VFA-31 or Strike Fighter Squadron 31 is known as the Tomcatters, callsign "Felix", a United States Navy strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Tomcatters are the second-oldest Navy …

VFA-31, originally established as VF-1B on July 1, 1935 flying the Boeing F4B, is the second oldest active US Navy squadron behind VFA-14 (1919). On 1 July 1937, the squadron combined with VF-8B and was redesignated VF-6, flying the Grumman F3F.

VF-31 (VFA-31) is the second oldest active US Navy squadron, topped only by VF-14, the Tophatters. The squadron started out on July 1, 1935, as VF-1B, the Shooting Stars, flying the Boeing F4B. Shown below is an F4B-4 (A9029) on display at the Naval Air Museum on the grounds of NAS Pensacola.

Welcome to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 website! Located onboard Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia. The Tomcatters, callsign "Felix" report operationally to Commander, Carrier Air Wing...

VFA-31 (Strike Fighter Squadron 31) is the second oldest Navy attack fighter squadron. Known as the Tomcatters with the call sign “Felix,” it is currently based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA .

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, tandem two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project.

VF-31's association with their namesake, the F-14 Tomcat, began in late 1980, but they did not receive their first F-14 until the 22nd of January 1981. In a short time, however, they had received their full complement and officially stood up with the F-14 on the 4th of June 1981.

VF-31 and much of CVW-14 flew alongside aircraft from CVW-7, CVW-17, CVWR-20, US Army helos (including Mi24 Hinds), German Tornado's and various USAF types. This composite force formed 'Red Force', the aggressors during Roving Sands.

The squadron has evolved from VF-1B to VF-6, VF-3, to VF-31 flying the infamous F-14 Tomcat until its retirement in 2006. The transition to the F/A-18E with its more pronounced mix of strike and fighter capabilities coincided with the change to VFA-31.

In 1972, flying the F-4J Phantom, Tomcatter aircrew shot down a MiG-21 over North Vietnam and distinguished VF-31 as the only Navy fighter squadron to achieve aerial victories in three wars.