Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) Freelancers was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established in 1944 as VF-81 it was redesignated VF-13A in 1946, redesignated VF-131 in 1948, redesignated VF-64 in 1950 and redesignated VF-21 on 1 July 1959, it was disestablished on 31 January 1996.

VF-21 Freelancers was the third US Navy fighter squadron to be designated VF-21. The first was VGS-11, which was established in 1942, redesignated VF-21 in 1944 and disestablished in 1945. The second VF-21 was established in 1945 as VF-74A and became VF-21 in 1948.

FIGHTER SQUADRON 21 (VF-21) at HullNumber.com - Specs & Deployments - Crew Roster - Photos - NEW -> ALL HANDS - Internet Links - Reunion Info

The squadron today known as VF-21 was first established in 1944 as VF-81, acquiring it's present designation in 1959, thus becoming the second US Navy squadron to be designated VF-21. The first Tomcats arrived in November 1983, replacing F …

Jan 25, 2025 · In March 1965, fighter squadron VF-21 deployed to Southeast Asia under the command of CDR Bill Franke aboard the USS Midway. The carrier strikeforce was directed to spearhead "Operation Rolling Thunder" with sustained combat operations against the communist insurgency led by North Vietnam.

On May 16, 1943 redesignated Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) nicknamed "Freelancers". During 1943 part of Carrier Air Group 21 (CAG-21) that operated F4F-4 Wildcats land based from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

FJ-3 Fury (VF-21 / ATG-181) embarked on USS Forrestal (CVA 59) - 1956 One of three F9F-6 Cougars of VF-21 that completed the first transcontinental flight in less than four hours pictured at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio - 1954 (NNAM)

VF-21 compiled a most impressive combat record by making six further visits to the war zone aboard USS Coral Sea (CVA-43) and USS Ranger (CV-61) between 1966 and 1973.

Find Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) Free Lancers unit information, patches, operation history, veteran photos and more on TogetherWeServed.com. TWS is the largest online community of Veterans existing today and is a powerful Veteran locator.

Jul 1, 2018 · Fighter Squadron 21 (VF-21) were several aviation units of the United States Navy. History: 5 August 1942: established as Escort-Scouting Squadron 11 (VGS-11); 1 March 1943: redesignated Composite Squadron 11 (VC-11); 16 May 1943: redesignated VF-21; 5 November 1945: disestablished: 2 March 1944: established as VF-81 "Free Lancers";