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 …

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.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is an American carrier-capable supersonic, twin-engine, tandem two-seat, twin-tail, all-weather-capable variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. The Tomcat was developed for the United States Navy 's Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program after the collapse of the General Dynamics-Grumman F-111B project.

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.

At first VF-21 was assigned to the carrier USS Constellation (CV-64) as part of CVW-14. A number of cruises followed until in 1990 the squadron moved, along with the rest of CVW-14 to the USS Independence (CV-62).

VF-21 Mach Busters fighter squadron FITRON TWO ONE US Navy

VF-21 now transitioned to the F-14 Tomcat, the process was managed by VF-124 and it was not until later half of 1984 that VF-21 was declared fully operational, the first cruise was with CVW-14 aboard USS Constellation (CV-64) in early 1985.

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. On June 30, 1943 the squadron participated in dawn to dusk "Rendova Patrols" over the U.S. Navy force off Rendova Island.

Jul 15, 2019 · In June 1990 VF-21 made its first deployment onboard USS Independence and completed its final deployment in November 1995. On January 1, 1996 VF-21 was disestablished and F-14A 161616 was sent to VF-101 and finally struck off charge in 1999.

Jan 13, 2024 · 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.