VF-143

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title: "VF-143" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["strike-fighter-squadrons-of-the-united-states-navy"] topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VF-143" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox military unit"]

FieldValue
unit_nameFighter Squadron 143
imageFighter Squadron 143 (United States Navy) insignia c1957.png
image_size150
captionVF-143 squadron insignia
dates20 July 1950 – 1 April 1958
countryUnited States
branch[[Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg
roleFighter aircraft
command_structureInactive
nicknameKingpins
battlesKorean War
aircraft_fighterF4U-4 Corsair
F9F-6 Cougar
FJ-3M Fury
::

|unit_name= Fighter Squadron 143 | image= Fighter Squadron 143 (United States Navy) insignia c1957.png | image_size = 150 |caption=VF-143 squadron insignia |dates= 20 July 1950 – 1 April 1958 |country= United States |allegiance= |branch= [[Image:United States Department of the Navy Seal.svg |type= |role= Fighter aircraft |size= |command_structure= Inactive |current_commander= |garrison= |ceremonial_chief= |colonel_of_the_regiment= |nickname= Kingpins |patron= |motto= |colors= |march= |mascot= |battles=Korean War |aircraft_fighter= F4U-4 Corsair F9F-6 Cougar FJ-3M Fury |anniversaries= Fighter Squadron 143 or VF-143, also known as the World Famous Pukin' Dogs, 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. 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.

Operational history

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d2/F9F-6_of_VF-143_landing_on_USS_Kearsarge_(CVA-33)_1953.jpg" caption="6}} in 1953"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/FJ-3M_of_VF-143_landing_on_USS_Hancock_(CVA-19)_1957.jpg" caption="6}} in 1957"] ::

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

In June 1952 VF-821 now re-equipped with F9F-6 Cougars was again deployed to Korea on under the command of Damon W. Cooper. The deployment ended on 6 February 1953 without the squadron losing any aircraft.

VF-143 was embarked on the in 1955.

VF-143 was embarked on the 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 later that year. The squadron insignia changed to the 'Griffin' and they were called the 'Pukin Dogs'.

Home port assignments

Aircraft assignment

References

References

  1. Pedersen, Dan. (2019). "Top Gun: An American Story". Hachette Books.
  2. {{cite vf lineage
  3. Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic. (4 March 2024). "VFA-143".
  4. "Ships & Other Units Eligible for the Korean Service Medal". Naval History and Heritage Command.
  5. Campbell, Douglas. (2013). "U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and MATS Aircraft Lost During the Korean War". Lulu Enterprises Incorporated.
  6. Thompson, Warren. (2014). "F9F Panther Units of the Korean War". Osprey Publishing.

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