VF-143

Fighter Squadron 143 or VF-143, also known as the World Famous Pukin' Dogs,[1] is 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 deactivated on 1 April 1958.[2]In June 1962, the squadron was reactivated, and currently is flying the F/A-18E as part of Carrier Air Wing 7 at Naval Air Station Oceana.[3]

Fighter Squadron 143
VF-143 squadron insignia
Active20 July 1950 – 1 April 1958
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Navy
RoleFighter aircraft
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Kingpins
EngagementsKorean War
Aircraft flown
FighterF4U-4 Corsair
F9F-6 Cougar
FJ-3M Fury

Operational history

VF-821 equipped with F4U-4 Corsairs was deployed on USS Princeton to the waters off Korea from 30 May-12 September 1951.[4] The squadron lost 4 F4Us and 3 pilots killed during this deployment.[5]

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.[6]

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 Naval Air Station 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

See also

References
  1. Pedersen, Dan (2019). Top Gun: An American Story. New York, NY: Hachette Books. p. 187. ISBN 9780316416269.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  3. Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic (4 March 2024). "VFA-143". VFA-143. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
  4. "Ships & Other Units Eligible for the Korean Service Medal". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  5. Campbell, Douglas (2013). U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and MATS Aircraft Lost During the Korean War. Lulu Enterprises Incorporated. p. 155. ISBN 9781304610737.
  6. Thompson, Warren (2014). F9F Panther Units of the Korean War. Osprey Publishing. p. 53. ISBN 9781782003526.

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