Fighter Squadron 122 or VF-122 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy. Originally established as Reserve Squadron 783 (VF-783) it was called to active duty on 2 August 1950, it was re-designated VF-122 on 4 February 1953 and disestablished on 10 April 1958.[1]

Fighter Squadron 122
Active2 August 1950 – 10 April 1958
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RoleFighter aircraft
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Black Angels
EngagementsKorean War
Aircraft flown
FighterF4U-4 Corsair
F9F-5 Panther
F9F-8 Cougar
F3H-2N Demon

Operational history

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VF-783 F4U-4s in 1950
 
VF-122 F9F-8 lands on USS Shangri-La in 1956
 
VF-122 F3H-2N launches from USS Ticonderoga in 1957

VF-783 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 102 (CVG-102) aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard for a deployment to Korea from 10 May to 17 December 1951. During this deployment VF-783 lost 8 F4U-4s and 3 pilots killed.[2]

VF-783/VF-122 was assigned to Carrier Air Group Twelve (CVG-12) aboard USS Oriskany, which was deployed to Korea from 15 September 1952 to 18 May 1953. It lost 4 F9F-5s and 2 pilots killed.[2]: 142 On 13 April 1953, the engine of an F9F Panther from the squadron flamed out during a photo reconnaissance mission and the pilot Lt(jg) Roy Tailor was killed when he attempted to ditch the plane at sea. On 20 April 1953, pilot Randolph T. Scoggan was killed when his F9F Panther was shot down by antiaircraft fire and crashed into the sea.[3]

VF-122 was embarked on USS Boxer for a Western Pacific deployment from 3 March to 11 October 1954.

VF-122 was assigned to Air Task Group 3 (ATG-3) aboard USS Shangri-La for a Western Pacific deployment from 5 January to 23 June 1956.

Home port assignments

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Aircraft assignment

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Lineage for Fighter Squadrons" (PDF). Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  2. ^ a b Campbell, Douglas (2013). U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and MATS Aircraft Lost During the Korean War. Lulu.com. p. 154. ISBN 9781304610737.
  3. ^ "Oriskany (CV-34)". www.history.navy.mil. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
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