VFA-143, known as the "Pukin' Dogs" are based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. Flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet and assigned to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), the Pukin Dogs are currently embarked on USS Harry S. Truman. Their homeport remains NAS Oceana.

​

The squadron’s current insignia—a winged black griffon on a blue shield—was adopted in 1953. Their nickname originated when the squadron commander’s wife described the griffon’s droopy head and gaping mouth as looking like a “pukin’ dog.” The name stuck. 

The current squadron traces its lineage to VF-871, established in 1950. Redesignated VF-143 in 1962, it became VFA-143 in 2005 after transitioning to the Super Hornet. A previous squadron held the VF-143 designation from 1953–1958. Originally flying the F4U-4 Corsair, VF-871 was activated during the Korean War, deploying aboard USS Princeton and USS Essex. In 1953, they transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther and later to the F3H Demon, receiving the VF-143 designation in 1962.

​

During the Vietnam War, VF-143 flew the F-4 Phantom II and completed seven deployments, primarily aboard USS Constellation. Notably, in 1967, they scored a MiG-21 kill. Their final Vietnam deployment ended in 1973. On the last day of hostilities, CDR Harley Hall, the squadron’s XO, was shot down and later listed as the last U.S. Naval Aviator missing in action. After Vietnam, the squadron transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat and shifted to NAS Oceana. In 1980, VF-143 deployed during the Iran–Iraq War and gained TARPS reconnaissance capability. In 1983, they flew combat TARPS missions over Lebanon and intercepted Libyan MiG-23s in the Mediterranean.

​

VF-143 played active roles in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, flying their last Tomcat deployment in 2004. In 2005, they transitioned to the F/A-18E Super Hornet and were redesignated VFA-143. Their first Super Hornet deployment supported combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and off Somalia. Between 2010–2016, VFA-143 deployed multiple times aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, supporting operations in Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq. During their 2015–2016 deployment aboard USS Harry S. Truman, they dropped over 400,000 pounds of precision ordnance—setting records during Operation Inherent Resolve.

​

After 45 years with CVW-7, VFA-143 transferred to Carrier Air Wing One in October 2023. In September 2024, they deployed aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Following exercises with European allies, the squadron was redirected to the Red Sea in response to Houthi and Iranian proxy attacks on regional shipping and Israel.

​​

Our version of the US Navy Fighter Attack Squadron artwork, used in the F/A-18c Hornet livery: