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VF-211 Fighting Checkmates F-14 Tomcat Tail Fly with the VF-211 Fighting Checkmates with this handcrafted F-14 tail! Length – 20 inches Made from Mahogany US Veteran Owned Business The product is not intended to be used by children 12 years and younger. VF-211 Lineage: Established as VB-74 on 1 May 1945 Redesignated VA-1B on 15 November 1946 Redesignated VA-24 on 1 September 1948 Redesignated VF-24 on 1 December 1949 Redesignated VF-211 on 9 March 1959 Insignia approved: 12 January 1998 On the first day of May 1945 Bombing Squadron 74 (VB-74) Bomb-a-Toms was born destined to become the present day Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) Checkmates. The Bomb-a-Toms began life at NAAF Otis Field Camp Edwards Massachusetts with 36 Naval Aviators flying SBW-4E Helldivers. The squadron soon transferred to East Field NAS Norfolk Virginia and made their arrested landings on 31 October 1945 aboard the newly commissioned USS Midway (CV 41). During 1946 VB-74 became Attack Squadron 1B (VA-1B) and transitioned to AD-1 Skyraiders. Less than two years later the Navy again reorganized and VA-1B became Attack Squadron 24 (VA-24) flying AD-2 Skyraiders. Skyraider aircraft were soon grounded because of engine problems requiring a hasty transition to the F4U-4 Corsair a mere six weeks before departing on deployment aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV 43). After this deployment VA-24 moved to NAS Oceana Virginia and on 1 December 1949 was redesignated Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24). Following a move to NAS Alameda CA VF-24 made two back-to-back deployments to Korea inflicting heavy damage on enemy emplacements rail yards bridges warehouses and airfields. Following the second deployment VF-24 relocated to NALF Santa Rosa CA and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther the squadron’s first jet aircraft. In February 1952 VF-24 deployed aboard the USS Boxer (CV 21) and headed to Korea for their third combat tour. Throughout the 1950s VF-24 flew a number of aircraft including the FJ-3 Fury the F3H-2M Demon the F-11F Tiger and finally the F-8 Crusader. On 9 March 1959 VF-24 traded air wings insignia and designations with Fighter Squadron 211 (VF-211) the Checkmates. In 1961 the Checkmates moved to NAS Miramar California their home for the next 35 years. On seven deployments during the Vietnam War VF-211 pilots earned the title of “The MiG Killers ” having downed eight enemy aircraft in air-to-air engagements. In December 1975 VF-211 transitioned to the revolutionary new F-14A Tomcat. The Checkmates completed numerous WESTPAC deployments during the 1970s and 1980s and in 1989 upgraded to the more advanced F-14B. In 1991 the Checkmates deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation DESERT STORM. providing air superiority and aerial reconnaissance imagery for coalition forces. Transitioning back to the F-14A in 1992 the Fighting Checkmates deployed to the Arabian Gulf in 1993 and 1995-96. In August 1996 the Checkmates moved back to NAS Oceana VA in conjunction with the turnover of NAS Miramar to the U.S. Marine Corps VF-211 remained attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine.