F-14 Tomcats on the USS Kitty Hawk, CV63.

That's right, this plane is not only called a F14 Tomcat, it is also called an Aardvark.  In this case, the Aardvark refers to the squadron name. 

The 1977-1978 deployment of the USS Kitty Hawk hosted the first West PAC deployment of the F14's.  We were very lucky to have these fine planes on our ship.  They were very powerful and a thrill to watch.

Fighter Squadron 114 (VF-114) has attained distinction aboard the Kitty Hawk.  The only squadron that has made every WestPac deployment aboard the USS Kitty Hawk since she was commissioned, the "Fighting Aardvarks" continue to meet the challenges of detection and interception of hostile aircraft.  The famous aardvark, "Zot, " staring out from the tail of the squadron's F14A Tomcat aircraft, is recognized as the mascot proven to be the first in fleet protection.  VF-114 continues to live up to its motto "First to Fight."

Fighter Squadron 213 (VF-213) has distinguished itself on the USS Kitty Hawk during six combat and three peacetime cruises.  The "Black Lion" insignia, on the constellation Leo rising in the night, represents the mission on an all-weather fighter squadron.  Flying the F14A "Tomcat" aircraft, the "Black Lions" surface surveillance, strike group support, and force defense.  The officers and men of VFR-213 are proud to maintain the "Black Lion" tradition of being one of the U.S. Navy's finest fighter squadrons.