VF-6


Fighting Squadron 6 or VF-6 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Combat Squadron 4 on 23 September 1921, it was redesignated VF-2 on 1 July 1922, redesignated VF-2B on 19 March 1923, redesignated VF-6B on 1 January 1927, redesignated VF-6 on 1 July 1927, redesignated VB-2B on 1 July 1928, redesignated VF-6B on 1 July 1930, redesignated VF-3 on 1 July 1937, redesignated VF-6 on 15 July 1943 and disestablished on 29 October 1945.

Operational history

1920s

Combat Squadron Four was established on 23 September 1921, at Naval Air Station San Diego, California. VF-2 equipped with the Vought VE-7 biplane operated from, the US Navy's first aircraft carrier. Between 1922 and 1925, VF-2/VF-2B experimented with carrier operations from the Langley off the coast of California. Air activity was initially limited to scouting, but the Commander-in-Chief, US Fleet saw the potential of naval aviation and recommended that and be completed as soon as possible.
In 1926, VF-2B flying Curtiss F6C Hawks was the 1st squadron to demonstrate the concept of dive-bombing, carrying out mock attacks on Pacific Fleet ships. Commanders of the surface ships, expecting standard, low-altitude, level bombing, were surprised when the VF-2B aircraft attacked unseen from 12,000 feet, making simulated drops before the ship's defenses could be manned.
In 1927, VF-6 flew FU-1s and was tasked to provide one aircraft to each fleet battleship, with the remaining planes shore-based at NAS North Island. The squadron's FU-1s were launched from ship catapults, landed as seaplanes and then hoisted back aboard by crane.
In 1928, the squadron transferred to Langley and was redesignated VF-2B. Over the course of the next 15 years, the squadron was variously called VF-6B, VF-3, and VF-6 based on their ship assignment

1930s

VF-6B made two Langley deployments in 1930 and 1931 flying Boeing F2Bs. They later transitioned to Boeing F3B high altitude fighters. In December 1937, the squadron began a transition to the F3F-2. In 1939 the squadron operated at least two F3F-3s Grumman F3F alongside their F3F-2s. .

World War II

VF-3 served aboard,, and until the Battle of Midway. The commanding officer of the squadron during 1942 was then - Lieutenant Commander John Thach. VF-3 and VF-6 swapped designations on 15 July 1943, resulting in a three-year controversy as to which squadron owned the Felix the Cat name and emblem until VF-3 was re-designated VF-3A on 15 November 1946 and awarded the official approval to adopt Felix the Cat by the Chief of Naval Operations.

Notable former members