About this Unit
VF-192, originally established as VF-153 in August 1948, was a distinguished U.S. Navy fighter squadron. Redesignated as VF-192 in February 1950, the squadron gained fame flying F9F Panthers during the Korean War, where it participated in numerous combat missions from the USS Princeton (CV-37). VF-192 was known as the "Golden Dragons" and contributed significantly to air-to-ground and air-to-air operations. In 1956, VF-192 was redesignated as VF-114, continuing its legacy of excellence in naval aviation.
Historical Facts
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Origins: VF-192, also known as "Golden Dragons," was originally established as VF-153 on March 26, 1945. The squadron was redesignated as VF-192 in 1950.
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Korean War Service: VF-192 flew F9F-2 Panther jets and participated in combat operations during the Korean War, flying from the decks of USS Princeton (CV-37).
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Hollywood Fame: VF-192 was featured in the 1954 Hollywood film "The Bridges at Toko-Ri," which depicted the squadron’s exploits during the Korean War.
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Aircraft Transitions: Over its history, VF-192 operated several aircraft types, including the F4U Corsair, F9F Panther, F2H Banshee, F3H Demon, F-8 Crusader, and F-4 Phantom II.
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Nickname and Insignia: The squadron’s nickname, "Golden Dragons," was adopted in 1959, along with their distinctive dragon insignia.
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Vietnam War Deployments: As VF-192, the unit deployed multiple times during the Vietnam War, flying combat missions off aircraft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin.
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Carrier Assignments: VF-192 served aboard many famous aircraft carriers, including USS Ticonderoga (CV-14), USS Oriskany (CV-34), and USS Coral Sea (CV-43).
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Redesignations: VF-192 was redesignated as VF-114 "Aardvarks" in 1965, and its lineage later became part of VFA-192, currently flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
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Combat Achievements: The squadron received multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, for their service in Korea and Vietnam.
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Legacy: Today, VFA-192 continues the traditions of VF-192 as a strike fighter squadron, upholding the "Golden Dragons" legacy in the modern U.S. Navy.
