Country United States Part of Inactive Aircraft F6F-3/5 Hellcat | Branch United States Navy Nickname(s) Hellcats | |
Active 1 June 1943-23 November 1945 | ||
Fighter Squadron 8 or VF-8 was an aviation unit of the U.S. Navy, originally established on 1 June 1943, it was disestablished on 23 November 1945. It was the second US Navy squadron to be designated VF-8.
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Operational history
VF-8 under the command of Lt Cdr William M. Collins Jr. was initially assigned to the USS Intrepid during that ship's shakedown cruise in the Caribbean.
In March 1944 the squadron was deployed as part of Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the USS Bunker Hill until October 1944. During this deployment VF-8 pilot Lt. Edward L. Feightner scored 5 victories bringing his total score to 9.
From November 1944 to the end of January 1945 CVG-8 was shore-based at NAS Alameda. From February to mid-May CVG-8 was based at NAAS Watsonville. From late May to early August 1945 CVG-8 was based at NAS Puunene Hawaii. By September 1945 CVG-8 was based on Saipan.
Home port assignments
The squadron was assigned to these home ports: