| In 1992, the VF-11 “Red Rippers” moved from NAS Oceana, Virginia, to NAS Miramar, San Diego, California, where the squadron, along with their sister squadron, VF-31, received the new, highly advanced, Grumman F-14D Super Tomcat (specifications). The F-14D features two 29,000-pound thrust General Electric F110 engines, which provide a substantial boost in power over the two, 20,000-pound thrust Pratt and Whitney TF-30 engines found in the F-14A. This increased engine thrust quickly allows the F-14D to reach supersonic speed. The VF-11 squadron insignia is based on the boar’s head found on Gordon’s Gin bottles, and the boar’s head is faintly visible in the supersonic shock cloud surrounding the CO’s 101 aircraft. The shock wave also churns up the Pacific Ocean below, while a rare monsoon thunderstorm builds over the desert east of San Diego. |
