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The U.S. Navy's VF-2 Bounty Hunters were among the first fighter squadrons selected to operate the Grumman F-14A Tomcat. Established in 1972, the squadron became closely associated with the Tomcat's introduction to fleet service and went on to build a distinguished record of carrier operations, tactical reconnaissance and combat missions. This COMMANDO patch commemorates the squadron's F-14A era and its contribution to U.S. Navy fighter aviation.
The History of VF-2 – The Bounty Hunters
VF-2 was established on 14 October 1972 at Naval Air Station Miramar, California. Along with VF-1, it was selected to introduce the new F-14 Tomcat into operational Navy service. The squadron received its first Tomcats in 1973 and reached its full complement of aircraft the following year.
The Bounty Hunters nickname was chosen to reflect the Tomcat's search-and-destroy capabilities. Designed primarily for fleet air defence, the F-14 combined powerful radar with long-range weapons, including the AIM-54 Phoenix missile. Its variable-sweep wings allowed it to operate effectively across a broad range of speeds, from high-speed interception to the demanding approaches required for carrier landings.
VF-2's first operational deployment began in 1974 aboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). During April 1975, the squadron participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War. Its Tomcats provided air cover during this major naval operation.
Throughout the 1980s, VF-2 deployed aboard carriers including USS Ranger and USS Kitty Hawk, operating across the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf. The squadron also became an important user of the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS), which allowed suitably equipped F-14s to collect photographic intelligence during operational missions. This expanded the Tomcat's role beyond conventional fighter interception.
One of VF-2's most significant operational chapters came during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Flying from USS Ranger, the Bounty Hunters completed more than 550 combat missions and approximately 1,900 flight hours during the 43-day conflict. Their duties included air superiority patrols and reconnaissance missions over Iraq and Kuwait. The squadron's TARPS crews provided valuable photographic intelligence to coalition commanders.
In 1993, VF-2 transitioned from the F-14A to the more advanced F-14D Super Tomcat. The squadron continued flying the Tomcat until 2003, when it transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and was redesignated VFA-2. This brought its F-14 era to a close while preserving the Bounty Hunters name and traditions.
An enduring feature of the squadron's identity is the red, white and blue “Langley stripe” displayed on its aircraft. This marking recalls the colours used on early naval aircraft operating from USS Langley, the U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier. It provides a visible connection between the Bounty Hunters and the earliest generations of American carrier aviation.
This COMMANDO patch commemorates VF-2's association with the F-14A Tomcat, recognising the squadron's operational history and its role in the development of modern carrier-based fighter operations.
Features
- COMMANDO U.S. Navy aviation commemorative patch
- Recognises VF-2, the Bounty Hunters fighter squadron
- Commemorates the squadron's F-14A Tomcat heritage
- Associated with the introduction of the Tomcat into operational Navy service
- Recognises VF-2's participation in Operation Frequent Wind and Operation Desert Storm
- Reflects the squadron's tactical reconnaissance and carrier aviation history
- Suitable for military aviation enthusiasts and F-14 Tomcat collectors
Specifications
Brand: COMMANDO
Product Code: BD0108
Patch Type: U.S. Navy VF-2 Bounty Hunters
Aircraft: F-14A Tomcat
Construction: Woven
Dimensions: 100 x 127 mm
Attachment: Sew-on
The VF-2 Bounty Hunters hold an important place in the history of the F-14 Tomcat and U.S. Navy carrier aviation. From their early deployments aboard USS Enterprise to their combat operations during the Gulf War, the squadron demonstrated the versatility of the Tomcat and the demanding work of naval fighter crews. This COMMANDO patch is a fitting addition to collections of U.S. Navy squadron insignia, F-14 memorabilia and military aviation history.