VF-21

• Origins in World War II: The unit that would become VF-21 was originally established as VF-81 on 11 March 1944, serving aboard the USS Wasp (CV-18) in the Pacific Theater. • Name Changes: The squadron went through several redesignations: from VF-81 to VF-13A, then VF-131, and finally VF-21 on 24 August 1948. • Nickname - "Freelancers": VF-21 was famously known as the "Freelancers" and adopted a distinctive tail insignia of a black ace of spades. • Korean War Service: VF-21 flew F9F Panthers in the Korean War, providing close air support and conducting strike missions from aircraft carriers. • First Fleet Deployments: The squadron was an early adopter of the F-4 Phantom II, transitioning to this iconic jet in the 1960s and deploying on several Pacific Fleet carriers. • Vietnam War Action: VF-21 saw extensive combat in the Vietnam War, flying thousands of sorties and achieving air-to-air kills against North Vietnamese MiGs. • MiG Killers: On 21 June 1972, VF-21 aircrew achieved the squadron's notable MiG kill by shooting down a MiG-21 with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile. • Transition to F-14 Tomcat: In 1979, VF-21 transitioned to the F-14A Tomcat, becoming one of the first Navy squadrons to operate the advanced fighter. • Operations Desert Storm and Southern Watch: VF-21 participated in Operation Desert Storm (1991) and later in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing no-fly zones over Iraq. • Deactivation: After over 50 years of service, VF-21 was disestablished on 31 January 1996, marking the end of an illustrious chapter in U.S. Naval Aviation history.