VF-31's CAG F-14D performing a high speed pass

FELIX 103 on delivery day to Joe Davies Heritage Airpark. Flown in by 'Tank' & 'Supafly'

Catching the number 4 wire at the TR. Aircraft usually go for the number 3 wire. Pilots are aiming for that wire, as it is the safest/most effective one. They never aim for the 1st because that one is dangerously close to the edge of deck. If they come in too low on the 1st wire, they could easily crash into the stern of the ship. It is acceptable to snag the 2nd or 4th wire, but for a pilot to move up through the ranks, he/she has to be able to catch the 3rd wire consistently. In the squadron room the achievement of each pilot is logged, catching too many times the wrong ones cost you beers

CAG bird on the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the sundown cruise of the Tomcat.

Tomcat of Fighting Squadron (VF) 31 "Tomcatters" launched from the USS Theordore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Launch!

Felix the cat in the classic full viz "CAG-bird" marks of the glorious VF-31 "Tomcatters" over the CV-59 USS Forrestal flight deck.

157293 is often misidentified as MiG-killer: Cdr. Samuel C. Flynn Jr and Lt. William H. John scored a kill against a MiG-21 on June 21st, 1972 flying F-4J BuNo 157307. Shortly after, BuNo 157293 became Cdr. Flynn's assigned aircraft and the MiG-kill marking was transferred to 157293.

Late afternoon departure off runway 18 by "FELIX 101"

Base to final turn on 24R for this VF-31 CAG Tomcat

VF-31 "Tomcatters" jet visiting

Wearing the full nice colours of VF-31. The highlight of SHAPE air show 1991!

FELIX 210 departing NAS Miramar

There are Tomcats and there are beautiful Tomcats. A classic picture of a towed Tomcat over the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The aircraft was on its way to the the rear of the flight deck where it was positioned for an upcoming morning launch. Many Tomcats were scrapped at AMARG to prevent spare parts feeding to Iran. Luckily, this beauty was relieved from that fate. Since September 2006, 164342 is preserved at the Wings over Miami Museum at Kendall (FL).