VF-121

Fighter Squadron 121
VF-121 squadron insignia
Active	1 July 1946 – 30 September 1980
Country	United States
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Replacement Air Group
Role	Fighter
Part of	Inactive
Nickname(s)	Pacemakers
Engagements	Korean War
Aircraft flown
Fighter	Grumman F9F-2/5 Panther North American FJ-2/-3 Fury Grumman F9F-6/8 Cougar McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee Grumman F11F-1 Tiger Douglas F3D-2T2 Skynight McDonnell F3H Demon McDonnell Douglas F-4B/J/N/S Phantom

VF-121 (Fighter Squadron 121) of the US Navy was a former Pacific Fleet Replacement Air Group (RAG) unit that, by the time of its disestablishment (30 September 1980). Originally established as VF-781, a reserve squadron on 2 August 1950, it was redesignated as VF-121 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 30 September 1980. On 11 April 1958 changed duty from Fleet Squadron to the Fleet Replacement Squadron and was later was charged with the training of Navy F-4 Phantom flight and maintenance crews.

On July 1, 1946, VF-781, The Pacemakers were stationed at Naval Air Station Los Alamitos, CA. On 20 July 1950, VF-781 was based at NAS North Island. In January 1951 the squadron moved to NAS Miramar.

VF-781 served on board USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) with Air Group 102 (CVG-102) flying F9F-2B Panthers from May 10, 1951 to December 17, 1951. VF-781's next cruise was on board USS Hancock (CV-19) flying with Air Group 102(CVG-102). The Pacemakers flew F9F-5's in Korea from September 15, 1952 to May 18, 1953. The first F9F-5s entered combat in October 1952 with VF-781 and VF-783 from USS Hancock. In November 18, 1952, VF-781 scored its first MiG-15 kills by Elmer Royce Williams, John Middleton and Rowlans by 20mm guns in the F9F-5's.

VF-781 was re-designated VF-121 on February 4, 1953. VF-781 originally flew F4U Corsairs then transition to F9F-2/-5 Panthers. After re-designation to VF-121, the squadron transitioned to F9F-6 Cougars with commanding officer Jimmie E Savage for their 1954 deployment on the USS Boxer. They made two more cruises to the Western Pacific and Korea on the USS USS Hancock from 10 Aug 1955 to 15 Mar 1956 with CVG-12 flying F9F-8, with the tail code of 'D' then converted to FJ-3 Fury's. The last cruise was on board USS Lexington from April 19, 1957 to October 17, 1957.