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Military unit From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
VF-121 (Fighter Squadron 121) of the US Navy was a former Pacific Fleet Replacement Air Group (RAG) unit. Originally established on 1 July 1946, as VF-781, it was redesignated as VF-121 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 30 September 1980.[1] On 11 April 1958 it changed duty from Fleet Squadron to Fleet Replacement Squadron and was later charged with the training of Navy F-4 Phantom flight and maintenance crews.
Fighter Squadron 121 | |
---|---|
![]() VF-121 squadron insignia | |
Active | 1 July 1946 – 30 September 1980 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Navy |
Type | Replacement Air Group |
Role | Fighter |
Part of | Inactive |
Nickname(s) | Pacemakers |
Engagements | Korean War |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | Grumman F9F-2/5 Panther North American FJ-2/-3 Fury Grumman F9F-6/8 Cougar McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee Grumman F11F-1 Tiger Douglas F3D-2T2 Skynight McDonnell F3H Demon McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J/N/S Phantom |
On 1 July 1946, VF-781, The Pacemakers were stationed at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos. On 20 July 1950, VF-781 was based at NAS North Island. In January 1951 the squadron moved to NAS Miramar.
VF-781 served on board USS Bon Homme Richard with Air Group 102 (CVG-102) flying F9F-2B Panthers from 10 May to 17 December 1951.[2]: 406 VF-781's next cruise was on board USS Oriskany flying with Air Group 102 (CVG-102) flying F9F-5's over Korea from 15 September 1952 to 18 May 1953.[2]: 407 On 18 November 1952, VF-781 scored its first MiG-15 kills by Royce Williams, John Middleton and Rowlans by 20mm guns in the F9F-5's.
VF-781 was re-designated VF-121 on 4 February 1953.[2]: 407 After re-designation to VF-121, the squadron transitioned to F9F-6 Cougars with commanding officer Jimmie E Savage for their 1954 western Pacific deployment with Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) on the USS Boxer from 3 March to 11 October.[2]: 371 They made another cruise with CVG-12 to the western Pacific and Korea on the USS Hancock from 10 August 1955 to 15 March 1956 flying F9F-8, with the tail code of 'D' then converted to FJ-3 Fury's.[2]: 372 The last cruise was on board USS Lexington from 19 April to 17 October 1957.[2]: 373
Commander R. E. 'Dusty' Rhodes was CO of VF-121 during 1955, he was a former Commanding Officer of the Blue Angels flight team from 1947 to 1950. Rhodes worked with VC-6 and their AJ Savage tankers on air-to-air refueling. The exercise was successfully tested off the coast of San Diego.[3]
The first West Coast F4H Phantom Squadron was assigned to VF-121 at NAS Miramar. VF-121 received the first examples of F-4B Phantoms in 1961.[4] On 24 May 1961, Project LANA - the 50th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Transcontinental Race for the Bendix Trophy, was won by a VF-121 crew. Aircrews came from other aircraft types and became qualified in the flight, navigation, and operation of the F4H Phantom. Maintainers came from other squadrons and 'A' schools to learn the Phantom as well. Gunnery and weapons training was obtained while deployed to MCAS Yuma. Carrier Field Landing Practice (FCLP). Their skills were graded by a Landing Signals Office (LSO) the same way as on a carrier. Once qualified they could advance to actual carrier day/ night launch/ recovery qualifications. After this training, the aircrews were assigned to a fleet squadron and sea duty.
The original United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program, more popularly known worldwide as Top Gun, started in March 1969 under VF-121 control.[5]
The squadron was assigned to these home ports:
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