VF-154 Black Knights Squadron Patch – Sew On Aviators! Are you looking for a high-quality patch you'll proudly wear or display? Look no further than the VF-154 Black Knights Squadron Patch! 4.0 inch Embroidered US Naval Aviator Owned Business Sew On Plastic Backing increases rigidity, so the patch lasts longer and stays flat. Strike Fighter Squadron 154 (VFA-154), also known as the "Black Knights," is a USN strike fighter squadron stationed at Naval Air Station Lemoore. The Black Knights are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18F Hornet. The use of naval aviation insignia is a modern form of heraldry that dates back to the early period of naval aviation in the 1920’s and captures many proud moments of its history. The practice fosters a sense of pride, unit cohesion and contributes to high morale, esprit de corps and professionalism within the community. It also serves as an effective means of preserving a command’s tradition, continuity of purpose and recognition, as traced through its lineage. The following rules are provided to ensure that all command insignia and slogans are in keeping with the highest traditions of the proud naval aviation heritage. F6F Hellcat VF-154 arose when a Naval Reserve squadron was called to operational duty for the Korean war. The squadron was activated as VFB-718 upon the 1st of July 1946. Initially based at NAS Floyd Bennett, NY, their first mount was the F-6F Hellcat, soon followed by the F-4U Corsair. As well as changing aircraft, the squadron went through several designation changes, becoming VF-68A then VF-837. During their time as VF-837 the squadron moved from NAS Floyd Bennett to NAS Moffett Field, CA.F9F-2B Panther VF-837 flew a combat cruise in the Korean war, flying off the USS Antietam (CV 36). By this point they had moved from the F-4U Corsairs to F9F-2 Panthers. VF-837 returned from their first cruise and started working up for a second. On the 4th of February 1953 while passing under the Golden Gate Bridge onboard the USS Princeton (CV 37) Address Book and on their way back to Korea, VF-837 was officially redesignated VF-154. F4B Phantom II After the Panther, VF-154 acquired the F-3J Fury, followed by the F-8 Crusader in 1957. The new F-8 persuaded VF-154 to change their insignia and name. The squadron was known as “The Grand Slammers” with the insignia of a flaming panther. The new insignia, designed by Milton Caniff, creator of the Steve Canyon cartoon, was the Black Knight, armed with a sword to strike down the enemies of peace and justice and a shield to protect those unable to protect themselves. F14A Tomcat Their first combat deployment of the Vietnam war was in 1965, onboard USS Coral Sea (CV 43) as part of CVW-15. Their first combat strikes occurred on the 7th of February. After that, yearly combat cruises followed. The time between the first and subsequent cruises was put to good use as VF-154 transitioned to the F-4B Phantom II; at that time the standard aircraft for Naval fighter squadrons. As well as changing aircraft VF-154 moved from CVW-15, where it had resided since its establishment to become part of CVW-2, where it remained until 1980. After a second cruise onboard the Coral Sea the Black Knights shifted to the USS Ranger (CV 61), completing five further cruises to South East Asia. After the 1970 cruise VF-154 upgraded their aircraft again, this time gaining the F-4J version of the Phantom II. With this new aircraft the squadron’s final Vietnam tour took place. The timing saw VF-154 taking place in some of the last US Navy strikes of the war. This last combat tour saw such a high standard from the Black Knights that they were awarded the Clifton Award, recognizing them as the best fighter squadron in the Navy. The Black Knights gained the last Navy version of the Phantom II, the F-4S, in 1979, but returned to the earlier F-4N version. Several cruises onboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) followed, as this carrier did not have strong enough decks to carry
