Three distinct U.S. Naval Aviation squadrons have used the name and insignia of the Jolly Roger: VF-61 (originally VF-17), VF-84, and VFA-103. While these are distinctly different squadrons that have no lineal linkage, they all share the same Jolly Roger name, the skull and crossbones insignia and traditions.
The first incarnation of the Jolly Rogers was established on January 1, 1943 at NAS Norfolk, as VF-17, flying the F4U Corsair. Inspired by the piratical theme of the aircraft's name, VF-17's commanding officer Tommy Blackburn selected the Jolly Roger as the squadron's insignia.VF-17 was re-designated as VF-5B in 1946, and as VF-61 in 1948. While in existence, VF-61 flew the F6F-5 Hellcat, F4U-1 Corsair, F8F-2 Bearcat, F9F-2/4 Panther, F9F-8 Cougar, and F3H-2M Demon, and was disestablished on April 15, 1959.
The second squadron to be called Jolly Rogers was VF-84, activated on July 1, 1955. This squadron was initially known as the Vagabonds, but assumed the Jolly Rogers name on April 1, 1960. This squadron flew the FJ-3 Fury, F-8C Crusader, F-4B/J/N Phantom II, and F-14A Tomcat before deactivation on September 29, 1995.
After disestablishment of VF-84, the Jolly Rogers name and insignia were adopted by VF-103, which later became VFA-103, the subject of this article. There has been only one squadron designated VF-103.
