Two Navy squadrons have held the designation VF-143.
"We chose the markings of a retired Navy squadron that my father belonged to," he said.
Mr. Stoddard recently located 44 members of his Navy squadron of nearly 200.
In addition to cruising with the Navy squadrons, Virginia guarded convoys and relayed messages between fleets.
There have been two distinct Navy squadrons known as the "Flying Eagles".
He was determined to be a commanding officer of a Navy squadron and ultimately of a nuclear aircraft carrier.
"It's pretty much like any other Navy squadron," Stamp replied.
Each Navy squadron has nine planes.
Operated with attached Air Force and Navy squadrons.
This was the first complete Navy squadron to deploy to Afghanistan.