VF-9

Fighting Squadron 9 or VF-9 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy, originally established on 1 March 1942, it was disestablished on 28 September 1945.[1]

Fighting Squadron 9
Active1 March 1942-28 September 1945
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
Part ofInactive
AircraftF2A-3 Buffalo
F4F Wildcat
F6F-3/5 Hellcat
EngagementsWorld War II

Operational history
VF-9 F4F-4 lands on USS Ranger in October 1942
VF-9 F6F-3s prepare to launch from USS Essex in 1944
VF-9 squadron-members and scoreboard in 1944

VF-9 established at NAS Norfolk on 1 March 1942 as part of the new Carrier Air Group 9 (CVG-9) which was to be deployed abord the new carrier USS Essex.[2] Originally equipped with the F2A-3 Buffalo, VF-9 began reequipping with the F4F-3 Wildcat in April 1942.[2]:8

In late August 1942 VF-9 was deployed aboard USS Ranger to support Operation Torch.[2]:10 By late November 1942 Ranger had returned to NAS Norfolk and VF-9 rejoined the rest of CVG-9.[3] VF-9 became the first Navy squadron to receive the F6F-3 Hellcat in February 1943.[2]:7

In April 1943 CVG-9 embarked on the Essex for deployment to the Pacific Fleet.[4] By mid-June 1943 Essex had arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor and CVG-9 was based at Naval Air Station Barbers Point.[5] In September Essex left Pearl Harbor with CVG-9 embarked.[6]

VF-9 scored over 250 kills in the Hellcat, making it the second most successful Hellcat squadron of the war.[2]:7

Home port assignments
  • NAS Norfolk

Aircraft Assignment

Notable former members

See also

References
  1. "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. Young, Edward. F6F Hellcat Aces of VF-9. Osprey Publishing. p. 7-8.
  3. "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 28 Nov 1942". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  4. "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 3 Apr 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  5. "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 15 Jun 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
  6. "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 7 Sep 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.