JOLLY ROGERS

FEAR THE BONES

FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE ZERO THREE

Flying over nine different types of fighter aircraft in the past 63 years, the Skull and Crossbones have become the most recognized and feared insignia in the world. The Skull and Crossbones first flew in January 1943 on the F4U Corsairs assigned to VF-17, the most lethal Navy fighter squadron of World War II. By the end of the war, the original Jolly Rogers had racked up 154.5 kills in the skies over the Pacific. In 1946, VF-17 was redesignated VF-5B and then again in 1948 as VF-61, as the Jolly Rogers transitioned from the F4U to the F8F Bearcat. VF-61 subsequently transitioned to the Navy's first jet fighters, the F9F Panther, then the FJ-3 Fury, and finally the F3H Demon, prior to the squadron's decommissioning in March 1959.

Flying F-8 Crusaders at the time, the VF-84 Vagabonds were redesignated as the Jolly Rogers in June 1959 to preserve the tradition and history of "The Bones." Eventually, the VF-84 Jolly Rogers transitioned from the F-8 Crusader to the F-4 Phantom and finally to the F-14A Tomcat in 1975.

Following VF-84's decommissioning in October 1995, the decision was made to retire the "Club and Cloverleaf" insignia of the VF-103 "Sluggers" and have Fighting 103 adopt the Jolly Roger insignia and the tactical callsign "Victory" on October 1st, 1995. Prior to assuming the Jolly Rogers name and insignia, VF-103, commissioned in 1952, had consistently proven ready and willing to accomplish all assigned missions while flying successively more complex and capable aircraft.

VF-103 flew numerous sorties in the moonless skies over Vietnam and achieved the only night MiG kill of the entire conflict. The Skull and Crossbones had now moved on to its fifth home in order to preserve the rich history and multiple achievements of all Jolly Rogers, spanning four generations and four fighter squadrons. In reality, VF-103 had been assigned to CVW-17 for a long time, first flying F-14As as the VF-103 Sluggers and later flying F-14Bs and F-14B UPGRADES as VF-103, the Jolly Rogers.

In Virtual Carrier Air Wing 17, VF-103 has been assigned to CVW-17 from the beginning, participating in Operation Persian Sabre in 2022, Operation Enduring Freedom in 2023, Operation Northern Shield in 2024, and most recently Operation Resolute Passage in 2025. Within CVW-17, and Navy air wings more generally, none of the squadrons hold any particular specializations.

All squadrons, Hornets and Tomcats alike, train to the same tactics and standards. However, there are so-called “SME Squadrons,” whose leadership holds particular expertise in a mission set that they provide when required. VF-103 currently holds the SME role for A/A Warfare. With the release of Heatblur's F-14B UPGRADE, VF-103 has, of course, transitioned to flying it.

Just like the real CVW-17 in the early 2000s, Virtual VF-103 now operates the F-14B UPGRADE. It is also safe to say that Virtual VF-103 is the definitive F-14B UPGRADE squadron, with many of VF-103's members having helped with, or being directly involved in, the development of HEATBLUR's F-14B UPGRADE Tomcat. One of the things VF-103 is especially proud of is the official Heatblur F-14B UPGRADE pocket checklist that comes standard with every F-14B(U).

VF-103, like the other squadrons, is meticulous in the execution of procedures and tactics and has spent years learning from real Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers how to fly and fight the Tomcat. This has resulted in an extensive body of institutional knowledge and resources.

  • The Commanding Officer of VFA-34 approaches leadership with a strong emphasis on preparation, continuous improvement, and developing the people around him. After years of flying across a variety of aircraft in DCS, he joined vCVW-17 seeking a more challenging environment in which realistic procedures, disciplined execution, and teamwork were central to mission success. As Commanding Officer of the “Blue Blasters,” he works to foster a squadron culture where members are encouraged to challenge themselves, learn from mistakes, and actively contribute to the development of their fellow aviators. He believes that demanding missions are most rewarding when the squadron has invested the time and effort necessary to execute them well. His leadership philosophy emphasizes thorough preparation, constructive feedback, mentorship, and personal accountability while maintaining an environment in which members enjoy the process of learning and improving. His goal for VFA-34 is not simply to successfully complete assigned missions, but to continually develop more capable virtual naval aviators, stronger teammates, and a better squadron. A lifelong aviation enthusiast, he continues to approach DCS with the same curiosity that originally drew him to military aviation - although he maintains that Iron Eagle was, objectively, a horrible movie.

  • Item description
Black patch with a white skull wearing sunglasses, crossed bones below, and the text 'FIGHTING 103' at the bottom.
A military patch with a black background, yellow circle, and gold stars. It features a cartoon wolf wearing a black tricorn hat, red neckerchief, and holding a skull. The patch reads 'Fighting 103 Jolly Rogers'.
Four military fighter jets flying in a formation against a cloudy sky with sunlight.
Three Navy fighter jets flying in formation over the ocean, leaving trails of white smoke behind.
Four fighter jets flying in formation over the ocean during sunset, with the sun casting a warm glow and reflecting on the water.
Two military fighter jets flying over the ocean during sunset.
A military jet airplane flying in the sky with clouds below, launching missiles, and leaving contrails behind.
A formation of five fighter jets flying through the sky with clouds in the background.

VF-103s mission is to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft in all weather conditions, establish and maintain all local air superiority, and deliver ordnance on target, on time, first pass. Fleet Air Superiority and Power Projection Missions, including: Combat Air Patrol, Air Intercept, Maritime Air Superiority, Strike, Strike Escort, Forward Air Control (Airborne), Close Air Support and Combat Search and Rescue.

  • The Tomcat's powerful radar and long-range AIM-54 missile make it an ideal fighter for fleet air defense.

    In DCS, VF-103 employs real-world-inspired "Drag to Defend" tactics in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat to protect the fleet.

  • During Offensive Counter Air (OCA) missions, VF-103 provides sweep and escort for the strike package to establish air superiority.

  • “Bombs on Target, On Time, First Pass" is VF-103's mantra for strike missions. Utilizing the LANTIRN LTS, VF-103 can deliver all laser-guided munitions in the Navy's arsenal.

  • During Close Air Support missions, VF-103 provides FAC(A) support to ground commanders and JTACs, facilitating the accurate delivery of Air Wing ordnance on target.