FIGHTER SQUADRON TWO ZERO ONE, VF-201 HUNTERS

VF-201 F-8H 147065 on 4-10-71. Tail flashes were red as was the background for CDR CHUCK BLAKER's name below the canopy rail. The intake lips and stripe around the nose were black and the black nose number was bordered by white.

Under the 1970 reorganization of the Naval Air Reserve Force, VF-201 was commissioned from elements of the disestablished VF-124131 on 25 July 1970. Fighter squadron 201 was a component of Attack Carrier Air Wing Twenty (CVWR-20) at NAS Dallas, Texas.
Originally outfitted with the F-8K, the squadron's first shipboard opera¬tions were conducted aboard the USS Ticonderoga on 14 November 1970 off the coast of Southern California.
On 5 December 1970 the squadron started transitioning to retired fleet F-8Hs.


VF-201 established a reputation of being the most frequently deployed tactical reserve force squadron while flying the F-8 Crusader. It was with some sadness that the F-8s were phased out in favor of F-4N Phantoms in April 1976. In October 1986 the squadron began transitioning to the F-14A Tomcat which is still flown to¬day from NAS Dallas.

VF-201 F-8K, nose number 115, being positioned aboard the USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) on 8-13-71. The tail markings were enhanced by bordering the red flashes with black. The ventral fin had also, been painted with red bordered by black.

Black nosed F-8H 147070 on 5-31-71. CDR JOHN LAMERS COMMANDING OFFICER was painted in white on a red background. "AF" on tail was shaded in red. (Fred Roos) 147070 again in 1974 with a red flash on the ventral fin and the squadron insignia on the rudder. (via Burger) CAG bird, F-8H 148691 in Nov. 1973. Lower fin flash was red-yellow-blue-orange-green. (Buchanan via Menard) F-8H 148698 in 1975. (Fred Roos)