VF-143
# VF-143

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.

## 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. 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 USS Essex 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 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'.

## Aircraft assignment

* F4U-4 Corsair
* F9F-6 Cougar
* FJ-3M Fury
* F4-B Phantom II
* F-14A Tomcat
