vTF-77 Command Posted April 24 Posted April 24 (edited) VF-143, the "Pukin' Dogs," was a U.S. Navy fighter squadron with a significant F-14 presence in the Tomcat era. Cold War Operations: Deployed on carriers like USS America (CV-66) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), VF-143 patrolled tense regions (e.g., Mediterranean, Persian Gulf). The squadron intercepted Soviet aircraft, like Tu-95 Bear bombers, during NATO exercises and Cold War standoffs. Gulf War (1991): During Operation Desert Storm, VF-143 was part of Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, flew F-14 combat air patrols and escort missions, protecting coalition forces over Iraq. Nickname and Legacy: The "Pukin' Dogs" nickname originated at a squadron family gathering when a pilot’s wife saw the griffin insignia and remarked, "It looks like a pukin' dog!" The pilots loved it and adopted it on the spot, making it iconic on the F-14’s tail. But perhaps, greatest in their legacy: the Pukin' Dogs stand as one of 3 squadrons to graduate from the very first TOPGUN class. And the first squadron to score an enemy aircraft kill from a TOPGUN graduate! Disestablishment (1994): VF-143 was disestablished on April 1, 1994, due to post-Cold War cuts. Its F-14 legacy continued with VFA-143, which transitioned to F/A-18 Hornets. Edited April 24 by vTF-77 Command
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