This is the 2002 “ESTOCIN”/Battle ‘E’ patch for VFA-131. The Wildcats were established in October 1983 as a new Hornet squadron and belonged to CVW-7 aboard the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69). They participated in exercises against Libya in 1986 from the USS Coral Sea (CV-43). In 1991, they converted from ‘A’ Models to ‘C’ Models, resumed with the “Ike”, and participated in Desert Shield, but not Desert Storm. Since they have flown “single seat” aircraft for their entire history, this 20th Anniversary patch also says “Single Seat Forever” along the bottom.
