VF-71 (1942-1959)

Fighter Squadron 71
Active 15 October 1942 – 31 March 1959
Country United States
Branch United States Navy
Role Fighter aircraft
Part of Inactive
Engagements Korean War
Aircraft flown
Fighter F9F-2 Panther
F2H-4 Banshee

Fighter Squadron 71 or VF-71 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as VGS-18 on 15 October 1942, it was redesignated VC-18 on 1 March 1943, redesignated as VF-36 on 15 August 1943, redesignated as VF-18 on 5 March 1944, redesignated as VF-7A on 15 November 1946, redesignated as VF-71 on 28 July 1948 and disestablished on 31 March 1959.[1]

Operational history

VGS-18

Escort-Scouting Squadron 18 was established on 15 October 1942. It first operated out of NAS Seattle[2] before moving to NAS Whidbey Island in December 1942.[3] There it was temporarily attached to Air Wing Six for instruction.[4]

VC-18

Beginning 1 March 1943, the US Navy changed its squadron designations. Among these changes, Escort-Scouting (VGS) squadrons were redesignated Composite (VC) squadrons. The squadron also relocated in March, transferring from Whidbey Island to NAS San Diego.[5] Instruction in carrier operations continued at this time including torpedo bombing practice with the Grumman TBF Avenger.[6]

VF-36

By 20 November 1943, the relatively new VF-36 squadron completed carrier qualification aboard USS Copahee.[7] Fighting 36 joined up with Air Group 18 in February 1944 and changed its designation to VF-18, the previous fighter squadron having been detached and its pilots transferred to other squadrons.[8]:2

VF-71

VF-71 F9F-2 attacks a bridge in Korea in November 1952

VF-71 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Seven (CVG-7) aboard USS Bon Homme Richard, which was deployed to Korea from 20 May 1952 to 8 January 1953. During this deployment VF-71 participated in the Attack on the Sui-ho Dam from 23-7 June 1952.

While embarked on USS Intrepid as part of Carrier Air Group Six VF-71 participated in Operation Strikeback from 3-12 September 1957.

VF-71 was embarked on the USS Randolph for a Mediterranean deployment from 2 September 1958 to 12 March 1959.

Home port assignments

Aircraft Assignment

See also

References

  1. "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. Dunlap, S.B. "NAS Seattle, War Diary, 14–20 December 1942". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 4 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  3. Simard, C.T. "NAS Whidbey Island, War Diary, 3–12 January 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 4 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  4. Johnson, D.P. "Fleet Air Wing Six, War Diary, 1–28 February 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 4 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  5. Simard, Cyril T. "NAS Whidbey Island, War Diary, 28 March–3 April 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 18 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  6. Greenacre, A.J. "USS Trathen, War Diary, 28 May–5 August 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 55. Retrieved 18 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  7. Jennings, R.E. "USS Copahee, War Diary, 1–30 November 1943". Fold3. Ancestry.com. p. 32. Retrieved 18 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
  8. Coleman, W.C. "Fighting Squadron 18, War History, 20 July 1943–20 December 1944". Fold3. Ancestry.com. Retrieved 18 October 2016. (subscription required (help)).
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