VF-121
Encyclopedia
VF-121 Fighter Squadron 121 of the US Navy and was disestablished on 30 September 1980. VF-121 was originally VF-781, a reserve squadron, established on 2 August 1950.
On July 1, 1946, VF-121, The Pacemakers were stationed at NAS Alamitos, CA. They were called into service in 1953 to serve in Korea.
VF-781 served on board USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) with Air Group 102 flying F9F-2B Panthers from May 10, 1951 to December 17, 1951. VF-781's next cruise was on board USS Oriskany (CVA-34) flying with Air Group 102. The Pacemakers flew F9F-5 in Korea from September 15, 1952 to May 18, 1953. The first F9F-5s entered combat in October 1952 with reserve squadrons VF-781 and VF-783 from USS Oriskany (CVA-34).
VF-781 was re-designated VF-121 on February 4, 1953. VF-781 originally flew F4U Corsair
s then transition to F9F-2/-5 Panthers. After re-designated to VF-121, The squadron flew F9F-6 Cougars and FJ-3 Furys. Shortly after VF-781 was converted to an Active Duty Squadron, VF-121 made three more cruises to the far East in the mid-1950s.
Squadron also served in Korean War
and Vietnam War
.
started in 1969 with VF-121, located at NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA
Multimedia
On July 1, 1946, VF-121, The Pacemakers were stationed at NAS Alamitos, CA. They were called into service in 1953 to serve in Korea.
History
- Section source:
VF-781 served on board USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) with Air Group 102 flying F9F-2B Panthers from May 10, 1951 to December 17, 1951. VF-781's next cruise was on board USS Oriskany (CVA-34) flying with Air Group 102. The Pacemakers flew F9F-5 in Korea from September 15, 1952 to May 18, 1953. The first F9F-5s entered combat in October 1952 with reserve squadrons VF-781 and VF-783 from USS Oriskany (CVA-34).
VF-781 was re-designated VF-121 on February 4, 1953. VF-781 originally flew F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
The Vought F4U Corsair was a carrier-capable fighter aircraft that saw service primarily in World War II and the Korean War. Demand for the aircraft soon overwhelmed Vought's manufacturing capability, resulting in production by Goodyear and Brewster: Goodyear-built Corsairs were designated FG and...
s then transition to F9F-2/-5 Panthers. After re-designated to VF-121, The squadron flew F9F-6 Cougars and FJ-3 Furys. Shortly after VF-781 was converted to an Active Duty Squadron, VF-121 made three more cruises to the far East in the mid-1950s.
Squadron also served in Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
.
Top Gun
The original Top Gun schoolUnited States Navy Fighter Weapons School
The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program , more popularly known as TOPGUN, is the modern-day evolution of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School which was originally established on March 3, 1969 at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in California...
started in 1969 with VF-121, located at NAS Miramar, San Diego, CA
Summary
- Source: GoNavy
- 02 Aug 1950 -- Reserve squadron VF-781 established
- 04 Feb 1953 -- redesignated VF-121
- 11 Apr 1958 -- changed duty from Fleet Squadron to the Fleet Replacement Squadron
- 30 Sep 1980 -- disestablished
Aircraft assigned
- Section source:
- Grumman F6F Hellcat
- Chance-Vought F4U Corsair
- Grumman F9F-2/-5 Panther
- Grumman F9F-6/-8 Cougar, tailcode D
- North American FJ-3 Fury, tailcode D
- Grumman F11F Tiger, tailcode NJ
- McDonnell F-4B Phantom II, tailcode NJ
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
- List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons
- List of United States Navy aircraft squadrons
External links
Multimedia