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U.S. NAVY F-14 Tomcat VF-194 Red Lightning by COMMANDO
The COMMANDO U.S. NAVY F-14 Tomcat VF-194 Red Lightning Patch commemorates one of the shortest-lived F-14 Tomcat fighter squadrons in United States Navy history. Known as the “Red Lightnings”, Fighter Squadron 194 (VF-194) was re-established in December 1986 to operate the Grumman F-14A Tomcat. Although the squadron prepared for carrier operations, it was disestablished in April 1988 before its planned deployment could take place.
The VF-194 designation has a longer history. An earlier squadron lineage began as VF-91 in 1952 and was redesignated VF-194 in August 1963. That squadron served during the Vietnam War, completing eight deployments and flying the Vought F-8 Crusader before transitioning to the McDonnell Douglas F-4J Phantom II in 1976. It was disestablished in March 1978.
The Red Lightnings returned on 1 December 1986 as a new F-14A Tomcat squadron based at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. After completing its initial Tomcat training with VF-124, VF-194 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 10 and scheduled to deploy aboard USS Independence. The planned cruise never eventuated. Along with sister squadron VF-191, VF-194 was disestablished on 30 April 1988 as the carrier air wing was dissolved.
The F-14 Tomcat was a supersonic, twin-engine, variable-sweep-wing fighter developed for the U.S. Navy. Designed primarily for fleet air defence, it became well known for its long-range interception capability and later served in additional air-to-ground roles. VF-194's brief association with the Tomcat makes its Red Lightnings identity a distinctive part of naval aviation history.
Features
- COMMANDO U.S. Navy VF-194 Red Lightnings design
- Commemorates the F-14A Tomcat fighter squadron
- Represents the squadron's 1986–1988 re-establishment
- Recognises the planned USS Independence deployment with Carrier Air Wing 10
- Embroidered military aviation patch
- Sewn-on attachment
- Suitable for naval aviation and military patch collections
Specifications
Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0151
Patch Type: Embroidered patch
Dimensions: 100 x 95 mm
Barcode / GTIN: 9357994009696
Attachment: Sew-on
The VF-194 Red Lightnings patch represents a short but distinctive chapter in U.S. Navy Tomcat history. Its connection to the F-14A and the squadron's planned carrier deployment makes it an interesting addition for collectors of naval aviation memorabilia and military squadron patches.
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