VF-142
| Fighter Squadron 142 | |
|---|---|
VF-142 insignia
|
|
| Active | 24 August 1948 - 30 April 1995 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | USN |
| Type | Fighter |
| Nickname(s) | Ghostriders |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter |
F4U-4 Corsair F2H-3 Banshee F3H-2/-2N Demon F-4B/J Phantom II F-14A Tomcat |
VF-142 Ghostriders was a US Navy fighter squadron established on 24 August 1948 as VF-193, it was redesignated VF-142 on 15 October 1963, and disestablished on 30 April 1995.
Fighter Squadron 193 (VF-193) was commissioned on 24 August 1948 and assigned to Carrier Air Group Nineteen. The squadron was equipped with the Vought F4U-4 Corsair. It made two deployments to Korea during the Korean War between 1950 and 1952 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37). In 1953 the squadron transitioned to the McDonnell F2H-3 Banshee. CVG-19 then made two deployments to the Western Pacific aboard the USS Oriskany (CVA-34)Alan B. Shepard Jr, later of NASA was the executive officer. in 1953-54 and 1955 and one on the USS Yorktown (CV-10) in 1957.
In 1958 the squadron then transitioned to the supersonic McDonnell F3H-2 Demon fighter. VF-193 then made four tours with CVG-19 aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31), also to the Western Pacific.
In 1963, VF-193 transitioned to the McDonnell F-4B Phantom II. On 15 October 1963 the squadron was re-designated VF-142. From 1953 to 1962 there had been another fighter squadron VF-142. This squadron had been established as United States Naval Reserve squadron VF-791 Fighting Falcons and was redesignated VF-142 after becoming a regular squadron on 4 February 1953. It was again re-designated VF-96 on 1 June 1962.
Between May 1964 and May 1968, the Ghostriders made four deployments to the Pacific on board the USS Ranger (CV-61) and the three other deployments with the USS Constellation (CV-64). During these cruises deployed to the Vietnam War, VF-142 downed two MiG-21’s, one MiG-17 and one AN-2 Colt This was a result of finding a problem correcting pilots, RIO's and line service personnel making adjustments to the Radar display that were incorrect which resulted in incorrect closing velocity information being sent to the missiles, this was discovered by an IMA (intermediate maintenance activity) technician and later verified by a Raytheon Tech Rep. Prior to that, success with Sparrow III missiles had not been good. VF 142 was also awarded a Battle Efficiency (E) at that time. In 1969 they transitioned from the F-4B to the F-4J and headed out for a new cruise with the Constellation on August 11, 1969. VF-142 was awarded the Naval Aviation Safety Award for 1969-1970. In June 1971, VF-142 deployed with the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) for their sixth combat deployment to Vietnam.
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