FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE (VF-1) "Wolfpack"
USS RANGER (CV-60). January 1991
OPERATION DESERT SHIELD . OPERATION DESERT STORM
Pilot Lt. Stuart “Meat” Broce . RIO Cdr. Ron “Bongo” McElraft
F-14A Tomcat F-14A-135-GR
Serial: BuNo 162603 NE103 “El Coyote”
On 8 December 1990, the VF-1 embarked with CVW-2 aboard USS Ranger, for an Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf cruise. This saw the "Wolfpack" becoming involved in the Operation "Desert Storm", from which it emerged as the only USN Tomcat-squadron to score a kill against Iraqis. On 6 February 1991, Lt. Stuart "Meat" Broce and his RIO, Cdr. Ron "Bongo" McElraft (then CO VF-1) were vectored by an USAF E-3 "Sentry" AWACS into southern Iraq, to intercept a "bandit". Flying deep within the Iraqi airspace, after some time they visually acquired an Iraqi Mi-8 "Hip" helicopter, underway at high speed very low over the desert. When the range between the "Tomcat" and Mi-8 had closed to within a mile, Lt. Broce launched a Sidewinder and destroyed its target. The 162603 went on to soldier with VF-1 until this unit's disbandment. Subsequently it served with VF-124 and VF-41, before being assigned to VF-211. While serving with the later squadron, this Tomcat was lost due to a cold-cat shot from USS John C. Stennis, on 23 June 2000. The crew ejected safely. Of interest is that the original kill makring as applied on this Tomcat upon its return from the war with Iraq, depicted a Mi-24 helicopter gunship!.
