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US Navy - Fighter Squadron 24
(FITRON 24) VF-24 'Corsairs' |
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 an early Sparrow missile on an F3H-2M Demon (VF-24 / CVG-21) embarked on USS Lexington (CVA 16) - 1958  FJ-3 Furys, 1xx modex (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1957  FJ-3 Fury (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Shangri-La (CVA 38) - 1957  F9F-6 Cougar (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Essex (CVA 9) - 1955  F9F-6 Cougars (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Yorktown (CVA 10) - 1954  F9F-6 Cougars (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Yorktown (CVA 10) over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii - 1953  F9F-6 Cougars (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Yorktown (CVA 10) - 1953  F9F-2 Panther (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Boxer (CV 21) - July 1952  excerpt  F9F-2 Panther (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Boxer (CV 21) - June 1952  F9F-2 Panther (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Boxer (CV 21) - May 1952  F9F-2 Panther (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Boxer (CV 21) - 1952  F4U Corsair (VF-24 / CVG-2) embarked on USS Philippine Sea (CV 47) - 1951 |
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On the first day of May 1945, Bombing
Squadron 74 (VB-74) Bomb-a-Toms was born, destined to become the
present day Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) Checkmates. The
Bomb-a-Toms began life at NAAF Otis Field, Camp Edwards,
Massachusetts, with 36 Naval Aviators flying SBW-4E Helldivers. The
squadron soon transferred to East Field, NAS Norfolk, Virginia, and
made their arrested landings on 31 October 1945 aboard the newly
commissioned USS Midway (CV 41). During 1946, VB-74 became Attack Squadron 1B (VA-1B) and transitioned to AD-1 Skyraiders. Less than two years later, the Navy again reorganized, and VA-1B became Attack Squadron 24 (VA-24), flying AD-2 Skyraiders. Skyraider aircraft were soon grounded because of engine problems, requiring a hasty transition to the F4U-4 Corsair a mere six weeks before departing on deployment aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV 43). After this deployment VA-24 moved to NAS Oceana, Virginia, and on 1 December 1949 was redesignated Fighter Squadron 24 (VF-24). Following a move to NAS Alameda, CA, VF-24 made two back-to-back deployments to Korea inflicting heavy damage on enemy emplacements, rail yards, bridges, warehouses, and airfields. Following the second deployment, VF-24 relocated to NALF Santa Rosa, CA, and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther, the squadron’s first jet aircraft. In February 1952, VF-24 deployed aboard the USS Boxer (CV 21) and headed to Korea for their third combat tour. Throughout the 1950s, VF-24 flew a number of aircraft, including the FJ-3 Fury, the F3H-2M Demon, the F-11F Tiger, and finally the F-8 Crusader. On 9 March 1959, VF-24 traded air wings, insignia, and designations with Fighter Squadron 211 (VF-211), the Checkmates. - - - - - another history: Three U.S. Navy squadrons have been designated VF-211. The first was established in 1948 and disestablished in 1949. The second VF-211 was established in 1955 and later redesignated VF-24 in 1959. The third VF-211 was established as VB-74 in 1945, eventually became VFA-211, and is the subject of this article. 1940s: Bombing Squadron Seventy Four (VB-74) was established on 1 May 1945 at NAAF Otis Field, Massachusetts. Their first aircraft was the SBW-4E Helldiver. The squadron soon moved to East Field, NAS Norfolk and deployed on USS Midway on October 31, 1945. In 1946 the squadron was redesignated Attack Squadron 1B (VA-1B) and began transition to the AD-1 Skyraider. Two years later the squadron transitioned to AD-2 Skyraider and was redesignated Attack Squadron Twenty Four (VA-24) on 1 September 1948. Skyraider aircraft were soon grounded due to engine problems and VA-24 transitioned to the F4U Corsair six weeks before deploying with USS Coral Sea. After the deployment the squadron moved to NAS Oceana and on December 1, 1949 the VA-24 was redesignated Fighter Squadron Twenty Four (VF-24). 1950s: VF-24 moved to NAS Alameda and made two back-to-back deployment in support of the Korean War aboard USS Boxer and USS Valley Forge, bombing enemy emplacements, rail yards, bridges, warehouses and airfields. Following their second deployment, VF-24 relocated to NALF Santa Rosa, California, and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther, the squadron's first jet fighter. In February 1952, VF-24 deployed once again with USS Boxer to Korea for their third combat tour, which included a strike on Pyongyang on August 29. Upon their return home, VF-24 moved to NAS Alameda. During the rest of the 1950s, VF-24 flew a number of aircraft, including the FJ Fury, the FJ-3M, the F3H-2M Demon, the F-11F Tiger and the F-8 Crusader at NAS Moffett Field. On 9 March 1959, VF-24 traded air wings, insignia, and designations with the VF-211 Checkmates. Insignia and nickname: The squadron insignia depicts a character known as "Brutus" holding a rocket, from the original logo for VB-74. Eleven stars are arranged in groups of seven and four to mark the squadron's numerical designation, "SEVEN FOUR". The shield recalls the squadron's sixteen-year association with the F-8 Crusader. By tradition, the "Brutus" mascot is painted on an aircraft whenever the Fighting Checkmates spend Christmas away from home. The squadron's radio call sign is "Nikel." source: wikipedia |
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