VFA 14 Tophatters

03/17/2023

01/30/2023

Bravo Zulu to the VFA-14 Sailors of the Year!!!

08/31/2022

4) Max trap in a FA-18 Super Hornet is 44,000 lbs, however, a 5-Wet configured aircraft takes off at 66,000 lbs. This means we need to give away or burn 22,000 lbs of gas before you can land!

08/29/2022

3) During Case I or II procedures pilots execute a clearing turn after the catapult shot. This clearing turn deconflicts you from the aircraft coming off the other catapults!

08/29/2022

2) Nighttime around the boat can be a gut check to even the most experienced pilot. Luckily we have a dedicated cadre of professional maintainers who ensure we have all the systems we need to launch and recover safely.

08/28/2022

1) After a successful 7.5 month deployment, nothing beats the feeling of returning home to family and friends.
And if you’re going to do it, do it in style bringing the 10-ship.

08/28/2022

The TOPHATTERS are back in town following a 7 1/2 month deployment. Over the next month we will be posting a number of pictures of the squadron from deployment! *

*

04/24/2022

TOPHATTER Families,

On 22 April, at 1330 Tokyo time, CDR Marvin Wynn relieved me as the Commanding Officer of Strike Fighter Squadron FOURTEEN.

It has been the honor and privilege of my life to serve as the CO of Fighting FOURTEEN. This squadron is truly something special, filled with great Americans who have been working incredibly hard for the last 15 months. They continue now to stand the watch on the other side of the globe in the defense of our Nation.

Thank you for your awesome support of your Sailor. This deployment has been unlike any I have ever been on. From sparse port calls to lack of consistent mail, from a constantly changing schedule to this most recent complete communication blackout. It has not been easy, but knowing we have your support back home is enough to keep us going and allows us to be successful.

I will greatly miss this TOPHATTER family. But I can’t wait to see the future success this team achieves as the Lids finish cruise and return home to you.

I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
CDR Tommy Kolwicz
TOPHATTER #90

12/28/2021

Camelot side 205 executing low level training on the famous Sidewinder route. FA-18 aircraft normally fly low level routes like this at 200ft above the ground and 500KIAS. Captured by

12/25/2021

Merry Christmas to all Lids! Wishing you all the best during this holiday season!

To all active duty Tophatters and their families, check out the Ombudsman page for a message and our new deployment guide.

Sincerely,
Skipper

12/12/2021

Aircraft 205 getting ready for a sunset launch. During the last underway the TOPHATTER team operated both day and night in all weather conditions.

12/11/2021

202 takes a 66,000lb combat rated catapult shot. Outfitting TOPHATTER super hornets with aerial refueling stores allows for organic refueling for other aircraft in the air wing!