List of inactive United States Navy aircraft squadrons (VF)

163 of the 185 United States Navy aircraft squadrons which have carried a VF designation at some point during their existence have been disestablished. Two squadrons exist in an "inactive" status for possible future reactivation and Twenty are currently active designated as Strike Fighter Squadrons.
These disestablished and deactivated squadrons are sometimes incorrectly referred to as decommissioned squadrons, but the U.S. Navy does not "commission" or "decommission" aircraft squadrons. Until 1998, squadrons were "established", "disestablished", and sometimes "redesignated"; since 1998, squadrons are "established", "deactivated", and sometimes "reactivated" and/or "redesignated". It has never been correct to refer to U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons as being commissioned and decommissioned, ships are commissioned and decommissioned, U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons are not.
Under the system in use until 1998, a squadron's history and lineage began when it was established and ended when it was disestablished. During the course of its existence a squadron could be redesignated multiple times. The Navy's oldest currently active aircraft squadron is VFA-14 "Tophatters". It was established in September 1919 and has carried sixteen different designations having been redesignated fifteen times. Re-designation might assign a squadron a new number while leaving the basic designation untouched, or it could change the entire designation. A Squadron retains its lineage regardless of its redesignation. When a squadron was disestablished or redesignated its former designation became available to be used for a new squadron or in the redesignation of an existing squadron. Squadrons which share a designation do not also share a lineage as a squadron's lineage follows the squadron, not the designation. A squadron which received the designation of a former squadron might adopt the nickname and/or the insignia and carry on the traditions of the previous squadron, but it could not lay claim to the history or lineage of that previous squadron any more than a new ship commissioned with the name USS Enterprise could claim to be the actual WWII aircraft carrier USS Enterprise.
This system changed in March 1998 with Chief of Naval Operations Instruction 5030.4E. U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons are now no longer disestablished, they are instead "deactivated." A deactivated squadron remains in existence, though only "on paper", awaiting possible future "reactivation". Neither its designation nor any previous designations are available for use by a new squadron. A reactivated squadron would trace its lineage back to the squadron's original establishment date, including its inactive period. Under this new system a squadron can still be redesignated if its function changes necessitating a different designation, for example Fighter Squadron TWO redesignated to Strike Fighter Squadron TWO.
The current update of OPNAVINST 3050.4 contains a list of all currently active and deactivated U.S. Navy aircraft squadrons.
This article lists all 185 squadrons which have ever been designated with the VF designation with every designation each ever existed under, including the twenty currently active squadrons. It does not include U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons which existed before 1970 unless they were activated in which case they are included, nor does it include 25 "VF" squadrons which existed between 1943 and 1946.

VF squadron designation systems

The VF designation was one of the oldest in use by the U.S. Navy. Beginning in the early 1920s it designated "Combat Squadron" then "Fighting Plane Squadron". Later, up to 1948 it designated "Fighting Squadron" and from 1948 on it designated "Fighter Squadron" until 2006 when the last fighter squadron flying the F-14D Tomcat transitioned to the F/A-18F Super Hornet and was redesignated a Strike Fighter Squadron. The designation has not been used since 2006.
Before 1937 squadrons were numbered either serially or by ship squadron numbers, but beginning in 1937 squadron numbers were determined by the hull number of the aircraft carrier to which they were assigned. From 1941 to 1964 they were determined by Carrier Air Group assignment. The specific number was determined by the designation scheme in effect during different time periods, and the various designation systems used through the years resulted in the same squadron designations being re used for completely unrelated squadrons. The designations VF-11, VF-12 and VF-13 can be used for an example: The first use of each of those designations denoted a single VF squadron of each of three different CVGs during WWII with VF-11 being the VF squadron of CVG-11, VF-12 the VF squadron of CVG-12, and VF-13 the VF squadron of CVG-13. The second use of those designations denoted three VF squadrons of a single CVG after 1 September 1948 with VF-11, VF-12 and VF-13 being the 1st, 2nd and 3rd VF squadrons of CVG-1.
VF Squadron numbering was determined by seven different designation schemes which existed from 1920 through 1964.

Combat squadron designations 15 June 1920 to 1 July 1922

When the Navy first established squadrons they were designated by a combination of squadron function and a number. Functions such as "Combat", "Torpedo" or "Patrol" were followed by a number which was determined by the ship squadron number to which the aircraft squadron was attached. The official use of abbreviated designations such as VT, VP or VF however was not implemented until 1922. The Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Volume 1 Appendix 4 lists the abbreviated designations and lists the abbreviation VF as applying to "Combat Squadron" in 1922.

Fighting plane squadron designations 1 July 1922 to 1 July 1927

Naval Aviation Organization for FY 1923 issued on 17 June 1922 and implemented on 1 July 1922 changed the numbering of squadrons from according to ship squadron number to serially within each type of squadron and listed the squadrons by abbreviated designation for the first time. On 1 July 1922 the two Combat Squadrons were redesignated in accordance with this scheme becoming Fighting Plane Squadrons VF-1 and VF-2 and a third squadron was established as VF-3.

Fighting squadron designations 1 July 1927 to 1 July 1937

On 1 July 1927 the squadron designation scheme was modified to include a letter appended to the end of the squadron designation which denoted to which fleet the squadron was assigned, the squadrons remained numbered serially. At that time in history the Navy was organized into two fleets, one of them called the Battle Fleet and the other called the Scouting Fleet. In the squadron designation scheme the letter 'B' at the end of the squadron designation denoted a squadron of the Battle Fleet and the letter 'S' denoted one of the Scouting Fleet. When squadrons were moved between the Battle and Scouting Fleets they were redesignated with each move by changing the letter from 'B' to 'S' or 'S' to 'B'

Fighting squadron designations 1 July 1937 to 1 March 1942

On 1 July 1937 the squadron designation scheme was changed when squadrons were permanently assigned to specific aircraft carriers. The Battle Fleet and Scouting Fleet suffix letters were eliminated and squadrons were redesignated to conform with the hull number of the aircraft carrier to which they were assigned with VF squadrons being designated VF-2, VF-3, VF-4 etc....

Fighting squadron designations 1 March 1942 to 15 November 1946

As part of the Navy's massive wartime buildup, a new new designation scheme was created which established numbered carrier air groups (CVG) and designated squadrons in accordance with carrier air group assignment. The seven ship named carrier air groups were not redesignated and they continued to exist alongside the new numbered air groups until by the end of 1942 Lexington, Yorktown, Wasp and Hornet Air Groups had been disestablished after their aircraft carriers were sunk and Enterprise Air Group had been disestablished when USS Enterprise entered a shipyard for extensive repair after being severely damaged. The two remaining ship named air groups, Ranger Air Group and Saratoga Air Group were later redesignated CVG-4 and CVG-3 on 3 August 1943 and 25 September 1943 respectively.
VF squadron designations have been directly linked to and determined by Carrier Air Group (CVG) designations since 1942. See List of United States Navy aircraft wings for detailed information regarding Carrier Air Group designations.

Fighting squadron designations 15 November 1946 to 1 September 1948

After the post war drawdown a new designation scheme was implemented on 15 November 1946 which included the letters 'A', 'B', 'L' and 'E' in both the Carrier Air Group and Squadron designations. Suffix letters denoted the type of Carrier Air Group to which a Squadron was assigned; 'A' for those assigned to CVAGs aboard Essex class carriers, 'B' for those assigned to CVBGs aboard the large Midway class carriers, 'L' for those assigned to CVLGs sized for embarkation aboard "light" Independence or Saipan class carriers and 'E' for those assigned to CVEGs sized for the remaining small WWII "escort carriers".

Fighter squadron designations 1 September 1948 to September 1964

The last designation scheme became effective on 1 September 1948 and squadrons began to be redesignated starting a few months in advance of the effective date. Squadron suffix letters were dropped and squadron designation numbers identified to which CVG the squadron was assigned with the first one or two digits denoting the CVG followed by a 1, 2 or 3 to differentiate between the VF squadrons in the air group. This designation scheme required the redesignation of squadrons each time a squadron was moved from one air group to another. It remained in effect until September 1964 when squadron designations were "frozen" and squadrons from that time forward kept whatever designation they had in September 1964.

VF squadrons by establishment date

The 185 squadrons which have been designated a VF squadron for any period of their existence are listed below in order of establishment date divided into five time periods: Pre WWII from 1919 through 1941; WWII from 1942 through 1945; Post WWII from 1946 through 1949; 1950s from 1950 through 1959; and 1960 and later.

Pre-WWII: Squadrons established 1919 through 1941

There were eleven squadrons established during this time period which carried the VF designation for some period during their existence. Two of these squadrons are still active today.
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the designation system. They are added to this table to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

"Tophatters"; U.S. Navy's oldest currently active aircraft squadron. Established September 1919, still active as VFA-14.

As this squadron has existed for the entire period covered by all seven squadron designation schemes, each scheme can be seen in the squadron's history below.

"Carrier Aviation's First Squadron;" original "Felix the Cat" squadron. Established 23 September 1921, disestablished 1 October 1945.

Fighting Two was the first squadron trained to operate as a squadron from USS Langley. During the closing days of 1924 and early 1925, the planes of VF-2 were equipped for Carrier landing and takeoff and during the week ending 17 January 1925 the squadron became the first to qualify in carrier landings. Also, this squadron is the squadron which created the famous "Felix the Cat" insignia and is one of three squadrons which used the insignia simultaneously during WWII. The insignia was adopted while the squadron was a Bombing Squadron designated VB-2B from 1 Jul 1928-1 Jul 1930 and it continued to be used once the squadron was redesignated back to a VF squadron on 1 July 1930. By July 1937 the squadron had been redesignated VF-3 as USS Saratoga's fighting squadron. On 15 July 1943 CVG-6's VF-6 was transferred to Saratoga Air Group and redesignated VF-3 and Saratoga Air Group's VF-3 was transferred to CVG-6 and redesignated VF-6. VF-3 laid claim to the Felix the Cat insignia, but VF-3 also retained it when it moved to CVG-6; then on 1 Feb 1945 VF-3 was split in two with half the squadron remaining VF-3 and the other half being established as VBF-3. VBF-3 then became the third squadron using the insignia with all three using it until the original owner was disestablished after the war on 1 October 1945. VBF-3 was then redesignated VF-4A on 15 November 1946 and gave up the insignia leaving the "new" VF-3 which is the current day VFA-31 in sole possession of it.

First VF-3. Established 1 July 1922, disestablished in May 1924.

Fighting Plane Squadron 3, the third VF squadron to be established. This squadron was a short lived squadron existing less than two years.

"Flying Chiefs". Established 1 January 1927, disestablished 1 July 1942.

Established with a majority of enlisted pilots, most of them Chief Petty Officers. Was the Fighting Squadron of USS Lexington during the first months of WWII. Was disestablished after the loss of USS Lexington in the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Original "Red Rippers" squadron. Established 1 February 1927, disestablished 15 February 1959.

Began WWII as one of two USS Ranger fighting squadrons. Because USS Ranger was a smaller carrier and lacked storage space required for torpedoes of a Torpedo squadron it had two fighting squadrons designated VF-41 and VF-42 instead.

USS Yorktown fighting squadron. Established 4 July 1927, disestablished 7 January 1943.

Fighting Squadron of USS Yorktown during the early months of WWII. Was disestablished after the loss of USS Yorktown in the Battle of Midway.

Second Fighting Squadron of Ranger Air Group. Established in May 1928, disestablished 22 June 1942.

Because of its smaller size, USS Ranger unlike other fleet carriers of the time had no room for torpedo storage and so she had no Torpedo Squadron. Instead of the standard air group consisting of one each Fighting, Bombing, Scouting and Torpedo she embarked one Fighting, one Bombing and two Scouting squadrons. This squadron was the Ranger Air Group's first Scouting Squadron with the second being designated VS-42. It was redesignated to be a second Ranger Air Group Fighting Squadron on 15 March 1941 when it was redesignated VF-42 and operated as such aboard Ranger in the Atlantic. It was "temporarily" moved to USS Yorktown to provide more fighters in the Pacific Theater during the early months of WWII where it suffered significant losses in the Battle of Coral Sea and was disestablished a month later.

"Tomcatters"; second and current "Felix the Cat" squadron. Established 1 July 1935, still active as VFA-31.

Began WWII as USS Enterprise Fighting Squadron becoming the Fighting Squadron of CVG-6 when that air group was established on 15 March 1943 and on 15 July 1943 was moved to USS Saratoga as VF-3 for the remainder of the war. Adopted VF-3s Felix the Cat insignia even though VF-3 also kept it when it was moved to CVG-6 as VF-6 as well. This squadron was left in sole possessesion of the insignia when the original owner was disestablished after the war and a third squadron which had also used the insignia gave it up in 1946. This squadron still uses it today as the VFA-31 "Tomcatters".

USS Wasp Fighting Squadron. Established 1 July 1939, disestablished 29 March 1943.

Wasp Air Group and its squadrons were disestablished after the 15 Sep 1942 sinking of USS Wasp.

Second USS Wasp Fighting Squadron. Established 1 July 1939, disestablished 7 January 1943.

Wasp Air Group and its squadrons were disestablished after the 15 Sep 1942 sinking of USS Wasp.

Fighting Squadron of USS Hornet. Established 2 September 1941, disestablished 28 August 1942.

USS Hornet's fighting squadron during the early months of WWII. Suffered significant losses during the Battle of Midway in June 1942 and was disestablished soon thereafter.

World War II squadrons established 1942 through 1945

There were 103 squadrons established during this time period which carried the VF designation for some period during their existence. Three of these squadrons are still active today.
On 1 March 1942 the first numbered Carrier Air Group was established and designated Carrier Air Group Nine. 87 more Carrier Air Groups followed being established during the war and numbered from 1 up to 153. Squadrons were numbered with the carrier air group to which they were assigned so VF-9 was the fighting squadron of CVG-9, VF-22 was the fighting squadron of CVLG-22 and VF-26 was the fighting squadron of CVEG-26 etc... The numbered carrier air groups were initially established with numbers to match aircraft carrier hull numbers which were nearing commissioning with the initial intent being to match CVG-9 with USS Essex and CVLG-21 with USS Independence for example, but they ultimately were not always assigned to specific aircraft carriers by hull number and they were often moved from one carrier to another when necessary.
CVGs operated from the three remaining pre-war aircraft carriers USS Saratoga, USS Ranger and USS Enterprise and all new Essex class carriers. There were three variations on the CVG designation with CVLGs for "Light" Independence class carriers, CVEGs for small Escort Carriers, and CVBGs for the large Midway class carriers which were nearing completion in the final months of the war.
Shortly before the end of the war in 1945 the two CVBGs were established initially with two VF Squadrons each and those squadrons were designated with an 'A' or 'B' appended to the end of the designation with VF-74A and VF-74B for CVBG-74 and VF-75A and VF-75B for CVBG-75.
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations in the table below are not a part of the designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.

World War II squadrons disestablished by September 1946

The squadrons listed in this table were established during WWII and disestablished during the war or during the post war drawdown.

World War II squadrons not disestablished by September 1946

The squadrons listed below were established during WWII but were not disestablished during the war or during the post war drawdown. They were redesignated on 15 November 1946 in accordance with the new designation scheme which took effect on that date.
By the end of September 1946 as a result of the post war drawdown the Navy was left with 14 of its WWII Carrier Air Groups which consisted of four squadrons each. Those squadrons were one Fighting, one Bombing Fighting, one Bombing and one Torpedo squadron. It also was left with two smaller Escort Carrier Air Groups each consisting of one Fighting squadron and one Torpedo squadron. On 15 November 1946 the Bombing Fighting squadrons were all redesignated Fighting squadrons and the Bombing and Torpedo squadrons were all redesignated Attack squadrons leaving 14 Carrier Air Groups with two Fighting and two Attack squadrons each and the two smaller Escort Carrier Air Groups each with one Fighting and one Attack squadron.
When the 15 November 1946 designation scheme was implemented those 14 remaining WWII CVGs and their squadrons were redesignated in accordance with it. CVAGs and CVBGs were all designated with odd numbers and their two VF squadrons were numbered with the first squadron carrying the Air Group's number and the second squadron the next consecutive even number. A letter suffix was appended to denote the type of air group the squadron was a part of. Two CVEGs were each assigned a single VF squadron which carried the CVEG's number followed by an E.
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations below are not a part of the designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-3Second and current "Felix the Cat" squadron. 1 July 1935 to present. This squadron was established prior to WWII and is included in this section only for continuity purposes. Only the last four designations are shown here, the entire squadron is listed in the "Pre-WWII squadrons" section of the article

VBF-3/VF-4A/VF-32/VFA-32: Established 1 February 1945, currently active as VFA-32

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-4Original "Red Rippers" squadron. 1 February 1927 to 15 February 1959. This squadron was established prior to WWII and is included in this section only for continuity purposes. Only the last three designations are shown here, the entire squadron is listed in the "Pre-WWII squadrons" section of the article

VBF-4/VF-2A/VF-12/VA-12: Established 12 May 1945, disestablished 1 October 1986

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-5

VF-1/VF-5/VF-5A/VF-51: Established 15 February 1943, disestablished 31 March 1995
VBF-5/VF-6A/VF-52: Established 8 May 1945, disestablished 23 February 1959

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-11

VF-11/VF-11A/VF-111: Established 10 October 1942, disestablished 19 January 1959
VBF-11/VF-12A/VF-112/VA-112: Established 9 April 1945, disestablished 10 October 1969

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-17

VF-17/VF-5B/VF-61: Original "Jolly Rogers" squadron Established 1 January 1943, disestablished 15 April 1959
VBF-17/VF-6B/VF-62/VA-106: Established 2 January 1945, disestablished 7 November 1969

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-18

VGS-18/VC-18/VF-36/VF-18/VF-7A/VF-71: Established 15 October 1942, disestablished 31 March 1959
VBF-18/VF-8A/VF-72/VA-72: Established 25 January 1945, disestablished 30 June 1991

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-19

VF-19/VF-19A/VF-191: Established 15 August 1943, disestablished 1 March 1978
VBF-19/VF-20A/VF-192/VF-114: Established 20 January 1945, disestablished 30 April 1993

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-20

VF-20/VF-8A/VF-91/VF-34/VA-34: Established 15 October 1943, disestablished 1 June 1969
VBF-20/VF-10A/VF-92/VF-74: Established 16 April 1945, disestablished 30 April 1994

Fighting Squadron of CVEG-41

VF-41/VF-1E/VF-1: Established 26 March 1945, disestablished 20 November 1948

Fighting Squadron of CVEG-42

VF-42/VF-2E/VF-81: Established 19 July 1945, disestablished 17 January 1950

Fighting Squadron, Bombing Fighting Squadron and Bombing Squadron of CVBG-74

VF-74A/VF-74/VF-1B/VF-21/VA-43/VF-43: Established 1 May 1945, disestablished 1 July 1994
VBF-74A/VBF-74/VF-2B/VF-22: Established 1 May 1945, disestablished 6 June 1958
VB-74/VA-1B/VA-24/VF-24/VF-211/VFA-211: Established 1 May 1945, currently active as VFA-211

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVBG-75

VF-75A/VF-75/VF-3B/VF-41: Established 1 June 1945, disestablished 8 June 1950
VBF-75A/VBF-75/VF-4B/VF-42: Established 1 June 1945, disestablished 8 June 1950

Fighting Squadron, Bombing Fighting Squadron and Bombing Squadron of CVG-81

VF-81/VF-13A/VF-131/VF-64/VF-21: Established 2 March 1944, disestablished 31 January 1996
VBF-81/VF-14A/VF-132: Established 13 May 1945, disestablished 30 November 1949
VB-81/VA-13A/VA-134/VF-174/VA-174: Established 1 March 1944, disestablished 30 June 1988

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-82

VF-82/VF-17A/VF-171: Established 11 April 1944, disestablished 15 March 1958
VBF-82/VF-18A/VF-172/VA-172: Established 20 August 19454, disestablished 15 January 1971

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-98

VF-98/VF-21A: Established 28 August 1944, disestablished 5 August 1947
VBF-98/VF-22A: Established 1 February 1945, disestablished 5 August 1947

Fighting Squadron and Bombing Fighting Squadron of CVG-153

VF-153/VF-15A/VF-151/VF-192/VA-192/VFA-192: Established 26 March 1945, currently active as VFA-192
VBF-153/VF-16A/VF-152/VF-54/VA-54: Established 26 March 1945, disestablished 1 April 1958

Post-WWII: Squadrons established 1946 through 1949

There were 18 squadrons established during this time period which carried the VF designation for some period during their existence. Three of these squadrons are still active today
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations below are not a part of the designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
In March of 1946 a Light Carrier Air Group was established and designated CVLG-58 along with a new Fighting squadron. It was designated under the WWII 1 March 1942 designation scheme as it was established before 15 November 1946.

VF-58/VF-1L: Established 15 March 1946, disestablished 20 November 1948

In April 1947 a new Escort Carrier Air Group was established and designated CVEG-3 and it's Fighting squadron was established as VF-3E in accordance with the designation scheme which had been implemented five months earlier on 15 November 1946.

VF-3E/VF-82: Established 21 April 1947, disestablished 29 November 1949

The squadrons below were established under the 1 September 1948 designation scheme. Squadrons began to be redesignated starting a few months in advance of the effective date and 14 new VF squadrons were established between July and September 1948 to increase the number of VF/VA squadrons from four per Carrier Air Group to five VF/VA per air group. Initially each CVG consisted of three VF squadrons and two VA squadrons with the VF squadrons designated VF-__1, VF-__2, and VF-__3 and the VA squadrons VA-__4 and VA-__5. Later, in 1949, the VA-__4 squadrons were redesignated to VF-__4 leaving each air group with four VF squadrons and a single VA squadron.
The eight squadrons in the table below were all established between July and October 1948 utilizing the 1 September 1948 Designation Scheme as the third fighter squadron of each Carrier Air Group. None of them were subsequently redesignated existing under only a single designation.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
*VF-13		Night Cappers	F4U, F8F, F9F, F4D, F3H/F-3, F-8	VF-13: 2 Aug 1948 – 1 Oct 1969	3rd Fighter Squadronof CVG-1	1 October 1969
*VF-33		Tarsiers, Astronauts, Tarsiers, Starfighters	F4U, F9F-6, FJ-3, F11F, F8U/F-8, F-4 Phantom II\|F-4], F-14 Tomcat\|F-14]	VF-33: 12 Oct 1948 – 1 Oct 1993	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-3	1 October 1993
*VF-43		Blue Pawns	F4U	VF-43: 1 Oct 1948-8 Jun 1950	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-4	8 June 1950
*VF-73		Jesters	F6F, F8F, F4U, F9F-5, F9F-6, F2H, FJ-3	VF-73: 27 Jul 1948 – 1 Mar 1958	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-7	1 March 1958
*VF-83				VF-83: 15 Sep 1948-1949 or 50	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	Late 1949 or early 1950
*VF-93			F4U	VF-93: 12 Aug 1948 – 30 Nov 1949	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-9	30 November 1949
*VF-133			F8F	VF-133: 2 Aug 1948-1949 or 1950	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-13	Late 1949 or early 1950
*VF-173		Jesters	F8F, F4U, F9F-6, FJ-3	VF-173: 11 Aug 1948 – 1 Feb 1959	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-17	1 February 1959

The six squadrons below were also established and designated under the 1 September 1948 Designation Scheme as the third fighter squadron of their Carrier Air Groups but all were subsequently redesignated and each existed under multiple designations.

VF23/VF-151/VFA-151: Established 6 August 1948, still active as VFA-115

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-23		Flashers	F6F, F4U, F9F, F2H, F4D, F3H	VF-23: 6 Aug 1948 – 23 Feb 1959	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-2	-
VF-151		Vigilantes	F3H/F-3, F-4	VF-151: 23 Feb 1959 – 1 Jun 1986	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-15	-
VFA-151		Vigilantes	F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18E	VFA-151: 1 Jun 1986–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-4 with the F/A-18C	VFA-151

VF-53/VF-124: Established 16 August 1948, disestablished 30 September 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-53		Gunfighters	F4U, F9F	VF-53: 16 Aug 1948 – 11 Apr 1958	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-5	-
VF-124		Gunfighters	F7U, F9F-8T/TF-9, TV-2/T-33, F8U/F-8, F-14	VF-124: 11 Apr 1958 – 30 Sep 1994	4th FRS of RCVG-12	30 September 1994

VF-63/VA-63/VA-22/VFA-22: Established 28 July 1948, still active as VFA-22

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-63		Fighting Redcocks	F8F, F4U, F9F Panther, F9F Cougar	VF-63: 28 Jul 1948-Mar 1956	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-6	-
VA-63		F9F-8, FJ-4	VA-63: Mar 1956-1 Jul 1959	Converted to an Attack Squadron	-	-
VA-22		FJ-4, A4D/A-4, A-7 Corsair II\|A-7]	VA-22: 1 Jul 1959-4 May 1990	2nd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-2	-	-
VFA-22		F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18F	VFA-22: 4 May 1990 – present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18C	VFA-22	-

VF-113/VA-113/VFA-113: Established 15 July 1948, still active as VFA-113

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-113		Stingers	F8F, F4U, F9F Panther, F9F Cougar	VF-113: 15 Jul 1948-Mar 1956	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-11	-
VA-113		Stingers	F9F-8, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-113: Mar 1956-25 Mar 1983	Converted to a CVG-11 Attack squadron	-
VFA-113		Stingers	F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18E	VFA-113: 25 Mar 1983–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18C	VFA-113

VF-153/VF-194/VA-196: Established 15 July 1948, disestablished 21 March 1997

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-153		Thundercats	F8F	VF-153: 15 Jul 1948 – 15 Feb 1950	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-15	-
VF-194		Yellow Devils	F8F, F4U, AD	VF-194: 15 Feb 1950 – 4 May 1955	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-19	-
VA-196		Main Battery, Milestones	AD/A-1, A-6, KA-6	VA-196: 4 May 1955-21 Mar 1997	Converted to a CVG-19 Attack Squadron	21 March 1997

VF-193/VF-142: Established 24 August 1948, disestablished 30 April 1995

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-193		Ghostriders	F4U, F2H, F3H/F-3, F-4	VF-193: 24 Aug 1948 – 15 Oct 1963	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-19	-
VF-142		Ghostriders	F-4, F-14	VF-142: 15 Oct 1963 – 30 Apr 1995	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-14	30 April 1995

The two squadrons below were established and designated under the 1 September 1948 Designation Scheme for a new CVG-21 established on 15 September 1948. However CVG-21 was not fully formed and it existed for only 6 months before it was disestablished on 15 March 1949 with its squadrons being disestablished soon thereafter

VF-211: Established 15 September 1948, disestablished in 1949

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-211				VF-211: 15 Sep 1948-1949	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	1949

VF-212: Established 15 September 1948, disestablished in 1949 or 1950

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-212				VF-212: 15 Sep 1948-1949 or 1950	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	Late 1949 or early 1950

1950s: Squadrons established or activated 1950 through 1959

There were 23 squadrons established plus 16 U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons activated during this time period which carried the VF designation for some period during their existence. Eleven of these squadrons are still active today
The 16 U.S. Navy Reserve squadrons which are listed below were all activated using their existing USNR squadron designations and all were subsequently redesignated under the 1 September 1948 designation scheme when they were later permanently activated. All regular navy squadrons established during this time period were designated under the 1 September 1948 designation scheme.
Note: The parenthetical,, etc... appended to some designations below are not a part of the designation system. They are added to indicate that the designation was used more than once during the history of U.S. Naval Aviation and which use of the designation is indicated. Absence indicates that the designation was used only once.
On 20 July 1950 eight U.S. Navy Reserve fighter squadrons were activated for service in the Korean War. Navy Reserve squadrons were designated with three digit numbers in the 600, 700, 800 and 900 series. Two Carrier Air Groups, CVG-101 and CVG-102 were established on 1 August 1959 to receive them. On 4 February 1953 all eight squadrons were permanently activated and redesignated in accordance with their carrier air group assignments.

VF-781/VF-121: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 30 September 1980

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-781		Pacemakers	F4U F9F Panther	VF-781: 1950-4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-102	-
VF-121		Pacemakers	F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, F3H, FJ-3, F11F, F4H/F-4	VF-121: 4 Feb 1953 – 30 Sep 1980	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-12	30 September 1980

VF-783/VF-122: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 10 April 1958

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-783		Minute Men	F4U, F9F-5	VF-783: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-102	-
VF-122		Black Angels	F9F-5, F9F-8, F3H	VF-122: 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-12	10 April 1958

VF-871/VF-123/VF-53VF-143/VFA-143: Activated 20 July 1950, still active as VFA-143

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-871			F4U	VF-871: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-102	-
VF-123		Blue Racers, Pukin' Dogs	F9F-2	VF-123: 4 Feb 1953 – 12 Apr 1958	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-12	-
VF-53		Pukin' Dogs	F3H	VF-53: 12 Apr 1958 – 20 Jun 1962	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-5	-
VF-143		F4H/F-4, F-14	VF-143: 20 Jun 1962-2005	3rd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-14	-	-
VFA-143	F/A-18E	VFA-143: 27 Apr 2006–present	Rededsignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18E	VFA-143	-	-

VF-874/VF-124: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 10 April 1958

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-874			F4U	VF-874: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-102	-
VF-124		Stingarees	F7U	VF-124: 4 Feb 1953 – 10 Apr 1958	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-12	10 April 1958

VF-721/VF-141/VF-53: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 29 January 1971

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-721		Iron Angels	F9F-2	VF-721: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-101	-
VF-141		Iron Angels	F9F-2, F2H, F4D, F3H, F8U/F-8	VF-141: 4 Feb 1953 – 15 Oct 1963	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-14	-
VF-53		Iron Angels	F-8	VF-53: 15 Oct 1963 – 29 Jan 1971	3rd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-5	29 January 1971

VF-791/VF-142/VF-96: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 1 December 1975

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-791		Fighting Falcons	F4U F9F-6	VF-791: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-101	-
VF-142		Fighting Falcons	F4U, F9F-6, F8U	VF-142: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jun 1962	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-14	-
VF-96		Fighting Falcons	F8U/F-8, F-4	VF-96: 1 Jun 1962 – 1 Dec 1975	6th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-9	1 December 1975

VF-821/VF-143: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 1 April 1958

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-821			F4U, F9F-6	VF-821: 20 Jul 1950 – 5 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-101	-
VF-143		Kingpins	F9F-6, FJ-3	VF-143: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Apr 1958	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-14	1 April 1958

VF-884/VF-144/VA-52: Activated 20 July 1950, disestablished 31 March 1995

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-884		Bitter Birds	F4U	VF-884: 20 Jul 1950 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-101	-
VF-144			F4U, F9F Panther, F9F Cougar, AD	VF-144: 4 Feb 1953 – 23 Feb 1959	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-14	-
VA-52		Knightriders	AD/A-1, A-6, KA-6	VA-52: 23 Feb 1959-31 Mar 1995	2nd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-5	31 March 1995

On 1 September 1950 CVG-4 was established and four fighter squadrons designated VF-41, VF-42, VF-43 and VF-44 were established for it.

VF-41/VFA-41: Established 1 September 1950, still active as VFA-41

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-41		Black Aces	F2H, F3H, F4H/F-4, F-14	VF-41: on 1 Sep 1950-Dec 2001	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-4	-
VFA-41	F/A-18F	VFA-41: 1 Dec 2001–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-41	-	-

VF-42/VA-42: Established 1 September 1950, disestablished 30 September 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-42		Green Pawns	F4U, AD	VF-42: 1 Sep 1950 – 1 Nov 1953	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-4	-
VA-42		Green Pawns, Thunderbolts	AD, T-28, TC-4C, A-6, KA-6	VA-42: 1 Nov 1953-30 Sep 1994	Converted to an Attack Squadron	30 September 1994

VF-43/VF-11/VFA-11 : Established 1 September 1950, still active as VFA-11

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-43		Rebel's Raiders	F4U, F9F Cougar, F2H	VF-43: 1 Sep 1950 – 16 Feb 1959	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-4	-
VF-11		Red Rippers	F8U/F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-11: 16 Feb 1959 – 5 Nov 2005	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-1	-
VFA-11	F/A-18F	VFA-11: 18 Oct 2005–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-11	-	-

VF-44/VA-44: Established 1 September 1950, disestablished 1 May 1970

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-44			F4U, F2H	VF-44: 1 Sep 1950 – 1 Jan 1956	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-4	-
VA-44		Hornets	F2H, F9F-8 F9F-8T/TF-9, TV-2, T-28, A4D/A-4, TA-4, AD/A-1	VA-44: 1 Jan 1956-1 May 1970	Converted to an Attack Squadron	1 May 1970

On 1 February 1951 eight more U.S. Navy Reserve fighter squadrons were activated for service in the Korean War. Navy Reserve squadrons were designated with three digit numbers in the 600, 700, 800 and 900 series. Two Carrier Air Groups, CVG-8 and CVG-15 were established on 9 April and 5 April 1951 to receive them. On 4 February 1953 all eight squadrons were permanently activated and redesignated in accordance with their carrier air group assignments.

VF-671/VF-81/VA-66: Activated 1 February 1951, disestablished 1 October 1986

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-671		Waldomen	F4U, F8F, F9F-5	VF-671: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-8	-
VF-81		F9F-5, F7U	VF-81: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-81	-	-
VA-66		F7U, F9F-8, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-66: 1 Jul 1955-1 Oct 1986	6th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-6	1 October 1986	-

VF-742/VF-82: Activated 1 February 1951, disestablished 15 April 1959

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-742		Iron Men	F4U, F9F-5	VF-742: 2 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953)	Assigned to CVG-8	-
VF-82		F2H, F3H	VF-82: 4 Feb 1953 – 15 April 1959	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	15 April 1959	-

VF-916/VF-83/VA-83/VFA-83: Activated 1 February 1951, still active as VFA-83

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-916		Roaring Bulls	F4U, F8F, F9F-5	VF-916: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-8	-
VF-83	F9F-5, F7U	VF-83: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	-	-	-
VA-83	,	Roaring Bulls, Rampagers	F7U, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-83: 1 Jul 1955-3 Mar 1988	3rd Fighter or Attack squadron of CVG-8	-
VFA-83		Rampagers	F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18E	VFA-83: 1 Mar 1988–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18A	VFA-83

VF-921/VF-84/VA-86/VFA-86: Activated 1 February 1951, still active as VFA-83

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-921			F4U	VF-921: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-8	-
VF-84		Sidewinders	F4U, F8F, F9F-5	VF-84: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Jul 1955	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	-
VA-86		F7U, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-86: 1 Jul 1955-15 Jul 1987	Converted to an Attack Squadron	-	-
VFA-86		F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18E, F-35C	VFA-86: 15 Jul 1987–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Squadron with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18A	VFA-86	-

VF-653/VF-151/VA-151/VA-23: Activated 1 February 1951, disestablished 1 April 1970

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-653		Warrior Dragon	F4U, F9F Panther	VF-653: Dec 1949-4 Feb 1953	Assigned to Air Task Group ONE (ATG-1)	-
VF-151		Black Knights	F9F-5, F7U	VF-151: 4 Feb 1953 – 7 Feb 1956	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-15.	-
VA-151		F7U, F9F-8, FJ-4	VA-151: 7 Feb 1956-23 Feb 1959	Converted to an Attack Squadron	-	-
VA-23		FJ-4, A4D/A-4	VA-23: 23 Feb 1959-1 April 1970	3rd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-2	1 April 1970	-

VF-713/VF-152/VA-152: Activated 1 February 1951, disestablished 29 January 1971

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-713		Vultures	F4U	VF-713: late 1940s-4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-15	-
VF-152		Vultures, Fighting Aces, Friendlies	FG-1, F3H	VF-152: 4 Feb 1953 – 1 Aug 1958	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-15	-
VA-152		Friendlies, Mavericks	F2H, AD/A-1, A-4	VA-152: 1 Aug 1958-29 Jan 1971	Converted to an Attack Squadron of CVG-15	29 January 1971

VF-718/VF-831/VF-153/VA-153: Activated 1 February 1951, disestablished 30 September 1977

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-831		Blue Tail Flies	F9F Panther	VF-718: est date unk-Sep 1949 VF-831: Sep 1949-4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-15	-
VF-153		F9F-5, F9F Cougar, FJ-3	VF-153: 4 Feb 1953 – 17 Dec 1956	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-15	-	-
VA-153		F9F-8, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-153: 17 Dec 1956-30 Sep 1977	3rd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-15	30 September 1977	-

VF-837/VF-154/VFA-154: Activated 1 February 1951, still active as VFA-154

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-837			F9F-2	VF-837: 1 Feb 1951 – 4 Feb 1953	Assigned to CVG-15	-
VF-154		Black Knights	F9F Panther, FJ-3, F8U/F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-154: 4 Feb 1953-Oct 2003	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-15	-
VFA-154		F/A-18F	VFA-154: 1 Oct 2003–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-154	-

On 26 March 1952 CVG-9 was established and four fighter squadrons designated VF-91, VF-92, VF-93 and VF-94 were established for it.

VF-91/VF-194: Established 26 March 1952, disestablished 1 March 1978

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-91		Red Lightnings	F9F-2, F9F-6, FJ-3, F8U/F-8	VF-91: 26 Mar 1952 – 1 Aug 1963	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-9	-
VF-194		F-8, F-4	VF-194: 1 Aug 1963 – 1 Mar 1978	4th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-19	1 March 1978	-

VF-92/VF-54/VF-92: Established 26 March 1952, disestablished 12 December 1975

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-92		Silver Kings	F4U, F9F-2, F2H, F3H	VF-92: 23 Mar 1952 – 1 Jun 1962	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-9	-
VF-54		F3H/F-3, F-4	VF-54: 1 Jun 1962 – 15 Oct 1963	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-5	-	-
VF-92		F-4	VF-92: 1 Oct 1963 – 12 Dec 1975	2nd Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-9	12 December 1975	-

VF-93/VA-93: Established 26 March 1952, disestablished 30 August 1986

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-93		Blue Blazers	FG-1, F9F-2/5, F9F-8	VF-93: 26 Mar 1952 – 15 Sep 1956	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-9	-
VA-93		Blue Blazers, Ravens	A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-93: 15 Sep 1956-30 Aug 1986	Converted to a CVG-9 Attack Squadron	30 August 1986

VF-94/VA-94/VFA-94: Established 26 March 1952, still active as VFA-94

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-94		Tough Kitties	F4U, F9F Panther, FJ-3, F9F Cougar	VF-94: 26 Mar 1952 – 1 Aug 1958	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-9	-
VA-94		Shrikes or Mighty Shrikes	FJ-4, A4D/A-4, A-7	VA-94: 1 Aug 1958-28 Jun 1990	Converted to a CVG-9 Attack Squadron	-
VFA-94		Mighty Shrikes	F/A-18C, F/A-18E	VFA-94: 24 Jan 1991–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Squadron with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18C	VFA-94

On 1 May 1952 CVG-10 was established and four fighter squadrons designated VF-101, VF-102, VF-103 and VF-104 were established for it.

VF-101/VFA-101: Established 1 May 1952, deactivated 1 July 2019

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Deactivated
VF-101		Grim Reapers	FG-1, F2H, F4D, F3H/F-3, F4H/F-4, F-14	VF-101: 1 May 1952 – 30 Sep 2005	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-10	-
VFA-101		F-35C	VFA-101: 1 May 2012 – 1 July 2019	F-35C FRS	1 July 2019	-

VF-102/VA-36: Established 1 May 1952, deactivated 1 August 1970

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-102			FG-1, F9F-5	VF-102: 1 May 1952 – 1 Jul 1955	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-10	-
VA-36		Roadrunners	F9F-5, F9F-8, A4D/A-4	VF-36: 1 Jul 1955-1 Aug 1970	6th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-3	1 August 1970

VF-103/VFA-103 : Established 1 May 1952, still active as VFA-103

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-103		Sluggers, Flying Cougars, Sluggers, Jolly Rogers	FG-1, F9F Cougar, F8U/F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-103: 1 May 1952-Feb 2005	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-10	-
VFA-103		Jolly Rogers	F/A-18F	VFA-103: 27 Apr 2006–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-103

VF-104/VA-104: Established 1 May 1952, disestablished 31 March 1959

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-104		Hell's Archers	F4U	VF-104: 1 May 1952-4 Dec 1953	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-10	-
VA-104	AD	VA-104: 4 Dec 1953-31 Mar 1959	Converted to an Attack Squadron of CVG-10	31 March 1959	-	-

On 1 July 1955 CVG-21 was established and four fighter squadrons designated VF-211, VF-212, VF-213 and VF-214 were established for it.

VF-211/VF-24: Established June 1955, disestablished 31 August 1996

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-211		Checkmates	FJ-3, F8U	VF-211: Jun 1955-9 Mar 1959	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	-
VF-24		Red Checkertails, Fighting Renegades	F8U/F-8, F-14	VF-24: 9 Mar 1959 – 31 Aug 1996	4th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-2	31 August 1996

VF-212/VA-212: Established 20 June 1955, disestablished 12 December 1975

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-212			F7U	VF-212: 20 Jun 1955 – 1 Apr 1956	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	-
VA-212		Rampant Raiders	F7U, F9F-8, FJ-4, A4D/A-4	VA-212: 1 Apr 1956-12 Dec 1975	Converted to an Attack Squadron of CVG-21	12 December 1975

VF-213/VFA-213: Established 22 June 1955, still active as VFA-213

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-213		Black Lions	F2H, F4D, F3H/F-3, F-4, F-14	VF-213: 22 Jun 1955 – 2 Apr 2006	3rd Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	-
VFA-213		F/A-18F	VFA-213: 1 Aug 2006–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-213	-

VF-214/VA-214: Established 30 March 1955, disestablished 1 August 1958

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-214		Volunteers	FJ-2, F9F-8	VF-214: 30 Mar 1955 – 11 Oct 1956	Fourth Fighter Squadron of CVG-21	-
VA-214		F9F-8, FJ-4	VA-214: 11 Oct 1956-1 Aug 1958	Converted to an Attack Squadron	1 August 1958	-

From mid 1948 until mid 1955 the typical CVG included five total VF/VA squadrons. By 1950 those five squadrons were usually four VF squadrons and one VA squadron. In 1955 and 1956, 17 new squadrons were established to increase the CVG from five total VF/VA squadrons to six total VF/VA squadrons with each air group usually consisting of four VF and two VA squadrons. Usually the VF squadrons were designated with the lower numbers of 1 through 4 while the VA squadrons carried the higher numbers of 5 and 6, but that was not always the case, especially later in the decade. Seven of the 17 new squadrons carried a VF designation at some point in their existence.

VF-194: Established 18 May 1955, disestablished 10 April 1958

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-194		Yellow Devils	F2H	VF-194: 18 May 1955 – 10 Apr 1958	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-19	10 April 1958

VA-36/VF-102/VFA-102: Established 1 July 1955, still exists as VFA-102

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VA-36				VA-36: 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955	Established and immediately redesignated VF-102	-
VF-102		Diamondbacks	F2H, F4D, F4H/F-4, F-14	VF-102: 1 Jul 1955-Jan 2002	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-10	-
VFA-102		F/A-18F	VFA-102: 1 May 2002 – present	Redeisgnated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-102	-

VA-66/VF-81/VA-81/VFA-81: Established 1 July 1955, still exists as VFA-81

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VA-66				VA-66: 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955	Established and immediately redesignated VF-81	-
VF-81		Crusaders	F9F-8	VF-81: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Jul 1959	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	-
VA-81		Crusaders, Sunliners	A4D/A-4 A-7	VA-81: 1 Jul 1959-4 Feb 1988	Converted to an Attack squadron of CVG-8	-
VFA-81		Sunliners	F/A-18A, F/A-18C, F/A-18E	VFA-81: 4 Feb 1988–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the A-7 with the F/A-18A	VFA-81

VA-86/VF-84 : Established 1 July 1955, disestablished 1 Oct 1995

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VA-86				VA-86: 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955	Established and immediately redesignated VF-84	-
VF-84		Vagabonds, Jolly Rogers	FJ-3, F8U/F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-84: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1995	4th Fighter Squadron of CVG-8	1 October 1995

VA-106/VF-62: Established 1 July 1955, disestablished 1 Oct 1969

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VA-106				VA-106: 1 Jul 1955-1 Jul 1955	Established and immediately redesignated VF-62	-
VF-62		Boomerangs	FJ-3M, F8U/F-8	VF-62: 1 Jul 1955 – 1 Oct 1969	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-6	1 October 1969

VA-126/VF-126: Established 6 April 1956, disestablished 1 April 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VA-126			F-1, T-2, A4D/A-4, TA-4	VA-126: 6 Apr 1956-15 Oct 1965	6th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-12	-
VF-126		Fighting Seahawks, Bandits	A-4, F-5, F-16N	VF-126: 15 Oct 1965 – 1 Apr 1994	Aggressor Sqauadron	1 April 1994

VA-156/VF-111/VF-26/VF-111: Established 4 June 1956, disestablished 31 March 1995

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VA-156		Iron Tigers	F11F	VA-156: 4 Jun 1956-20 Jan 1959	Designated as the 6th Fighter or Attack squadron of CVG-15	-
VF-111		Sundowners	F11F, F8U/F-8	VF-111: 20 Jan 1959 – 1 Sep 1964	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-11	-
VF-26	F-8	VF-26: 1 Sep 1964 – 17 Sep 1964	6th Fighter or Attack Squadron of CVG-2	-	-	-
VF-111	F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-111: 17 Sep 1964 – 31 Mar 1995	Designated as the 1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-11	31 March 1995	-	-

1960 to present: Squadrons established 1960 and later

There were 14 squadrons established during this time period which carried the VF designation for some period during their existence. One of these squadrons is still active today
Squadrons continued to be established under the rules of the 1 September 1948 designation scheme until 1963 when the last squadron to be designated under that scheme was established.
In September 1960 two new fighter squadrons were established for the newly established CVG-16. By this time the typical CVG included two Fighter squadrons and three Attack squadrons.

VF-161/VFA-161: Established 1 September 1960, disestablished 1 April 1988.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-161		Chargers	F3H/F-3, F-4	VF-161: 1 Sep 1960 – 1 Jun 1986	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-16	-
VFA-161		F/A-18A	VFA-161: 1 Jun 1986-1 Apr 1988	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-4 with the F/A-18A	1 April 1988	-

VF-162: Established 1 September 1960, disestablished 29 January 1971

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-162		Hunters	F4D/F-6, F-8	VF-162: 1 Sep 1960 – 29 Jan 1971	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-16	29 January 1971

In August 1961 two new fighter squadrons were established for the newly established CVG-13. By this time the typical CVG included two Fighter squadrons and three Attack squadrons. The air group and its squadrons were sort-lived being disestablished only a year later.

VF-131: Established 21 August 1961, disestablished 1 October 1962

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-131		Nightcappers	F3H	VF-131: 21 Aug 1961 – 1 Oct 1962	1st Fighter Squadron of CVG-13	1 October 1962

VF-132: Established 31 August 1961, disestablished 1 October 1962

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-132		Swordsmen	F8U/F-8	VF-132: 31 Aug 1961 – 1 Oct 1962	2nd Fighter Squadron of CVG-13	1 October 1962

In 1963 an Attack Fleet Replacement Squadron of Readiness Carrier Air Group 4 was established. In 1985 it was redesignated a Fighter squadron which operated in an aggressor role providing air to air combat training for fleet fighter squadrons.

VA-45/VF-45: Established 15 February 1963, disestablished 31 March 1996

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VA-45		Blackbirds	A-1, A-4	VA-45: 15 Feb 1963-7 Feb 1985	5th FRS of RCVG-4	-
VF-45		TA-4, F5N, F-16N	VF-45: 7 Feb 1985 – 31 Mar 1996	Converted to a Fighter Squadron	31 March 1996	-

The designation scheme of 1 September 1948 which required redesignation when moving from one Carrier Air Group to another began to be abandoned in the late 1950s when squadrons moving between CVGs were redesignated in most cases but not always in every case. In September 1964 the last squadron redesignation due to Carrier Air Wing reassignment occurred and all squadron designations were frozen and no longer determined by Carrier Air Wing assignment from that time on.
Squadrons established after 1963 were designated using designations of historical squadrons which were of significance to the designating authority for one reason or another.

VF-1: Established 14 October 1972, disestablished 30 September 1993. VF-1 and VF-2 were established in 1972 as the first two F-14 operational squadrons.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-1		Wolfpack	F-14	VF-1: 14 Oct 1972 – 30 Sep 1993	One of two squadrons established to be the first to operationally fly the new F-14A Tomcat	30 September 1993

VF-2/VFA-2: Established 14 October 1972, still active as VFA-2.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Current Designation
VF-2		Bounty Hunters	F-14	VF-2: 14 October 1972 – 1 Jul 2003	One of two squadrons established to be the first to operationally fly the new F-14A Tomcat	-
VFA-2	F/A-18F	VFA-2: 21 Jul 2003–present	Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18F	VFA-2	-	-

VF-171: Established 8 August 1977, disestablished 1 June 1994. Established as a F-4 Phantom FRS and commemorated a squadron which had existed from 1944 to 1958 that had been the first to fly the original "Phantom" aircraft, the McDonnell FH Phantom.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-171		Aces	F-4	VF-171: 8 Aug 1977 – 1 Jun 1984	F-4 "Phantom" FRS	1 June 1984

In December 1986 two new fighter squadrons were established for the newly established CVW-10. The air wing and its squadrons were sort-lived being disestablished a little under a year and a half later.

VF-191: Established 1 December 1986, disestablished 30 April 1988. Commemorated the WWII VF-19 "Satans Kittens" which was disestablished in 1978 as the original VF-191.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-191		Satan's Kittens	F-14	VF-191: 1 Dec 1986 – 30 Apr 1988	One of two fighter squadrons of CVW-10(2nd)	30 April 1988

VF-194: Established 1 December 1986, disestablished 30 April 1988. Commemorated the three past squadrons which had been designated VF-194, the first of which had been established in 1948 as VF-153 and the last of which had been disestablished in 1978.

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-194		Red Lightnings	F-14	VF-194: 1 Dec 1986 – 30 Apr 1988	One of two fighter squadrons of CVW-10(2nd)	30 April 1988

Though the designation of squadrons according to Carrier Air Wing assignment ceased in 1964, when the U.S. Navy Reserve established two Reserve Carrier Air Wings in 1970 it used that old system to designate the squadrons it established for its two Carrier Air Wings.
Reserve Carrier Air Wing TWENTY was established in 1970 with two VF squadrons.

VF-201/VFA-201: Established 25 July 1970, deactivated 30 June 2007

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Deactivated
VF-201		Hunters	F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-201: 25 Jul 1970-Jan 1999	USNR squadron. 1st Fighter Squadron of CVWR-20	-
VFA-201		F/A-18A	VFA-201: 1 Jan 1999-30 June 2007	USNR squadron. Redesignated a Strike Fighter Sqdn with replacement of the F-14 with the F/A-18A	30 June 2007	-

VF-202: Established 1 July 1970, disestablished 31 December 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-202		Superheats	F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-202: 1 Jul 1970 – 31 Dec 1994	USNR squadron. 2nd Fighter Squadron of CVWR-20	31 December 1994

Reserve Carrier Air Wing thirty was established in 1970 with two VF squadrons.

VF-301: Established 1 October 1970, disestablished 31 December 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-301		Devil's Disciples	F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-301: 1 Oct 1970 – 31 Dec 1994	USNR squadron. 1st Fighter Squadron of CVWR-30	31 December 1994

VF-302: Established 21 May 1971, disestablished 31 December 1994

Designation	Insignia	Nickname	Aircraft	Lineage	Notes	Disestablished
VF-302		Stallions	F-8, F-4, F-14	VF-302: 21 May 1971 – 31 Dec 1994	USNR squadron. 2nd Fighter Squadron of CVWR-30	31 December 1994