblem.svg|30px|]][[NAS Lemoore]]}}
| commander1                    = CDR John Keith
| commander1_label              = Commanding Officer
| commander2                    = CDR Brett Jakovich
| commander2_label              = Executive Officer
| commander3                    = CMDCM William L. Simms
| commander3_label              = Command Master Chief
| nickname                      = Tophatters
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = "The Oldest and Boldest"
| colors                        = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| battles                       = [[World War II]]<br/>[[Vietnam War]]<br/>[[Multinational Force in Lebanon]]<br/>[[United States invasion of Grenada]]<br/>[[Gulf War]]<br/>[[Operation Provide Comfort]]<br/>[[Operation Southern Watch]]<br/>[[Operation Allied Force]]<br/>[[Operation Enduring Freedom]]<br/>[[Iraq War]]<br/>[[Operation Inherent Resolve]]<br/>[[2024 Iran–Israel conflict]]<br/>[[Operation Prosperity Guardian]]<br/>[[Operation Poseidon Archer]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = [[Battle Efficiency Award|2022 Battle "E"]]<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|2020 Battle "E"]]<br />[[2012 RADM C. Wade McLuskey Award]]<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|2010 Battle "E"]]<br />[[Battle Efficiency Award|1980 Battle "E"]]
| aircraft_fighter              = [[Boeing P-12|F4B]]<br>[[Vought SB2U Vindicator|SB2U Vindicator]]<br>[[Douglas SBD Dauntless|SBD Dauntless]]<br>[[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U Corsair]]<br>[[Douglas F3D Skyknight|F3D Skyknight]]<br>[[McDonnell F3H Demon|F3H Demon]]<br>[[McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]]<br>[[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14 Tomcat]]<br>[[Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet|F/A-18E Super Hornet]]
}}

'''Strike Fighter Squadron 14''' (VFA-14) "Tophatters" is a [[United States Navy]] fighter attack squadron based at [[Naval Air Station Lemoore]].  They fly the [[F/A-18E Super Hornet]], and are the Navy's oldest active squadron, having formed in 1919.  Their callsign is ''Camelot'', and their tail code is ''NG.''

==History==
Since its inception, the squadron has flown 23 different type aircraft, had its designation changed 14 times, operated from 20 different aircraft carriers and several battleships, and had 92 commanding officers (the 93rd is now in command).

Over the years, the squadron has been assigned many different missions, including patrol and observation in its early years, and scouting, attack, fighter, bombing, and forward air control missions when it became associated with carrier-based operations. The squadron adopted the classic Top Hat as its squadron patch and called themselves the "High Hats."

The squadron's callsign ''"Camelot"'' came about because an old [[Sea captain|skipper]] liked [[King Arthur]] so his wife suggested that the squadron take the callsign of the King's legendary castle, [[Camelot]]. 

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|+VFA-14 squadron lineage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gonavy.jp/navy/sqn/VFA014.html|title=VFA-14|website=gonavy.jp|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>
|-
! Date !! designation !!  class="unsortable" | Squadron type
|-
| Nov 1919  ||  Pacific Fleet<br>Air Detachment ||
|-
|  15 Jun 1920  ||VT-5 || Torpedo and bombing squadron
|-
|  7 Sep 1921  || VP-4-1 || Patrol squadron
|-
|  23 Sep 1921  || VF-4 || Fighting squadron
|-
|  1 Jul 1922  || VF-1 || Fighting squadron
|-
|  1 Jul 1927  || VF-1B || Fighting squadron
|-
|  1 Jul 1934  || VB-2B || Bombing squadron
|-
|  1 Jul 1937  || VB-3 || Bombing squadron
|-
|  1 Jul 1939  || VB-4 || Bombing squadron
|-
|  15 Mar 1941  || VS-41 || Scouting squadron
|-
|  1 Mar 1943  || VB-41 || Bombing squadron
|-
|  4 Aug 1943  || VB-4 || Bombing squadron
|-
|  15 Nov 1946  || VA-1A || Attack squadron
|-
|  2 Aug 1948  || VA-14 || Attack squadron
|-
|  15 Dec 1949  || VF-14 || Fighter squadron
|-
|  1 Dec 2001  || VFA-14 || Strike fighter squadron
|}

===Early years===
The squadron began carrier operations on board the Navy's first aircraft carrier {{USS|Langley|CV-1|6}} in 1926. The squadron, then designated Fighter Plane Squadron One, set the record for carrier landings in a single day. Flying the [[Curtiss TS-1|TS-1]], they logged 127 traps by the end of flight operations.

In 1929, the squadron was assigned to {{USS|Saratoga|CV-3|6}}, where it began as a fighter squadron and transitioned to a bomber squadron. Throughout the 1930s, it flew the [[Boeing FB|Boeing FB-5]], [[Boeing F2B]], [[Boeing F4B]], [[Curtiss F11C Goshawk]], [[Curtiss SBC Helldiver]] and the [[Vought SB2U Vindicator|SB2U-1 Vindicator]]. In 1939, while flying the Vindicator, the squadron was transferred to the Atlantic Fleet and {{USS|Ranger|CV-4|6}}.

===1940s===
[[File:SB2C CVG-4 Tinian NAN9-47.jpg|thumb|right|VB-4 [[Curtiss SB2C Helldiver|SB2C-5s]] in 1947]]
While on ''Ranger'', the squadron provided air support for the [[Allied invasion of North Africa]] in November 1942. During the four days of 8 – 11 November, the pilots destroyed 16 enemy aircraft. Flying the [[Douglas SBD Dauntless]] dive bomber, the squadron participated in [[Operation Leader]], the only American naval air strike against German forces in [[Norway]].

In November 1944, the squadron transferred to the Pacific Fleet, and participated in the [[Battle of Leyte|Leyte Campaign]] while attached to {{USS|Bunker Hill|CV-17|6}}.  After transferring to {{USS|Essex|CV-9|6}}, the squadron bombed fortifications on [[Taiwan|Formosa]] in January 1945, supported the [[Battle of Iwo Jima|assault on Iwo Jima]] in February, participated in the first naval carrier strike on Tokyo, and completed Pacific combat operations with [[Battle of Okinawa|strikes on Okinawa]] in early March 1945.

After the war's end, VB-4 made four cruises aboard {{USS|Tarawa|CV-40|6}}, including a world cruise between 28 September 1948 and 21 February 1949, after which the squadron was based on the US East Coast. On 15 November 1946 VB-4 became Attack Squadron 1A (VA-1A), and in August 1948 the squadron was again redesignated Attack Squadron 14 (VA-14) and transitioned from the [[Curtiss SB2C Helldiver|SB2C-5 Helldiver]] to the [[Vought F4U Corsair|F4U-4 Corsair]]. In December 1949 VA-14 was redesignated Fighter Squadron 14 (VF-14).

===1950s===
[[File:E-1B VAW-12 landing USS FD Roosevelt 1962.jpg|thumb|right|A VF-14 [[McDonnell F3H Demon|F-3B]] on the {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6}}, in 1962–63]]
In 1951 and 1952, VF-14 made two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the modernized {{USS|Wasp|CV-18|6}}, still flying the F4U Corsair. In 1953, they deployed in {{USS|Franklin D. Roosevelt|CV-42|6}} on another Med cruise with Air Task Group (ATG-201), (which included VF-11, VA-12, VF-13, AND VA-15). In 1954, VF-14 took on the role of all-weather interceptor when they transitioned to the [[Douglas F3D Skyknight|F3D-2 Skyknight]], but only made a three-months deployment aboard {{USS|Intrepid|CVA-11|6}} in late 1954. As the F3D proved unsuitable for carrier operations, the squadron transitioned to the [[McDonnell F3H Demon|F3H-2N Demon]] in 1955. VF-14 made two deployments aboard {{USS|Forrestal|CVA-59|6}} in 1957. The squadron was then re-equipped with F3H-2s. VF-14 and its parent [[Carrier Air Wing 1|CVG-1]] were then reassigned to ''Franklin D. Roosevelt'' and made eight deployments to the Mediterranean Sea up to 1969.

===1960s===
[[File:F-4B Phantom II of VF-14 landing on USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) on 9 December 1968 (6430103).jpg|thumb|right|VF-14 [[McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B]] landing on {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} in 1968]]
In May 1963, the squadron transitioned to the [[McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4B Phantom II]] and on 23 January 1964 they became the first Phantom squadron to operate onboard ''Franklin D. Roosevelt''. In June 1966, after moving to [[NAS Oceana]], the squadron deployed to the [[South China Sea]] to conduct air strikes and support missions against military targets in [[North Vietnam]]. During this combat deployment, the squadron flew 1,688 hours on 967 combat sorties and delivered 651,624 pounds of ordnance, in addition to flying its traditional combat air patrol and fighter escort missions. When ''Franklin D. Roosevelt'' entered the [[Norfolk Naval Shipyard]] for modernization, CVW-1 and VF-14 were reassigned to {{USS|John F. Kennedy|CV-67|6}} in 1969 and stayed with it for nine deployments until 1982.

===1970s===
[[File:F-14A VF-14 in flight 1975.jpg|thumb|right|VF-14 [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A]] in 1975]]
In January 1974, after four [[Mediterranean]] deployments, the squadron transitioned to the Navy's newest fighter, the [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14A Tomcat]] at [[NAS Miramar]] and was teamed with [[VFA-32|VF-32]] as the first two Tomcat squadrons to arrive at NAS Oceana. In June 1975 they became the first Atlantic squadron to deploy with the F-14A alongside VF-32 aboard USS ''John F. Kennedy''. In October 1978, the squadron set an all-time F-14 flight hour record when they flew 977 hours in one month while deployed in the Mediterranean.

In 1976, VF-14 launched the 100th [[AIM-54 Phoenix]] missile against a simulated cruise missile at a range of {{convert|32|mi|km}}, killing it at a range of {{convert|65|mi|km}} from ''John F. Kennedy''. During the same cruise, VF-14 intercepted a Soviet [[Tu-95]] on 21 July. VF-14 escorted the bomber for around 45 minutes, during which the Soviet bomber made two passes over ''John F. Kennedy''.

===1980s===
In August 1980, the squadron deployed to the [[Mediterranean Sea]] on ''John F Kennedy''. During this deployment, VF-14 won the Silver Anchor Award and the Battle "E" Award for combat readiness, for the second year in a row. The achievements that contributed to the awards included 3 missile firing exercises with a 100% kill ratio, first East Coast TCS installations and 26,500 accident free flying hours over the space of 8 years.

In June 1982 VF-14 was reassigned to [[Carrier Air Wing 6]] aboard {{USS|Independence|CV-62|6}}, and in July was named the "Best Fighter Squadron" for its performance in the Fleet Fighter Air Combat Readiness Program (FFARP).

In October and early November 1983 the squadron supported the American-led [[Invasion of Grenada]]. Following this, VF-14 proceeded east to the Mediterranean to participate in contingency operations off the coast of [[Lebanon]]. In early December 1983, the Tophatters were again called upon to provide combat air support for the elements of the [[Multinational Force in Lebanon|multi-national forces in Beirut]].

On 1 April 1985, the squadron returned to ''John F. Kennedy'', where they spent the rest of the year on a turnaround-training schedule, which included eleven detachments to various parts of the United States and Canada. Although again aboard ''John F. Kennedy'', VF-14 was now assigned to [[Carrier Air Wing 3]].

On 18 April 1986, the squadron departed for the Mediterranean once again and were extended on deployment due to the [[Lebanon hostage crisis]]. Upon their return to the United States, the squadron was again proclaimed the "Best Fighter Squadron" by winning the 1987 FFARP award.

In 1989, VF-14 was presented with the "Grand Slam" award in recognition of their perfect missile firing record. The squadron entered 1990 conducting workups for deployment and making portcalls in Portland, Mayport, New York City and Boston. During exercises off Puerto Rico, the squadron operated against French [[Dassault-Breguet Super Étendard|Super Étendard]] and [[Vought F-8 Crusader|F-8 Crusader]]s from the {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Foch|R99|6}}.

===1990s===
[[File:Grumman F-14A Tomcats of VF-14 fly over French aircraft carrier Foch (R99) in the Caribbean Sea, 1 May 1990 (6451896).jpg|thumb|right|VF-14 F-14s overfly {{ship|French aircraft carrier|Foch|R99|2}} during 1990 dual carrier operations near Puerto Rico]]
[[File:Vf-14 tophatters tomcat tail.jpg|thumb|right|VF-14 F-14 tail markings]]
On 10 August 1990, eight days after the [[Iraq]]i [[Invasion of Kuwait]], the squadron was ordered to emergency deploy to the [[Red Sea]] aboard ''John F. Kennedy'' to take part in [[Gulf War#Operation Desert Shield|Operation Desert Shield]]. During the months leading up to the war, the squadron assisted in enforcing the Iraqi embargo flying combat air patrol (CAP) and standing alert duty continuously. On the morning of 17 January 1991, the squadron once again flew into combat when they joined United Nations forces in the air assault on Iraq. VF-14 and VF-32 flew CAP and fighter escort missions for CVW-3 strike and support aircraft throughout Desert Storm operating in Western and Central Iraq initially and then conducting long range barrier CAP missions in eastern Iraq near the Iranian border with other Tomcat squadrons from the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf that lasted an unprecedented 7–8 hours. After combat operations ended, ''John F. Kennedy'' remained briefly in the Red Sea stopping off the coast of Egypt for a portcall before returning to NAS Oceana after eight months at sea.

In December 1991, VF-14 became one of the first squadrons to begin training for the Tomcat's new air-to-ground mission. After low altitude flight training and several strike-related schools, the squadron put their new skills to the test during Air Wing work-ups in [[Fallon, Nevada]].

In October 1992, the squadron again headed east for a Mediterranean deployment. Once past the [[Rock of Gibraltar]], VF-14 began flying air superiority and reconnaissance missions in the [[Adriatic Sea]] in support of UN policies in the former [[Yugoslavia]]. During this deployment, the squadron also participated in several exercises with [[Egypt]], Morocco and [[Turkey]], while continuing to support operations off the coast of the former [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Operation Provide Comfort]] in Iraq.

In 1995, the squadron was the test bed for the Tomcat air-to-ground rockets program. The squadron was awarded the Fighter Fling Banner Blaster award for their superior performance in the air-to-air gunnery arena.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

In late 1995, the squadron was detached from CVW-3 when the Navy began reducing the number of Tomcat squadrons to carrier air wings from two to one and retaining the [[Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System|TARPS-capable]] squadrons. As a non-TARPS squadron, VF-14 was originally slated for disestablishment and temporarily assigned to Fighter Wing One at NAS Oceana. The following year saw much uncertainty for many Tomcat squadrons, but a grassroots campaign to continue the lineage of the Navy's oldest squadron was successful in saving the squadron from extinction and the squadron was assigned to [[Carrier Air Wing 8]], which was losing [[VF-84 (1955–95)|VF-84]], with sister squadron [[VFA-41|VF-41]].{{fact|date=February 2024}}

In January 1996, the squadron once again rejoined ''John F. Kennedy''. In March, the squadron deployed on {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6}}. In June the squadron took a 40-day cruise aboard ''John F. Kennedy'' to Ireland and England. Next, VF-14 visited the Mediterranean and other areas.{{fact|date=February 2024}}

During March 1998, VF-14 changed its home to {{USS|Theodore Roosevelt|CVN-71|6}}. In 1999, the squadron participated in [[NATO]]'s [[Operation Allied Force]] and in [[Operation Southern Watch]]. VF-14 dropped more than 395,000 pounds of ordnance on various targets in support of Operation Allied Force, and guided 190 different weapons fired from other aircraft onto targets, including laser guided bombs and laser guided AGM-65 Maverick missiles, scoring a 100% success rate while guiding AGM-65 Maverick missiles<ref>Tony Holmes (2015), p. 57</ref>

===2000s===
[[File:FA-18 Super Hornet VFA-14.jpg|thumb|right|VFA-14 [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18Es]] aboard {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}}]]
In April 2001, VF-14 embarked on their final F-14 cruise on board {{USS|Enterprise|CVN-65|6}}, supporting Operation Southern Watch and [[Operation Enduring Freedom]]. As the carrier headed for home and on its way to South Africa they were given order to head to the North Persian Gulf after the [[September 11 attacks]]. USS ''Enterprise''/CVW-8 had been elected to be the night carrier during [[Operation Enduring Freedom]] and thus did not see action until 8 October, VF-14 attacked a radar warning installation near [[Kabul]] during CVW-8's initial strike, which had been envisioned to have a section of [[McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet|F/A-18s]], a section of F-14s from VF-14 and an [[EA-6B]] from [[VAQ-141]], but due to insufficient fuel available for the Hornets, only the F-14s and the EA-6B pressed on.<ref name=Holmes>{{cite book|last=Holmes|first=Tony|title=F-14 Tomcat Units of Operation Enduring Freedom|publisher=Osprey Publishing Limited|year=2008|page=33}}</ref>  After their return to the US in November, VF-14 had dropped 173,324&nbsp;lbs of ordnance (174 laser-guided bombs), VF-14 also buddy-lased 28 [[AGM-65 Maverick|AGM-65s]] and 23 laser-guided bombs.<ref name=Holmes/>{{rp|53}}

After their last F-14 cruise VF-14 and VF-41 relocated to [[NAS Lemoore]] and began the transition to the [[Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet|F/A-18 Super Hornet]] switching to CVW-11 and {{USS|Nimitz|CVN-68|6}}. Both squadrons deployed to participate in [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] (OIF) aboard USS ''Nimitz'' and prior to arrival in the Persian Gulf, two VF-14 F/A-18Es and two F/A-18Fs ([[VFA-41]]) were forward deployed to {{USS|Abraham Lincoln|CVN-72|6}} in late March 2003 to augment its airwing. The Super Hornets were requested to boost the air refueling capabilities of CVW-14 as well as qualified [[Forward Air Controllers, Airborne]] (FAC (A)) (the F/A-18Fs). The division of F/A-18s flew from USS ''Nimitz'' to USS ''Abraham Lincoln'', a {{convert|2700|mi|km|adj=on}} trip. On 6 April, the Hornets returned to USS ''Nimitz''. During OIF, VFA-14 expended [[laser-guided bomb]]s, [[JDAM]] bombs and AGM-65 missiles and conducted numerous long-range missions to northern [[Baghdad]] and [[Tikrit]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

After its OIF cruise in 2003, VFA-14 conducted Air Wing training at NAS Fallon and made the maiden deployment with {{USS|Ronald Reagan|CVN-76|6}} in 2004, the cruise took them from Virginia to California around South America. After work-ups in 2004 they deployed for a 2005 cruise, supporting OIF and flying over 2,100 sorties and over 4,300 flight hours.{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

In 2006, VFA-14 made detachments to NAS Fallon and a joint exercise with the [[Royal Air Force]] to [[Scotland]]. Training continued through 2006 with a Strike Fighter Advance Readiness Program (SFARP) with a three-week detachment to NAS Fallon. VFA-14 and CVW-11 participated in [[Navy Fleet Week]] in San Francisco in early October. During this period, two F/A-18Es made a flyover during a [[San Francisco 49ers]] football game. Training continued into 2007 in preparation for the up-coming GULF/WESTPAC deployment in support of OIF and OEF, and exercise Valiant Shield near [[Guam]].{{citation needed|date=February 2020}}

On 18 January 2008, it was announced that CVW-11 would deploy on 24 January to the Pacific for a surge-deployment on board ''Nimitz''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122112209/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=34414|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 January 2008|title=Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Set to Deploy|first=This story was written by Commander, U. S. 3rd Fleet Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

During 2009 CVW-11 and the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group conducted several training exercises off the coast of Southern California including composite unit training and joint task force training in anticipation for their 2009–2010 deployment. On 28 July it was reported that CVW-11 and the ''Nimitz'' Strike Group was to depart for a seven-month deployment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803225919/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=47232|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 August 2009|title=Nimitz Strike Group Set To Deploy|first=This story was written by Commander, U. S. 3rd Fleet Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref>

===2010s===
[[File:Boeing FA-18E Super Hornet of VFA-14 launches from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), 24 July 2022 (220724-N-MM912-1053).JPG|thumb|VFA-14 FA-18E Super Hornet launches from [[USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)]] in 2022]]
VFA-14 and VFA-41 changed air wings and carriers to CVW-9 and {{USS|John C. Stennis|CVN-74|6}} and on 27 July 2011 CVW-9 deployed on board USS ''John C. Stennis'' to support operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, counter-piracy and maritime security operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61785|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805094022/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=61785|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|title=John C. Stennis Deploys with Carrier Strike Group 3|first=This story was written by USS John C. Stennis Public|last=Affairs|website=navy.mil|access-date=10 April 2018}}</ref> VFA-14 conducted combat flights in support of Operations [[Operation Inherent Resolve|Inherent Resolve]], [[Resolute Support Mission|Resolute Support]] and [[Operation Freedom's Sentinel|Freedom Sentinel]] over Afghanistan, Iraq, and [[Syria]]. The squadron returned to NAS Lemoore, North Island, Point Mugu, and Whidbey Island in May 2019.

===2020s===
VFA-14 participated in dual carrier operations in the South China Sea with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike, as well as joint exercise Valiant Shield in June 2022, and bilateral exercises Noble Fusion in February and Jungle Warfare in March, both with the Japanese Self-Defense Force, and, most recently, VFA-14 trained alongside 26 participating nations during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022 in July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carrier Air Wing 9 Returns from Indo-Pacific Deployment |url=https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3122730/carrier-air-wing-9-returns-from-indo-pacific-deployment/https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/3122730/carrier-air-wing-9-returns-from-indo-pacific-deployment/ |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=United States Navy |language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> In early August 2024, the squadron was deployed on the USS Abraham Lincoln in response to heightened tensions between Iran and Israel.

==Notable members==
*[[Ted Carter]] - Former VFA-14 Skipper
*[[Cassady Campbell]] - YouTuber

==See also==
* [[History of the United States Navy]]
* [[List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-14/1973.pdf VF-14 1973 history]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/sqdhist/vfa/vfa-14/1974.pdf VFA-14 1974 history]{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
*Tony Holmes (2005). ''US Navy Hornet Units of Operation Iraqi Freedom Part One'', Osprey Publishing Limited.
*Tony Holmes (2015). ''F-14 Bombcat The US Navy's Ultimate Precision Bomber'', Key Publishing Limited.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Strike Fighter Squadron 14 (United States Navy)}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120705033609/http://www.vfa14.navy.mil/ The Tophatters Web site]
*[http://www.vf14.org/ Tophatters Veterans Website]
*[http://www.tomcatalley.com/squadron/vf14hist.htm VFA-14 Tophatters History]
*[http://www.vfa14.com/ Slapshot Endorsed Tophatters Virtual/Online Squadron]
*[http://thsusnscc.org Top Hatters Squadron, USNSCC]

{{US Navy navbox}}
{{United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vfa-14}}
[[Category:Strike fighter squadrons of the United States Navy]]
[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States Navy in World War II]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1919]]