This is the design of one of the first F-14 Tomcat patches that lets the enemy know that the Tomcat is an all-weather, day or night capable fighter.

This being the design of one of the first F-14 Tomcat patches that lets the enemy know that the Tomcat is an all-weather, day or night capable fighter.

This is the PVC/rubber version of the F-14 'Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) patch created when the TOMCATS received their pods in order to turn them into the "Bombcats". This patch does not have velcro attached.

This is the regular embroidered version of the F-14 'Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) patch created when the TOMCATS received their pods in order to turn them into the "Bombcats". This patch does not have velcro attached.

This patch was created for wear by any Tomcat pilot or RIO that punched out (ejected). It shows the ejection seat with Felix leaning up against it. Fortunately, this patch can only be worn by a few. One of my best friends, Ron "Rhino" Wise was killed when he punched out of a Tomcat and got a "streamer" (chute didn't open).

This patch is a highly prized attainment. Usually, on your first cruise, you earn approximately 125-150 total traps, so to earn 100 night traps usually takes a couple of cruises.

This patch is a highly prized attainment. Usually, on your first cruise, you earn approximately 125-150 traps.

This patch is a highly prized attainment. Usually, on your first cruise, you earn approximately 125-150 traps. With the addition of workups, you come close to the magical 200 trap mark. This signifies that you are beyond the "New Guy" mentality and have paid your dues on the first deployment. Not an uncommon patch, but not one seen too often.

Even more highly sought after is this number of traps due to the significance of having served for more than one workups and deployment cycle. This patch is still not uncommon, but isn't seen as often.

This patch now starts delineating those who have served for more than one tour of the Tomcat deployment cycle. To have attained 400 traps in the F-14 requires at least 2 sets of workups and cruises, if not more. This patch is not common at all.

This patch is usually only earned by the Skipper, XO, Boss, Mini-Boss, or CAG (ie, someone who has served several deployments in this aircraft).

This patch is usually only earned by the Skipper, XO, Boss, Mini-Boss, or CAG (ie, someone who has served several deployments in this aircraft).

This is the famous Iranian F-14 Tomcat "ALI-CAT" Felix patch worn by the Iranian students and those instructors that taught them how to fly the Tomcat.

This is the famous Iranian F-14 Tomcat "ARABIC" Felix patch worn by the Iranian students and those instructors that taught them how to fly the Tomcat.

This is the famous Iranian F-14 Tomcat "oval" patch worn by the Iranian students and those instructors that taught them how to fly the Tomcat.

This is the F-4 patch created for those who flew 100 missions over Vietnam to wear to depict their experience level.

This is the F-4 patch created for those who flew 200 missions over Vietnam to wear to depict their experience level.

This is the F-4 patch created for those who flew 300 missions over Vietnam to wear to depict their experience level.

This is the F-4 patch created for those who flew 400 missions over Vietnam to wear to depict their experience level.

This is the F-4 patch created for those who flew missions over Vietnam. This is for the complete set of mission patches (100-400).

For many years, US Naval Aviation was known as the "Grumman Navy" due to the large percentage of aircraft that were produced by the Grumman Ironworks. These aircraft consisted of the A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, F-14 Tomcat, the E-2C Hawkeye, and the C-2 Greyhound. This is the EXTRA LARGE version of the famous Grumman patch depicting the American and Japanese flags in the background.

For many years, US Naval Aviation was known as the "Grumman Navy" due to the large percentage of aircraft that were produced by the Grumman Ironworks. These aircraft consisted of the A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, F-14 Tomcat, the E-2C Hawkeye, and the C-2 Greyhound. This patch does not come with velcro attached.

For many years, US Naval Aviation was known as the "Grumman Navy" due to the large percentage of aircraft that were produced by the Grumman Ironworks. These aircraft consisted of the A-6E Intruder, EA-6B Prowler, F-14 Tomcat, the E-2C Hawkeye, and the C-2 Greyhound. This patch does not have velcro attached

Well, I will NOT tell the story behind this patch.....'nuf said. This patch does not come with velcro attached.