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. This is the red version of their tailfin showing their mascot, the Wildcats.