VF-9
Fighting Squadron 9 | |
---|---|
Active | 1 March 1942 – 28 September 1945 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Part of | Inactive |
Aircraft | F2A-3 Buffalo F4F Wildcat F6F-3/5 Hellcat |
Engagements | World War II |
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]
History
[edit]![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Ray_Wagner_Collection_Photo_%2816062615836%29.jpg/250px-Ray_Wagner_Collection_Photo_%2816062615836%29.jpg)
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cf/F6F-3_of_VF-9_takes_off_from_USS_Essex_%28CV-9%29_off_Truk_in_February_1944.jpg/250px-F6F-3_of_VF-9_takes_off_from_USS_Essex_%28CV-9%29_off_Truk_in_February_1944.jpg)
![](http://up.wiki.x.io/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/VF-9_scoreboard_1943-44.jpg/250px-VF-9_scoreboard_1943-44.jpg)
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 aboard 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
[edit]- NAS Norfolk
Aircraft assignment
[edit]Notable former members
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Young, Edward. F6F Hellcat Aces of VF-9. Osprey Publishing. pp. 7–8.
- ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 28 Nov 1942". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 3 Apr 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 15 Jun 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
- ^ "Location of U.S. Naval Aircraft, World War II 7 Sep 1943". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 19 April 2016.