By Lt. Jim Stanley, VF-14 PAO
February 17, 1999
Release No. 09-99

As we begin 1999, the Tophatters of VF-14 will celebrate their 80th year of continuous active service. Being the U.S. Navy's oldest continuous active duty squadron, Tophatter history is very much a history of naval aviation. The squadron was established in September of 1919 at NAS San Diego, and since its inception has had fourteen different squadron designations and flown over twenty-two different types of aircraft. Fighter Squadron Fourteen has operated from no less than twenty two kinds of cruisers, battleships, and aircraft carriers, carrying the United States flag to all corners of the seven seas.

The squadron's career began on the U.S. Navy's first carrier, USS Langley, (CV 1). The squadron, then Fighter Plane Squadron 1, established a record for carrier landings in a single day. Flying the TS-1 aircraft, one hundred twenty seven landings were completed by the end of flight operations. It is reported that the current skipper, CDR Carter, was on hand to log a few of his 1400 career traps on that day.

As for the tophat, it was originally adopted in 1927. Devised by then commanding officer, LCDR Gerry Bogan, the unit emblem was meant to symbolize the very best, and to boost the morale of the aviators who were flying the notoriously difficult Boeing FB-5. Originally called the High-Hatters, the title changed in 1942 to the more modern "Tophat" moniker.

Over the years, the squadron has been assigned many different missions, including patrol and observation in its early years, and scouting, attack, and fighter when it became associated with carrier based operations. In 1929, the squadron was assigned to USS Saratoga (CV 3), where it began as a fighter squadron and transitioned to a bomber squadron. Throughout the 1930's the Tophatters flew various aircraft before being transferred to the Atlantic fleet and USS Ranger (CV 4).

The Tophatters proved formidable foes during World War II. The squadron saw action in North Africa and against German forces in Norway. In November of 1944, the squadron transferred to the pacific fleet and participated in various campaigns. In 1949, while flying the F-4U Corsair, the Tophatters accepted their current designation as VF-14 as well as the role of all weather interceptor.

In 1954, they transitioned to the jet age with the F3-D Skynight and shortly thereafter, in 1956, to the F-3H Demon. In May 1963, the Tophatters transitioned to the F-4B Phantom II and on 23 January 1963 they became the first Phantom squadron to operate onboard the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42). In January 1974 the squadron transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat and in June 1975, the Tophatters became the first squadron to deploy to the Mediterranean with the F-14A Tomcat. What followed was a very successfiil period for Fighter Squadron Fourteen, employing the Tomcat in various conflicts throughout the world including over 80 combat missions while engaged in operation "Urgent Fury" over Grenada. Shortly after that they were participating in operations off the coast of Lebanon in support of elements of the multinational forces in Beirut. They were on extended deployment during the Lebanon Hostage crisis of 1986 and were on station with the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) shortly after the 1990 invasion of Kuwait by Iraqi ground forces. In January 1991, the Tophatters again saw combat during operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Dark times fell on the squadron when in April 1994 they were transferred to Commander, Fighter Wing Atlantic in anticipation of decommissioning. However the squadron was given a reprieve and began building up again in 1996 in anticipation for a 1997 summer Mediterranean cruise onboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67).

Following a very successful deployment, the squadron spent most of 1998 at home in Virginia Beach while looking forward to their 8Oth anniversary deployment onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

To commemorate this long history, a squadron reunion and anniversary celebration is planned for the weekend of November 4th, 5th, and 6th. Tophatter Mumni can get more information from LT Chad Spencer, alumni coordinator, at (757)-433-5160 / cwspencer@roosevelt.navy.mil or LT Jim Stanley, PAO, at (757)-433-4830 / jstanley@roosevelt.navy.mil, or check out our web site, especially the Alumni Pages.

related links on this site:
Command History, Alumni Pages, The Tophatter - Volume 01