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 | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
History
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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
editNotable former members
editSee also
editReferences
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.