Officially Licensed US Navy VFA-211 Checkmates Squadron Patches

Product Information

This is a 4" patch, with hook & loop.

Product Description

Officially Licensed US Navy VFA-211 Checkmates Squadron Patches - Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) Fighting Checkmates, F/A-18E Super Hornet, officially licensed embroidered patch.

Checkmate means leaving the enemy with no options, and that is exactly how the Fighting Checkmates have operated from the carrier deck to the combat zone across eight decades of Navy aviation.

VFA-211 traces its lineage to Bombing Squadron 74, established on 1 May 1945, making it one of the Navy's longest-serving strike fighter squadrons. Based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, the Fighting Checkmates fly the Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornet and are assigned to Carrier Air Wing Eleven. The squadron reached a milestone in 2004 when it transitioned from the F-14 Tomcat to the Super Hornet and was redesignated VFA-211, becoming the first operational East Coast Super Hornet squadron in the process. Their mission set covers close air support, air interdiction, and aerial reconnaissance, and their combat record spans the Korean War, Vietnam, Operation Southern Watch, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Poseidon Archer. The squadron insignia carries deep history of its own, featuring the mascot Brutus holding a rocket from the original VB-74 logo, eleven stars arranged to honor the original designation of Bombing Squadron Seventy Four, and a shield recalling the squadron's sixteen-year association with the F-8 Crusader. That layered identity makes this officially licensed embroidered patch a meaningful piece for anyone who knows the Checkmates story.

Perfect For: Navy strike fighter veterans, VFA-211 aircrew and maintainers, F/A-18 Super Hornet enthusiasts, Carrier Air Wing Eleven alumni, NAS Oceana community members, deployment keepsake collectors, shadow box builders, cruise book displays, challenge coin and patch boards, reunion gifts, and anyone assembling a serious carrier aviation collection that honors East Coast Navy strike fighter heritage and the crews who put precision ordnance on target across multiple combat theaters.

Fighting Checkmates heritage, officially licensed and stitched for the collection, the shadow box, and the long memory of carrier aviation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right backing?

If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.

What size is this item?

Size is shown on the product page and updates with the variant you select (example: 3"). If you’re mounting on a hat or small panel, choose smaller sizes; for plate carriers and display boards, larger sizes fit better.

Are these Officially Licensed?

If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.

Do you offer bulk or reruns for units/squadrons?

Yes. If you see a note like “bulk reruns available,” that means we can support group orders or reruns. If you don’t see it, contact us with the unit/squadron and quantity and we’ll confirm options.

Can you make a custom patch / name tag / lanyard / apparel?

Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.