| Fighter Squadron 143 | |
|---|---|
![]() VF-143 squadron insignia  | |
| Active | 20 July 1950 – 1 April 1958 | 
| Country | United States | 
| Branch | |
| Role | Fighter aircraft | 
| Part of | Inactive | 
| Nickname(s) | Kingpins | 
| Engagements | Korean War | 
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F4U-4 Corsair F9F-6 Cougar FJ-3M Fury  | 
Fighter Squadron 143 or VF-143 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy originally established as a Naval Reserve squadron VF-821 on 20 July 1950 it was redesignated VF-143 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 1 April 1958.[1]
Operational history
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VF-821 equipped with F4U-4 Corsairs was deployed on USS Princeton to the waters off Korea from 30 May-12 September 1951.[2] The squadron lost 4 F4Us and 3 pilots killed during this deployment.[3]
In June 1952 VF-821 now re-equipped with F9F-6 Cougars was again deployed to Korea on USS Essex under the command of Damon W. Cooper. The deployment ended on 6 February 1953 without the squadron losing any aircraft.[4]
VF-143 was embarked on the USS Philippine Sea in 1955.
VF-143 was embarked on the USS Hancock for a western Pacific deployment from 6 April to 18 September 1957.
VF-143 was reactivated in June, 1962 at N.A.S. Miramar, and embarked aboard the USS Constellation, CVA-64 later that year. *Their squadron insignia changed to the 'Griffin' and they were called the 'Pukin Dogs'.
Home port assignments
Aircraft assignment
- F4U-4 Corsair
 - F9F-6 Cougar
 - FJ-3M Fury
 - F4-B Phantom II
 - F-14A Tomcat
 
See also
References
- ↑ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
 - ↑ "Ships & Other Units Eligible for the Korean Service Medal". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
 - ↑ Campbell, Douglas (2013). U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and MATS Aircraft Lost During the Korean War. p. 155. ISBN 9781304610737.
 - ↑ Thompson, Warren (2014). F9F Panther Units of the Korean War. Osprey Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9781782003526.
 
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