aviation flight helicopter airline aerospace airbus aviation weather schools: FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE ZERO THREE, VF-103 SLUGGERS

VF-103 was commissioned on 1 May 1952 at NAS Cecil Field, Florida, in response to the Korean War. The squadron was initially equipped with Vought FG-1 D Corsairs and assigned to CVG-1 0.

The Sluggers transitioned to the Grumman F9 F-6 Cougar in July 1953. Between 1953 and 1957, the dash sixes were upgraded to F9F-8s and finally F9F-8Bs. CVG-10 and VF-103 deployed its Cougars aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43).

Late in 1957, transition training for the Vought F8U-1 Crusader started and the Sluggers entered the super¬sonic age. The first Crusader cruise took place aboard the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) between September 1958 and March 1959.

Upon return to Cecil Field, VF-103 was reassigned to CVG-8 and was transferred to NAS Oceana in June 1959, where conver¬sion to the F8U-2 (F-8C) took place. The squadron returned to the MED aboard Forrestal in January 1960 and returned in August. Two more F8U-2 cruises aboard CVA-59 were con¬ducted, one from February until August 1961 and one from August 1962 through March 1963. In the summer of 1963 the F-8Cs were re¬placed with F-8Es. One deployment was made with the F-8Es from July 1964 until March 1965.

Once back at Oceana VF-103 transitioned to the McDonnell F-4B Phantom and was assigned to CVW-3 aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). The squadron would make eleven de¬ployments aboard Sara with the Phantom. The F-4B was replaced with the F-4J in 1968, which in turn was replaced by the F-4S in 1981 prior to converting to the Grumman F-14A Tomcat of today.

VF-103 F8U-1 145322 in 1958. (USN)

VF-103 FBU-1 launches from the USS Forrestal (CVA-59) on 5-19-59. (USN)

VF-103 F8U-1 144460 in late 1957 shortly after equipping with Crusaders. Wing tip stripes and tail arrow were yellow bordered
by black. The Sluggers insignia is painted behind the canopy. (USN/Tailhook VF02359)

Two VF-103 F8U-1s, 144447 (#208) and 144450 (#204), patrolling the Med as part of the force for peace in 1959. The squadron's insignia was painted behind the cockpit (Vought)

VF-103 F8U-1s; 145322 (#201), 144460 (#214), 145380 (#209), and 143784 (#210) over the Mediterranean and the Forrestal on 10-10-58. Arrows on the tail were yellow. (USN)