The "Black Aces" of VF-41 are scheduled to be the first F-14 squadron to transition to the F/A-18/F after a six month deployment in late 2001, after which they will relocate to NAS Leemore and become part of the Pacific fighter wing. In Jan. 2002, the "Fighting Checkmates" of VF-211 will be next in line. I'm quessing they'll follow suit and hit the west coast as there are yet no plans for any E/F units in Oceana, according to the Oceana website anyway.
I met a VF-41 LCDR. at an air show recently(not too thrilled about the transition) and he said all the older "A" model units will be the first to go, followed by the "A" plus's, B's and then D's. Also he said that the Tomcat units will remain as two seater's in the "F"'s and retain their type of missions, while the "E"'s replace the "C"'s.
From what I've read and heard, even with two squadron transitions a year it will still take up to six to eight years before all VF's become VFA's, IF they transition on time. I expect the mighty cat to be around for at least another ten years.
Most of this info is from the squadron sites on the NAS Oceana site, and the rest of it is mostly from officers I've talked with.
Which brings me to a question I have for Matt: What kind of percentage of advanced stud's are going to the Tomcat RAG nowadays?
D