Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) Freelancers was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established in 1944 as VF-81 it was redesignated VF-13A in 1946, redesignated VF-131 in 1948, redesignated VF-64 in 1950 and redesignated VF-21 on 1 July 1959, it was disestablished on 31 January 1996.

VF-21 Freelancers was the third US Navy fighter squadron to be designated VF-21. The first was VGS-11, which was established in 1942, redesignated VF-21 in 1944 and disestablished in 1945. The second VF-21 was established in 1945 as VF-74A and became VF-21 in 1948.

由于VF-24与VF-211“将军”中队同属CVW-9，为避免混淆，美国海军令VF-24改名，于是VF-24更名为 “ Fighting Renegades ” （叛教徒）中队。在此期间，该中队连续第二年获得“Mutha”奖，同时获得“Clifton”奖，“ Battle E”奖（1978年获得），CNO航空安全奖（1980年获得 ...

One of three F9F-6 Cougars of VF-21 that completed the first transcontinental flight in less than four hours pictured at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio - 1954 (NNAM) F9F-2 Panther (VF-21 / CVG-6) embarked on USS Midway (CVB 41) - 1952

The squadron today known as VF-21 was first established in 1944 as VF-81, acquiring it's present designation in 1959, thus becoming the second US Navy squadron to be designated VF-21. The first Tomcats arrived in November 1983, replacing F …

VF-21 compiled a most impressive combat record by making six further visits to the war zone aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Ranger (CV-61) between 1966 and 1973.

VF-21 在 1983 年 11 月开始接受 F-14A, 代替 F-4N 幽灵, 换装于 1984 年 3 月完成。 VF-21 随即被派到星座号 (CV-64 Constellation) 上的第 14 航空团 (CVW-14), 在 1990 年被调到独立号 (CV-62 Independence)。 在 1990 年 8 月, 独立号 (CV-62 Independence) 是海湾战争前夕第一艘到达波斯湾的航母。 但是,VF-21 最终并没有参予海湾战争, 只为美国在 - 该区集结军力提供掩护, 以及防止萨达姆进攻沙地阿拉伯。

On May 16, 1943 redesignated Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) nicknamed "Freelancers". During 1943 part of Carrier Air Group 21 (CAG-21) that operated F4F-4 Wildcats land based from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

Jan 25, 2025 · In March 1965, fighter squadron VF-21 deployed to Southeast Asia under the command of CDR Bill Franke aboard the USS Midway. The carrier strikeforce was directed to spearhead "Operation Rolling Thunder" with sustained combat operations against the communist insurgency led by North Vietnam.

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