VF-103 was established in May 1952 and began the transition from F-4S Phantoms to the F-14A Tomcat in January 1983. The ‘Sluggers’ were with the USS Saratoga in CVW-17 for the majority of her time, before switching to the USS Enterprise. VF-103 adopted the “Skull and Crossbones” of VF-84 to continue their tradition. VF-103 had one of their TARPS-birds shot down by an optical SA-2 derivative in Desert Storm with the pilot being rescued and the RIO becoming a POW. This is the patch worn by the enlisted maintainers that were responsible for a particular jet. It was known as their “bird”, and it is quite an honor to have one that you are responsible for.
