- VF-202
The VF-202 Superheats was a
U.S. Navy reserve fighter squadron based atNAS Dallas . Their call sign was "Superheat," tail code was "AF," and they flew the F-14A Tomcat.History
The Superheats were established on the
July 1 ,1970 , just under two weeks beforeVF-201 . They first flew theF-8 Crusader and transitioned to theF-4 Phantom in1976 . Eleven years later VF-202 transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat from the F-4S Phantom, receiving their first F-14A on theMarch 27 ,1987 . Due to the squadron's reserve status the transition took longer than for an active unit, not being concluded until May of1988 , when VF-202 carrier qualified with their new mount onboard theUSS America (CV-66) .1988 saw the squadron take part in the Reconnaissance Air Meet at
Bergstrom AFB ,Texas , along with several other F-14 squadrons, includingVF-124 . Even with the reorganisation and the elimination of many F-14 squadrons over the last few years, one would have expected theTARPS capable Superheats to have survived the cuts. However due to the high airframe time VF-202's F-14's had it was decided to disestablish the Superheats and make VF-201 TARPS capable. While this was the most cost effective way, it was a great shame to lose a unit of the quality of VF-202. The squadron was disestablished in1999 .In the early 90's, the Superheats (VF-202) were based in Dallas,TX. Naval Air Station Dallas was the squadron's land based home. CVN-69 Dwight D. Eisenhower was the squadrons carrier assignment. There were many reservists that served the squadron to keep it battle ready for the time of need. These individuals represented battle readiness and were ready to go if the nation called.
External links
* [http://www.tomcatalley.com/squadron/vf202his.htm VF-202 History]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
