The VF designation was one of the oldest in use by the U.S. Navy. From 1921 to 1948 it designated "Fighting Plane Squadron" or "Fighting Squadron". It designated "Fighter Squadron" from 1948 until 2006 when the last VF squadron was redesignated to Strike Fighter (VFA) squadron. The designation has not been used since 2006. During the time the VF designation was in use there were two periods during which a suffix letter was added after the squadron designation number. From 1927 to 1937 the suffix letter denoted to which fleet the squadron belonged; B for Battle Fleet and S for Scouting Fleet. From 15 November 1946 to as late as 1 September 1948 the suffix letter denoted to which type of Carrier Air Group the squadron belonged: A for those assigned to Essex class carriers (sometimes called "Attack" carriers), B for those assigned to the large Midway class carriers (sometimes called "Battle" carriers), L for those assigned to "light" Independence or Siapan class carriers and E for those assigned to remaining small WWII "escort carriers".
Beginning in 1937, VF squadron designation numbers were determined by the hull number of the aircraft carrier (CV) from which they operated. VF-3 for example belonged to the Saratoga's Air Group as USS Saratoga was CV 3. When the ship named Air Groups were given designation numbers themselves, their designation numbers matched the CV hull numbers, the Saratoga Air Group became Carrier Air Group Three (CVG-3) and CVG-3's VF squadron was VF-3. With the massive buildup of WWII the CVG numbers became divorced from CV hull numbers, but the CVG's squadrons were still numbered with the CVG to which they were assigned so, VF-6 was the fighter squadron assigned to CVG-6 and VF-81 was the fighter squadron assigned to CVG-81. Before and during WWII each ship named Air Group and CVG had only one VF squadron assigned so numbering the VF squadron with the ship hull number or CVG designation number worked well. There were a few exceptions and in those cases either a second digit was added (VF-41 and VF-42) or a letter was added (VF-74A and VF-74B), but those instances were rare. After the war the CVG and squadron designation system was changed. CVGs were redesignated CVAG, CVBG, CVLG and CVEG according to the type of aircraft carrier to which they were assigned and they were all designated with odd numbers. Each had two VF squadrons assigned which were designated VF-1A and VF-2A for CVAG-1, VF-3A and VF-4A for CVAG-3, VF-1B and VF-2B for CVBG-1 etc... On 1 Sep 1948 the designation system changed again dropping the "A", "B", "L" and "E" from both the CVG designations and from the squadron designations. CVGs were numbered sequentially beginning with CVG-1 and each had three VF squadrons assigned which were numbered sequentially by using the CVG number followed by a single digit, so CVG-1's VF squadrons were designated VF-11, VF-12 and VF-13 and CVG-11's VF squadrons were designated VF-111, VF-112 and VF-113 etc... Beginning in 1949 most CVGs received a fourth VF squadron (VF-14, VF-24, VF-114 etc...). These varied designation systems used through the years resulted in squadron designations being reused for completely unrelated squadrons; take the designations VF-11, VF-12 and VF-13 for example. The first use of each of those designations was used to designate the single VF squadron of each of three different CVGs during WWII, CVG-11, CVG-12 and CVG-13. The second use of those designations designated three VF squadrons of CVG-1 after 1 September 1948.
Throughout this entire period, from pre-WWII to 1965, as squadrons were reassigned from one CVG to another they were redesignated to conform with the numbering system of that CVG. That practice began to be abandoned by the mid-1950s but did not completely cease until 1965. By then, all squadron designation numbers had been "frozen" and were divorced from the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) designation numbers. Later, newly established squadrons were numbered either sequentially (such as VF-1 and VF-2 established in 1972) or were given designation numbers to commemorate a long-serving disestablished squadron (VF-191 established in 1986 commemorated a squadron which had existed from 1943 to 1978). This is why today there are squadrons with numbers as low as VFA-2 and as high as VFA-213 with many numbers missing in between.
The table below does not list disestablished squadrons, it is a list of squadron designations which are no longer in use. In most cases a single squadron carried multiple designations between the time it was established and the time it was disestablished, therefore multiple designations in the table belonged to a single squadron. Most of the squadron designations in the table belonged to squadrons which have been disestablished, but also included are former designations of some VFA squadrons which are still active, and one which has been deactivated. This table includes all "VF" designations that have been used by US Navy aircraft squadrons except for those assigned to USNR squadrons which existed before 1970 unless they were activated, in which case they are included. It also does not include 25 "VF(N)" designations (night fighter) which were used between 1943 and 1946. Sorting the table by the "Disestablished as (or current designation)" column will display all designations belonging to a single squadron grouped together, note that many squadrons were designated as both VF and VA squadrons at different times during their existence.
Note: The parenthetical (first use), (second use), (1st), (2nd), (3rd) etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the squadron designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
| Designation | Insignia | Nickname | Aircraft | Establishment and Redesignation (if applicable) Dates | Disestablished as (or current designation) |
Disestablished Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Squadrons in operation prior to the beginning of U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier operations. The Navy's aircraft squadron designation system came into being in the early 1920s. Prior to that time Navy aircraft were assigned to air stations but to fully utilize aviation's potential it was necessary to extend its capabilities to operate with the fleet through the organization of squadrons. Squadrons were numbered according to ship squadron numbers and were designated according to the use of the squadron's aircraft such as "Torpedo" or "Patrol" or "Combat"; however, the official use of abbreviated designations such as VT, VP or VF had not yet been implemented. | |||||||
| VF-4 (first use) |
|
Top Hatters | VE-7 | Air Det Pac Flt: Sep 1919-15 Jun 1920 VT-5(1st): 15 Jun 1920-7 Sep 1921 VP-1-4: 7 Dec 1921-23 Sep 1921 VF-4(1st): 23 Sep 1921 – 1 Jul 1922 VF-1(1st): 1 Jul 1922-1 Jul 1927 VF-1B(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1934 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1934-1 Jul 1937 VB-3: 1 Jul 1937-1 Jul 1939 VB-4: 1 Jul 1939-15 Mar 1941 VS-41(2nd): 15 Mar 1941-1 Mar 1943 VB-41: 1 Mar 1943-4 Aug 1943 VB-4: 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VA-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-14: 2 Aug 1948-15 Dec 1949 VF-14(2nd): 15 Dec 1949-1 Dec 2001 VFA-14: 1 Dec 2001–present |
VFA-14 | Not applicable, still exists | Oldest continuously active aircraft squadron in the U.S. Navy |
| Combat Squadron 4 | VE-7 | Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921 – 1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | |||
| 1 July 1922 to 1 July 1927: Naval Aviation Organization for FY 1923 issued on 17 June 1922 and implemented on 1 July 1922 changed the numbering of squadrons from according to ship squadron number to serially within each class and listed the squadrons by abbreviated designation (VF, VO, VS, VT) for the first time. USS Langley (CV 1) was commissioned on 20 March 1922, VF-1 and VF-2 (as VF-2B) operated from USS Langley (CV 1) conducting experimentation in the concept of shipborne aviation. | |||||||
| VF-1 (first use) |
|
Top Hatters | VE-7 TS-1 |
Air Det Pac Flt: Sep 1919-15 Jun 1920 VT-5(1st): 15 Jun 1920-7 Sep 1921 VP-1-4: 7 Dec 1921-23 Sep 1921 VF-4(1st): 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-1(1st): 1 Jul 1922 – 1 Jul 1927 VF-1B(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1934 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1934-1 Jul 1937 VB-3: 1 Jul 1937-1 Jul 1939 VB-4: 1 Jul 1939-15 Mar 1941 VS-41(2nd): 15 Mar 1941-1 Mar 1943 VB-41: 1 Mar 1943-4 Aug 1943 VB-4: 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VA-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-14: 2 Aug 1948-15 Dec 1949 VF-14(2nd): 15 Dec 1949-1 Dec 2001 VFA-14: 1 Dec 2001–present |
VFA-14 | Not applicable, still exists | Oldest continuously active aircraft squadron in the U.S. Navy Provided fighters to Battle Ships. Began operating aboard USS Langley (CV 1) in 1926 |
| VF-2 (first use) |
|
VE-7 F6C-2 |
Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922 – 19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | ||
| VF-2B (1923-7) (first use) |
|
FU-1 F6C-4 |
Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923 – 1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | Provided fighters to Battle Ships. Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) beginning in 1925. Carrier Aviation's first squadron. Was redesignated VF-6B(1st) on 1 Jan 1927 when a new squadron was established and assigned the designation VF-2(2nd) | |
| VF-2 (1927-42) (second use) |
_Flying_Chiefs.jpeg){kind=small}
|
Flying Chiefs | VE-7 F6C FU-1 |
VF-2(2nd): 1 Jan 1927 – 1 Jul 1927 VF-2B(2nd): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1932 VF-2S: 1 Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-2B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-2(3rd): 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1942 |
VF-2 (3rd) | 1 July 1942 | VF-2(2nd) was established with a majority of enlisted pilots, most of them Chief Petty Officers |
| VF-3 (first use) |
VF-3(1st): 1 Jul 1922-May 1924 | VF-3 (1st) | May 1924 | ||||
| VF-5 (first use) |
_insignia,_2015.png){kind=small}
|
Red Rippers | F6C-3 | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927 – 1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron |
| VF-6B (first use) |
FU-1 | Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927 – 1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | VF-2B(1st) was redesignated VF-6B(1st) on 1 Jan 1927 when a new squadron was established and designated VF-2(2nd). Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) | ||
| 1 July 1927 to 1 July 1937: Suffix letters were added to squadron designations which denoted to which fleet squadrons were assigned: B-Battle Fleet and S-Scouting Fleet. Squadrons were redesignated as they were reassigned between fleets. Four new squadrons were established and three new Aircraft Carriers commissioned; USS Lexington (CV 2) on 14 Dec 1927, USS Saratoga (CV 3) on 16 Nov 1927 and USS Ranger (CV 4) on 4 Jun 1934. Squadrons were assigned variously to the Aircraft Carriers USS Langley (CV 1), USS Lexington (CV 2), USS Saratoga (CV 3) and USS Ranger (CV 4) as needed to continue the development of ship based aircraft operations and tactics. | |||||||
| VF-1B (first use) |
|
Top Hatters | TS-1 F2B F4B |
Air Det Pac Flt: Sep 1919-15 Jun 1920 VT-5(1st): 15 Jun 1920-7 Sep 1921 VP-1-4: 7 Dec 1921-23 Sep 1921 VF-4(1st): 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-1(1st): 1 Jul 1922-1 Jul 1927 VF-1B(1st): 1 Jul 1927 – 1 Jul 1934 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1934-1 Jul 1937 VB-3: 1 Jul 1937-1 Jul 1939 VB-4: 1 Jul 1939-15 Mar 1941 VS-41(2nd): 15 Mar 1941-1 Mar 1943 VB-41: 1 Mar 1943-4 Aug 1943 VB-4: 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VA-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-14: 2 Aug 1948-15 Dec 1949 VF-14(2nd): 15 Dec 1949-1 Dec 2001 VFA-14: 1 Dec 2001–present |
VFA-14 | Not applicable, still exists | Oldest continuously active aircraft squadron in the U.S. Navy. Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) and USS Saratoga (CV 3) |
| VF-1B (1935-7) (second use) |
Shooting Stars | F4B | VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935 – 1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | Established and designated VF-1B(2nd) when VF-1B(1st) was redesignated a Bombing (VB) squadron. Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) | |
| VF-2B (1927-42) (second use) |
|
Flying Chiefs | F6C F2B F3B |
VF-2(2nd): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-2B(2nd): 1 Jul 1927 – 1 Jul 1932 VF-2S: 1 Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-2B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-2(3rd): 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1942 |
VF-2 (3rd) | 1 July 1942 | Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) and USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-2S |
|
Flying Chiefs | F3B | VF-2(2nd): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-2B(2nd): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1932 VF-2S: 1 Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-2B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-2(3rd): 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1942 |
VF-2 (3rd) | 1 July 1942 | Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-2B (1927-42) (third use) |
|
Flying Chiefs | F3B | VF-2(2nd): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-2B(2nd): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1932 VF-2S: 1 Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-2B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-2(3rd): 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1942 |
VF-2 (3rd) | 1 July 1942 | Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-3S (first use) |
|
Striking Eagles | F6C FB |
VF-3S(1st): 4 Jul 1927 – 3 Mar 1928 VF-3B(1st): 3 Mar 1928-Apr 1931 VF-3S(2nd): Apr 1931-Jul 1932 VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-3B (first use) |
|
Striking Eagles | FB F3B |
VF-3S(1st): 4 Jul 1927-3 Mar 1928 VF-3B(1st): 3 Mar 1928-Apr 1931 VF-3S(2nd): Apr 1931-Jul 1932 VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-3S (second use) |
|
Striking Eagles | F3B | VF-3S(1st): 4 Jul 1927-3 Mar 1928 VF-3B(1st): 3 Mar 1928-Apr 1931 VF-3S(2nd): Apr 1931-Jul 1932 VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) |
| VF-3B (second use) |
|
Striking Eagles | F4B F2F |
VF-3S(1st): 4 Jul 1927-3 Mar 1928 VF-3B(1st): 3 Mar 1928-Apr 1931 VF-3S(2nd): Apr 1931-Jul 1932 VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | Operated from USS Langley (CV 1) and USS Ranger (CV 4) |
| VF-5S (first use) |
|
Red Rippers | F6C-3 | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron |
| VF-5B (first use) |
|
Red Rippers | F6C-3 | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron |
| VF-5B (1930-2) (second use) |
|
Red Rippers | F4B-1 | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-5S (1932-3) (second use) |
|
Red Rippers | F4B-1 | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) |
| VF-5B (1933-7) (third use) |
|
Red Rippers | FF-1 F3F-1 |
VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Operated from USS Lexington (CV 2) and USS Ranger (CV 4) |
| VF-6 (first use) |
FU-1 | Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927 – 1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | Provided fighters to Battle Ships. | ||
| VF-6B (1930-7) (second use) |
|
F2B F3B F2F |
Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930 – 1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | The Felix the Cat insignia was created by VB-2B and continued in use through VF-6B(2nd), VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(3rd) redesignations. Operated from USS Saratoga (CV 3) | |
| VF-7B | F2F | VF-7B est late Jun 1937 & combined with VF-3B(2nd) VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | |||
| VF-8B | F4B | VF-8B est late Jun 1937 & combined with VF-1B(2nd) VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935-1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | |||
| 1 Jul 1937 through 1 Mar 1943: Squadron suffix letters were discontinued. Squadrons were redesignated to conform with the hull number of the Aircraft Carrier to which they were assigned: CV 2, CV 3, CV 4 and CV 5 (USS Yorktown (CV 5) was commissioned on 30 Sep 1937). USS Langley (CV 1) had ceased operating as an Aircraft Carrier by October 1936 and had been converted to a Seaplane Tender | |||||||
| Ship Named Air Groups: On 1 July 1938 existing squadrons were assigned to five newly established "Air Groups" which were established to operate from USS Lexington (CV 2), USS Saratoga (CV 3), USS Ranger (CV 4), USS Yorktown (CV 5) and USS Enterprise (CV 6) (USS Enterprise was commissioned on 12 May 1938). The Air Groups were designated with the Aircraft Carrier's name (Lexington Air Group, Saratoga Air Group etc...) and the squadrons remained designated with the aircraft carrier's hull number (Lexington Air Group: VF-2, Saratoga Air Group: VF-3 etc...). Two new VF squadrons were established in 1939 and 1941 to equip two new Air Groups which were established in 1939 and 1941 to operate with USS Wasp (CV 7) and USS Hornet (CV 8) which were commissioned in 1940 and 1941 respectively | |||||||
| VF-2 (1927-42) (third use) |
|
Flying Chiefs | F2A F4F |
VF-2(2nd): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-2B(2nd): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1932 VF-2S: 1 Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-2B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-2(3rd): 1 Jul 1937 – 1 Jul 1942 |
VF-2 (3rd) | 1 July 1942 | Became Lexington Air Group's VF squadron upon Lexington Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1938. Lexington Air Group disestablished 8 May 1942 when USS Lexington was sunk |
| VF-3 (1937-43) (second use) |
|
F2F F4F |
Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1945 | Became Saratoga Air Group's first VF-3 upon Saratoga Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1938. Transferred from Saratoga Air Group to CVG-6(1st) 15 July 43 redesignated VF-6(3rd) The Felix the Cat insignia was created by VB-2B and continued in use through VF-6B(2nd), VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(3rd) redesignations | |
| VF-4 (1937-41) (second use) |
|
Red Rippers | F3F F4F |
VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Became Ranger Air Group's VF squadron upon Ranger Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1938 |
| VF-41 (first use) |
|
Red Rippers | F4F | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941 – 4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. VF-4(2nd) was redesignated VF-41 when the group's scouting squadron (VS-4) was redesignated as a second VF squadron in the Air Group. Ranger Air Group redesignated CVG-4(1st) on 3 Aug 1943 |
| VF-42 (first use) |
_patch_c1940.png){kind=small}
|
F4F | VS-1B: May 1928 – 1930 VS-1S: 1930-1931 VS-1B: 1931-1 Jul 1937 VS-41(1st): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-42(1st): 15 Mar 1941 – 22 Jun 1942 |
VF-42 (1st) | 22 June 1942 | Ranger Air Group's scouting squadron (VS-4) was redesigned as a second VF squadron in the Air Group | |
| VF-5 (1937-43) (second use) |
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Striking Eagles | F2F F3F F4F |
VF-3S(1st): 4 Jul 1927-3 Mar 1928 VF-3B(1st): 3 Mar 1928-Apr 1931 VF-3S(2nd): Apr 1931-Jul 1932 VF-3B(2nd): Jul 1932-1 Jul 1937 VF-5(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-5 (2nd) | 7 January 1943 | Became Yorktown Air Group's VF squadron upon Yorktown Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1938. Yorktown Air Group disestablished 7 Jun 1942 when USS Yorktown was sunk |
| VF-6 (1937-43) (second use) |
|
Shooting Stars | F3F F4F |
VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935-1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937 – 15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | Became Enterprise Air Group's VF squadron upon Enterprise Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1938. Enterprise Air Group disestablished 1 Sep 1942 while USS Enterprise was undergoing major repairs of damage suffered in Aug 1942. On 15 Mar 1943 CVG-6(1st) was established and the squadron was assigned to it, then four months later was transferred to Saratoga Air Group and became that air group's second VF-3. When it became Saratoga's second VF-3 (VF-3(3rd)) it adopted the felix the cat insignia from Saratoga's first VF-3 (VF-3(2nd)) but that first Saratoga VF-3 also kept the felix the cat insignia when it moved to Enterprise as VF-6(3rd) |
| VF-7 (first use) |
|
F3F | VF-7(1st): 1 July 1939 – 19 Nov 1940 VF-72(1st): 19 Nov 1940 – 29 Mar 1943 |
VF-72 (1st) | 29 March 1943 | Established as Wasp Air Group's VF squadron upon Wasp Air Group's establishment on 1 July 1939 | |
| VF-71 (first use) |
|
F4F | VB-7: 1 Jul 1939-5 Nov 1940 VF-71(1st): 5 Nov 1940 – 7 Jan 1943 |
VF-71 (1st) | 7 January 1943 | Wasp Air Group's bombing squadron (VB-7) was redesignated as a second VF squadron in the Air Group. Wasp Air Group disestablished 15 Sep 1942 when USS Wasp was sunk | |
| VF-72 (first use) |
|
F4F | VF-7(1st): 1 July 1939-19 Nov 1940 VF-72(1st): 19 Nov 1940 – 29 Mar 1943 |
VF-72 (1st) | 29 March 1943 | VF-7(1st) was redesignated VF-72 when the group's bombing squadron (VB-7) was redesignated as a second VF squadron in the Air Group. Wasp Air Group disestablished 15 Sep 1942 when USS Wasp was sunk | |
| VF-8 (1941-2) (first use) |
F4F | VF-8(1st): 2 Sep 1941 – 28 Aug 1942 | VF-8 (1st) | 28 August 1942 | Established as Hornet Air Group's VF squadron in preparation for Hornet Air Group's establishment on 20 October 1941. Hornet Air Group disestablished 26 Oct 1942 when USS Hornet was sunk | ||
| Lexington Air Group, Yorktown Air Group, Wasp Air Group and Hornet Air Group were disestablished in 1942 when USS Lexington, USS Yorktown, USS Wasp and USS Hornet were sunk. Enterprise Air Group was disestablished in Sep 1942 while USS Enterprise was undergoing repairs of major damage suffered in Aug 1942 and Saratoga Air Group and Ranger Air Group were redesignated CVG-3 and CVG-4 in Aug and Sep of 1943 respectively. | |||||||
| 1 Mar 1943 to 15 Nov 1946: The squadron designation system was changed to cease numbering squadrons with the hull number of the ship to which it was assigned and newly established squadrons were numbered serially within each class. One year earlier, on 1 March 1942 new Numbered Carrier Air Groups were established, the first was CVG-9(1st) on 1 Mar 1942. Eighty eight numbered Air Groups were established during the course of WWII: CVGs were assigned to Essex Class "fleet carriers" and to CV 3, CV 4 and CV 6 which were the three pre-WWII Carriers which had not been sunk; CVBGs were assigned to Midway Class "large carriers" toward the end of the war; CVLGs were assigned to Independence class "light carriers"; and CVEGs were assigned to small "escort carriers". Each group's squadrons were all designated with that group's number and each Air Group had one VF squadron assigned. VF-1 belonged to CVG-1 etc...). A squadron reassigned from one group to another was redesignated to conform with the designation of the new group. | |||||||
| VF-1 (1943) (second use) |
|
Fighting Hellcats | F6F | VF-1(2nd): 15 Feb 1943 – 15 Jul 1943 VF-5(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-5A: 15 Nov 1946-16 Aug 1948 VF-51(2nd): 16 Aug 1948 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-51 (2nd) | 31 March 1995 | In the first six months of 1943 there were twelve new VF squadrons and eleven new Air Groups established and numbered. In a few cases a squadron was designated intended for one Air Group but assigned to another and redesignated. VF-1(2nd) was established in Feb but redesignated VF-5(3rd) on 15 July 1943 and assigned to CVG-5(1st) which had been established on 1 Jan 1943 |
| VF-1 (1943-5) (third use) |
|
High Hatters | F6F | VF-4(3rd): 1 May 1943-15 Jul 1943 VF-1(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 25 Oct 1945 |
VF-1 (3rd) | 25 October 1945 | In the first six months of 1943 there were twelve new VF squadrons and eleven new Air Groups established and numbered. In a few cases a squadron was designated intended for one Air Group but assigned to another and redesignated. VF-4(3rd) was established in May but redesignated VF-1(3rd) on 15 July 1943 and assigned to CVG-1(1st) which had been established on 1 May 1943. CVG-1(1st) disestablished 25 Oct 1945. In 1934 the original VF-4 (by then the original VF-1) "Top Hatters" was redesignated as a Bombing Squadron (VB). The "Top Hatters" were still a VB squadron when this squadron was established as VF-4 and the name and insignia adopted by this VF squadron very closely imitated the name and insignia of that original VF-4/original VF-1 |
| VF-2 (1943-5) (fourth use) |
|
Rippers | FM-1 F6F |
VF-2(4th): 1 Jun 1943 – 9 Nov 1945 | VF-2 (4th) | 9 November 1945 | CVG-2(1st) established 1 Jun 1943, disestablished 9 Nov 1945 |
| VF-3 (1943-6) (third use) |
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Shooting Stars | F6F | VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935-1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | Saratoga Air Group's second VF-3 until 25 Sep 1943 when Saratoga Air Group was redesignated CVG-3(1st) at which time the squadron became the VF squadron of CVG-3(1st). CVG-3(1st) redesignated CVAG-3 15 Nov 1946. On 15 Jul 1943 VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(2nd) swapped designations with VF-3(2nd) becoming VF-6(3rd) and VF-6(2nd) becoming VF-3(3rd). The new VF-3(3rd) laid claim to VF-3(2nd)'s Felix the Cat insignia and both squadrons used it until the original owner (then VF-6(3rd)) was disestablished leaving it with VF-3(3rd) which was later redesignated VF-3A, VF-31(2nd) and is today VFA-31. |
| VF-4 (1943-5) (third use) |
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High Hatters | F6F | VF-4(3rd): 1 May 1943 – 15 Jul 1943 VF-1(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 25 Oct 1945 |
VF-1 (3rd) | 25 October 1945 | In the first six months of 1943 there were twelve new VF squadrons and eleven new Air Groups established and numbered. In a few cases a squadron was designated intended for one Air Group but assigned to another and redesignated. VF-4(3rd) was established in May but redesignated VF-1(3rd) on 15 July 1943 and assigned to CVG-1(1st) which had been established on 1 May 1943. In 1934 the original VF-4 (by then the original VF-1) "Top Hatters" was redesignated as a Bombing Squadron (VB). The "Top Hatters" were still a VB squadron when this squadron was established as VF-4 and the name and insignia adopted by this VF squadron very closely imitated the name and insignia of that original VF-4/original VF-1 |
| VF-4 (1943-6) (fourth use) |
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Red Rippers | F4F F6F |
VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Ranger Air Group was redesignated CVG-4(1st) on 3 Aug 1942 and its VF squadron, VF-41(1st) was redesignated VF-4(4th). CVG-4(1st) redesignated CVAG-1 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-5 (1943-6) (third use) |
(Adopted from disestablished VF-5(2nd)) |
Fighting Hellcats Screaming Eagles |
F6F F4U |
VF-1(2nd): 15 Feb 1943-15 Jul 1943 VF-5(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-5A: 15 Nov 1946-16 Aug 1948 VF-51(2nd): 16 Aug 1948 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-51 (2nd) | 31 March 1995 | In the first six months of 1943 there were twelve new VF squadrons and eleven new Air Groups established and numbered. In a few cases a squadron was designated intended for one Air Group but assigned to another and redesignated. VF-1(2nd) was established in Feb but redesignated VF-5(3rd) on 15 July 1943 and assigned to CVG-5(1st) which had been established on 1 Jan 1943. CVG-5(1st) redesignated CVAG-5 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-6 (1943-4) (third use) |
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F4F | Combat Squadron 4: 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-2(1st): 1 Jul 1922-19 Mar 1923 VF-2B(1st): 19 Mar 1923-1 Jan 1927 VF-6B(1st): 1 Jan 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-6(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1928 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-6B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-1 Jul 1937 VF-3(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-6(3rd): 15 Jul 1943 – 1 Oct 1945 |
VF-6 (3rd) | 1 October 1946 | Replaced VF-6(2nd) in CVG-6(1st) when VF-6(2nd) was moved to Saratoga Air Group. CVG-6(1st) disestablished 29 Oct 1945. The Felix the Cat insignia was created by VB-2B and continued in use through VF-6B(2nd), VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(3rd) redesignations | |
| VF-7 (1944-6) (second use) |
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F6F | VF-7(2nd) 3 Jan 1944 – 8 Jun 1946 | VF-7 (2nd) | 8 June 1946 | CVG-7(1st) established 3 Jan 1944, disestablished 8 Jul 1946 | |
| VF-8 (1943-5) (second use) |
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Hellcats | F6F | VF-8(2nd) 1 Jun 1943 – 23 Nov 1945 | VF-8 (2nd) | 23 November 1945 | CVG-8(1st) established 1 Jun 1943, disestablished 23 Nov 1945 |
| VF-9 | 
|
F2A F4F F6F |
VF-9: 1 Mar 1942 – 28 Sep 1945 | VF-9 | 28 September 1945 | CVG-9(1st) established 1 Mar 1942, disestablished 15 Oct 1945 | |
| VF-10 | 
|
Grim Reapers | F4F F6F F4U |
VF-10: 3 Jun 1942 – 26 Nov 1945 |
VF-10 | 26 November 1945 | CVG-10(1st) established 16 Apr 1942, disestablished 16 Nov 1945 |
| VF-11 (first use) |
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Sundowners | F4F F6F |
VF-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-11A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-111(1st)15 Jul 1948 – 19 Jan 1959 |
VF-111 (1st) | 19 Jan 1959 | CVG-11(1st) established 10 Oct 1942, redesignated CVAG-11 15 Nov 1946. First "Sundowners" squadron, name and insignia created by VF-11(1st) and carried through VF-11A and VF-111(1st) redesignations |
| VF-12 (first use) |
.jpg){kind=small}
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F6F | VF-12(1st): 9 Jan 1943 – 17 Sep 1945 | VF-12 (1st) | 17 September 1945 | CVG-12(1st) established 9 Jan 1943, disestablished 17 Sep 1945 | |
| VF-13 (first use) |
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Black Cats | F6F | VF-13(1st): 2 Nov 1943 – 20 Oct 1945 | VF-13 (1st) | 20 October 1945 | CVG-13(1st) established 2 Nov 1943, disestablished 20 Oct 1945 |
| VF-14 (first use) |
F6F | VF-14(1st): 1 Sep 1943 – 14 Jun 1946 | VF-14 (1st) | 14 June 1946 | CVG-14(1st) established 1 Sep 1943, disestablished 14 Jun 1945 | ||
| VF-15 | 
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Satan's Playmates | F6F | VF-15: 1 Sep 1943 – 20 Oct 1945 | VF-15 | 20 October 1945 | CVG-15(1st) established 1 Sep 1942, disestablished 20 Oct 1945 |
| VF-16 | Fighting Airedales | F6F | VF-16: 16 Nov 1942 – 6 Nov 1945 | VF-16 | 6 November 1945 | CVG-16(1st) established 16 Nov 1942, disestablished 6 Nov 1945 | |
| VF-17 | 
|
Jolly Rogers | F4U-1 F6F-5 |
VF-17: 1 Jan 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-5B(4th): 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-61: 28 Jul 1948 – 15 Apr 1959 |
VF-61 | 15 April 1959 | CVG-17(1st) established 1 Jan 1943, redesignated CVBG-17 23 Jan 1946, redesignated CVBG-5 14 Nov 1946. Original "Jolly Rogers" squadron. Name carried through VF-5B(4th) and VF-61 redesignations |
| VF-18 (first use) |
F6F | VF-18: 20 Jul 1943 – 5 Mar 1944 | VF-18 (1st) | 5 March 1944 | CVG-18 established 2 Jul 1943 | ||
| VF-18 (1944-6) (second use) |
F4F F6F F8F |
VGS-18: 15 Oct 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-18: 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-36(1st): 15 Aug 1943-5 Mar 1944 VF-18(2nd): 5 Mar 1944 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-7A: 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-71(2nd): 28 Jul 1948 – 31 Mar 1959 |
VF-71 (2nd) | 31 March 1959 | Replaced VF-18(1st) in CVG-18. CVG-18 redesignated CVAG-7 15 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-19 | 
|
Satan's Kittens | F6F | VF-19: 15 Aug 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-19A: 15 Nov 1946-24 Aug 1948 VF-191(1st): 24 Aug 1948 – 1 Mar 1978 |
VF-191 (1st) | 1 March 1978 | CVG-19(1st) established 1 Aug 1943, redesignated CVAG-19 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-20 |   (1946) |
Jokers | F6F | VF-20: 15 Oct 1943 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-9A: 15 Nov 1946-12 Aug 1948 VF-91(1st): 12 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-34(3rd): 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1955 VA-34(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jun 1969 |
VA-34 (2nd) | 1 June 1969 | CVG-20 established 15 Oct 1943, redesignated CVAG-9 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-21 (first use) |
F4F F6F |
VGS-11: 5 Aug 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-11(1st): 1 Mar 1943-16 May 1943 VF-21(1st): 16 May 1943 – 5 Nov 1945 |
VF-21 (1st) | 5 November 1945 | CVLG-21 stablished 15 May 1943, disestablished 5 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-22 (1942-5) (first use) |
F4F F6F |
VF-22(1st): 30 Sep 1942 – 19 Sep 1945 | VF-22 (1st) | 19 September 1945 | CVLG-22 established 30 Sep 1943, disestablished 15 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-23 (1942-5) (first use) |
F6F | VF-23(1st): 16 Nov 1942 – 19 Sep 1945 | VF-23 (1st) | 19 September 1945 | CVLG-23 established 16 Nov 1942, disestablished 19 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-24 (1942-5) (first use) |
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F6F | VF-24(1st) 31 Dec 1942 – 25 Sep 1945 | VF-24 (1st) | 25 September 1945 | CVLG-24 established 31 Dec 1942, disestablished 25 Sep 1945 | |
| VF-25 | F6F | VF-25: 15 Feb 1943 – 20 Sep 1945 | VF-25 | 20 September 1945 | CVLG-25 established 15 Feb 1943, redesignated CVEG-25 28 Aug 1944, disestablished 20 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-26 (first use) |
F4F | VGF-26: 4 May 1942-1 Mar 1943 VF-26(1st): 1 Mar 1943 – 13 Nov 1945 |
VF-26 (1st) | 13 November 1945 | In 1943 all "Escort-Fighter squadrons" (VGF) assigned to Escort or Light Carrier Air Groups (CVEG, CVLG) were redesignated Fighting Squadrons (VF). CVEG-26 established 4 May 1942, disestablished 13 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-27 | F4F F6F |
VGF-27: 22 Apr 1942-1 Mar 1943 VF-27: 1 Mar 1943 – 26 Nov 1945 |
VF-27 | 26 November 1945 | In 1943 all "Escort-Fighter squadrons" (VGF) assigned to Escort or Light Carrier Air Groups (CVEG, CVLG) were redesignated Fighting Squadrons (VF). CVLG-27 established 1 Mar 1942, disestablished 26 Oct 1945 | ||
| VF-28 | F4F F6F |
VGF-28: 4 May 1942-1 Mar 1943 VF-28: 1 Mar 1943 – 6 Nov 1945 |
VF-28 | 6 November 1945 | In 1943 all "Escort-Fighter squadrons" (VGF) assigned to Escort or Light Carrier Air Groups (CVEG, CVLG) were redesignated Fighting Squadrons (VF). CVLG-28 established 6 May 1942, disestablished 6 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-29 | F4F F6F |
VGF-29: 20 Jul 1942-1 Mar 1943 VF-29: 1 Mar 1943 – 10 Sep 1945 |
VF-29 | 10 September 1945 | In 1943 all "Escort-Fighter squadrons" (VGF) assigned to Escort or Light Carrier Air Groups (CVEG, CVLG) were redesignated Fighting Squadrons (VF). CVLG-29 established 18 Jul 1942, disestablished 10 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-30 | F6F | VF-30: 1 Apr 1943 – 12 Sep 1945 | VF-30 | 12 September 1945 | CVLG-30 established 1 Apr 1943, disestablished 12 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-31 (1943-5) (first use) |
F6F | VF-31: 1 May 1943 – 25 Oct 1945 | VF-31 (1st) | 25 October 1945 | CVLG-31 established 1 May 1943, disestablished 28 Oct 1945 | ||
| VF-32 (1943-5) (first use) |
F6F | VF-32(1st): 1 Jun 1943 – 13 Nov 1945 | VF-32 (1st) | 13 November 1945 | CVLG-32 established 1 Jun 1943, disestablished 13 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-33 (1942-5) (first use) |
Hellcats | F6F | VGS-16: 6 Aug 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-16: 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-33(1st): 15 Aug 1943 – 9 Nov 1945 |
VF-33 (1st) | 19 November 1945 | CVEG-33 established 15 May 1944, disestablished 19 Nov 1945 | |
| VF-34 (first use) |
F6F | VGS-34: 24 Feb 1943-1 Mar 1943 VC-34(1st): 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-34(1st): 15 Aug 1943 – 8 Jul 1944 |
VF-34 (1st) | 8 July 1944 | |||
| VF-34 (1945) (second use) |
F6F | VF-34(2nd): 1 Apr 1945 – 5 Dec 1945 | VF-34 (2nd) | 5 December 1945 | CVLG-34 established 1 Apr 1945, disestablished 5 Dec 1945 | ||
| VF-35 | F6F | VF-35: 15 Jul 1943 – 19 Nov 1945 | VF-35 | 19 November 1945 | CVEG-35 established 15 Jul 1943, disestablished 5 Dec 1945 | ||
| VF-36 (first use) |
F4F | VGS-18: 15 Oct 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-18: 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-36(1st): 15 Aug 1943 – 5 Mar 1944 VF-18(2nd): 5 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-7A: 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-71(2nd): 28 Jul 1948 – 31 Mar 1959 |
VF-71 (2nd) | 31 March 1959 | |||
| VF-36 (1944-6) (second use) |
F6F | VF-36: 15 May 1944 – 28 Jan 1946 | VF-36 (2nd) | 28 January 1946 | CVEG-36 established 15 May 1944, disestablished 28 Jan 1946 | ||
| VF-37 | F6F | VF-37: 15 July 1943 – 20 Dec 1945 | VF-37 | 20 December 1945 | CVEG-37 established 15 Jul 1943, disestablished 20 Dec 1945 | ||
| VF-38 | 
|
F6F | VF-38: 20 Jun 1943 – 31 Jan 1946 | VF-38 | 31 January 1946 | CVLG established 16 Jun 1943, redesignated CVEG-38 15 Aug 1944, disestablished 31 Jan 1946 | |
| VF-39 (first use) |
F6F | VC-64: 1 Jun 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-39(1st): 15 Aug 1943 – 15 Jul 1944 |
VF-39 (1st) | 15 July 1944 | |||
| VF-39 (1945) (second use) |
F6F | VF-39(2nd): 15 Mar 1945 – 10 Sep 1945 | VF-39 (2nd) | 10 September 1945 | CVEG established 15 Mar 1945, redesignated CVLG-39 2 Jul 1945, disestablished 10 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-40 | F6F | VF-40: 15 Jun 1943 – 19 Nov 1945 | VF-40 | 19 November 1945 | CVEG-40 established 15 Jun 1943, disestablished 19 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-41 (1945-6) (second use) |
Firebirds | FR-1 | VF-41(2nd): 26 Mar 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-1E: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-1(4th): 1 Sep 1948 – 20 Nov 1948 |
VF-1 (4th) | 20 November 1948 | CVEG-41 established 26 Mar 1945, redesignated CVEG-1 15 Nov 1946 | |
| VF-42 (1945-6) (second use) |
F6F | VF-42(2nd) 19 Jul 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-2E: 15 Nov 1946-15 Sep 1948 VF-81(2nd): 15 Sep 1948 – 17 Jan 1950 |
VF-81 (2nd) | 17 January 1959 | CVEG-42 established 15 Jul 1945, redesignated CVEG-2 15 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-43 (1943) (first use) |
VF-43(1st): 1 Aug 1943 – 8 Nov 1943 | VF-43 (1st) | 8 November 1943 | CVLG-43 established 1 Aug 1943, disestablished 8 Nov 1943 | |||
| VF-43 (1945-6) (second use) |
VF-43(2nd): 9 Aug 1945 – 17 Jun 1946 | VF-43 (2nd) | 17 June 1946 | CVEG-43 established 9 Aug 1945, disestablished 17 Jun 1946 | |||
| VF-44 (first use) |
F6F | VF-44(1st): on 1 Feb 1944 – 18 Sep 1945 | VF-44 (1st) | 18 September 1945 | CVLG-44 established 1 Feb 1944, disestablished 18 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-45 (first use) |
|
Gamecocks | F6F | VF-45(1st): 1 Apr 1944 – 10 Sep 1945 | VF-45 (1st) | 10 September 1945 | CVLG-45 established 1 Apr 1944, disestablished 10 Sep 1945 |
| VF-46 | Men-O-War | F6F | VF-46: 15 Apr 1944 – 14 Sep 1945 | VF-46 | 14 September 1945 | CVLG-46 established 15 Apr 1944, disestablished 14 Sep 1945 | |
| VF-47 | F6F | VF-47: on 15 May 1944 – 21 Sep 1945 | VF-47 | 21 September 1945 | CVLG-47 established 15 Apr 1944, disestablished 21 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-48 | F6F | VF-48: on 15 Jun 1944 – 2 Jan 1945 | VF-48 | 2 January 1945 | CVLG-48 established 1 Jun 1944, disestablished 2 Jan 1945 | ||
| VF-49 | F6F | VF-49: 10 Aug 1944 – 27 Nov 1945 | VF-49 | 27 November 1945 | CVEG established 10 Aug 1944, redesignated CVLG-49 1 Jan 1945, disestablished 27 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-50 | 
|
F6F | VF-50: 10 Aug 1943 – 29 Oct 1945 | VF-50 | 29 October 1945 | CVLG established 10 Aug 1944, redesignated CVEG-50 1 Oct 1944, disestablished 29 Oct 1945 | |
| VF-51 (first use) |
F6F | VF-51(1st): 22 Sep 1943 – 13 Nov 1945 | VF-51 (1st) | 13 November 1945 | CVLG-51 established 22 Sep 1943, disestablished 13 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-52 (1943) (first use) |
VF-52(1st): 1 Sep 1943 – 8 Nov 1943 | VF-52 (1st) | 8 November 1943 | CVLG-52 established 1 Sep 1943, disestablished 8 Nov 1943 | |||
| VF-52 (1945) (second use) |
VF-52(2nd): 6 Jan 1945 – 25 May 1945 | VF-52 (2nd) | 25 May 1945 | VF squadron assigned to Night Carrier Air Group (CVG(N)) 52 from 6 Jan to 25 May 1945 alongside specialized night fighter VF(N) and night torpedo VT(N) squadrons. CVLG(N)52 established 20 Oct 1944, redesignated, CVG(N)-52 6 Jan 1945, disestablished 15 Dec 1945 | |||
| VF-53 (first use) |
F6F | VF-53(1st): 2 Jan 1945 – 1 Apr 1945 |
VF-53 (1st) | 1 April 1945 | VF squadron assigned to Night Carrier Air Group (CVG(N)) 53 from 2 Jan to 1 Apr 1945 alongside specialized night fighter VF(N) and night torpedo VT(N) squadrons. CVG(N)-53 established 2 Jan 1945, disestablished 11 Jun 1945 | ||
| VF-58 | F6F | VF-58: 15 Mar 1946 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-1L: 15 Nov 1946 – 20 Nov 1948 |
VF-1L | 20 November 1948 | CVLG-58 established 19 Mar 1946, redesignated CVLG-1 15 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-60 | F6F | VF-60: 15 Jul 1943 – 19 Nov 1945 | VF-60 | 19 November 1945 | CVEG-60 established 15 Jul 1943, disestablished 19 Nov 1945 | ||
| VF-66 | Firebirds | FR-1 | VF-66: 1 Jan 1945 – 18 Oct 1945 | VF-66 | 18 October 1945 | CVEG-66 established 1 Jan 1945, disestablished 16 Jun 1945 | |
| VF-74 (1944) (first use) |
F6F | VF-74(1st): 25 Mar 1944 – 1 Oct 1944 | VF-74 (1st) | 1 October 1944 | |||
| VF-74A | F4U | VF-74A: 1 May 1945 – 1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994 |
VF-43 (5th) | 1 July 1994 | CVBG-74 established 1 May 1945 assigned to a "new" large Midway class carrier and was initially assigned two VF squadrons, VF-74A and VF-74B | ||
| VF-74B | VF-74B: 1 May 1945 – 1 Aug 1945 | VF-74B | 1 August 1945 | CVBG-74 established 1 May 1945 assigned to a "new" large Midway class carrier and was initially assigned two VF squadrons, VF-74A and VF-74B | |||
| VF-74 (1945-6) (second use) |
F4U | VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994 |
VF-43 (5th) | 1 July 1994 | The air group's second VF squadron (VF-74B) was disestablished and remaining squadron (VF-74A) was redesignated VF-74 as the single VF squadron of CVBG-74. CVBG-74 redesignated CVBG-1 15 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-75A | Gay Blades | F4U | VF-75A: 1 Jun 1945 – 1 Aug 1945 VF-75: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-3B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-41(3rd): 1 Sep 1948-Jun 1950 |
VF-41 (3rd) | June 1950 | CVBG-75 established 1 Jun 1945 assigned to a "new" large Midway class carrier and was initially assigned two VF squadrons, VF-75A and VF-75B | |
| VF-75B | VF-75B: 1 Jun 1945 – 1 Aug 1945 | VF-75B | 1 August 1945 | CVBG-75 established 1 Jun 1945 assigned to a "new" large Midway class carrier and was initially assigned two VF squadrons, VF-75A and VF-75B | |||
| VF-75 | Gay Blades | F4U | VF-75A: 1 Jun 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-75: 1 Aug 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-3B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-41(3rd): 1 Sep 1948-Jun 1950 |
VF-41 (3rd) | June 1950 | The air group's second VF squadron (VF-75B) was disestablished and remaining squadron (VF-75A) was redesignated VF-75 as the single VF squadron of CVBG-75. CVBG-75 redesignated CVBG-3 14 Nov 1946 | |
| VF-80 | Vipers | F6F-5 | VF-80: 1 Feb 1944 – 16 Sep 1946 | VF-80 | 16 September 1946 | CVG-80 established 1 Feb 1944, disestablished 16 Sep 1946 | |
| VF-81 (first use) |
_patch.png){kind=small}
|
Freelancers | F6F | VF-81(1st): 2 Mar 1944 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-131(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-64: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1959 VF-21(3rd): 1 Jul 1959 – 31 Jan 1996 |
VF-21 (3rd) | 31 January 1996 | CVG-81 established 1 Mar 1944, redesignated CVAG-13 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-82 (first use) |
|
Fighting Fools | F8F | VF-82(1st): 1 Apr 1944 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-17A: 15 Nov 1946-11 Aug 1948 VF-171(1st): 11 Aug 1948 – 15 Mar 1958 |
VF-171 (1st) | 15 April 1958 | CVG-82 established 1 Apr 1944, redesignated CVAG-17 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-83 (first use) |
F6F-5 | VF-83(1st): 1 May 1944 – 24 Sep 1945 | VF-83 (1st) | 24 September 1945 | CVG-83 1 May 1944, disestablished 24 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-84 (first use) |
Wolf Gang | F4U F6F |
VF-84(1st): 1 May 1944 – 8 Oct 1945 | VF-84 (1st) | 8 October 1945 | CVG-84 established 1 May 1944, disestablished 8 Oct 1945 | |
| VF-85 | F4U F6F |
VF-85: 1 May 1944 – 27 Sep 1945 | VF-85 | 27 September 1945 | CVG-85 established 15 May 1944, disestablished 27 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-86 | F6F | VF-86: 15 Jun 1944 – 21 Nov 1945 | VF-86 | 21 November 1945 | CVG-86 established 15 Jun 1944, disestablished 21 Not 1945 | ||
| VF-87 | 
|
F6F | VF-87: 1 Jul 1944 – 2 Nov 1945 | VF-87 | 2 November 1945 | CVG-87 established 1 Jul 1944, disestablished 2 Nov 1945 | |
| VF-88 | F6F | VF-88: 15 Aug 1944 – 29 Oct 1945 | VF-88 | 29 October 1945 | CVG-88 established 18 Aug 1944, disestablished 29 Oct 1945 | ||
| VF-89 | F4U | VF-89: 2 Oct 1944 – 27 Apr 1946 | VF-89 | 27 April 1946 | CVG-89 established 2 Oct 1944, disestablished 27 Apr 1946 | ||
| VF-92 (1944-5) (first use) |
|
Hells Kittens | F6F | VF-92(1st): 1 Dec 1944 – 18 Dec 1945 | VF-92 (1st) | 18 December 1945 | CVG-92 established 2 Dec 1944, disestablished 18 Dec 1945 |
| VF-93 (1944-6) (first use) |
|
Polecats | F6F | VF-93(1st): 15 Dec 1944 – 30 Apr 1946 | VF-93 (1st) | 30 April 1946 | CVG-93 established 21 Dec 1944, disestablished 30 Apr 1946 |
| VF-94 (1944-5) (first use) |
|
Tough Kitties | F6F | VF-94(1st): 15 Nov 1944 – 7 Nov 1945 | VF-94 (1st) | 7 November 1945 | CVG-94 established 15 Nov 1944, disestablished 7 Nov 1945 |
| VF-95 | F4U | VF-95: 2 Jan 1945 – 31 Oct 1945 | VF-95 | 31 October 1945 | CVG-95 established 2 Jan 1945, disestablished 31 Oxt 1945 | ||
| VF-97 | VF-97: 1 Nov 1944 – 31 Mar 1946 | VF-97 | 31 March 1946 | CVG-97 established 1 Nov 1944, disestablished 31 Mar 1946 | |||
| VF-98 | F4U | VF-98: 28 Aug 1944 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-21A: 15 Nov 1946 – 5 Aug 1947 |
VF-21A | 5 August 1947 | CVG-98 established 28 Aug 1944, redesignated CVAG-21 15 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-99 | F4U | VF-99: 15 Jul 1944 – 6 Sep 1945 | VF-99 | 6 September 1945 | CVG-99 established 15 Jul 1944, disestablished 8 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-100 | F4U | VF-100: 1 Apr 1944 – 20 Feb 1946 | VF-100 | 20 February 1946 | CVG-100 established 1 Apr 1944, disestablished 20 Feb 1946 | ||
| VF-150 | F4U | VF-150: 22 Jan 1945 – 2 Nov 1945 | VF-150 | 2 November 1945 | CVG-150 established 22 Jan 1945, disestablished 2 Nov 1946 | ||
| VF-151 (1945) (first use) |
F4U | VF-151(1st): 12 Feb 1945 – 6 Oct 1945 | VF-151 (1st) | 6 October 1945 | CVG-151 established 12 Feb 1945, disestablished 6 Oct 1945 | ||
| VF-152 (first use) |
F4U | VF-152(1st) 5 Mar 1945 – 21 Sep 1945 | VF-152 (1st) | 21 September 1945 | CVG-152 established 5 Mar 1945, disestablished 21 Sep 1945 | ||
| VF-153 (first use) |
|
Fightin' Kangaroos | F6F | VF-153(1st): 26 Mar 1945 – 15 Nov 1946 VF-15A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-151(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-192(2nd): 15 Feb 1950-15 Mar 1956 VA-192: 15 Mar 1956-10 Jan 1986 VFA-192: 10 Jan 1986–present |
VFA-192 | Not applicable, still exists | CVG-153 established 26 Mar 1945, redesignated CVAG-15 15 Nov 1946 |
| VF-301 (1944) (first use) |
VF-301(1st): 3 Jan 1944 – 1 Aug 1944 | VF-301 (1st) | 1 August 1944 | ||||
| VF-302 (1944) (first use) |
VF-302(1st): 15 Jan 1944 – 1 Aug 1944 | VF-302 (1st) | 1 August 1944 | ||||
| VF-303 | VF-303: 1 Mar 1944 – 4 May 1944 | VF-303 | 4 May 1944 | ||||
| A new Squadron and Air Group designation scheme was established in 1946. Squadron designation suffix letters denoted to which type of Carrier Air Group (CVAG, CVBG, CVLG or CVEG) the squadron was assigned: A-CVAG aboard Essex class (attack) carriers, B-CVBG aboard Midway class (battle) carriers, L-CVLG aboard Independence or Saipan class (light) carriers or E-CVEG aboard remaining WWII escort carriers. CVAGs and CVBGs were designated with odd numbers and each was assigned two VF squadrons with the first carrying the Air Group's number and the second the next consecutive even number (CVAG-1: VF-1A, VF-2A; CVBG-1: VF-1B, VF-2B; CVAG-7: VF-7A, VF-8A; CVAG-11; VF-11A, VF-12A etc...) | |||||||
| VF-1A |
|
Red Rippers | F8F | VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946 – 2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. 1st VF squadron of CVAG-1 |
| VF-1B (1946-8) (third use) |
F4U F8F |
VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994 |
VF-43 (5th) | 1 July 1994 | 1st VF squadron of CVBG-1 | ||
| VF-1E | Firebirds | FR-1 F6F |
VF-41(2nd): 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1E: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VF-1(4th): 1 Sep 1948 – 20 Nov 1948 |
VF-1 (4th) | 20 November 1948 | Only VF squadron of CVEG-1 | |
| VF-1L | F6F F8F |
VF-58: 15 Mar 1946-15 Nov 1946 VF-1L: 15 Nov 1946 – 20 Nov 1948 |
VF-1L | 20 November 1948 | Only VF squadron of CVLG-1. Assets merged with VA-1L in Nov 1948 to form second squadron designated VX-3 | ||
| VF-2A | 
|
Ubangis | F6F F4U F8F |
VBF-4: 12 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2A: 15 Nov 1946 – 2 Aug 1948 VF-12(2nd): 2 Aug 1948-1 Aug 1955 VA-12: 1 Aug 1955 – 1 Oct 1986 |
VA-12 | 1 October 1986 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-1 |
| VF-2B (1946-8) (fourth use) |
F4U | VBF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VBF-74: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2B(4th): 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VF-22(2nd): 1 Sep 1948 – 6 Jun 1958 |
VF-22 (2nd) | 6 June 1958 | 2nd VF squadron of CVBG-1 | ||
| VF-2E | F6F F8F |
VF-42(2nd) 19 Jul 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2E: 15 Nov 1946 – 15 Sep 1948 VF-81(2nd): 15 Sep 1948 – 17 Jan 1950 |
VF-81 (2nd) | 17 January 1950 | Only VF squadron of CVEG-2 | ||
| VF-3A |
|
Shooting Stars | F6F | VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935-1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946 – 7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-3. On 15 Jul 1943 VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(2nd) swapped designations with VF-3(2nd) becoming VF-6(3rd) and VF-6(2nd) becoming VF-3(3rd). The new VF-3(3rd) laid claim to VF-3(2nd)'s Felix the Cat insignia and both squadrons used it until the original owner (then VF-6(3rd)) was disestablished leaving it with VF-3(3rd) which was later redesignated VF-3A, VF-31(2nd) and is today VFA-31. The "Tomcatters" nickname was instituted with redesignation to VF-31 |
| VF-3B (1946-8) (third use) |
Gay Blades | F4U | VF-75A: 1 Jun 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-75: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-3B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VF-41(3rd): 1 Sep 1948-Jun 1950 |
VF-41 (3rd) | June 1950 | 1st VF squadron of CVBG-3 | |
| VF-3E | F8F | VF-3E: 21 Apr 1947 – 15 Sep 1948 VF-82(2nd): 15 Sep 1948 – 29 Nov 1949 |
VF-82 (2nd) | 29 November 1949 | Only VF squadron of CVEG-3 | ||
| VF-4A | 
|
White Lightning | F8F | VBF-3: 1 Feb 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-4A: 15 Nov 1946 – 7 Aug 1948 VF-32(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-Nov 2005 VFA-32: Nov 2005–present |
VFA-32 | 15 February 1959 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-3. Because VBF-3 was established by being split out VF-3(3rd) the squadron originally called themselves the "Crazy Cats" and used the Felix the Cat insignia which made them the third squadron along with VF-3(3rd) and VF-6(3rd) to use the Felix the Cat insignia at the same time. As VF-4A the squadron abandoned the Felix the Cat insignia, called themselves "White Lightining" and created a new insignia. |
| VF-4B | 
|
Green Pawns | F4U | VBF-75A: 1 Jun 1945-1 Aug 1945 VBF-75: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-4B: 15 Nov 1946 – 1 Sep 1948 VF-42(3rd): 1 Sep 1948 – 8 Jun 1950 |
VF-42 (3rd) | 8 June 1950 | 2nd VF squadron of CVBG-3. The "Green Pawns" insignia was first approved for use by VBF-75 and was carried through the redesignations to VF-4B and VF-42(3rd) |
| VF-5A |
|
Screaming Eagles | F8F FJ-1 |
VF-1(2nd): 15 Feb 1943-15 Jul 1943 VF-5(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-5A: 15 Nov 1946 – 16 Aug 1948 VF-51(2nd): 16 Aug 1948 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-51 (2nd) | 31 March 1995 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-5 |
| VF-5B (1946-8) (fourth use) |
|
Jolly Rogers | F4U-4 F8F-2 |
VF-17: 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-5B(4th): 15 Nov 1946 – 28 Jul 1948 VF-61: 28 Jul 1948 – 15 Apr 1959 |
VF-61 | 15 April 1959 | 1st VF squadron of CVBG-5. Original "Jolly Rogers" squadron. Name created by VF-17 and carried through VF-5B(4th) and VF-61 redesignations |
| VF-6A | Knightriders | F4U-4 | VBF-5: 8 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-6A: 15 Nov 1946 – 16 Aug 1948 VF-52(3rd): 16 Aug 1948 – 23 Feb 1959 |
VF-52 (3rd) | 23 February 1959 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-5 | |
| VF-6B (1946-8) (third use) |
|
F4U F8F |
VBF-17: 2 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-6B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946 – 28 Jul 1948 VF-62(1st): 28 Jul 1948-1 Jul 1955 VA-106(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 7 Nov 1969 |
VA-106 (2nd) | 7 November 1969 | 2nd VF squadron of CVBG-5 | |
| VF-7A | F8F | VGS-18: 15 Oct 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-18: 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-36(1st): 15 Aug 1943-5 Mar 1944 VF-18(2nd): 5 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-7A: 15 Nov 1946 – 28 Jul 1948 VF-71(2nd): 28 Jul 1948 – 31 Mar 1959 |
VF-71 (2nd) | 31 March 1959 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-7 | ||
| VF-8A | 
|
Bearcats | F8F | VBF-18: 25 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-8A: 15 Nov 1946 – 28 Jul 1948 VF-72(2nd): 28 Jul 1948-3 Jan 1956 VA-72: 3 Jan 1956 – 30 Jun 1991 |
VA-72 | 30 June 1991 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-7 |
| VF-9A | 
|
Jokers | F6F F8F |
VF-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-9A: 15 Nov 1946 – 12 Aug 1948 VF-91(1st): 12 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-34(3rd): 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1955 VA-34(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jun 1969 |
VA-34 (2nd) | 1 June 1969 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-9 |
| VF-10A | _insignia_c1969.png){kind=small} Adopted in 1948 |
Be-Devilers (Adopted in 1948) | F8F | VBF-20: 16 Apr 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-10A: 15 Nov 1946 – 12 Aug 1948 VF-92(2nd): 12 Aug 1948-15 Jan 1950 VF-74(3rd): 15 Jan 1950 – 30 Apr 1994 |
VF-74 (3rd) | 30 Apr 1994 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-9 |
| VF-11A | 
|
Sundowners | F8F | VF-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946 VF-11A: 15 Nov 1946 – 15 Jul 1948 VF-111(1st)15 Jul 1948 – 19 Jan 1959 |
VF-111 (1st) | 19 January 1959 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-11. First "Sundowners" squadron, name and insignia created by VF-11(1st) and carried through VF-11A and VF-111(1st) redesignations |
| VF-12A | 
|
F6F F8F |
VBF-11: 9 Apr 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-12A: 15 Nov 1946 – 15 July 1948 VF-112: 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1959 VA-112: 15 Feb 1959 – 10 Oct 1969 |
VA-112 | 10 October 1969 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-11 | |
| VF-13A |
|
Freelancers | F4U | VF-81(1st): 2 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-13A: 15 Nov 1946 – 2 Aug 1948 VF-131(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-64: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1959 VF-21(3rd): 1 Jul 1959 – 31 Jan 1996 |
VF-21 (3rd) | 31 January 1996 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-13 |
| VF-14A | F4U F8F |
VBF-81: 13 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-14A: 15 Nov 1946 – 2 Aug 1948 VF-132(1st): 2 Aug 1948 – 30 Nov 1949 |
VF-132 (1st) | 30 November 1949 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-13 | ||
| VF-15A | 
|
Black Knights | F6F F8F |
VF-153(1st): 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-15A: 15 Nov 1946 – 15 Jul 1948 VF-151(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-192(2nd): 15 Feb 1950-15 Mar 1956 VA-192: 15 Mar 1956-10 Jan 1986 VFA-192: 10 Jan 1986–present |
VFA-192 | Not applicable, still exists | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-15 |
| VF-16A |  _VF-54(1st).jpg){kind=small} (1948) |
Copperheads | F6F F8F |
VBF-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-16A: 15 Nov 1946 – 15 Jul 1948 VF-152(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-54(1st): 15 Feb 1950-15 Jun 1956 VA-54(2nd): 15 Jun 1956 – 1 Apr 1958 |
VA-54 (2nd) | 1 April 1958 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-15 |
| VF-17A | 
|
Phantom Fighters | F8F FH |
VF-82(1st): 1 Apr 1944-15 Nov 1956 VF-17A: 15 Nov 1946 – 11 Aug 1948 VF-171(1st): 11 Aug 1948 – 15 Mar 1958 |
VF-171 (1st) | 15 March 1958 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-17 |
| VF-18A | 
|
Checkmates | F4U F8F |
VBF-82: 20 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-18A: 15 Nov 1946 – 11 Aug 1948 VF-172: 11 Aug 1948-1 Nov 1955 VA-172: 1 Nov 1955 – 15 Jan 1971 |
VA-172 | 15 January 1971 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-17 |
| VF-19A |
|
Satan's Kittens | F6F F8F |
VF-19: 15 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-19A: 15 Nov 1946 – 24 Aug 1948 VF-191(1st): 24 Aug 1948 – 1 Mar 1978 |
VF-191 (1st) | 1 March 1978 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-19 |
| VF-20A | 
|
F6F F4U |
VBF-19: 20 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-20A: 15 Nov 1946 – 24 Aug 1948 VF-192(1st): 24 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-114: 15 Feb 1950 – 30 Apr 1993 |
VF-114 | 30 April 1993 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-19 | |
| VF-21A | F4U | VF-98: 28 Aug 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-21A: 15 Nov 1946 – 5 Aug 1947 |
VF-21A | 5 August 1947 | 1st VF squadron of CVAG-21 | ||
| VF-22A | F4U | VBF-98: 1 Feb 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-22A: 15 Nov 1946 – 5 Aug 1947 |
VF-22A | 5 August 1947 | 2nd VF squadron of CVAG-21 | ||
| A new Squadron and Air Group designation scheme was established in 1948. Squadron suffix letters were dropped and CVAGs and CVBGs were all redesignated CVGs. New squadron designation numbers denoted to which CVG the squadron was assigned with the first one or two digits denoting the CVG followed by a 1, 2 or 3 to differentiate between the VF squadrons (CVG-1: VF-11, VF-12, VF-13; CVG-2: VF-21, VF-22, VF-23; CVG-11: VF-111, VF-112, VF-113; CVG-15: VF-151, VF-152, VF-153 etc...). A fourth VF squadron (VF-__4) was added to most CVGs beginning in 1949. When a squadron was moved from one CVG to another it was redesignated to conform with the designation of the newly assigned CVG. That practice had begun to be abandoned by the mid-1950s when squadrons which were transferred from one CVG to another were redesignated in some cases but not in others. By 1965 the practice of redesignataing squadrons in accordance with Carrier Air Wing (CVGs were retitled Carrier Air Wings (CVW) on 20 December 1963) assignment had ceased completely and squadron designations were "frozen" and divorced from Carrier Air Wing designations. Squadrons and CVGs are grouped by designation below for ease of reading the table but it should not be assumed that the listed squadrons were assigned only to the CVG in which section they appear in the table. | |||||||
| VF-1 (1945-8) (fourth use) |
Firebirds | F6F | VF-41(2nd): 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1E: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-1(4th): 1 Sep 1948 – 20 Nov 1948 |
VF-1 (4th) | 20 November 1948 | When CVEG-1 was disestablished on 1 Sep 1948 its VF squadron was redesignated VF-1(4th) until it was disestablished less than three months later | |
| CVG-1 (2nd): CVAG-1 redesignated CVG-1 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, currently exists as CVW-1 | |||||||
| VF-11 (1948-59) (second use) |
|
Red Rippers | F8F F2H |
VF-5(1st): 1 Feb 1927-1 Jul 1927 VF-5S(1st): 1 Jul 1927-Jan 1928 VF-5B(1st): Jan 1928-1 Jul 1928 VB-1B: 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 VF-5B(2nd): 1 Jul 1930-Jul 1932 VF-5S(2nd): Jul 1932-Apr 1933 VF-5B(3rd): Apr 1933-1 Jul 1937 VF-4(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Mar 1941 VF-41(1st): 15 Mar 1941-4 Aug 1943 VF-4(4th): 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-11(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 |
VF-11 (2nd) | 15 February 1959 | Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Redesignated as one of CVG-1(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-11 (1959-2005) (third use) |
(Adopted from disestablished VF-11(2nd)) |
Red Rippers (adopted from disestablished VF-11(2nd)) |
F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-43(4th): 1 Sep 1950-16 Feb 1959 VF-11(3rd): 16 Feb 1959 – 5 Nov 2005 VFA-11: 5 Nov 2005–present |
VFA-11 | Not applicable, still exists | Was redesignated VF-11(3rd) the day after VF-11(2nd) was disestablished to replace VF-11(2nd) in CVG-1(2nd). Adopted the "Red Rippers" nickname and insignia becoming the second and current "Red Rippers" squadron |
| VF-12 (1948-55) (second use) |
|
Ubangis | F8F F2H |
VBF-4: 12 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-12(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 1 Aug 1955 VA-12: 1 Aug 1955 – 1 Oct 1986 |
VA-12 | 1 October 1986 | Redesignated as one of CVG-1(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-13 (1948-69) (second use) |
_insignia.png){kind=small}
|
Night Cappers | F4U F8F F9F F4D F3H/F-3 F-8 |
VF-13(2nd): 2 Aug 1948 – 1 Oct 1969 | VF-13 (2nd) | 1 October 1969 | Established as one of CVG-1(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-14 (1949-2001) (second use) |
|
Top Hatters | F4U F3D F3H/F-3 F-4 F-14 |
Air Det Pac Flt: Sep 1919-15 Jun 1920 VT-5(1st): 15 Jun 1920-7 Sep 1921 VP-1-4: 7 Dec 1921-23 Sep 1921 VF-4(1st): 23 Sep 1921-1 Jul 1922 VF-1(1st): 1 Jul 1922-1 Jul 1927 VF-1B(1st): 1 Jul 1927-1 Jul 1934 VB-2B: 1 Jul 1934-1 Jul 1937 VB-3: 1 Jul 1937-1 Jul 1939 VB-4: 1 Jul 1939-15 Mar 1941 VS-41(2nd): 15 Mar 1941-1 Mar 1943 VB-41: 1 Mar 1943-4 Aug 1943 VB-4: 4 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VA-1A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-14: 2 Aug 1948-15 Dec 1949 VF-14(2nd): 15 Dec 1949 – 1 Dec 2001 VFA-14: 1 Dec 2001–present |
VFA-14 | Not applicable, still exists | Oldest continuously active aircraft squadron in the U.S. Navy. Redesignated from being a CVG-1 (2nd) VA squadron to being its 4th VF squadron |
| CVG-2 (2nd): CVBG-1 redesignated CVG-2 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, currently exists as CVW-2 | |||||||
| VF-21 (1948-59) (second use) |
.jpg){kind=small}
|
Mach Busters | F8F F9F FJ F11F |
VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948 – 1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994 |
VF-43 (5th) | 1 July 1994 | Redesignated as one of CVG-2(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-21 (1959-96) (third use) |
|
Freelancers | F3H/F-3 F-4 F-14 |
VF-81(1st): 2 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-131(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-64: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1959 VF-21(3rd): 1 Jul 1959 – 31 Jan 1996 |
VF-21 (3rd) | 31 January 1996 | Replaced VF-21(2nd) in CVG-2(2nd) when VF-21(2nd) was redesignated a VA squadron |
| VF-22 (1948-58) (second use) |
F2H-2 | VBF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VBF-74: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2B(4th): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-22(2nd): 1 Sep 1948 – 6 Jun 1958 |
VF-22 (2nd) | 6 June 1958 | Redesignated as one of CVG-2(2nd)'s initial squadrons | ||
| VF-23 (1948-59) (second use) |
 (1949)  (1955) |
Flashers (1949), Vigilantes (1959) |
F6F F4U F9F F2H F4D F3H |
VF-23(2nd): 6 Aug 1948 – 23 Feb 1959 VF-151(4th): 23 Feb 1959-1 Jun 1986 VFA-151: 1 Jun 1986–present |
VFA-151 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-2(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-24 (1949-59) (second use) |
_insignia_c1977.png){kind=small}
|
Red Checkertails | F4U F9F FJ-1 FJ-3 F3H F11F F8U |
VB-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VA-1B: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VA-24: 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949 VF-24(2nd): 1 Dec 1949 – 9 Mar 1959 VF-211(3rd): 9 Mar 1959-Aug 2006 VFA-211: Aug 2006–present |
VFA-211 | Not applicable, still exists | Redesignated from being a CVG-2 (2nd) VA squadron to being its 4th VF squadron. On 9 March 1959, VF-24(2nd) traded insignia, nicknames and designations with VF-211(2nd) becoming VF-211(3rd) while VF-211(2nd) became VF-24(3rd). |
| VF-24 1959-96) (third use) |
|
Red Checkertails, Fighting Renegades (1979) |
F8U/F-8 F-14 |
VF-211(2nd): Jun 1955-9 Mar 1959 VF-24(3rd): 9 Mar 1959 – 31 Aug 1996 |
VF-24 (3rd) | 31 August 1996 | On 9 March 1959, VF-211(2nd) traded insignia, nicknames and designations with VF-24(2nd) becoming VF-24(3rd) in CVG-2(2nd) while VF-24(2nd) became VF-211(3rd). |
| VF-26 (second use) |
|
Sundowners | F-8 | VA-156: 4 Jun 1956-20 Jan 1959 VF-111(2nd): 20 Jan 1959-1 Sep 1964 VF-26(2nd): 1 Sep 1964 – 17 Sep 1964 VF-111(3rd): 17 Sep 1964 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-111 (3rd) | 31 March 1995 | For 16 days in September 1964 VF-111(2nd) was redesignated VF-26(2nd) before being redesignated back to VF-111(3rd). It was transferred to CVG-2(2nd) from CVG-11(2nd) and remained in CVG-2(2nd) after its redesignation back to VF-111(3rd) |
| CVG-3 (2nd): CVAG-3 redesignated CVG-3 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, currently exists as CVW-3 | |||||||
| VF-31 (1948-2006) (second use) |
|
Tomcatters | F9F F2H F3H/F-3 F-4 F-14 |
VF-1B(2nd):1 Jul 1935-1 Jul 1937 VF-6(2nd): 1 Jul 1937-15 Jul 1943 VF-3(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-3A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-31(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-2006 VFA-31: 2006–present |
VFA-31 | Not applicable, still exists | Redesignated as one of CVG-3(2nd)'s initial squadrons. On 15 Jul 1943 VF-3(2nd) and VF-6(2nd) swapped designations with VF-3(2nd) becoming VF-6(3rd) and VF-6(2nd) becoming VF-3(3rd). The new VF-3(3rd) laid claim to VF-3(2nd)'s Felix the Cat insignia and both squadrons used it until the original owner (then VF-6(3rd)) was disestablished leaving it with VF-3(3rd) which was later redesignated VF-3A, VF-31(2nd) and is today VFA-31. The "Tomcatters" nickname was instituted with redesignation to VF-31 |
| VF-32 (1948-2005) (second use) |
(White Lighting) _insignia_c1998.png){kind=small} (Swordsmen) |
White Lightning, Swordsman (1956) |
F4U F9F-6 F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VBF-3: 1 Feb 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-4A: 15 Nov 1946-7 Aug 1948 VF-32(2nd): 7 Aug 1948-Nov 2005 VFA-32: Nov 2005–present |
VFA-32 | Not applicable, still exists | Redesignated as one of CVG-3(2nd)'s initial squadrons. Because VBF-3 was established by being split out VF-3(3rd) the squadron originally called themselves the "Crazy Cats" and used the Felix the Cat insignia which made them the third squadron along with VF-3(3rd) and VF-6(3rd) to use the Felix the Cat insignia at the same time. As VF-4A the squadron abandoned the Felix the Cat insignia, called themselves "White Lightining" and created a new insignia. |
| VF-33 (1948-93) (second use) |
 (Tarsiers) _insignia_1992.png){kind=small} (Starfighters) |
Tarsiers (1948), Astronauts (1958), Tarsiers (1961), Starfighters (1981) |
F4U F9F-6 FJ-3 F11F F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-33(2nd): 12 Oct 1948 – 1 Oct 1993 | VF-33 (2nd) | 1 October 1993 | Established as one of CVG-3(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-34 (1943-69) (third use) |
_insignia_c1966.png){kind=small}
|
Jokers | F8F F9F F2H |
VF-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-9A: 15 Nov 1946-12 Aug 1948 VF-91(1st): 12 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-34(3rd): 15 Feb 1950 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-34(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jun 1969 |
VA-34 (2nd) | 1 June 1969 | Redesignated VF-34(3rd) and added to CVG-3(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-9(2nd) was disestablished |
| CVG-4 (2nd): CVBG-1 redesignated CVG-4 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 8 Jun 1950 | |||||||
| VF-41 (1948-50) (third use) |
Gay Blades | F4U | VF-75A: 1 Jun 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-75: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-3B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-41(3rd): 1 Sep 1948-Jun 1950 |
VF-41 (3rd) | June 1950 | Redesignated as one of CVG-4(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-42 (1945-50) (third use) |
|
Green Pawns | F4U | VBF-75A: 1 Jun 1945-1 Aug 1945 VBF-75: 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-4B: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-42(3rd): 1 Sep 1948 – 8 Jun 1950 |
VF-42 (3rd) | 8 June 1950 | Redesignated as one of CVG-4(2nd)'s initial squadrons. The "Green Pawns" insignia was first approved for use by VBF-75 and was carried through the redesignations to VF-4B and VF-42(3rd) |
| VF-43 (1948-50) (third use) |
Blue Pawns | F4U | VF-43(3rd): 1 Oct 1948-1950 | VF-43 (3rd) | 1950 | Established as one of CVG-4(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| CVG-4 (3rd): Established 1 Sep 1950, redesignated RCVG-4 1 Apr 1958 to control FRSs, disestablished 1 Jun 1970 as RCVW-4 | |||||||
| VF-41 (1950-2001) (fourth use) |
|
Black Aces | F2H F3H F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VF-41(4th): on 1 Sep 1950-Dec 2001 VFA-41: Dec 2001–present |
VFA-141 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-4(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-42 (1950-3) (fourth use) |
(adopted from disestablished VF-42(3rd))
|
Green Pawns | F4U AD |
VF-42(4th): 1 Sep 1950 – 1 Nov 1953 VA-42: 1 Nov 1953 – 30 Sep 1994 |
VA-42 | 30 September 1994 | Established as one of CVG-4(3rd)'s initial squadrons. Adopted the nickname and insignia of the disestablished VF-42(3rd) |
| VF-43 (1950-9) (fourth use) |
Rebel's Raiders | F4U F9F Cougar F2H |
VF-43(4th): 1 Sep 1950 – 16 Feb 1959 VF-11(3rd): 16 Feb 1959-5 Nov 2005 VFA-11: 5 Nov 2005–present |
VFA-11 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-4(3rd)'s initial squadrons. Was redesignated VF-11(3rd) the day after VF-11(2nd) was disestablished. Adopted the "Red Ripper" nickname and insignia on 16 Feb 1959 as VF-11(3rd) | |
| VF-44 (1950-6) (second use) |
F4U F2H |
VF-44(2nd): 1 Sep 1950 – 1 Jan 1956 VA-44(2nd): 1 Jan 1956 – 1 May 1970 |
VA-44 (2nd) | 1 May 1970 | Established as one of CVG-4(3rd)'s initial squadrons | ||
| CVG-5 (2nd): CVAG-5 redesignated CVG-5 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, currently exists as CVW-5 | |||||||
| VF-51 (1948-95) (second use) |
_patch_c1990.png){kind=small}
|
Screaming Eagles | FJ F9F Panther F9F Cougar F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-1(2nd): 15 Feb 1943-15 Jul 1943 VF-5(3rd): 15 Jul 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-5A: 15 Nov 1946-16 Aug 1948 VF-51(2nd): 16 Aug 1948 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-51 (2nd) | 31 March 1995 | Redesignated as one of CVG-5(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-52 (1948-69) (third use) |
Knightriders | TO-1 F9F-2 F2H-3 |
VBF-5: 8 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-6A: 15 Nov 1946-16 Aug 1948 VF-52(3rd): 16 Aug 1948 – 23 Feb 1959 |
VF-52 (3rd) | 23 February 1959 | Redesignated as one of CVG-5(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-53 (1948-58) (second use) |
Gunfighters | F4U F9F |
VF-53(2nd): 16 Aug 1948 – 11 Apr 1958 VF-124(2nd): 11 Apr 1958 – 30 Sep 1994 |
VF-124 (2nd) | 30 September 1994 | Established as one of CVG-5(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-53 (1958-62) (third use) |
_pukin_dogs.jpg){kind=small}
|
Pukin' Dogs | F3H | VF-871: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-123: 4 Feb 1953-12 Apr 1958 VF-53(3rd): 12 Apr 1958 – 20 Jun 1962 VF-143(2nd): 20 Jun 1962-2005 VFA-143: 2005–present |
VFA-143 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-871 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War. Reassigned to CVG-5(2nd) in 1958 when it and VF-53(2nd) swapped air groups |
| VF-53 (1963-71) (fourth use) |
_insignia_c1968.png){kind=small}
|
Iron Angels | F-8 | VF-721: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-141: 4 Feb 1953-15 Oct 1963 VF-53(4th): 15 Oct 1963 – 29 Jan 1971 |
VF-53 (4th) | 29 January 1971 | USNR VF-721 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War. Assigned in 1963 to CVG-5(2nd) as its second VF squadron to replace VF-54(2nd) when it was moved back to CVG-9 |
| VF-54 (first use) |
 (1951) |
Copperheads, Hell's Angels (1951) |
F4U AD |
VBF-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-16A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-152(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-54(1st): 15 Feb 1950 – 15 Jun 1956 VA-54(2nd): 15 Jun 1956 – 1 Apr 1958 |
VA-54 (2nd) | 1 April 1958 | Redesignated VF-54(1st) and added to CVG-5(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-15(2nd) was disestablished |
| VF-54 (1962-3) (second use) |
_insignia_c1970.png){kind=small}
|
Silver Kings | F3H/F-3 F-4 |
VF-92(3rd): 23 Mar 1952-1 Jun 1962 VF-54(2nd): 1 Jun 1962 – 15 Oct 1963 VF-92(4th): 1 Oct 1963 – 12 Dec 1975 |
VF-92 (4th) | 12 December 1975 | Assigned in 1962 to CVG-5(2nd) as its second VF squadron to replace VF-53(3rd) when it was moved to CVG-14(2nd) |
| CVG-6 (2nd): CVBG-5 redesignated CVG-6 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 1 Apr 1992 as CVW-6 | |||||||
| VF-61 | 
|
Jolly Rogers | F8F F9F Panther F9F Cougar FJ-3 F3H |
VF-17: 1 Jan 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-5B(4th): 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-61: 28 Jul 1948 – 15 Apr 1959 |
VF-61 | 15 April 1959 | Redesignated as one of CVG-6(2nd)'s initial squadrons. Original "Jolly Rogers" squadron. Name created by VF-17 and carried through VF-5B(4th) and VF-61 redesignations |
| VF-62 (first use) |
_insignia_c1966.png){kind=small} (1952) |
Gladiators (1952) |
F8F F2H |
VBF-17: 2 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-6B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-62(1st): 28 Jul 1948 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-106(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 7 Nov 1969 |
VA-106 (2nd) | 7 November 1969 | Redesignated as one of CVG-6(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-62 (1955-69) (second use) |
_insignia_c1965.png){kind=small}
|
Boomerangs | FJ-3M F8U/F-8 |
VA-106(1st): 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955 VF-62(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1969 |
VF-62 (2nd) | 1 October 1969 | Established as VA-106(1st) on 1 Jul 1955 and redesignated VF-62(2nd) on the same day to replace VF-62(1st) in CVG-6(2nd) when VF-62(1st) was redesignated a VA squadron |
| VF-63 | 
|
Fighting Redcocks | F8F F4U F9F Panther F9F Cougar |
VF-63: 28 Jul 1948-Mar 1956 VA-63: Mar 1956-1 Jul 1959 VA-22: 1 Jul 1959-4 May 1990 VFA-22: 4 May 1990 – present |
VFA-22 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-6(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-64 |
|
Freelancers | F4U F9F F3H |
VF-81(1st): 2 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-131(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-64: 15 Feb 1950 – 1 Jul 1959 VF-21(3rd): 1 Jul 1959 – 31 Jan 1996 |
VF-21 (3rd) | 31 January 1996 | Redesignated VF-64 and added to CVG-6(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-13(2nd) was disestablished |
| CVG-7 (2nd): CVAG-7 redesignated CVG-7 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, still exists as CVW-7 | |||||||
| VF-71 (1942-1959) (second use) |
|
F9F-2 F2H-4 |
VGS-18: 15 Oct 1942-1 Mar 1943 VC-18: 1 Mar 1943-15 Aug 1943 VF-36(1st): 15 Aug 1943-5 Mar 1944 VF-18(2nd): 5 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-7A: 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-71(2nd): 28 Jul 1948 – 31 Mar 1959 |
VF-71 (2nd) | 31 March 1959 | Redesignate as one of CVG-7(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-72 (1948-56) (second use) |
_blue_hawks.jpeg){kind=small} (1950) |
Bearcats, Hawks (1950) |
F8F F9F Panther |
VBF-18: 25 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-8A: 15 Nov 1946-28 Jul 1948 VF-72(2nd): 28 Jul 1948 – 3 Jan 1956 VA-72: 3 Jan 1956 – 30 Jun 1991 |
VA-72 | 30 June 1991 | Redesignated as one of CVG-7(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-73 | _insignia_c1953.png){kind=small}
|
Jesters | F6F F8F F4U F9F-5 F9F-6 F2H FJ-3 |
VF-73: 27 Jul 1948 – 1 Mar 1958 | VF-73 | 1 March 1958 | Established as one of CVG-7(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-74 (1950-94) (third use) |
|
Be-Devilers | F8F F4U F9F-8 F4D F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VBF-20: 16 Apr 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-10A: 15 Nov 1946-12 Aug 1948 VF-92(2nd): 12 Aug 1948-15 Jan 1950 VF-74(3rd): 15 Jan 1950 – 30 Apr 1994 |
VF-74 (3rd) | 30 April 1994 | Redesignated VF-74(3rd) and added to CVG-7(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-9(2nd) was disestablished |
| CVG-8 (2nd): Planned for establishment in 1948 but cancelled | |||||||
| VF-81 (1948-50) (second use) |
F8F F4U |
VF-42(2nd) 19 Jul 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-2E: 15 Nov 1946-15 Sep 1948 VF-81(2nd): 15 Sep 1948 – 17 Jan 1950 |
VF-81 (2nd) | 17 January 1950 | Redesignated for assignment to CVG-8(2nd) but CVG-8 establishment was cancelled and squadron was disestablished | ||
| VF-82 (1948-9) (second use) |
F8F | VF-3E: 21 Apr 1947-15 Sep 1948 VF-82(2nd): 15 Sep 1948 – 29 Nov 1949 |
VF-82 (2nd) | 29 November 1949 | Redesignated for assignment to CVG-8(2nd) but CVG-8 establishment was cancelled and squadron was disestablished | ||
| VF-83 (1948-50) (second use) |
VF-83(2nd): 15 Sep 1948-1949 or 50 | VF-83 (2nd) | 1949 or 50 | Established for assignment to CVG-8(2nd) but CVG-8 establishment was cancelled and squadron was disestablished | |||
| CVG-8 (2nd): Established 9 Apr 1951 to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War, still exists as CVW-8 | |||||||
| VF-81 (1953-5) (third use) |
_insignia_c1986.png){kind=small}
|
Waldomen | F9F-5 F7U |
VF-671: 1 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-81(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-66(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1986 |
VA-66 (2nd) | 1 October 1986 | USNR VF-671 activated 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd) when it was established on 9 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-81 in 1953 |
| VF-81 (1955-9) (fourth use) |
|
Crusaders | F9F-8 | VA-66(1st): 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955 VF-81(4th): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jul 1959 VA-81: 1 Jul 1959-4 Feb 1988 VFA-81: 4 Feb 1988–present |
VFA-81 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as VA-66(1st) on 1 Jul 1955 and redesignated VF-81(4th) on the same day. Replaced VF-81(3rd) in CVG-8(2nd) |
| VF-82 (1953-9) (third use) |
|
Iron Men | F2H F3H |
VF-742: 2 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-82(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 15 April 1959 |
VF-82 (3rd) | 15 April 1959 | USNR VF-742 activated on 2 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd) when it was established on 9 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-82 in 1953 |
| VF-83 (1953-6) (third use) |
|
Roaring Bulls | F9F-5 F7U |
VF-916: 1 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-83(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-83: 1 Jul 1955-3 Mar 1988 VFA-83: 3 Mar 1988–present |
VFA-83 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-916 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd) when it was established on 9 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-83 in 1953 |
| VF-84 (1953-5) (second use) |
_patch_1987.png){kind=small} (Apr 1954) |
Sidewinders (Apr 1954) | F4U F8F F9F-5 |
VF-921: 1 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-84(2nd): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-86(2nd): 1 Jul 1955-15 Jul 1987 VFA-86: 15 Jul 1987–present |
VFA-86 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-921 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd) when it was established on 9 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-84 in 1953 |
| VF-84 (1955-95) (third use) |
 _insignia,_1980.png){kind=small} (1960) |
Vagabonds, Jolly Rogers (1960) |
FJ-3 F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VA-86(1st): 1 July 1955-1 Jul 1955 VF-84(3rd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1995 |
VF-84 (3rd) | 1 October 1995 | Established as VA-86(1st) on 1 Jul 1955 and redesignated VF-84(3rd) on the same day. Replaced VF-84(2nd) in CVG-8(2nd) when VF-84(2nd) was redesignated a VA squadron in CVG-8(2nd). Second "Jolly Rogers" squadron, adopted name and insignia on 1 Apr 1960 following disestablishment of VF-61. |
| CVG-9 (2nd): CVAG-9 redesignated CVG-9 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 1 Dec 1949 | |||||||
| VF-91 (1948-50) (first use) |
(1949) |
Jokers | F8F | VF-20: 15 Oct 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-9A: 15 Nov 1946-12 Aug 1948 VF-91(1st): 12 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-34(3rd): 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1955 VA-34(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jun 1969 |
VA-34 (2nd) | 1 June 1969 | Redesignated as one of CVG-9(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-92 (second use) |
|
Be-Devilers | F8F | VBF-20: 16 Apr 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-10A: 15 Nov 1946-12 Aug 1948 VF-92(2nd): 12 Aug 1948 – 15 Jan 1950 VF-74(3rd): 15 Jan 1950 – 30 Apr 1994 |
VF-74 (3rd) | 30 Apr 1994 | Redesignated as one of CVG-9(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-93 (1948-9) (second use) |
|
F4U | VF-93(2nd): 12 Aug 1948 – 30 Nov 1949 | VF-93 (2nd) | 30 November 1949 | Established as one of CVG-9(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| CVG-9 (3rd): Established 26 Mar 1952, still exists as CVW-9 | |||||||
| VF-91 (second use) |
|
Red Lightnings | F9F-2 F9F-6 FJ-3 F8U/F-8 |
VF-91(2nd): 26 Mar 1952 – 1 Aug 1963 VF-194(3rd): 1 Aug 1963 – 1 Mar 1978 |
VF-194 (3rd) | 1 March 1978 | Established as one of CVG-9(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-92 (1952-75) (third use) |
|
Silver Kings | F4U F9F-2 F2H F3H |
VF-92(3rd): 23 Mar 1952 – 1 Jun 1962 VF-54(2nd): 1 Jun 1962-15 Oct 1963 VF-92(4th): 1 Oct 1963 – 12 Dec 1975 |
VF-92 (4th) | 12 December 1975 | Established as one of CVG-9(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-92 (1952-75) (fourth use) |
|
Silver Kings | F-4 | VF-92(3rd): 23 Mar 1952-1 Jun 1962 VF-54(2nd): 1 Jun 1962-15 Oct 1963 VF-92(4th): 1 Oct 1963 – 12 Dec 1975 |
VF-92 (4th) | 12 December 1975 | Returned to CVG-9(3rd) from CVG-5(2nd) in Oct 1963 becoming VF-92(4th) to replace VF-91(2nd) |
| VF-93 (third use) |
|
Blue Blazers (1954) | FG-1 F9F-2/5 F9F-8 |
VF-93(3rd): 26 Mar 1952 – 15 Sep 1956 VA-93: 15 Sep 1956 – 30 Aug 1986 |
VA-93 | 30 August 1986 | Established as one of CVG-9(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-94 (1952-8) (second use) |
 (1952)  (1955) |
Tough Kitties (adopted from disestablished VF-94(1st)) | F4U F9F Panther FJ-3 F9F Cougar |
VF-94(2nd): 26 Mar 1952 – 1 Aug 1958 VA-94(2nd): 1 Aug 1958-28 Jun 1990 VFA-94: 28 Jun 1990–present |
VFA-94 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-9(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-96 | _insignia_c1970.png){kind=small}
|
Fighting Falcons | F8U/F-8 F-4 |
VF-791: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-142(1st): 4 Feb 1953-1 Jun 1962 VF-96: 1 Jun 1962 – 1 Dec 1975 |
VF-96 | 1 December 1975 | USNR VF-971 activated on 20 Jul 1959 for the Korean War. Redesignated VF-96 to replace VF-92(3rd) in CVG-9(3rd) when VF-92(3rd) was moved to CVG-5(2nd) |
| CVG-10 (2nd): Established 1 May 1952, disestablished 20 Nov 1969 as CVW-10(1st) | |||||||
| VF-101 | _patch_2012.png){kind=small}
|
Grim Reapers | FG-1 F2H F4D F3H/F-3 F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VF-101: 1 May 1952 – 1 May 2012 (inactive 30 Sep 2005 – 1 May 2012) VFA-101: 1 May 2012 – present (inactive 1 Jul 2019–present) (same sqdn listed in VFA section) |
VFA-101 | 1 July 2019 (deactivated) |
Established as one of CVG-10(2nd)'s initial squadrons, however it never deployed with CVG-10 and was moved to CVG-1 (without being redesignated) in 1954. Adopted "Grim Reapers" name and insignia from disestablished VF-10. Transferred to RCVG-4 in 1958 (without being redesignated) and operated as a FRS from Apr 1958 to 30 Sep 2005. The squadron was deactivated on 30 Sep 2005, reactivated on 1 May 2012 as a VFA FRS and deactivated a second time on 1 July 2019. |
| VF-102 (1952-55) (first use) |
|
FG-1 F9F-5 |
VF-102(1st): 1 May 1952 – 1 Jul 1955 VA-36(1st): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Aug 1970 |
VA-36 (1st) | 1 August 1970 | Established as one of CVG-10(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-102 (second use) |
_insignia_c1973.png){kind=small}
|
Diamondbacks | F2H F4D F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VA-36(1st): 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955 VF-102(2nd): 1 Jul 1955-Jan 2002 VFA-102: Jan 2002–present |
VFA-102 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as VA-36(1st) on 1 Jul 1955 and redesignated VF-102(2nd) on the same day to replace VF-102(1st) in CVG-10(2nd) when VF-102(1st) was redesignated a VA squadron |
| VF-103 | _insignia_c1966.png){kind=small} (Sluggers) _insignia_1995.png){kind=small} (Jolly Rogers) |
Sluggers (1952) Flying Cougars (1953) Sluggers (1957) Jolly Rogers (1995) |
FG-1 F9F Cougar F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-103: 1 May 1952-Feb 2005 VFA-103: Feb 2005–present |
VFA-103 |
Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-10(2nd)'s initial squadrons. Third "Jolly Rogers" squadron. Adopted "Jolly Rogers" name and insignia following VF-84(3rd)'s disestablishment. |
| VF-104 | _insignia,_1952.png){kind=small}
|
Hell's Archers | F4U | VF-104: 1 May 1952 – 4 Dec 1953 VA-104: 4 Dec 1953 – 31 Mar 1959 |
VA-104 | 31 March 1959 | Established as one of CVG-10(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| CVG-11 (2nd): CVAG-11 redesignated CVG-11 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, still exists as CVW-11 | |||||||
| VF-111 (first use) |
|
Sundowners | F9F-2 F9F-8 FJ-3 |
VF-11(1st): 10 Oct 1942-15 Nov 1946 VF-11A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-111(1st)15 Jul 1948 – 19 Jan 1959 |
VF-111 (1st) | 19 January 1959 | Redesignated as one of CVG-11(2nd)'s initial squadrons. First "Sundowners" squadron, name and insignia created by VF-11(1st) and carried through VF-11A and VF-111(1st) redesignations |
| VF-111 (1956-95) (second use) |
|
Sundowners | F11F F8U/F-8 |
VA-156: 4 Jun 1956-20 Jan 1959 VF-111(2nd): 20 Jan 1959 – 1 Sep 1964 VF-26(2nd): 1 Sep 1964-17 Sep 1964 VF-111(3rd): 17 Sep 1964 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-111 (3rd) | 31 March 1995 | Redesignated VF-111(2nd) to replace VF-111(1st) in CVG-11(2nd) when VF-111(1st) was disestablished. Second "Sundowners" squadron, name and insignia adopted upon redesignation to VF-111(2nd), carried through brief redesignation to VF-26(2nd) and back to VF-111(3rd) |
| VF-111 (1956-95) (third use) |
|
Sundowners | F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VA-156: 4 Jun 1956-20 Jan 1959 VF-111(2nd): 20 Jan 1959-1 Sep 1964 VF-26(2nd): 1 Sep 1964-17 Sep 1964 VF-111(3rd): 17 Sep 1964 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VF-111 (3rd) | 31 March 1995 | Second "Sundowners" squadron. VF-111(2nd) was redesignated VF-26(2nd) for 16 days in Sep 1964 before it was redesignated back to VF-111(3rd). It was moved to CVG-2(2nd) and remained there for a deployment even after being redesignated back to VF-111(3rd). VFC-111 was established in November 2006 at NAS Key West with F-5 Tiger II aircraft and adopted the name and insignia becoming the third "Sundowners" squadron |
| VF-112 | 
|
F8F F9F Panther F9F Cougar F3H |
VBF-11: 9 Apr 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-12A: 15 Nov 1946-15 July 1948 VF-112: 15 Jul 1948 – 15 Feb 1959 VA-112: 15 Feb 1959 – 10 Oct 1969 |
VA-112 | 10 October 1969 | Redesignated as one of CVG-11(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-113 | 
|
Stingers | F8F F4U F9F Panther F9F Cougar |
VF-113: 15 Jul 1948-Mar 1956 VA-113: Mar 1956-25 Mar 1983 VFA-113: 25 Mar 1983–present |
VFA-113 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-11(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-114 | _insignia,_1950.png){kind=small} _insignia_c1981.png){kind=small} (1961) |
Executioners, Aardvarks (1961) |
F4U F9F Panther F2H F3H F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VBF-19: 20 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-20A: 15 Nov 1946-24 Aug 1948 VF-192(1st): 24 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-114: 15 Feb 1950 – 30 Apr 1993 |
VF-114 | 30 April 1993 | Redesignated VF-114 and added to CVG-11(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn |
| CVG-12 (2nd): Established as CVG-102 1 Aug 1950 to received USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War, redesignated CVG-12 (2nd) 4 Feb 1952, redesignated RCVG-12 1 Apr 1958 to control FRSs, disestablished 30 Jun 1970 as RCVW-12 | |||||||
| VF-121 | .jpg){kind=small}
|
Pacemakers | F9F Panther F9F Cougar F3H FJ-3 F11F F4H/F-4 |
VF-781: 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-121: 4 Feb 1953 – 30 Sep 1980 |
VF-121 | 30 September 1980 | USNR VF-781 activated in 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-102 was later redesignated CVG-12(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-781 redesignated VF-121 and permanently activated in 1953. On 1 Apr 1958 CVG-12(2nd) was redesignated RCVG-12 to control Pacific Fleet Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) and VF-121 became a FRS from Apr 1958 to its disestablishment |
| VF-122 | Black Angels | F9F-5 F9F-8 F3H |
VF-783: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-122: 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958 |
VF-122 | 10 April 1958 | USNR VF-783 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-102 was later redesignated CVG-12(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-783 redesignated VF-122 and permanently activated in 1953 | |
| VF-123 |   (1953) |
Blue Racers, Pukin' Dogs (1953) |
F9F-2 | VF-871: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-123: 4 Feb 1953 – 12 Apr 1958 VF-53(3rd): 12 Apr 1958-20 Jun 1962 VF-143(2nd): 20 Jun 1962-2005 VFA-143: 2005–present |
VFA-143 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-871 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-102 was later redesignated CVG-12(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-871 redesignated VF-123 and permanently activated in 1953 |
| VF-124 (1950-8) (first use) |
|
Stingarees | F7U | VF-874: 20 Jul 1959-4 Feb 1953 VF-124(1st): 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958 |
VF-124 (1st) | 10 April 1958 | USNR VF-874 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-102 was later redesignated CVG-12(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-874 redesignated VF-124 and permanently activated in 1953 |
| VF-124 (second use) |
|
Gunfighters | F7U F9F-8T/TF-9 TV-2/T-33 F8U/F-8 F-14 |
VF-53(2nd): 16 Aug 1948-11 Apr 1958 VF-124(2nd): 11 Apr 1958 – 30 Sep 1994 |
VF-124 (2nd) | 30 September 1994 | CVG-12(2nd) was redesignated RCVG-12 on 1 Apr 1958 to operate Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS). VF-53(2nd) was redesignated VF-124(2nd) and operated as a Pacific Fleet FRS |
| VF-126 |  (1965) _insignia,_1982.png){kind=small} (1981) |
Fighting Seahawks (1965) Bandits (1981) |
F-1 T-2 A-4 F-5 F-16N F-14 |
VA-126: 6 Apr 1956-15 Oct 1965 VF-126: 15 Oct 1965 – 1 Apr 1994 |
VF-126 | 1 April 1994 | CVG-12(2nd) was redesignated RCVG-12 (RCVW-12 after 20 Dec 1963) on 1 Apr 1958 to operate Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) and other training support squadrons. VA-126 (a VA FRS in RCVW-12) was redesignated VF-126 and operated as an "aggressor" squadron providing air to air combat training |
| CVG-13 (2nd): CVAG-13 redesignated CVG-13 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 30 Nov 1949 | |||||||
| VF-131 (first use) |
|
Freelancers | F4U | VF-81(1st): 2 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VF-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-131(1st): 2 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-64: 15 Feb 1950-1 Jul 1959 VF-21(3rd): 1 Jul 1959 – 31 Jan 1996 |
VF-21 (3rd) | 1 July 1959 | Redesignated as one of CVG-13(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-132 (1945-9) (first use) |
F8F | VBF-81: 13 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-14A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VF-132(1st): 2 Aug 1948 – 30 Nov 1949 |
VF-132 (1st) | 30 November 1949 | Redesignated as one of CVG-13(2nd)'s initial squadrons | ||
| VF-133 | F8F | VF-133: 2 Aug 1948-1949 or 1950 | VF-133 | 1949 or 1950 | Established as one of CVG-13(2nd)'s initial squadrons | ||
| CVG-13 (3rd): Established 21 Aug 1961, disestablished 1 Oct 1962 | |||||||
| VF-131 (1961-2) (second use) |
Nightcappers | F3H | VF-131(2nd): 21 Aug 1961 – 1 Oct 1962 | VF-131 (2nd) | 1 October 1962 | Established as one of CVG-13(3rd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-132 (1961-2) (second use) |
|
Swordsmen | F8U/F-8 | VF-132(2nd): 31 Aug 1961 – 1 Oct 1962 | VF-132 (2nd) | 1 October 1962 | Established as one of CVG-13(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| CVG-14 (2nd): Established as CVG-101 1 Aug 1950 to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War, redesignated CVG-14 (2nd) 4 Feb 1952, deactivated 31 Mar 2017 as CVW-14 | |||||||
| VF-141 |
|
Iron Angels | F9F-2 F2H F4D F3H F8U/F-8 |
VF-721: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-141: 4 Feb 1953 – 15 Oct 1963 VF-53(4th): 15 Oct 1963 – 29 Jan 1971 |
VF-53 (4th) | 29 January 1971 | USNR VF-721 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-101 was later redesignated CVG-14(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-721 redesignated VF-141 and permanently activated in 1953 |
| VF-142 (first use) |
_insignia_c1955.png){kind=small}
|
Fighting Falcons | F4U F9F-6 F8U |
VF-791: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-142(1st): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jun 1962 VF-96: 1 Jun 1962 – 1 Dec 1975 |
VF-96 | 1 December 1975 | USNR VF-791 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-101 was later redesignated CVG-14(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-791 redesignated VF-142 and permanently activated in 1953 |
| VF-142 (1948-95) (second use) |
|
Ghostriders | F-4 F-14 |
VF-193: 24 Aug 1948-15 Oct 1963 VF-142(2nd): 15 Oct 1963 – 30 Apr 1995 |
VF-142 (2nd) | 30 April 1995 | Replaced VF-141 in when it was redesignated and moved to CVG-5(2nd) |
| VF-143 (first use) |
_insignia_c1957.png){kind=small}
|
Kingpins | F9F-6 FJ-3 |
VF-821: 20 Jul 1959-5 Feb 1953 VF-143(1st): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Apr 1958 |
VF-143 (1st) | 1 April 1958 | USNR VF-821 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-101 was later redesignated CVG-14(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-821 redesignated VF-143 and permanently activated in 1953 |
| VF-143 (second use) |
|
Pukin Dogs | F4H/F-4 F-14 |
VF-871: 20 Jul 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-123: 4 Feb 1953-12 Apr 1958 VF-53(3rd): 12 Apr 1958-20 Jun 1962 VF-143(2nd): 20 Jun 1962-2005 VFA-143: 2005–present |
VFA-143 | Not applicable, still exists | Replaced VF-142(1st) when it was redesignated and moved to CVG-9(3rd) |
| VF-144 | 
|
F4U F9F Panther F9F Cougar AD |
VF-884: 20 Jul 1959-4 Feb 1953 VF-144: 4 Feb 1953 – 23 Feb 1959 VA-52: 23 Feb 1959 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VA-52 | 31 March 1995 | USNR VF-884 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 when it was established 1 Aug 1950. CVG-101 was later redesignated CVG-14(2nd) on 4 Feb 1952. VF-884 redesignated VF-144 and permanently activated in 1953 | |
| CVG-15 (2nd): CVAG-15 redesignated CVG-15 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 1 Dec 1949 | |||||||
| VF-151 (second use) |
.jpg){kind=small}
|
Black Knights | F8F | VF-153(1st): 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-15A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-151(2nd): 15 Jul 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-192(2nd): 15 Feb 1950-15 Mar 1956 VA-192: 15 Mar 1956-10 Jan 1986 VFA-192: 10 Jan 1986–present |
VFA-192 | Not applicable, still exists | Redesignated as one of CVG-15(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-152 (1953-8) (second use) |
|
Copperheads | F8F AD F4U |
VBF-153: 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-16A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-152(2nd): 15 Jul 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-54(1st): 15 Feb 1950-15 Jun 1956 VA-54(2nd): 15 Jun 1956 – 1 Apr 1958 |
VA-54 (2nd) | 1 April 1958 | Redesignated as one of CVG-15(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-153 (1948-50) (second use) |
Thundercats | F8F | VF-153(2nd): 15 Jul 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-194(1st): 15 Feb 1950-4 May 1955 VA-196: 4 May 1955 – 21 Mar 1997 |
VA-196 | 21 March 1997 | Established as one of CVG-15(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| CVG-15 (3rd): Established 5 Apr 1951 to receive USNR squadrons activated for the Korean War, disestablished 31 Mar 1995 as CVW-15 | |||||||
| VF-151 (third use) |
|
Black Knights | F9F-5 F7U |
VF-653: 1 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-151(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 7 Feb 1956 VA-151: 7 Feb 1956-23 Feb 1959 VA-23: 23 Feb 1959 – 1 Apr 1970 |
VA-23 | 1 April 1970 | USNR VF-653 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd) when it was established on 5 Apr Permanently activated and redesignated VF-151 in 1953. Adopted the name and insignia of VF-151(2nd) which had been redesignated VF-192 three years earlier. |
| VF-151 (fourth use) |
|
Vigilantes | F3H/F-3 F-4 |
VF-23(2nd): 6 Aug 1948-23 Feb 1959 VF-151(4th): 23 Feb 1959 – 1 Jun 1986 VFA-151: 1 Jun 1986–present |
VFA-151 | Not applicable, still exists | Moved to CVG-15(3rd) as the second VF squadron after VF-151(3d), VF-152(3rd) and VF-153(3rd) all became VA squadrons in the Air Group |
| VF-152 (third use) |
.jpeg){kind=small} (late 1953) |
Vultures, Fighting Aces (late 1953), Friendlies (1957) |
FG-1 F3H |
VF-713: late 1940s-4 Feb 1953 VF-152(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Aug 1958 VA-152: 1 Aug 1958 – 29 Jan 1971 |
VA-152 | 29 January 1971 | USNR VF-713 Activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd) when it was established on 5 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-152 in 1953. Adopted the flying ace insignia from disestablished VF-152(2nd) |
| VF-153 (1953-6) (third use) |
|
Blue Tail Flies | F9F-5 F9F Cougar FJ-3 |
VF-718: est date unk-Sep 1949 VF-831: Sep 1949-4 Feb 1953 VF-153(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 17 Dec 1956 VA-153: 17 Dec 1956 – 30 Sep 1977 |
VA-153 | 30 September 1977 | USNR VF-831 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd) when it was established on 5 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-153 in 1953 |
| VF-154 | _insignia_2013.png){kind=small} (1957) |
Black Knights (1957) | F9F Panther FJ-3 F8U/F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-837: 1 Feb 1951-4 Feb 1953 VF-154: 4 Feb 1953-Oct 2003 VFA-154: Oct 2003–present |
VFA-154 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-837 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd) when it was established on 5 Apr. Permanently activated and redesignated VF-154 in 1953 |
| CVG-16 (2nd): Established 1 Sep 1960, disestablished 30 Jun 1970 as CVW-16 | |||||||
| VF-161 | _insignia_c1984.png){kind=small}
|
Chargers | F3H/F-3 F-4 |
VF-161: 1 Sep 1960 – 1 Jun 1986 VFA-161: 1 Jun 1986-1 Apr 1988 (same sqdn listed in VFA section) |
VFA-161 | 1 April 1988 | Established as one of CVG-16(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-162 | _patch_1962.png){kind=small}
|
Hunters | F4D/F-6 F-8 |
VF-162: 1 Sep 1960 – 29 Jan 1971 | VF-162 | 29 January 1971 | Established as one of CVG-16(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| CVG-17 (2nd): CVAG-17 redesignated CVG-17 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 15 Sep 1958 | |||||||
| VF-171 (first use) |
|
Screamin Deamons (1949), Aces (1953) |
FH-1 F2H |
VF-82(1st): 1 Apr 1944-15 Nov 1956 VF-17A: 15 Nov 1946-11 Aug 1948 VF-171(1st): 11 Aug 1948 – 15 Mar 1958 |
VF-171 (1st) | 15 March 1958 | Redesignated as one of CVG-17(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-172 | .png){kind=small} (1950) |
Checkmates, Bluebolts (1950) |
F8F FH F2H |
VBF-82: 20 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-18A: 15 Nov 1946-11 Aug 1948 VF-172: 11 Aug 1948 – 1 Nov 1955 VA-172: 1 Nov 1955 – 15 Jan 1971 |
VA-172 | 15 January 1971 | Redesignated as one of CVG-17(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-173 | Jesters | F8F F4U F9F-6 FJ-3 |
VF-173: 11 Aug 1948 – 1 Feb 1959 | VF-173 | 1 February 1959 | Established as one of CVG-17(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |
| VF-174 | 
|
Hellrazors | F4U F9F-6 FJ-3 F9F-8 F8U/F-8 |
VB-81: 1 Mar 1944-15 Nov 1946 VA-13A: 15 Nov 1946-2 Aug 1948 VA-134(1st): 2 Aug 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-174: 15 Feb 1950 – 1 Jul 1966 VA-174(2nd): 1 Jul 1966 – 30 Jun 1988 |
VA-174 (2nd) | 30 June 1988 | Redesignated VF-174 and added to CVG-17(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-13(2nd) was disestablished. Transferred to RCVG-4 in 1958 (without being redesignated) and operated as a FRS from 1 May 1958 to 1 Jul 1966 |
| CVG-19 (2nd): CVAG-19 redesignated CVG-19 (2nd) 1 Sep 1948, disestablished 30 Jun 1977 as CVW-19 | |||||||
| VF-191 (first use) |
|
Satan's Kittens | F8F F9F Panther F9F Cougar FJ-3 F11F F8U/F-8 F-4 |
VF-19: 15 Aug 1943-15 Nov 1946 VF-19A: 15 Nov 1946-24 Aug 1948 VF-191(1st): 24 Aug 1948 – 1 Mar 1978 |
VF-191 (1st) | 1 March 1978 | Redesignated as one of CVG-19(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-192 (first use) |
.jpg){kind=small}
|
Executioners | F4U | VBF-19: 20 Jan 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-20A: 15 Nov 1946-24 Aug 1948 VF-192(1st): 24 Aug 1948 – 15 Feb 1950 VF-114: 15 Feb 1950 – 30 Apr 1993 |
VF-114 | 30 April 1993 | Redesignated as one of CVG-19(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-192 (second use) |
|
Black Knights, Golden Dragons (1954) |
F8F F4U F9F Panther F9F Cougar |
VF-153(1st): 26 Mar 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-15A: 15 Nov 1946-15 Jul 1948 VF-151(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-192(2nd): 15 Feb 1950 – 15 Mar 1956 VA-192: 15 Mar 1956-10 Jan 1986 VFA-192: 10 Jan 1986–present |
VFA-192 | Not applicable, still exists | Redesignated VF-192(2nd) and replaced VF-192(1st) in CVG-19(2nd) when it was redesignated VF-114 and moved to CVG-11(2nd) |
| VF-193 |
|
Ghostriders | F4U F2H F3H/F-3 F-4 |
VF-193: 24 Aug 1948 – 15 Oct 1963 VF-142(2nd): 15 Oct 1963 – 30 Apr 1995 |
VF-142 (2nd) | 30 April 1995 | Established as one of CVG-19(2nd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-194 (first use) |
|
Yellow Devils | F8F F4U AD |
VF-153(2nd): 15 Jul 1948-15 Feb 1950 VF-194(1st): 15 Feb 1950 – 4 May 1955 VA-196: 4 May 1955 – 21 Mar 1997 |
VA-196 | 21 March 1997 | Redesignated VF-194(1st) and added to CVG-19(2nd) as its 4th VF sqdn after CVG-15(2nd) was disestablished |
| VF-194 (1955-8) (second use) |
_insignia_1957.png){kind=small}
|
F2H | VF-194(2nd): 18 May 1955 – 10 Apr 1958 | VF-194 (2nd) | 10 April 1958 | Established to replace VF-194(1st) in CVG-19(2nd) when VF-194(1st) was redesignated a VA squadron | |
| VF-194 (third use) |
_patch.png){kind=small}
|
Red Lightnings | F-8 F-4 |
VF-91(2nd): 26 Mar 1952-1 Aug 1963 VF-194(3rd): 1 Aug 1963 – 1 Mar 1978 |
VF-194 (3rd) | 1 March 1978 | Moved to CVG-19(2nd) in 1963 to be the Air Group's second VF squadron when VF-193 was redesignated and moved to CVG-14(2nd) |
| CVG-21 (1st): Established 15 Sep 1948, disestablished 15 Mar 1949 | |||||||
| VF-211 (1948-9) (first use) |
VF-211(1st): 15 Sep 1948-1949 (date unknown) | VF-211 (1st) | 1949 (date unknown) | Established as one of CVG-21(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |||
| VF-212 (first use) |
VF-212(1st): 15 Sep 1948-1949 or 1950 | VF-212 (1st) | 1949 or 1950 | Established as one of CVG-21(2nd)'s initial squadrons | |||
| CVG-21 (2nd): Established 1 Jul 1955, disestablished 12 Dec 1975 as CVW-21 | |||||||
| VF-211 (1955-9) (second use) |
|
Checkmates | FJ-3 F8U |
VF-211(2nd): Jun 1955-9 Mar 1959 VF-24(3rd): 9 Mar 1959 – 31 Aug 1996 |
VF-24 (3rd) | 31 August 1996 | Established as one of CVG-21(3rd)'s initial squadrons. On 9 March 1959, VF-211(2nd) traded insignia, nicknames and designations with VF-24(2nd) becoming VF-24(3rd) while VF-24(2nd) became VF-211(3rd). |
| VF-211 (1959-2006) (third use) |
|
Checkmates | F-8U/F-8 F-14 |
VB-74: 1 May 1945-15 Nov 1946 VA-1B: 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VA-24: 1 Sep 1948-1 Dec 1949 VF-24(2nd): 1 Dec 1949-9 Mar 1959 VF-211(3rd): 9 Mar 1959-Aug 2006 VFA-211: Aug 2006–present |
VFA-211 | Not applicable, still exists | On 9 March 1959, VF-24(2nd) traded insignia, nicknames and designations with VF-211(2nd) becoming VF-211(3rd) in CVG-21(2nd) while VF-211(2nd) became VF-24(3rd) in CVG-2(2nd). |
| VF-212 (second use) |
F7U | VF-212(2nd): 20 Jun 1955 – 1 Apr 1956 VA-212: 1 Apr 1956 – 12 Dec 1975 |
VA-212 | 12 December 1975 | Established as one of CVG-21(3rd)'s initial squadrons | ||
| VF-213 | 
|
Blacklions | F2H F4D F3H/F-3 F-4 F-14 |
VF-213: 22 Jun 1955 – 2 Apr 2006 VFA-213: 2 Apr 2006–present |
VFA-213 | Not applicable, still exists | Established as one of CVG-21(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| VF-214 | 
|
Volunteers | FJ-2 F9F-8 |
VF-214: 30 Mar 1955 – 11 Oct 1956 VA-214(2nd): 11 Oct 1956 – 1 Aug 1958 |
VA-214 (2nd) | 1 August 1958 | Established as one of CVG-21(3rd)'s initial squadrons |
| With the end of the designation system that determined squadron designation by Air Wing assignment, newly established squadrons or redesignations were numbered in accordance with factors determined at the time of establishment or redesignation. When the U. S. Navy Reserve established two Reserve Carrier Air Wings in 1970 it adopted the former system and designated the wings' squadrons accordingly. | |||||||
| VF-1 (1972-93) (fifth use) |
_insignia_c1978.png){kind=small}
|
Wolfpack | F-14 | VF-1(5th): 14 Oct 1972 – 30 Sep 1993 | VF-1 (5th) | 30 September 1993 | One of two squadrons established to be the first to operate the new F-14A Tomcat |
| VF-2 (1972-2003) (fifth use) |
_insignia_1973.png){kind=small}
|
Bounty Hunters | F-14 | VF-2(5th): 14 October 1972 – 1 Jul 2003 VFA-2: 1 Jul 2003–present |
VFA-2 | Not applicable, still exists | One of two squadrons established to be the first to operate the new F-14A Tomcat |
| VF-43 (1973-94) (fifth use) |
|
Challengers | T-38 F-21 F-16N T-2 |
VF-74A: 1 May 1945-1 Aug 1945 VF-74(2nd): 1 Aug 1945-15 Nov 1946 VF-1B(3rd): 15 Nov 1946-1 Sep 1948 VF-21(2nd): 1 Sep 1948-1 Jul 1959 VA-43: 1 Jul 1959-1 Jun 1973 VF-43(5th): 1 Jun 1973 – 1 Jul 1994 |
VF-43 (5th) | 1 July 1994 | VA-43 had been a FRS assigned to Replacement Air Group FOUR (RCVG-4) (RCVW-4 after Dec 1963). Though RCVW-4 was disestablished on 1 Jun 1970, its former squadrons retained their designations. When VA-43 was redesignated a VF squadron it retained the number "43". It operated as an "aggressor" squadron providing air to air combat training |
| VF-45 (1963-69) (second use) |
|
Blackbirds | TA-4 F5N F-16N |
VA-45(3rd): 15 Feb 1963-7 Feb 1985 VF-45(2nd): 7 Feb 1985 – 31 Mar 1996 |
VF-45 (2nd) | 31 March 1996 | VA-45(3rd) had been a FRS assigned to Replacement Air Group FOUR (RCVG-4) (RCVW-4 after Dec 1963). Though RCVW-4 was disestablished on 1 Jun 1970, its former squadrons retained their designations. When VA-45(3rd) was redesignated a VF squadron it retained the number "45". It operated as an "aggressor" squadron providing air to air combat training |
| VF-171 (1977-84) (second use) |
|
Aces (adopted from VF-171(1st)) | F-4 | VF-171(2nd): 8 Aug 1977 – 1 Jun 1984 | VF-171 (2nd) | 1 June 1984 | Operated as an east coast VF FRS. Was "split out of" VF-101 to continue F-4 training when VF-101 transitioned to F-14 training |
| VF-191 (1986-8) (second use) |
|
Satan's Kittens | F-14 | VF-191(2nd): 1 Dec 1986 – 30 Apr 1988 | VF-191 (2nd) | 30 April 1988 | Adopted name and insignia of the disestablished VF-191(1st). Established as one of the two VF squadrons of CVW-10(2nd) but was disestablished along with the entire wing in 1988. |
| VF-194 (1986-8) (fourth use) |
|
Red Lightnings | F-14 | VF-194(4th): 1 Dec 1986 – 30 Apr 1988 | VF-194 (4th) | 30 April 1988 | Adopted name and insignia of the disestablished VF-194(3rd). Established as one of the two VF squadrons of CVW-10(2nd) but was disestablished along with the entire wing in 1988. |
| VF-201 | 
|
Hunters | F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-201: 25 Jul 1970-Jan 1999 VFA-201: Jan 1999–present (Inactive 30 Jun 2007–present) (same sqdn listed in VFA section) |
VFA-201 | 30 June 2007 (deactivated) | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Established as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) |
| VF-202 | _insignia_c1970.png){kind=small}
|
Superheats | F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-202: 1 Jul 1970 – 31 Dec 1994 | VF-202 | 31 December 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Established as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 20 (CVWR-20) |
| VF-301 (second use) |
_insignia,_1974.png){kind=small}
|
Devil's Disciples | F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-301(2nd): 1 Oct 1970 – 31 Dec 1994 | VF-301 (2nd) | 31 December 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Established as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing 30 (CVWR-30) |
| VF-302 (second use) |
|
Stallions | F-8 F-4 F-14 |
VF-302(2nd): 21 May 1971 – 31 Dec 1994 | VF-302 (2nd) | 31 December 1994 | United States Navy Reserve Squadron. Established as part of Reserve Carrier Air Wing THIRTY (CVWR-30) |
| U. S. Navy Reserve Squadrons activated for service in the Korean War. There were many U. S. Navy Reserve squadrons during the period from the end of WWII through the 1960s all designated with three digit numbers in the 600, 700, 800 and 900 series. Only those few squadrons which were called to active duty are included in this table. | |||||||
| VF-653 | 
|
Warrior Dragon | F4U F9F Panther |
VF-653: Dec 1949-4 Feb 1953 VF-151(3rd): 4 Feb 1953-7 Feb 1956 VA-151: 7 Feb 1956-23 Feb 1959 VA-23: 23 Feb 1959 – 1 Apr 1970 |
VA-23 | 1 April 1970 | USNR VF-653 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to Air Task Group ONE (ATG-1), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-671 | 
|
Waldomen | F4U F8F F9F-5 |
VF-671: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-81(3rd): 4 Feb 1953-1 Jul 1955 VA-66(2nd): 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1986 |
VA-66 (2nd) | 1 October 1986 | USNR VF-671 activated 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-713 | 
|
Vultures | F4U | VF-713: late 1940s-4 Feb 1953 VF-152(3rd): 4 Feb 1953-1 Aug 1958 VA-152: 1 Aug 1958 – 29 Jan 1971 |
VA-152 | 29 January 1971 | USNR VF-713 Activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-721 |
|
Iron Angels | F9F-2 | VF-721: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-141: 4 Feb 1953-15 Oct 1963 VF-53(4th): 15 Oct 1963 – 29 Jan 1971 |
VF-53 (4th) | 29 January 1971 | USNR VF-721 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 (later redesignated to CVG-14(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-742 | Iron Men | F4U F9F-5 |
VF-742: 2 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-82(3rd): 4 Feb 1953 – 15 April 1959 |
VF-82 (3rd) | 15 April 1959 | USNR VF-742 activated on 2 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-781 | 
|
Pacemakers | F4U F9F Panther |
VF-781: 1950-4 Feb 1953 VF-121: 4 Feb 1953 – 30 Sep 1980 |
VF-121 | 30 September 1980 | USNR VF-781 activated in 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 (later redesignated to CVG-12(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-783 | 
|
Minute Men | F4U F9F-5 |
VF-783: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-122: 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958 |
VF-122 | 10 April 1958 | USNR VF-783 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 (later redesignated to CVG-12(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-791 |
|
Fighting Falcons | F4U F9F-6 |
VF-791: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-142(1st): 4 Feb 1953-1 Jun 1962 VF-96: 1 Jun 1962 – 1 Dec 1975 |
VF-96 | 1 December 1975 | USNR VF-971 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 (later redesignated to CVG-14(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-821 | 
|
F4U F9F-6 |
VF-821: 20 Jul 1959 – 5 Feb 1953 VF-143(1st): 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Apr 1958 |
VF-143 (1st) | 1 April 1958 | USNR VF-821 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 (later redesignated to CVG-14(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-831 | 
|
F9F Panther | VF-718: est date unk-Sep 1949 VF-831: Sep 1949-4 Feb 1953 VF-153(3rd): 4 Feb 1953-17 Dec 1956 VA-153: 17 Dec 1956 – 30 Sep 1977 |
VA-153 | 30 September 1977 | USNR VF-831 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-837 | 
|
F9F-2 | VF-837: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-154: 4 Feb 1953-Oct 2003 VFA-154: Oct 2003–present |
VFA-154 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-837 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-15(3rd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-871 | 
|
F4U | VF-871: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-123: 4 Feb 1953-12 Apr 1958 VF-53(3rd): 12 Apr 1958-20 Jun 1962 VF-143(2nd): 20 Jun 1962-2005 VFA-143: 2005–present |
VFA-143 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-871 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 (later redesignated to CVG-12(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-874 | 
|
F4U | VF-874: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-124(1st): 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958 |
VF-124 (1st) | 10 April 1958 | USNR VF-874 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-102 (later redesignated to CVG-12(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
| VF-884 | 
|
Bitter Birds | F4U | VF-884: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-144: 4 Feb 1953-23 Feb 1959 VA-52: 23 Feb 1959 – 31 Mar 1995 |
VA-52 | 31 March 1995 | USNR VF-884 activated on 20 Jul 1950 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-101 (later redesignated to CVG-14(2nd)), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-916 |
|
Roaring Bulls | F4U F8F F9F-5 |
VF-916: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-83(3rd): 4 Feb 1953-1 Jul 1955 VA-83: 1 Jul 1955-3 Mar 1958 VFA-83: 3 Mar 1958–present |
VFA-83 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-916 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 |
| VF-921 | 
|
F4U | VF-921: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953 VF-84(2nd): 4 Feb 1953-1 Jul 1955 VA-86(2nd): 1 Jul 1955-15 Jul 1987 VFA-86: 15 Jul 1987–present |
VFA-86 | Not applicable, still exists | USNR VF-921 activated on 1 Feb 1951 for the Korean War and assigned to CVG-8(2nd), redesignated and permanently activated on 4 Feb 1953 | |
See also
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft wings
- Naval aviation
- Modern US Navy carrier air operations
- List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962) / List of US Naval aircraft
- United States Naval Aviator
- Naval Flight Officer
- United States Marine Corps Aviation
- Military aviation
References and notes
Notes
- Where not listed in a wikipedia article, aircraft assignment was derived from "http://www.wings-aviation.ch/25-Navy-Sqn/Squadron-Basis-en.htm"
- Carrier assignment of early squadrons through 1937 were derived from "http://www.wings-aviation.ch"
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons (DANAS) Vol I chap 1 pg 9 references the "Navy Directory dated 1 January 1922" which listed two "combat squadrons"; Combat Squadron 3 and Combat Squadron 4 in existence as of the date of issuance. DANAS Vol 1 App 4 lists squadron designations and lists the "VF" designation as the designation for "Combat Squadron" in 1922. It is possible that the "VF-4" and "Combat Squadron 4" listings may be in error and that one of the two squadrons was combat squadron 3 and the other was combat squadron 4
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons (DANAS) Vol I chap 1 pg 9 references the "Navy Directory dated 1 January 1922" which listed two "combat squadrons"; Combat Squadron 3 and Combat Squadron 4 in existence as of the date of issuance. DANAS Vol 1 App 4 lists squadron designations and lists the "VF" designation as the designation for "Combat Squadron" in 1922. It is possible that the "VF-4" and "Combat Squadron 4" listings may be in error and that one of the two squadrons was combat squadron 3 and the other was combat squadron 4
References
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I App 4
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I Chap 1
- ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Dictionary of America Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I chap 1 pg 9
- ^ "Carrier Aviation's First Squadron". www.vfa2.navy.mil.
- "History early". Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
- ^ "The Second Fighting TWO". www.vfa2.navy.mil.
- ^ Dictionary of America Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I chap 1 pg 10
- "The Third Fighting TWO". www.vfa2.navy.mil.
- ^ "CV-41(1945-1973)". www.gonavy.jp.
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol 1 pg 36
- ^ Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I chap 2 pg 214
- ^ Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I Chap 2 pg 218
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol I Chap 2 pg 264
- Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol 1 pg 35
Bibliography
- Grossnick, Roy A. (1995). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 - The History of VA, VAH, VAK, VAL, VAP and VFA Squadrons. Naval Historic Center, Department of the Navy. ISBN 0-945274-29-7.
- Roberts, Michael D. (2000). Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 2 T- The History of VP, VPB, VP(HL) and VP(AM) Squadrons. Naval Historic Center, Department of the Navy. Archived from the original on 15 September 2008.
External links
| Active United States Navy Aircraft Squadrons | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Attack (VAQ) | |||||
| Carrier Airborne Early Warning (VAW) | |||||
| Strike Fighter (VFA) | |||||
| Fleet Air Reconnaissance (VQ) | |||||
| Fleet Fighter Composite (VFC) | |||||
| Fleet Logistics Support (VR) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Support (VRC) | |||||
| Carrier Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission (VRM) | |||||
| Patrol |
| ||||
| Unmanned (VUP) | |||||
| Training (VT) | |||||
| Helicopter Mine Countermeasures (HM) | |||||
| Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) | |||||
| Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) | |||||
| Helicopter Training (HT) | |||||