VF-11 / VFA-11 Red Rippers Squadron Patch - With Hook and LoopA 4" With Hook and Loop Squadron Patch of the VF-11 / VFA-11 Red Rippers.4" inchesWith Hook and LoopUS Veteran Owned BusinessThe Red Rippers were commissioned in 1927 as VF-5S in the earliest days of Naval Aviation and are proud to be the Navy's oldest continuously active fighter squadron. The Rippers began their distinguished heritage in Hampton Roads, Virginia flying the Curtis F6C-3 HAWK. They served in both theaters of World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and in Operations PROVIDE COMFORT, SOUTHERN WATCH, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. From the decks of the USS LANGLEY (CV-1), America's first carrier, to the USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75), the Red Rippers have been indelibly written into the history of Naval Aviation.Prior to WWII, the Rippers flew a number of propeller aircraft including the Boeing F3B-1 and F4B-1, and the Grumman FF-1 and F3F-1, and held the following squadron designations: VF-5S, VB-1B, VF-5, and VF-4.During WWII, the Rippers (then known as VF-41) supported the allied invasion of North Africa, downing sixteen enemy aircraft in the Grumman F4F-3 WILDCAT. They also conducted the first air strikes against German forces in Norway in September 1943. The Red Rippers (re-designated VF-A) transferred to the Pacific theater in 1944, operating from USS BUNKER HILL and USS ESSEX. The squadron additionally flew the first air strikes against Tokyo in the Grumman F6F HELLCAT.In 1948, the Rippers became Fighter Squadron ELEVEN (VF-11), and leapt into the jet age flying the McDonnell F2-1 BANSHEE. They flew the BANSHEE during the Korean War from USS KEARSARGE, and later transitioned to the Chane-Vought F-8 CRUSADER aboard USS ROOSEVELT, helping quell unrest in the Dominican Republic. In 1965, the Rippers moved to Naval Air Station Oceana flying the F-4B PHANTOM II and saw action against North