VF-9

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

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

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 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

  • NAS Norfolk

Aircraft assignment

Notable former members

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b c d e Young, Edward. F6F Hellcat Aces of VF-9. Osprey Publishing. pp. 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.