- Yes
- No
History
VF-84 (Fighter Squadron 84) nickname «Jolly Rogers» is arguably one of the most iconic aviation units of the US Navy, known for their recognizable paint scheme featuring a skull and crossbones (the Jolly Roger). From their founding in 1955 until disbandment in 1995 the unit operated an assortment of aircraft such as FJ-3 Fury, F-8C Crusader, F-4 Phantom II (B, J, & N), and the F-14A Tomcat.
VF-84 were deployed aboard USS Independence during the Cuban missile Crisis and the Bay of Pigs invasion, operating the F-8C. They transitioned to the F-4 Phantom II in 1964 and flew 1507 combat sorties during the Vietnam war.
After the transition to the F-14 in 1976 they embarked on their first cruise on USS Nimitz in 1977. The squadron was then prominently featured in the 1980 film «The final Countdown» which propelled the unit and their iconic livery to international stardom.
In 1990 VF-84 deployed to the Gulf War aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, during which they flew combat air patrols, escorted strike aircraft and performed reconnaisance missions (in total 468 combat sorties).
In 1993 they were once again deployed aboard Theodore Roosevelt, flying reconnaissance missions over Sarajevo as part of Operation Deny Flight during the NATO intervention in Bosnia. VF-84 also partook in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the no-fly-zone in southern Iraq the same year.
The US Navy had to downsize after the end of the cold war, and VF-84 were one of many squadrons being disbanded. However, the unit managed to make a last appearance in the 1996 film «Executive Decision». The «Jolly Rogers» name and insignia were adopted by VF-103 (formerly «Sluggers»), who carry the legacy of the skull and crossbones to this day.
The camouflage
This suggestion is for the following livery, F-14A Tomcat (VF-84) as seen in the 1980 film «The Final Countdown».
Sources
https://www.furiouscinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/TheFinalCountdown3.jpg
