VF-13 (1948–1969)

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Fighter Squadron 13
Fighter Squadron 13 (US Navy) insignia.png
VF-13 squadron patch
Active2 August 1948 – 1 October 1969
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Navy
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Night Cappers
Aircraft F4U-5 Corsair
F8F Bearcat
F-9F Cougar
F4D Skyray
F3B Demon
F-8 Crusader

VF-13 was a Fighter Squadron of the U.S. Navy, established on 2 August 1948 and disestablished on 1 October 1969. It was the second squadron to be assigned the VF-13 designation, the original VF-13 Black Cats was established on 2 November 1943 and disestablished on 20 October 1945. [1]

Contents

Operational history

VF-13 F4D-1s in flight in 1961 F4D-1 Skyrays of VF-13 in flight in July 1961.jpg
VF-13 F4D-1s in flight in 1961
VF-13 F3Bs in flight in 1963 F-3B Demons from VF-13 in flight 1963.jpg
VF-13 F3Bs in flight in 1963
VF-13 F-8D preparing to launch from USS Shangri-La in 1968 F-8D making 46000th launch from USS Shangri-La (CVA-38).jpg
VF-13 F-8D preparing to launch from USS Shangri-La in 1968

In late 1954, VF-13 became the first operational squadron to receive the F-9F8 Cougar. [2]

VF-13 was assigned to Air Task Group 201 (ATG-201) aboard USS Bennington for her voyage around South America from 8 September to 20 October 1955 and for the subsequent deployment to the Western Pacific from 31 October 1955 to 16 April 1956.[ citation needed ]

In the 1960s VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 10 (CVG-10) and embarked on board USS Essex for a Mediterranean deployment from 7 August 1959 to 26 February 1960. VF-13 was embarked aboard USS Shangri-La for Mediterranean deployments from 2 February to 15 May 1961 and from 7 February to 28 August 1962.[ citation needed ]

VF-13 was assigned to Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) aboard USS Shangri-La for Mediterranean deployments from 29 September 1966 to 20 May 1967, from 15 November 1967 to 4 August 1968 and from 7 January to 29 July 1969.[ citation needed ]

Home port assignments

The squadron was assigned to these home ports:

Aircraft assignment

See also

References

  1. "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Archived from the original on 20 September 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  2. Thomason, Tommy (2008). U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters - 1943-1962. Specialty Press. pp. 135–6. ISBN   9781580071109.