VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs F-14A+ Tomcat – USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 – 1990 – 15 oz Black Mug

VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” — 1990 F-14 Tomcat Tribute

Honor one of Naval Aviation's most distinctive fighter squadrons with this VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs” F-14 Tomcat tribute mug, representing the squadron's service with Carrier Air Wing Seven aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69 during the historic 1990 deployment.

The detailed wraparound artwork combines the famous Pukin’ Dogs bulldog insignia, a VF-143 Tomcat in AG Carrier Air Wing Seven markings, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a weathered American flag backdrop, Naval Aviation wings, and the Operation Engraved Honor dog tag.

Set against a gloss-black 15 oz ceramic mug, the silver, gold, yellow and red artwork gives this piece the appearance of vintage Naval Aviation memorabilia.

This design isn't intended to represent simply an F-14.

It commemorates a specific squadron, carrier, aircraft and moment in history.

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The History Behind the Mug

VF-143 — The World Famous “Pukin’ Dogs”

The lineage of today's VFA-143 dates to 1949, when the squadron was commissioned as VF-871. After several designation and aircraft changes, it became VF-143 on June 20, 1962, while transitioning to the F-4 Phantom II.

The squadron's first cruise as VF-143 came aboard USS Constellation CV-64 in 1963.

The following year, VF-143 participated in the U.S. response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident, flying missions during the Pierce Arrow strikes against North Vietnamese naval facilities. The squadron ultimately completed seven combat deployments during the Vietnam War. Airlant

In 1967, VF-143 recorded its first official MiG victory when a Pukin’ Dogs crew destroyed a North Vietnamese MiG-21 with an AIM-7 Sparrow. Airlant

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Enter the F-14 Tomcat

VF-143 completed transition training in the Grumman F-14A Tomcat and moved to NAS Oceana in 1975.

Its first F-14 deployment followed in 1976 aboard USS America CV-66, where the squadron participated in Operation Fluid Drive during the evacuation of American citizens from Beirut. Airlant

In the fall of 1978, VF-143 joined Carrier Air Wing Seven and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, beginning a long relationship between the Pukin’ Dogs and “IKE.” Airlant

That relationship would eventually include Mediterranean deployments, extended operations in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, Cold War reconnaissance missions, Middle East contingency operations and the opening stages of Operation Desert Shield.

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USS Dwight D. Eisenhower & VF-143

The Pukin’ Dogs joined IKE for her first major Mediterranean deployment in 1979.

In 1980, VF-143 and Eisenhower participated in a remarkable extended deployment associated with the Iranian hostage crisis. The carrier remained at sea for long stretches as U.S. naval forces maintained a major presence in the region. Airlant

During the squadron's 1982 Mediterranean deployment, VF-143 operated TARPS-equipped Tomcats and again supported contingency operations connected with the evacuation of American citizens from Lebanon. Airlant

In 1983, the Pukin’ Dogs flew 45 combat TARPS reconnaissance missions, collecting intelligence on troop movements and artillery positions in Lebanon for multinational peacekeeping forces. Airlant

VF-143 returned to the Mediterranean with Eisenhower again in 1984 and 1988. Airlant

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1989 — A More Powerful Tomcat

By 1989, VF-143 and sister squadron VF-142 had upgraded to the improved F-14A+ Tomcat.

The F-14A+ incorporated the more powerful General Electric F110 engines that would distinguish it from earlier F-14As. The aircraft type was subsequently redesignated F-14B, which is why later historical references often call these aircraft F-14Bs. Navy historical material specifically describes VF-142 and VF-143 as adopting the F-14A+ — later F-14B — before their 1990 deployment. Naval History and Heritage Command

For a 1990-specific historical mug, F-14A+ Tomcat is therefore the most period-accurate designation.

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The Aircraft Represented — AG-104

The aircraft depicted on this mug represents:

Squadron: VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs
Aircraft: Grumman F-14A+ Tomcat
Modex: 104
Tail Code: AG
Bureau Number: 161442
Carrier Air Wing: CVW-7
Carrier: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69
Era: 1990

A surviving photograph dated June 9, 1990 documents BuNo 161442 as AG-104 with VF-143 aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, strongly supporting the aircraft/unit/carrier combination used for this tribute. AirHistory

BuNo 161442 had originally been constructed as an F-14A and was converted to the improved F-14A+ configuration before ultimately being redesignated an F-14B. Aircraft Information

That makes this one of the stronger historically documented aircraft combinations in our F-14 Honor Series.

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The 1990 Deployment

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower deployed with Carrier Air Wing Seven in March 1990, with VF-143 and VF-142 providing its Tomcat fighter force.

The deployment initially operated in the Mediterranean.

Then history changed.

On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait.

Within days, Eisenhower was ordered toward the Middle East. On August 7, the carrier battle group transited the Suez Canal and entered the Red Sea as the United States began responding to the crisis. Naval History and Heritage Command

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first aircraft carrier to conduct sustained operations in the Red Sea in response to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Naval History and Heritage Command

VF-143's F-14s formed part of the carrier's frontline air-defense capability during this period.

The Navy's historical account notes that Eisenhower and Independence provided the most immediately available carrier-based combat air power as American forces began moving into the region. Naval History and Heritage Command

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Operation Desert Shield

The deployment suddenly became part of Operation Desert Shield, the buildup intended to prevent Iraqi forces from advancing into Saudi Arabia and to establish the coalition military force that would eventually liberate Kuwait.

Carrier aircraft operating from Eisenhower in the Red Sea provided combat-ready air power while much larger U.S. Army and Air Force forces were still arriving in theater. Naval History and Heritage Command

For VF-143, this meant that what had begun as another Mediterranean deployment became part of one of the most consequential U.S. military mobilizations since Vietnam.

This is the historical moment represented by this mug.

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What the Artwork Represents

The design combines historically connected elements from that period:

• VF-143 “Pukin’ Dogs”
• Pukin’ Dogs bulldog squadron insignia
• Grumman F-14A+ Tomcat
• AG-104
• BuNo 161442
• Carrier Air Wing Seven
• USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69
• 1990 deployment
• Mediterranean and Red Sea operations
• Operation Desert Shield era
• Naval Aviation wings
• Weathered American flag
• Operation Engraved Honor dog tag

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More Than an Aircraft

To someone who served with VF-143 or aboard Eisenhower, these markings can represent much more than an airplane.

They represent the carrier.

The squadron ready room.

The hangar deck.

The flight deck.

Night operations.

Maintenance crews.

Launches and recoveries.

Long months away from home.

And the sailors, pilots, RIOs and maintainers who experienced it together.

Our goal with the F-14 Honor Series is to preserve those individual stories by connecting each design to an actual squadron, aircraft, carrier and period of service whenever the historical record allows.

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Product Details

Premium 15 oz Black Ceramic Mug

• 15 oz capacity
• Gloss-black ceramic
• Full wraparound military aviation artwork
• VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs design
• Historically based F-14A+ Tomcat
• USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69
• 1990 deployment tribute
• Microwave safe
• Dishwasher safe
• Professionally printed
• Individually packaged
• Designed for veterans, families and Naval Aviation collectors

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Ideal For

• VF-143 veterans
• USS Dwight D. Eisenhower veterans
• F-14 pilots
• Radar Intercept Officers
• F-14 maintainers
• Carrier flight-deck personnel
• Carrier Air Wing Seven veterans
• U.S. Navy veterans
• Gulf War-era veterans
• Squadron reunion gifts
• Retirement gifts
• Military families
• F-14 collectors
• Naval Aviation historians
• Military aviation enthusiasts

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The F-14 Honor Series

The F-14 Tomcat served aboard America's aircraft carriers for more than three decades and became associated with some of the most recognizable squadrons in Naval Aviation history.

The Operation Engraved Honor F-14 Honor Series is being created squadron by squadron.

Whenever documentation permits, each mug connects:

The correct squadron.
The correct carrier.
The correct era.
The correct aircraft markings.
And the history behind them.

Preserve the aircraft. Preserve the unit. Preserve the story.

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Supporting Operation Engraved Honor

A portion of every mug sold helps support Operation Engraved Honor's veteran outreach mission.

Operation Engraved Honor works to recognize veterans and military families through outreach and commemorative programs.

When you purchase a mug from this collection, you're helping us do more than preserve military history.

You're helping us continue serving veterans.

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More Than a Coffee Mug

A tribute to VF-143 Pukin’ Dogs, F-14A+ Tomcat AG-104, Carrier Air Wing Seven, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, and the sailors and aircrews who stood ready during the opening days of Operation Desert Shield in 1990.

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Product Specifications

Historical Tribute Notice

This product is an independently created military aviation heritage tribute intended to honor and preserve the history of the aircraft, ships, squadrons and service members represented.

It is not an official product of, sponsored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, United States Navy, or any aircraft manufacturer unless specifically stated otherwise.