Fighter Squadron 173 or VF-173 was an aviation unit of the United States Navy established on 11 August 1948 and disestablished on 1 February 1959.[1]

Fighter Squadron 173
Active11 August 1948 – 1 February 1959
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Navy
RoleFighter aircraft
Part ofInactive
Nickname(s)Jesters
Aircraft flown
FighterF8F-2 Bearcat
F4U-5 Corsair
F9F-6 Cougar
FJ-3 Fury

Operational history

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VF-173 FJ-3s on USS Saratoga c.1956

VF-173 was the first squadron equipped with the FJ-3 Fury replacing its F9F-6 Cougars in late 1954, VF-173 completed the carrier qualification of the FJ-3 aboard USS Coral Sea in early 1955.[2]

VF-173 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 17 (CVG-17) which was assigned to the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1956 to 1958. In September 1957, VF-173 participated in Operation Deep Water.

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. ^ Thomason, Tommy (2008). U.S. Naval Air Superiority: Development of Shipborne Jet Fighters - 1943-1962. Specialty Press. p. 138. ISBN 9781580071109.
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