VF-16
Fighting Squadron 16 or VF-16 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy during World War II. Originally established in 1943, it was disestablished on 16 November 1945.[1]
| Fighter Squadron 16 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1943 – 16 November 1945 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter |
| Nickname(s) | Fighting Airedales |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Grumman F6F-3/5 Hellcat |
Operational history
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VF-16 F6F-3 takes off from USS Lexington in 1943
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VF-16 F6F-5s on USS Randolph in August 1945
From late November 1943, VF-16 deployed on USS Lexington and supported the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign including the Battle of Tarawa. On 23 November VF-16's pilots shot down 17 Japanese aircraft.[2] By the end of 1943 the pilots of VF-16 had shot down 55 Japanese aircraft, with three pilots becoming aces.[2]:19
On 19 June 1944 while deployed on the Lexington, the squadron participated in the Marianas Turkey Shoot and squadron pilot Lt Alexander Vraciu shot down six Japanese Yokosuka D4Ys in eight minutes.
In 1945 VF-16 was deployed on USS Randolph.
See also
References
- "Fighter Squadron Lineage". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- Tillman, Barrett (1996). Hellcat Aces of World War 2. Osprey Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 1855325969.
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