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 to VF-61, as the Jolly Rogers transitioned from the F4U to the F-8 Bearcat.  VF-61 subsequently transitioned to the Navy's first jet fighters, the F-9 Panther, then the FJ-3 Fury and finally the F-3H Demon, prior to the squadron's decommissioning in March 1959.

Flying F-8 Crusaders at the time, the VF-84 Vegabonds 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 more 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 DCS VF-103 has demonstrated excellence in Air to Air Combat since early 2021.

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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.