VFA-143
| Strike Fighter Squadron One Four Three | |
|---|---|
VFA-143 Insignia
|
|
| Active | 20 July 1950 - present |
| Country | United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Type | Fighter/Attack |
| Role |
Close air support Air interdiction Aerial reconnaissance |
| Part of | Carrier Air Wing Seven |
| Garrison/HQ | NAS Oceana |
| Nickname(s) | "Pukin Dogs" |
| Motto(s) | Sans Reproache |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War Gulf War Operation Southern Watch Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Inherent Resolve |
| Decorations | FFARP trophy Tactical Reconnaissance trophy Battle Efficiency "E", 1990 Battle Efficiency "E",1996 Battle Efficiency "E", 2004 Battle Efficiency "E", 2010 Battle Efficiency "E", 2013 Joseph C. Clifton Award |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter |
F4U Corsair F9F Panther F3H Demon F-4 Phantom II F-14 Tomcat F/A-18E Super Hornet |
Strike Fighter Squadron 143 (VFA-143), also known as the "Pukin Dogs", is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia. The Pukin Dogs are an operational fleet squadron and flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. They are currently attached to Carrier Air Wing Seven and the USS Harry S. Truman. They are currently at their homeport of NAS Oceana. Their radio callsign is Taproom.
The squadron adopted its current insignia in 1953, a winged black lion (or a mythical Griffin) on a blue shield. The distinctive squadron name "Pukin' Dogs" came about when the squadron commander's wife saw the creature’s droopy head and gaping mouth design. She stated, in front of the squadron pilots, that it looked like a "pukin' dog." The pilots loved that, and the name stuck. In the aftermath of the Tailhook scandal in 1991, the squadron was forced to officially rename itself the "Dogs". This official banishment was widely ignored until Admiral John Mazach, Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, rescinded the policy in a 1996 speech to the squadron.
Two Navy squadrons have held the designation VF-143. The first VF-143 was established on 20 July 1950 as VF-821 redesignated VF-143 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 1 April 1958. The second VF-143 was established in 1950, was eventually redesignated VFA-143, and is the subject of this article.
VF-871, a reserve F4U-4 Corsair squadron based at NAS Alameda called to active duty on 20 July 1950. The squadron deployed twice during the Korean War, flying from the aircraft carriers USS Princeton and USS Essex. On 4 February 1953, the squadron was redesignated VF-123 and transitioned to the F9F-2 Panther. In April 1958 they transitioned to the F3H Demon and were redesignated VF-53.
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