VF-1
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This article is about the fighter squadron; for the mecha seen in Macross/Robotech, see VF-1 Valkyrie.
VF-1 was the designation of a fighter squadron of the United States Navy known as the "Wolfpack". The squadron was retired and its personnel reassigned in 1993 when its carrier, USS Ranger (CVA-61) was decommissioned.
[edit] History
Fighter Squadron One was originally established on July 1, 1922, and operated as VF-1 until July 1, 1934, when it was then redesignated VB-2. One year later, on July 1, 1935, a second VF-1 was established and served for two years until it was redesignated to VF-6. During these years the pilots flew Curtiss TS, Boeing F2B and F3B, Curtiss F8C and BFC Goshawk and Boeing F4B.
In January, 1925 it was decided that VF-1 would operate from battleships, their TS land planes were fitted with pontoons and new engines. The squadron's planes were assigned to eleven different battleships. On November 16, 1927 the USS Saratoga (CV-3) was commissioned and VF-1 was assigned to her.
The third VF-1 was established on May 1, 1943, operating Grumman F6F Hellcats. They were assigned to the Pacific fleet and participated in numerous missions during World War II. In 1944, the squadron was reorganized, and assigned to perform attacks on Japan itself, taking an important role in assaulting airfields and Japanese shipping. After the war ended, the squadron was assigned to escort supply drops, until it was disestablished on October 25, 1945.
The fourth VF-1, "Wolfpack" was established on October 14, 1972 at NAS Miramar, at the same time as VF-2, these units were the first F-14 fighter squadrons. VF-1 received the first F-14As on July 1, 1973. The squadron's insignia was a red wolf’s head. The first cruise came in September 1974 onboard USS Enterprise (CVN-65). The end of the cruise saw the first Tomcat’s combat debut, as VF-1 and VF-2 flew cover over Saigon for evacuation of US personnel in April, 1975 as part of Operation Frequent Wind.
In September 1980, VF-1 and VF-2 changed carrier air wings, moved to the USS Ranger (CVA-61) and flew various cruises with her until they shifted carriers once again in 1984 to the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). They stayed with Kitty Hawk for one cruise. In 1984, VF-1 had achieved the impressive 22,000 flight hours without a single accident. By 1986, they returned to the Ranger and were with the carrier during Operation Desert Storm where a VF-1 F-14 scored the only air-to-air kill during the war, an Iraqi Mil Mi-8 helicopter was downed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder.
The USS Ranger was decommissioned in 1993 and VF-1 was left without a carrier. They operated out of NAS Miramar until VF-1 itself was decommissioned later in 1993.
